EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

   2004   2009   

The Report from the visit of the Vice-President of the European Parliament Mr Janusz Onyszkiewicz to Minsk on 10 of December 2004.

Prepared by: Wojciech Borodzicz-Smoliński Assistant of the EP Vice-President Mr Janusz Onyszkiewicz

Table of Contents:

Meeting with representatives of independent NGOs and research institutions page 3

Meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Mr Alyaxander Mikhnevich page 6

Propositions for the EU and the EP page 8

Annex page 10

2 The Report.

Thanks to the courtesy of the Ambassador of Italy to the republic of Belarus, H.E. Giugielmo Ardizzone, representing the Presidency of EU Council in Belarus and to the courtesy of the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, H.E. Tadeusz Pawlak on the day of 10 December, 2004 the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Mr Janusz Onyszkiewicz has conducted in Minsk a number of meetings with representatives of opposition parties, NGOs, as well as with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Mr Alyaxander Mikhnevich.

The meeting was aimed at collecting information through gathering opinions of opposition, NGOs, and research circles as well as of Belarusian government for the EP Report concerning the political situation in Belarus.

Despite the fact, that the visit of Vice-President lasted only one day, it was possible to talk to almost all leaders of Belarusian opposition as well as with people conducting independent opinion polls.

Mr Aleh Manayew, a director of Independent Institute for Socio-Economic and Political Studies (IISEPS), has presented incredibly interesting results of opinion polls conducted after elections and referendum on 17 of October 2004. Questions respondents were asked concerned their electoral awareness and support for the current President of the Republic of Belarus as well as their future electoral preferences. IISEPS has also studied the trust of people to the electoral results. It is worth to mention that IISEPS together with Gallup has conducted the “Exit Poll” on a sample of 30,000 Belarusian citizens. the poll has proved that the referendum was falsified [according to IISEPS 43% voted in favour of Belarusian President propositions, while according the Belarusian Central Electoral Committee (CEC) 80% of voters were in favour].

It turns out, that only 33% of polled have heard of “Exit Poll's” results, while 58% of respondents have never encountered the IISEPS results. This means that the informational blockade in Belarus is successful, although it is not an absolute. The next question of electoral and Referenda results have displayed a relatively high trust of Belarusian society to the results given by CEC than to those given by the IISEPS (43% and 29% respectively). The conclusion above is supported by the fact, that 48% of respondents regard the elections and referenda as fair while 35% call them unfair.

It is worth to mention the outcome of opinion poll concerning the presentation of opposition demonstrations in Minsk by state electronic and printed media. The participants of protests were presented as a drunken aggressive mob, disturbing walking pedestrians. According to the results of the poll, 39% have believed the official media, 31% remained indifferent, and 29% have supported the protesters. This is very important information, since it unfolds the influence the electronic and printed media have on people in Belarus.

Next results of opinion polls conducted by Dr Manayew present popular support for Alexander Lukashenka and his chances in next presidential elections, while there are fears the elections will take place not in 2006, but in spring 2005. Belarusian President enjoyed the support of 34% in spring 2004, while thanks to the increase of pensions, stipends and loosening some legal restrictions for young families, the support has risen to 47%. There are

3 forecasts that predict a significant decline in popular support for Lukashenka starting from spring 2005 due to worsening condition of Belarusian economy.

IISEPS has also conducted simulation of electoral preferences for a woman as a counter- candidate of Lukashenka. The counter-candidate would have enjoyed 10% of popular support on average (Tatsyana Protska – 11,4%, Lyudmila Hryaznova – 9,2%, Iryna Krasowskaya – 9,2%, Natalya Masherava – 15,9%). If any of the women mentioned have gotten to the second round of elections, she could count on approximately 25,9% of popular support.

There was a proposition of isolation of high ranking state officials mentioned during the meeting. Every contact between Belarusian officials and their Western counterparts are presented in Belarus as success, contributing to legitimisation of Belarusian regime. Moreover, such contacts do not bring any results desired. However the contacts a lower level in economic, visa, and trans-border co-operation spheres should be continued, since they are of crucial importance for Belarusian citizens and citizens of bordering with Belarus countries.

