The open letter of Aliaksandr Milinkevich’s to Lukashenka has become a major controversy, troubling the minds of those, who belong to the opposition wing of the Belarusian political scene. On 7 February the leader of the united Belarusian opposition (the question whether Milinkevich is still its leader and whether the opposition still united is another widely discussed issue) sent a letter to Lukashenka, which was also published and quoted by the independent Belarusian media. “It is difficult for me to turn to you, but I understand, that I have no right not to use all the chances for the future of our Belarus”, begins the letter. Milinkevich outlines the basic common goals of the president and the opposition – preventing the economic collapse, maintaining cooperation with the East and with the West, and preserving the independence of the country. “There are no radical groups within the opposition, which plan to overthrow the regime by force”, writes Milinkevich. He pleads for the evolution of the country towards democracy. The opposition leader proposes Lukashenka his help in improving the Belarus’ relations with the West if the president agrees to release political prisoners, stop the pressure on civic society and mass media, and begins to respect basic human rights. “It is within our power to find the common decision which would help to overcome the confrontation in the society for the sake of flourishing and development of our dear Belarus”.
The reaction to this letter was anything but unanimous. Some praised the letter of Milinkevich as a strong move of the independent and self-confident politician, other accused him of being selfish and acting without the sanction of the other opposition leaders. Many said Milinkevich humiliated himself by reaching out his hand to the dictator. The other side – the pro-government structures and media widely ignored the letter.
“Nasha Niva” asked some major public figures of the independent Belarusian society, whether they would shake hands with Lukashenka if they had such a chance, and under which conditions. Here are some answers:
Ales Bialiatski, human rights activists, 2007 Nobel Prize nominee from Belarus: “It’s difficult to say. Perhaps, there can be some exceptional cases, in which I would agree to shake his hand. For example, is such shaking could change something in our country. Then I would do it. But I can say, that I find this person to be absolutely not sympathetic”.
Valiantsin Akudovich, philosopher: “In this very moment it would be very difficult for me to do that. During the times of our confrontation I gathered a lot of negative impressions of this person. During these years he offended and defamed everything, which was dear to me. I understand, that this is a leader of my country and that I should treat him as a leader, but I can’t do that. I don’t exclude that I could have shaken Lukashenka’s hand during some official meeting or reception, but at the same time I would do everything possible to prevent such a meeting”.
Zmitsier Vajtsiushkevich, musician: “I would shake his hand – as a farewell”.
Maksim Zhbankou, culture scientist: “It depends on a context. Now I would hardly to that. But in case he reacts to the letter of Milinkevich, if he makes some steps towards us, I don’t exclude such a possibility”.
Uladzimier Kolas, director of the shut-down Belarusian Lyceum: “If this could do good to some cause, I maybe would have shaken his hand. But I don’t think that I would ever get such a chance, because all attempts of the opposition to bring together their position with the position of the regime are vain”.
Sviatlana Zavadskaja, wife of the disappeared Belarusian journalist Dzmitry Zavadski: “I couldn’t do that. Maybe these political games, which take place in Belarus, are necessary for the country. But I, as a person, who has suffered enough from these authorities, would never do that”.
Ales Razanau, poet: “Lukashenka have gone and left many places during his time in office. It is not enough if he agrees to celebrate Dzien Voli (Freedom Day, 25 March) with us, it is important, that he enters with us this Freedom, our Belarus. Only in this case one can shake both of his hands – because if you shake one hand, you never know, what the other hand does”.
