Belarusians' silent voices

In Lukashenko’s Belarus, not everyone is seeking a “peremen” ( “change” in Russian), nor agrees to start something new. Especially considering the values brought by the demonstrators as “not suitable for Belarusians standards”. Government’s supporters, often neglected by the international medias, express different points of view and their concerns over a new failed-revolution that could bring the country on the brink of collapse, like in the Ukraine of in some Arab countries.

Red and green flags, the national colors firstly introduced by Lukashenko in 1995 instead of the former white and red (considered by the country as the flag used by collaborationists during the the traumatizing Nazi occupation), are still waving on government’s buildings. But also, during some pro-Lukashenko’s demonstrations, happening all over the country. If some rumors were saying that the “batka” (the “father” as the President is called by his supporters) would still reach between 10% and 20% of people’s support, the opposition is labelling their participants to be “paid and corrupted by the government”. Olga, 34, a government’s antagonist, utters that “not only they are paid, but they are also threatened by to lose their job in case they would not join the set-up parades”.

A hidden part of the population thus, completely poles apart from the peaceful marches and accused to be subjugated by the authorities, has been left without enough space to express their point of view in medias.

Andrei, a TV-actor, agrees to answer some questions despite refusing to be filmed or taken in pictures. He is afraid, threatening to send the recording of the conversation to the police. “I received many threats from people telling me I was a fascist only because of my political views. I just want to protect myself”. The 44 years-old TV professional lost his job right after the 9^th of August’s elections: “I was fired because of my political views. My boss and my colleagues, supporters of this change and of Lukashenko’s opposition, told me that I wasn’t welcome anymore. I loved my job. I was doing advertising spots. Now I only live with the government’s unemployment subsidy. They fired me because they feared I would be a spy” adding that “I just want to show that people who support the government are normal citizens with different opinions. But the opposition’s hardliners that are willing a democratic change, they seem to listen to their point of view only, which is very controversial”.

Andrei says that he is only trying to protect himself. The feeling of being a minority under attack makes him fearful. “I agree that some changes have to be done, but nowhere shall violence be used like the demonstrators. Changes have to be implemented by professional politicians. Thanks to the marches we have understood that something is not working well anymore. We should then sit at the table and talk about it.

“People were violent, and the police only answered. I personally never saw the police being violent”. Andrei utters that demonstrators started to provoke the authorities, accusing them to have worsened things. “The political opposition, moreover, are people supported by foreigners. Viktor Babariko and Maria Kolesnikova for instance, they were supported by Russian oligarchs that were seeking a political change in Belarus. But not only Russian influential personalities. Also Europeans. There are proofs that behind all these movements there are some experts that creates revolutions. The so-called colored revolutions like in the Ukraine. I think it is very strange that right before the election polls were closed and the results were not made clear yet, some rumors about fraud were already circulating and that many neighboring countries, especially Lithuania and Poland, would not accept the vote. I am for freedom of expression and I have the right to say what I want”.

This is exactly the reasons why people like Andrei have been labeled as conspiracy-theories believers. Just to express their ideas. Lukashenko’s supports are convinced that the revolution in the country has been organized by someone outside. Sometimes they also are Soviet Union’s nostalgic. But the idea is one: the revolution is a threat for Belarus because will lead to anything but good. “I am sure that in case of the opposition to win this battle, people will be highly disappointed. Exactly like it happened in other countries. We can discuss about a constitutional change and this is what is already happening”. In facts, President Lukashenko announced that a constitutional change will be soon happening and that he would not be president anymore. But nothing of this is certain yet.

"The political opposition is supported by foreigners" - Andrei

Less critic and more nostalgic is Vladimir Ivanovich, ex-member of the Red army and today a governmental employee close to retirement. His office is full of pictures, diplomas, and posters that reminds Soviet times. “I do not agree with the riots. We can sit down and discuss together about some changes without violence. Youngsters should bear respect for those elder people who fought during WWII. But changes are not necessary. Why do we need to change? As Lenin used to say, we only must work, work and work. Our country is safe and calm, we have all we what we want.”.

Vladimir is very calm. His life is simple, and he does not want to see a whole system being upside down. Like Andrei, he is also convinced that something in all this is wrong: “What is happening is something brought from outside the country. These red, orange and other colored revolutions… we don’t need any revolution. It is a scenario that has been prepared from foreign countries for a while and some of our youngsters have been paid to demonstrate. We know that Lithuania and Poland cannot accept that we became an independent country. But they have to accept it. They are behind all this”.

Ivanovich triggers some delicate points similar to Andrei’s. After all, his memories are still going back in the Soviet times: “There were not many problems such as this. We just needed to work and there was no unemployment. But who say we do not have any freedoms, I think he is not aware we are living in the greatest freedom of all times. If we want, we can work. Period.”

On Ivanovich’s table there is a newspaper called in Russian “The supremacy”. On the first page, someone wrote with a blue pen a phone number with a sentence: “Are you a true patriot? Then call this number”. Ludmilla, a journalist, answers the phone. She is the responsible for the Russian-made publication supported by the NOD movement, the Russian National freedom Movement, which aims at restoring Russia’s sovereignty over the former Soviet Union territory. Every month, she buys personally hundreds of copies to distribute to people in Belarus, paying of her own pocket. She agrees to talk.

"Changes are not necessary. Why do we need to change? As Lenin used to say, we only must work, work and work. Our country is safe and calm, we have all we what we want.” - Valdimir Ivanovich

“The world today is under pressure since the power polarization is in the western side’s hands only. People accuse Lukashenko to be willing to sit on two chairs. However, they clearly do not understand why and what his is position. He has to defend the country, surrounded by Nato and collaborationists that aim to destroy the country.

“People who are going to demonstrate today, bear the collaborationists colors that supported the Nazi government. This is not respect towards whom fought the war. But they will not reach their goal of attempting to make the government falling. People still remember the horrors under the fascism.

We Belarusians are peaceful people. Lukashenko always says it. Someone came to disturb us. During the vote last August, it was clear that something was ready to create the chaos and turn Belarus into a new Ukraine. A new colored revolution. A new Maidan. Only Lukashenko can keep our skies clear. And this is not the first time this happens. They are willing to create new NATO basis here, but they will not make it. And who is taking part in this aggression should be punished by the law”.

Rumors about an alleged external intromission into the actual chaotic situation that is affecting Belarus are the strongest accusations made by demonstration’s antagonists against people asking for a change in the country. A lot of them are saying they would have proofs. However, nobody has made it so far.

"Only Lukashenko can keep our skies clear"

Belarusians' silent voices

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