IISEPS results point at positive outcome of poll concerning the future of Belarus. 31% of Belarusian society supports the integration with the EU, 21% supports integration within CIS, and around 20% would like to see their country in both the EU and the CIS, while the same number of people objects their country participating in any of the structures mentioned. Although the number of people supporting Belarus integrating within CIS reaches as high as 41%, it is worth to use the positive attitude of Belarusians towards the EU, because this attitude was acquired through the personal experience in the country, where all media are censored and presenting the EU from negative side only.

Concerning support for NGOs Mr Manayew has pointed out two ways: I. Grants for reliable, large organisations, presenting visible achievements. II. Support for a large number of initiatives with small grants (€ 150-200). The funds would have been given not only to large NGOs, but also to different initiative groups for targeted purposes. As an example was given activity of Mr Kazanceki from EEDC.

The meetings with Ms Zhanna Litvina, the President of Belarusian Association of Journalists, awarded by the European Parliament with Sakharov Prize; Ms Tatyana Protska, the Head of Belarusian Helsinki Foundation, Mr Alyaxander Fyaduta, the former Press Secretary of Aleksander Lukashenka and currently an independent journalist, and Mr Piotr Martsaw, the Publisher of Belarusian Business Newspaper (BDG) have uncovered the existing in Belarus informational blockade. Belarusian TV is censored while programmes discrediting opposition being broadcasted right after the headline news programme. Re-transmitted in Belarus Russian channels are also a subject to censorship. The programmes not pleasant for Belarusian President are cut out and substituted with “neutral movies”. Nevertheless some participants believe Russian channels provide useful information for the society. Unfortunately cable TV is not available on a wide scale in Belarus, while satellite dishes cannot be installed without an “informal” permission of authorities.

In November 2004 the Belarusian Minister of Information has prohibited the re-transmission of Polish TV channels in Belarusian cable TV networks, defining them as “posing the threat to the security of the Republic of Belarus”. Radio programmes mostly limit themselves to music broadcast. This process is, nevertheless, also under a supervision of special commission, which places “not loyal” music groups on the “black list”. For broadcasting of

4 any of the black-listed groups a radio station may be deprived of the broadcasting license or at least given a significant fine. Among the independent radio stations broadcasting for Belarusians it is necessary to mention the Radio Freedom/Radio Liberty, the Belarusian Desk of Polonia Radio, the Baltic Waves, and the Radio from Wilia. The weak side of the radio stations is their limited broadcasting time with only the Radio from Wilia broadcasts on popular FM waves.

Internet is a rapidly developing media in Belarus. Unfortunately a permanent access to the Internet requires $50 - 60 monthly payment and is basically reserved for wealthy people. Belarusian authorities possess a possibility for e-mail filtration, often blocking or restricting access to certain URL addresses. As far as the free independent information services are concerned one could mention Radio Freedom/Radio Liberty, Charter97, as well as Polish web-portal Bialorus.pl with BelaPan being a leader among those charging for their services.

Media representatives have noted that there is almost no programme for supporting the independent media. BAJ is currently working on the Information Strategy in Belarus document, which is to be presented soon.

Ms Protska, elaborating on the political situation in Belarus has said, that “Belarus is not Ukraine”. Paraphrasing the title of Leonid Kuchma’s book she pointed at danger that Western politicians will be looking at Belarus through the prism of Ukrainian “Orange Revolution”. Such a perception will disappoint them quite soon, she said, since Belarusian society has absolutely different temperament than the Ukrainian one. Contrary to Ukraine, in Belarus there is no private capital which needs democracy and which could support independent movements. There is a need for support from outside the country. Programme TACIS is not able to help in this situation, since requires the contribution of own capital and is under the full control of the Belarusian authorities. The absence of a free access to the independent mass media is also a significant problem, while Luakshenka will not refrain from using the force. Mr Fyaduta have noted that by closing the J. Kolas Lyceum the Belarusian authorities have confirmed their influence over the state-financed institutions, nevertheless the authorities have also projected their “almighty” by closing the European University of Humanities, an entirely private initiative. A sad conclusion is drawn that any institution in Belarus can exist only with permission of authorities.

