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Interview by
the Foreign Minister of Belarus Sergei Martynov to Reuters Agency
March 13, 2006,
Ministry of Foreign Affaires of Belarus, Minsk
Question:
How do you
think Belarus may expect recognition of the presidential elections coming on
March 19 against a background have been already made by some Western
politicians declaring before the elections has taken place it would be
unfair?
S. Martynov:
First, I would
like to underline the core that is a choice of the people does not demand
external recognition; the choice is all-sufficient. The choice will be as
Belarus decides. This approach is fundamental for us. Secondly, it is
evident that the authorities of Belarus are not seating with an open mouth
and expecting that the elections will or not recognized by external factors.
And, thirdly, I think that you answered your question by yourself since the
declarations made before the elections suggesting that the poll are
allegedly undemocratic, that the poll are allegedly not free, that the poll
are allegedly rigged proves that the diagnosis has been already made, and
our counter-partners are just waiting for an accomplished fact to say so.
As you might
have seen they are not even trying to hide it. Even statements made by
official representatives, primarily, of foreign policy bodies, have already
showed up declaring the elections will not the one they like. Before that,
in fact the same persons in the United States, who officially represents the
United States, have declared they do not support to the candidate Lukashenko
at any conditions. Brussels has gone even further: openly supporting to the
one of the opposition candidates that is in any political system,
particularly, in any democracy considered as absolutely clear and
unacceptable interference in the internal affaires, political process,
elections process of another state.
The time will
tell us how far-sighted and wise it was to make such steps by the Brussels
and Washington. Now, as we realize, the two opposition candidates are
talking about one or the other pulling out before the elections. The reason
is clear enough – they did not expect many votes, but it is turned out that
Brussels might be backing a horse liable not even to finish the race.
Therefore,
coming back to your question again, we direct our attention toward a choice
to be made by the Belarusian people, and external factors in this respect do
not impact us.
Question:
What is your
point of view on perspectives of relations of Belarus with the EU and USA
after the presidential elections? May Minsk hope that a pragmatic approach
will prevail in the EU and USA and that at least de-facto or even de-jure
the pressure on Belarus by the West will be loosen?
S. Martynov:
Undoubtedly, we
would like to believe that our colleagues, partners, counter-partners,
whatever we call them, in the West will truly open their eyes and look, as
one say, at reality and accept it as it is. By the way they do not have any
doubts what choice will be made by the Belarusian people, all of them are
also openly speaking about that. So, as a result of their fair look at life
we want our colleagues to understand the core that is a choice by the
Belarusian people have been already made or will be made. This choice does
not threat interests of the European Union either of the United States. The
choice threats no one. I hope they will be ready to realize that Belarus is
reliable and responsible partner, first of all on the European continent.
You know Belarus is not a dependant of Europe. We are a partner in the true
sense of the word. We trade actively. The interest of business circles in
European countries to Belarus is high as of the Belarusian business circles
to Europe. We are an important donor of security in Europe, starting with
nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation issues ending with general
armaments and such fields as combating against international crime. Our
merits and contribution are recognized at this point. We are the most
important transit country. There is no whole and complete Europe without
Belarus. We would like our partners to see and realize finally that their
policy with respect to Belarus is wrong. Wrong is not only because we do not
like it but because it is not effective. This
policy
has been
pursuing
since
1996-1997.
This policy is of no benefit to anyone: neither to them, nor
to us. We would like them to see that after the elections and hope that the
elections themselves should assist fairly to that, because our partners will
understand that for five more years they have to work with the leadership of
an important European country.
Question:
Is Minsk
planning to hold any consultations with the EU and US on the eve of the
presidential elections in order to obtain their recognition or change the
position of the West on the elections? Do you
expect
such recognition?
S. Martynov:
The balloon or
ball on their side, we are not ready, I am not ready, at least, to guess at
coffee ground. We have offered recently to the European Union to hold
negotiations at very high level on the all range of our problems in order to
overcome the existing morbid aspects. If they are ready to do that our
proposal is still in a force, it is on the table. I would like to stress
that Belarus does not beg and does not cadge cooperation. Belarus
offers
cooperation.
If it is taken we will
work with pleasure. Bering
in mind
our
proposals
will
be
taken.
Question:
How do you
think Minsk is able to change the position of the West with regard to the
presidential elections and to the Belarusian policy as a whole, and what
kind of steps might be taken by Belarus for that? What are concrete steps
the Belarusian authorities are expecting from the EU and USA?
S. Martynov:
The logic of
any negotiations is if sides wish to agree on something they have to take
counters steps to each other. That is what we offer bearing in mind at the
same time that both sides should do it but not only the one. This is our
fundamental approach to such negotiations and it is known in Brussels.
We say that
there should be no preliminary conditions. I do not believe that we have to
speculate now, at the talk with you in this interview, what kind of steps
the West should take or what kind of steps Belarus should take. One thing is
clear to me, if the sides wish to adjust relations, and Belarus wishes (I am
able to speak on behalf of Belarus), so they have to make counter steps to
each other. And it is necessary and possible to negotiate what kind of steps
are to be taken.
Question:
The EU speaks
lately about the possible abolition of trade preferences for Belarus. How
badly may it affect our country? Is Belarus planning to redirect its exports
flows in case if such decision is made by the EU?
S. Martynov:
For a start,
let's speak about a nature of sanctions as such. I would like to underline
what I repeatedly have already said about: sanctions never solve any
problems. And I hope they clearly understand it in the European Union.
Secondly, to us it is dubious to say the least to use economic sanctions for
political ends. It leaves a bed taste in your mouth. Thirdly, will it effect
Belarus and how? Certainly, it will, because in fact our trade flows are
balanced between Russia and the European Union: 44 percent of our exports go
to the European Union countries. We may assume that there is a share in
incomes of any Belarusian family that is formed by exports to these
countries. Does the European Union wish to deprive the Belarusian population
of their incomes or its part? Is it fair?
I believe it is not.
Certainly
they are masters of their decisions, but I do not believe that such measures
would make the EU popular with Belarusians. Moreover, it is absolutely clear
that such sanctions will cause damage and will cause severe damage to our
concrete business partners in Europe that work with Belarus. Belarus is not
suffering but those concrete companies, firms, businesses …
I believe it
will be more painful for them, than for us as the country. And It is
probably worth to say that a number of countries, particularly, neighboring
with us, earn seriously on trade with Belarus. Will it go to good of
economies of these countries, some of those (direct neighbors) have 30-40
percent of their incomes or turnover of goods from Belarus. As for us, you
probably right assuming that at the end we will overcome it since goods we
exports to the European Union are liquid. If they were not liquid they would
not be sold over there by definition. And what is more, by definition, if
they are liquid they would be sold in other place. Therefore If I
represented Brussels I would think well before making such decisions. I
would like to believe in wisdom of European politicians.
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