Milinkevich is released
Alexander Milinkevich was released from jail this morning and staged a press conference in front of the prison gates.
Belarus’ opposition leader commented on an article from a Russian newspaper “Kommersant” which states that Vladimir Putin ordered to stop subsidizing Belarusian economy and is forcing Lukashenka to create a union state under Moscow rule.
Alexander Milinkevich said:
“One could expect such reaction from Kremlin. At some point Lukashenka wanted to unite. Today he doesn’t want a union and doesn’t want to lose power. That’s why economic sanctions from Russia came earlier than any sanctions from the West. This will be a tough test for Belarus.
It’s bad that Belarusian government haven’t used lower prices for Russian natural resources in order to prepare our country for higher prices. We are going to pay for this mistake.
But I want to say with full confidence: in Belarus there are no serious political forces which would support the destruction of Belarus’ independence. I don’t know what Russia counts on.
According to opinion polls only 6 % of Belarus population supports Belarus’ incorportation into Russia. I don’t understand with whom Russia is going to sign the “union treaty.” With something ethemeral, with something non-existent?
If such a treaty will be signed, I will call it an Anschluss*. And I believe Western countries should not recognize such a treaty, because it will be followed by a referendum which you can’t do in a dictatorial country like ours.
I think Russian position is wrong. Such foreign policy when an oil/gas valve is used to control neighbouring countries does not have any future. We always expressed our willingness to work together with Russia, but on equal footing, with mutual trust and predictability. This oil valve politics is a tool from the previous century.”
* The Anschluss was the 1938 “inclusion” of Austria into “Greater Germany” by the Nazi regime. The Anschluss was preceded by a period of growing political pressure on Austria, exerted by Germany, demanding recognition of the outlawed Austrian National-Socialist party and later, their share of Government. In 1938 Austrian chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg, in a last bid to retain Austrian independence, announced a referendum to determine independence or union with Germany. Germany then pressured Schuschnigg into handing over power to the Nazi party. This well-planned internal overthrow by the Austrian Nazi Party of Austria’s state institutions in Vienna on March 11 meant that when Wehrmacht troops entered into Austria to enforce the Anschluss.
May 12th, 2006 at 5:08 pm
I wouldn’t say that Kommersant is a newspaper close to the Kremlin. Together with the whole publishing house it belonged primarily to Boris Berezovsky, the anti-Putin “oligarch”, now it’s owner is Badri Patrakatsishvili, a Georgian magnate and friend of Berezovsky. A soon sale of the publishing house to the Kremlin is planned, but not yet done.
Still, they may have contacts and good information sources in the Kremlin administration. And as soon as the article got on the very front page, the information in it can be treated as proof / or as a public opinion provocation to see how the society will react on it
May 12th, 2006 at 5:34 pm
> I wouldn’t say that Kommersant is a newspaper close to the Kremlin.
Dziakuj za padkazku. I’ll remove that sentence.
May 13th, 2006 at 3:41 am
Slava Bohu! Thank heavens for Milinkevich’s release, and his obvious courage to continue telling it like it is in Belarus. May he continue to find strength, support and conviction in working for the independence and democratic renewal of Belarus.
May 13th, 2006 at 9:06 am
Hmm… I saw him briefly on tv, he was smiling and giving a speech… it was very short as I just tuned in and I dont remember much
May 13th, 2006 at 9:16 am
Here it is…. short but makes a point
http://www.euronews.net/create_html.php?page=detail_info&article=358695&lng=1#
May 13th, 2006 at 10:01 am
Protect this guy from imprisonment, he´s got an important job to do!
May 14th, 2006 at 1:51 am
A copy of comments from two Russian bloggers:
bobra_zhelatel
LOL
“Belarus’ opposition leader commented on an article from a Russian newspaper “Kommersant” (which is quite close to Kremlin, journalists say)” - actually, the Kommersant was paper of mr. Berezhovsky, who has a little personal vendetta with Kremlin. He just sold it to his old business partner and friend Badry Patricatcishwilly. If they lie in such a facts….
The Byelorussian president now has a good “business” - Byelorussia buys gas and oil for 1/5 of its European market price from Russia, and then they are sold to Central Europe for the full market price.
> Byelorussia
Where’s that?
> buys gas and oil for 1/5 of its European market price from Russia, and then they are sold to Central Europe for the full market price.
1) Gas is merely transited, at a very low rate. Gas is owned by Russia and is sold to Western and Central Europe. Belarus only provides transit at low prices.
2) Some of the oil is indeed processed into gasoline and sold to other countries. What’s wrong with that?
(Reply to this)(Parent) (Thread)
bobra_zhelatel
1) Gas is also sold directly to Belorussia for 1/5 of its price for consuption. It could be transited and sold in Europe for full price. Byelorussia is wellcomed to transit gas for market price too. It’s a business.