Representatives of opposition political parties are drawing the attention to an attempt for an entire marginalisation of political parties in Belarus, as well as to the actions, which may lead to de-legalisation of political parties. Belarusian authorities have introduced a new law, demanding political parties to be registered in an office space. The demand is extremely difficult to comply, especially outside Minsk, since all office space is under full state control. Generally Lukashenka aims at self-isolation of Belarus. Private visits may improve the situation, yet visas costs – around $ 100 – is often quite a serious hinder.

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A meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Mr Alyaxander Mikhnevich.

During the meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Mr Alyaxander Mikhnevich the next issues were discussed:

- Integration of Belarus into the Single Economic Space within the CIS. According to Belarusian government the aim of the integration is to create fundaments for “the common market” based on 4 freedoms: freedom of movement, workforce, trade, and goods and services. Belarus will be ready to transfer part of its rights to the supranational organ right after the creation of customs law and tax law concerning the tariffs and trade preferences. - The topic of joining the WTO and clauses connected to it as well as privatisation. The Ministry representative replied that Belarus is not afraid of privatisation and foreign capital (especially of Russian origin), yet has some fears concerning American capital. At the same time Mr Mikhnevich pointed out that state-owned economy is not a problem for the WTO membership as long as there is no discrimination of other economic entities. - In regard to the EU information centre Belarusian authorities believe that the quantity of lessons in Universities is enough to provide students with complete and diligent information about the EU. It is, of course, possible to open the Centre under the condition that it complies with the Belarusian legislation. According to authorities Belarusian society is not interested in any other information except the regarding to commerce and trade. - Regarding to TACIS Mr Mikhnevich has expressed the satisfaction of Belarusian side with the way the Programme functions. As an example he has drawn the modernisation of six border crossings as well as of border-guard services conducted with the help of the Programme. - During the meeting several questions concerning political parties and new law, forcing political parties to reside in office spaces only, were placed. The given law inevitably leads to liquidation of opposition parties, where the majority of local branches residing in refurbished for office needs private apartments. Belarusian authorities believe the law will lead to normalisation of situation, since in the majority of the “offices” there were “drinking sessions” that disturbed residents of a building. Finally Mr Mikhnevich noted “what kind of party is that, which makes its office in a private apartment?” - The question of Belarusian language as a language of instruction is also not a problem for Belarusian authorities. According to Mr Mikhnevich state does not impose any restrictions on educational institutions with Belarusian as a language of instruction, although he did not manage to name any single school or university where Belarusian is the only language of instruction. There were just “technical problems” with the J. Kolas Lyceum and the EUH, which influenced the decision to close these institutions down. As an example, Mr Mikhnevich named the Faculty of Physiology at Pedagogical University, where the wife of the Deputy-Minister is teaching and where lots of subjects are being taught in Belarusian. Mr Mikhnevich believes, that domination of Russian language over Belarusian in Belarus is caused by the reason, that the nation is strong and aware of its history and identity, therefore Belarusians do not need the education in their own language to support or to strengthen this identity.

6 - In the plans of co-operation with the EU Mr Mikhnevich emphasised the need for different working groups, maintaining of business contacts, and co-operation in different international organisations. - In regard to different actions undertaken by the EU and the EP, Mr Mikhnevich has noted that it seems to him that Western European states prepare different plans in regard to Belarus without Belarus. With this Mr Mikhnevich implied that Belarusian authorities will be trying to block any initiative undertaken without the consultations with official Minsk.

