Belarus Opposition Calls for European Strategy on Belarus

Belarus opposition leaders Mr Anatol Lyabedzka, chairman of the United Civic Party, and Mr Vincuk Viacorka, chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front, briefed today members of the European Parliament on the present situation in Belarus and gave their views on possible action to be taken by the European Institutions.

In particular, they informed the members on the unification of all opposition forces in Belarus and on the election of one single opposition candidate.

They encouraged the European Parliament to promote the development of a common strategy for Belarus by the European Institutions. Many initiatives are being taken at the moment by a variety of players, but they are not always coordinated in such a way they lead to the desired result. Having the presidential elections in July 2006, this is the moment to combine all efforts.

The change of the situation in Belarus is of course the task and responsibility of Belarusians themselves. However, external support is very welcome of course.

It is clear that the European Institutions and the Belarus opposition share the same objectives: the return to democracy in Belarus. In order to realize this objective, Lyabedzka and Viacorka suggest the following actions by the European Institutions:
Facilitate free flow of information to and in Belarus
Create instruments to protect and support those who suffer of suppression because of their political -democratic- convictions
Support all 10 Belarus opposition leaders that support the single presidential candidate Milinkevich, in their joint cooperation to solve the political and socio- economic problems in Belarus. This support could materialize in direct cooperation between all political groups in the European Parliament and the 10 opposition parties in Belarus.

In a meeting with Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner attention was paid to the improvement of broadcasting facilities, to reach as many Belarusians with information on Belarus and the outside world.

In a meeting with the Belarus Delegation of the European Parliament, also today, it was decided that this Delegation will organize a public hearing on Belarus in the EP, in cooperation with the European Commission and Council.

Today´s briefing in Parliament was hosted by MEP´s Geremek (ALDE), Hennis-Plasschaert (ALDE) Klich (EPP) and Wiersma (PES) and was organised in cooperation with the Brussels based office for Democratic Belarus and the National Democratic Institute (NDI).


Strasbourg, 26.10.2005

Olga Stuzhinskaya
Research Assistant
NATO Parliamentary Assembly
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Belgium
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