Statkevich: Congress May Be a Rebooting Mechanism

Opposition leaders pass tests in responsibility for the country's future.

Representatives of the organizing committee of the congress of democratic forces consulted together with Sejm of the BPF party and center-right coalition. The date of the congress planned for this spring is not specified.

Mikalai Statkevich told in the interview to Radio Svaboda.

"We consulted Sejm of the BPF party. Our colleagues decided to offer a platform. If we agree, they will join the organizing committee. It is strange. People with common view usually unite, but here are independent ones who develop a common platform.

But we accepted it and next Tuesday we will consider the platform. It is possible that the chairman of the BPF party will participate. If there are no objections, we will accept the platform," Statkevich said.

According to the politician, the organizing committee consulted center-right coalition which takes their time joining to the activity of the committee.

"As we understand, our colleagues in the center-right coalition have doubts in economic platform in the congress, list of candidates and an ability to support our nomination campaign. This is the common issue of the organizing committee.

There are two ways to withdraw from association. First, they can say "you have nothing. What is the reason to unite? Second, valid for those who have joined first - we are not satisfied with results.

Leanid Zlotnikau will develop economic program for the congress. But we are ready to consider all variants offered. In case they are valid, we can adopt them. But it is not the reason to unite at all.

Besides, we should make a list of candidates to take part in such "elections". We are ready to take their own list, we have no elections anyway. Make your own list.

Problems with these platforms, programs and papers are much less than that Belarus faces: the preservation of our statehood. Dangers are at hand. And it's better face them together.

We must show our consolidation to Belarus and the world. To express our common attitude towards events in the country. To present our joint plan of actions of how to preserve the statehood of Belarus. And, finally, to outline problems democratic forces must resolve. As well as to state that we have common platform to face these challenges.

First of all, the organizing committee of the congress, which may take a permanent status and change its name, is our common platform. It is even more important than these things. We are ready to meet maximum of their needs.

We are ready to consider programs of center-right coalition, as well as the platform of the BPF. We joined Priority of Option campaign and sent our representatives there. We also sent our representatives to the organizing committee concerning celebration of March 25. We demonstrate our intentions to unite.

You should understand that leaders of democratic organizations pass test in responsibility for the country's future. If we find out they have failed it, we will have the right to say: rebooting the opposition is needed. The congress may be the mechanism. Or we may change the name. It will be something different - people's assembly or something else. The situation now looks like this," Statkevich told.

Mikalai Statkevich has not specified the date of the Forum planned for this spring.

"We waste time on these maneuvers. I'd like to hear a sincere answer: yes or no. And here it starts - you've failed to mention this and that... All these tricks are well-known.

But give us the main reply we are interested in. Do you want democratic forces to be united or not?

The main thing is will to unite. I do not want to turn into guessing why my colleagues resist to equally-based unification so hard. We do not promote a presidential candidate or an opposition leader. Let's take the decision. Why are you so stubborn? What is the reason?", the leader of the opposition asks.

It should be reminded that Mikalai Statkevich (PH), Andrei Sannikov (European Belarus), Stanislai Shushkevich (BSDP), Uladzimir Nyaklyayew (For Nationhood and Independence movement), Henadz Fiadynich (REI Trade Union), Razam solidarity movement, Zmitser Dashkevich, Mikhail Pastukhou are members of the organizing committee of the congress.

The organizing committee has decided not to invite Fair World Party and representatives of Tell the Truth. Decisions are based on principle "consensus minus one", the chair is determined by rotation, the quorum makes up 2/3 of total number of members.

The congress aims to consolidate democratic forces, take a common stand.