Lukashenko puts forces on high alert, shuts borders
Move comes as opposition compiles list of officers allegedly involved in violence against protesters
Belarus’ president, hit by six weeks of mass protests demanding his resignation, yesterday said he was putting troops on high alert and closing the borders with Poland and Lithuania.
President Alexander Lukashenko’s decision underlines his repeated claim that the wave of protests is driven by the West. He faces increasing criticism from the United States and the European Union.
Protests began after the August 9 presidential election that official results say gave the authoritarian leader a sixth term in office; opponents say the results were manipulated.
“We are forced to withdraw troops from the streets, put the army on high alert and close the state border on the west, primarily with Lithuania and Poland,” Lukashenko said at a women’s forum.
He also said Belarus’ border with Ukraine would be strengthened.
“I don’t want my country to be at war. Moreover, I don’t want Belarus and Poland, Lithuania, to turn into a theatre of military operations where our issues will not be resolved,” he said. “Therefore, today in front of this hall of the most beautiful, advanced, patriotic people I want to appeal to the peoples of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine — stop your crazy politicians, don’t let war break out! ”
He did not mention neighbouring Latvia, which like Poland and Lithuania is a Nato member.
Earlier yesterday, the main opposition candidate in the disputed presidential election said activists were compiling a list of law officers allegedly involved in violence against protesters denouncing the vote results. Nearly 7000 people were detained and hundreds brutally beaten by police at post-election protests.
Lukashenko’s main challenger in the election, former English teacher and political novice Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, said “we have been given the names of those who were beating and torturing people. We are preparing a list of officials and law enforcement officers who have taken part in lawless repressions.”
Rights groups were working with opposition activists to identify the officers and officials, Tsikhanouskaya said. The list would be shared with the US, EU and Russia.
Tsikhanouskaya, who left for Lithuania after the election under pressure from the authorities, said the opposition would name the list in honour of Alexander Taraikovsky, a protester who died in Minsk the day after the election as police dispersed peaceful demonstrators.
Authorities had said an explosive device Taraikovsky intended to throw at police blew up and killed him. However, Associated Press video showed he was not holding any explosives when he fell, shirt bloodied.
Belarusian authorities later acknowledged Taraikovsky might have been killed by a rubber bullet. The street in Minsk where Taraikovsky died turned into a pilgrimage site, with thousands, including European ambassadors, laying flowers.
After the initial broad crackdown on protests, Belarusian authorities changed tactics and tried to end displays of dissent with the selective detentions of demonstrators and the jailing of opposition leaders.
The US and EU have criticised the election as neither free nor fair, and urged Lukashenko to talk with the opposition — a call he rejected. Washington and Brussels have pondered sanctions against Belarusian officials for alleged voterigging and the violence.
Yesterday, the European Parliament overwhelmingly passed a resolution rejecting the official election results and saying it would not recognise Lukashenko as the legitimate president once his current term expired on November 5.
Belarus’ foreign ministry replied: “We are disappointed the European Parliament, positioning itself as a serious, objective and democratic structure, could not find the political will to look beyond its nose, overcome one-sidedness and not become a hostage to conventional cliches.”
Russia, Lukashenko’s main ally
and sponsor, has maintained staunch support for the Belarusian leader. Moscow announced this week it would offer a new $1.5 billion loan to his government.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said during a trip to
Lithuania that the two countries — both Belarus’ neighbours — would continue to offer medical and material assistance to Belarusians who were hurt and persecuted during the protests. He argued the EU and international lenders should offer at least a billion euros in economic support for Belarus and its businesses.
“It is crucial for Europe to be aware of how important a free and sovereign Belarus is for the security and the welfare of our entire continent,” Morawiecki said.