7 Propositions for the EU and the EP.

Meetings with leaders of People’s Coalition 5+, European Coalition “Free Belarus”, as well as with leaders of “Respublica” has helped to crystallise actions, which according to the interlocutors may help the democratic organisations in Belarus:

1. The political support through the often contacts is necessary for the Belarusian democratic movements. Visits of Western politicians could additionally help the Belarusian democratic politicians to operate on domestic level, allowing for being heard by people. 2. The fund bringing financial help to the families of repressed democratic political activists and necessary juridical help is of highest importance. 3. TACIS – functioning as an agreement between the UE and the Belarusian government is not effective. The EU law does not take into consideration the high level of complication of bank operations in Belarus. For example, Belarusian banks convert all foreign currencies into the US dollars according to their own rates which are absolutely different from those applied by TACIS. Another failure of this instrument is complicated procedure of application and lengthy decision-making. The commission for TACIS applications evaluations compiled from both the EU and the Belarusian officials, where the latter are blocking all applications aimed at civil society development in Belarus. 4. NGO sector is the strongest in Belarus. Considering this fact it is worth to create a new separate programme supporting NGOs in Belarus, which would take into account the specifics of political situation and legislative system, created not for balancing but for limitation of civil activity. Therefore if the EU is willing to support civil society, there is a need for a separate track of support for NGOs. The track must be different from that offered today by TACIS, which is the same for all the countries within this framework. Today to be in the NGO sector in Belarus equals to be a dissident. 5. Creation of the EU Representation in Belarus. 6. Creation of the Informational Centre “InfoPoint EU”. For this purpose the embassies representing the Presidency at Council of the EU may be used. 7. Introducing two new question into visa applications: a. Have you ever been a member of electoral commission? b. If yes, when? Although having no direct influence over the process of visa granting, the questions would send a clear message, that Western countries are interested in democratic development of Belarus. 8. To expand a “black list” of banned from entering the EU and the US Belarusian officials, especially with people taking the managing positions in Central Electoral Commission and Local electoral committees, police officers (AMAP) and security officers responsible for repressions of opposition politicians. The personal data of these individuals is not difficult to obtain. 9. It is necessary to support educational projects, directed at youth at grade school as well as at university level. 10. It is necessary to take a closer look at student exchange programme. Very often there are “political employees” at the recruiting commissions, without positive opinion of whom none student can leave abroad for an exchange. 11. The EU must take a clear stand towards Russia, which is also a player in Belarusian problem. An absence of the stand or double-meaning of some actions of the EU often complicate the functioning of Belarusian opposition.

8 12. It is worth to consider the introduction of economic sanctions. Nevertheless we should bear in mind that this is a "double-bladed" instrument which can cause the worsening of already difficult economic situation of Belarusian population in the long-run.

9 Annex.

Ambasciata d’Italia Minsk VISIT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, MR. JANUSZ ONYSZKIEWICZ (Minsk, 10 December 2004) Agenda (**)

8.00 a.m.: breakfast hosted by the Italian Ambassador, H.E. Guglielmo Ardizzone, at the presence of the Polish Ambassador in Minsk, H.E. Tadeusz Pawlak.

9.15 a.m.: meeting with Mr Aleh Manayew, Director of the Independent Institute of Socio-Economic and Political Studies.

10.00 a.m: meeting with representatives of NGOs and independent media: Ms Tatsiana Protska (BHC); Mr Pyotr Martsaw (BDG); journalist Mr Alyaxander Fyaduta; President of the BAJ, Ms Zhanna Litsvina

11.15 a.m.: meeting with representatives of the coalition “Five Plus” (Mr Anatoliy Lyabedzka -United Civic Party; Mr Vintsuk Vyachorka - Belarusian Popular Front; Mr Stanislaw Shushkevich - Social Democratic Hramada; Mr Siarhey Kaliakin - Belarusian Party of Communists; Mr Yury Khadyka, Vice-President of the Belarusian Popular Front) and with Mr Alyes Milinkevich;

13.15 p.m.: working lunch with EU Ambassadors in Minsk hosted by the Ambassador of Italy, H.E. Guglielmo Ardizzone, as the local Representative of the EU Dutch Presidency.

3.30 p.m.: meeting with Mr Wladzimir Parfyanovich (Respublika) and Mr Alexander Vaytovich (founder of the “Movement for Free Elections”)

4.30 p.m.: meeting with representatives of the European coalition “Free Belarus” (Mr Mikola Statkevich; Mr Andrey Sannikaw)

5.30 p.m.: meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Alyaxander Mikhnevich (**) all meetings, except that with Deputy Minister Mikhnevich, will take place at the Italian Embassy (Vulitsa Karl Marx, 37 Minsk)

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