2) When oil is bued for special low price, and after processing is sold to other countries for market price, it is very good from point of view of those, who process this oil :-). But why Russia should sponsor this very nice business with oil for special price? I see no reason for that.
> for market price
That would be good. Alexander Lukashenka pulled the whole country into a special program with Russia “Cheap Oil in exchange for Kisses.” I also think market model is the prefered way to go. And that’s what Milinkevich is basically saying as well.
graf_garcia
ooh again
where do you see sanctions?
Belarus will be forced to pay market prices for Russian goods.
Long overdue, I would say.
If it proves that Belarus is not viable as a sovereign country with meaningful economy, tough luck then.
I am not sure the economic failure of Belarus will automatically mean its incorporation into Russia.
I would say it is the opposite: Russia had subsidized ex-Soviet republics because the Kremlin sort of hoped for the new crystallization of post-Soviet Union around Russia. Now it’s clear that it won’t happen. They don’t want to pay for an illusion anymore.
If Belarus doesn’t survive as a sovereign state, it won’t be because of Russia. It will be because of Belarus.
P.S. If I were you I would worry more about the fact that there are more Belarussians working in Moscow than Belarussians able to speak Belarusian. Yes I know countries which don’t have their own language but do survive as sovereign states: Austria, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldova. But Belarus will have it a bit more difficult, with or without cheap gas.
PPS. To be clear - I don’t want Belarus included into Russia in any form. I want it to stay separate.
> Belarus will be forced to pay market prices for Russian goods.
As I said, market model would be good. Alexander Lukashenka pulled the whole country into a special program “Cheap Oil in exchange for Kisses.” I also think market model is the prefered way to go. And that’s what Milinkevich is basically saying.
> If I were you I would worry more about the fact that there are more Belarusians working in Moscow than Belarusians able to speak Belarusian.
Any concrete numbers (and their sources)?
P.S. Though yes, I understand what you mean. And, yes, indeed I’m concerned about that.
May 14th, 2006 at 12:52 pm
“> Byelorussia
Where’s that?”
I dont know, I cant find it on my maps ;)
“2) Some of the oil is indeed processed into gasoline and sold to other countries. What’s wrong with that?
(Reply to this)(Parent) (Thread)”
True, I dont see how doing business is bad. Its common sense to buy low, sell high and also only way to make profit. This business will be destroyed soon as oil prices go up… (if Putin doesnt get what he wants)
“If Belarus doesn’t survive as a sovereign state, it won’t be because of Russia. It will be because of Belarus.”
Its not because of Belarus but because of one idiot who’s too busy holding power rather than looking to the future and taking steps to prevent such disasters. Belarus is Belarus. He must be talking about lukashenka’s Belarus, an illusion. I already worry about friends not being able to buy food any more when there wont be any more cheap oil and gas :( I’m also worried what the regime will do in return. Ration gas usage? (People freezing to death in their homes at winter) Sign annexation contracts? (Belarus dissapearing from the map) Or just ignore the problem and use it as propaganda to blame the west again. Even on his filthy president site there’s no trace whatsoever about what will be done.
Ps. Rather nice sign of how badly things are being censored, only part of that site is translated in English. The difference is striking when you switch between Russian and English and back a few times.
May 17th, 2006 at 10:37 am
http://bloggersenzafrontiere.blogosfere.it/2006/05/breaking_news_l.html
May 29th, 2006 at 6:48 pm
Is he Jewish? Why do you support Jewish leaders?
June 5th, 2006 at 7:50 pm
[…] However, Lukashenko will hardy follow in the steps of his Libyan friend Quaddafi and have a 180 degree reversal of his policies due to the Western pressure. He is just teasing Moscow with such threats to get a more favorable energy deal. On the other hand, if Moscow's immediate plans regarding Belarus do include annexation, a subject discussed at length in Minsk, Lukashenko wants to have a chance of keeping his country in the vacuum of EU enlargement promises than the in quite concrete hands of Moscow. Either is unlikely, yet Putin will not move to overcharge Lukashenko for energy, if the question is posed in terms "Do we lose Belarus or not?" […]
December 15th, 2006 at 5:38 am
What are u all talking about. do u think u know a lot of things about Belarus, its economy?(esp. the guy, who dont even know where it is.) ur conclusions are made after reading the speech of one of the opposition leaders who just wants to take the power in his hands, who licks the dust in European Parlament, the USA, who humiliates his motherhood, who during the elections was paid by certain states to organise a revolution in his country. Can u call him a patriot???
How can u support such a person?
And as far as oil/gas is concerned, the two presidents will find a solution,dont worry. People elected them to cope with the problems of their states and they will do it without ur clever assumptions.
And we will not lose Belarus, dont dream about it…
February 3rd, 2008 at 5:47 am
Thanks for sharing
February 7th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well. But it was interesting! Look for some my links:
March 24th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well.