Landsbergis: Belarus is authoritarian Russia’s firing ground

rofessor Vytautas Landsbergis is one of the best known Lithuanian politicians. He was one of the founders of the pro-independence political movement Sąjūdis and the first Lithuanian head of state after it regained independence (from 1990 until 1992).

He was the Speaker of the Parliament from 1996 until 2000 and has been a MEP since 2004.

Euroradio: What is Lithuania’s attitude to democracy, human rights and independence? It is possible to preserve democracy in a union with Russia?

Vytautas Landsbergis: Lithuania went through different stages of creation of its national and state self-consciousness. However, it is not really clear whether Belarusians know what they want and how they perceive themselves in Belarus. Belarus has become a firing ground were non-democracy is being built so that the results could be used in Russia. It is possible to say that Russia has followed the way of Belarussification in the sense of teh regime rather than culture.

Euroradio: Do you mean that it is necessary to drop out of the union with Russia to build a real democratic Belarus?

Vytautas Landsbergis: I do not know whether it is possible to drop out or to build your own state and culture without asking for permission. When we created Sąjūdis in Lithuania we followed the chosen way without permission. Moscow was angry and kept threatening us but it did not use its power to the extent of sending everyone to a madhouse or deporting us. The time was different and the power was also different. Furthermore, the Lithuanian masses were agitated and we were not an ordinary group of people who could be broken and discredited.

Euroradio: Many people see the Belarusian problem as a subjective factor – in the light of Lukashenka’s personality. And you think that the objective factor is more important, don’t you?

Vytautas Landsbergis: I think that it is as important as the subjective factor. Lukashenka will disappear when Belarus feels free and is able to build democracy. If no fair elections are held, somebody may express the idea of boycotting the quasi-elections…

Euroradio: How much time is needed for structural changes in Belarus?

Vytautas Landsbergis: It is unpredictable; it is up to the Belarusian people’s will. If there is no will, no wizard will come to create democratic and national self-consciousness for you.
The feelings of dignity, subordination and lack of freedom are always struggling. Sometimes people think: let the authorities decide and I will endure it.

Euroradio: The official 20th anniversary of the collapse of the USSR is approaching. How satisfied are you with Lithuania’s progress and what could have been done better?

Vytautas Landsbergis: You can always think that something could have been done better but it is not worth suffering because of it. Something has been forgotten, some additional measures could be taken to prevent the evil from coming back. The evil always wants to exist and to return. That is why you have to resist it.
Judging by the situation in general, it is clear that Lithuania has been more successful in comparison with our poor neighbouring Belarus. We can spend a lot of time analyzing the reasons why. However, it is much better to have a view of the future – of the things Belarusians want. It is essential that they should want something. We can also be sluggish at times. “I do not care, we will get over it somehow… As they said in the Soviet time: to survive until Monday…

Euroradio: You have mentioned the evil that wants to return. The Lithuanian elite has undergone only partial changes since the Soviet time... How do you think, will Lukashenka be able to join the elite and take part in the future political life in Belarus when the country gets a democratic leader?

Vytautas Landsbergis: It will not be possible. Lukashenka has lost his opportunity to play a positive part on the way to the democratisation of Belarus. Even some post-Soviet states are ruled by dictators who still do something to strengthen their countries’ independence, develop the national culture, language, education and build national values.
It seems to me that Lukashenka has not managed to do it. His influence on the Belarusian culture and promotion of education in Belarus is negative. It seemed to be alien to him and he carried the whole society with him.
He seems to be protecting the relative independence from Putin’s Russia. We will see how long he will be allowed to do it without treating them to tea or doing something else.

Euroradio: What can you wish the Belarusian people?

Vytautas Landsbergis: It would be great for you to love your country and culture not as a phenomenon of the past or unattainable future. You should see sense in it now and start building your future patiently and deliberately.

Photo by: apzvalga.eu