George Stankevich – Belarusian bard and poet, author of several collections of poems, works as a teacher of German in a rural school in Biešankovičy district. In the political life of the country he is involved almost 20 years, and this year decided to run for the House of Representatives. On this occasion, our reporter had a talk with Mr. George.

George, how long did you become a member of the movement "For Freedom"?

The movement "For Freedom" I have since 2006, since its inception. In that year, during the campaign gathered in Biešankovičy district of signatures for nomination for president Alexander Milinkevich, who later became a leader of the movement. I consider myself an active members of the movement.

My Activity apparently appreciated and power: this year became a member of the district commission for Lepiel constituency number 23. Out of the 48 representatives of the movement, put forward in the composition of election commissions, included only me and Michael Gil from Pastavy. Yarmoshyna said that the register should be the best, most famous, and I was right! Laughter say to his wife: "You see, I was the chairman of the CEC praised, recorded only the most-most. Now work with me in any case will not be fired."

I am sure that you understand well the futility of their participation in the elections: none of the Democratic candidates for power in the "parliament" will not miss. Why, then, have agreed to participate?

Persuasion about my participation in the elections was a long time ago, and again promised – to go. In political life for a long time involved, it is not afraid to do. Pressure from local authorities on me is permanent, the courts take place at intervals of two years: the first trial was in the tenth, the second – in the twelfth, the third – in the fourteenth year, is now the sixteenth – means it is necessary to wait for a new one. But someone has to be nominated. I do not like empty argument that its participation we supposed to play along with the authorities. First of all, to put forward to speak once again with people to tell the truth about what the government does not miss the House of Representatives a single candidate from the democratic opposition in Parliament today no uncontrolled deputy authority.

How are you going to conduct election campaign? What will people say?

I'm not going to make promises to voters such as "I'll build a clinic, asphalt road." I will say more: "People, you can feed the fish every day, and can give you a fishing rod and teach to fish – to learn what to do to change your life, what you need to be, so that you become able to change the world around you." I think this is important.

If we imagine the incredible and I'm a deputy, the first thing I would do the real self-government to local authorities chosen. Then the officer will know that if it does not work properly, people will find a replacement. When the real self-government citizens will decide what to do in the first place: the road or asphalt, or to repair the kindergarten. First of all, the people themselves have to feel responsible for their country, and not to rely on the power. MPs also do not have to deal with promises, and to create a modern legislative framework for economic development and realization of creative potential of each individual.

Mr. George, the government promises to liberalize the West, some changes have taken place before the elections. What for?

This is done only to please a little West to create a simulation of the process of democratization, in words assure that the process is supposedly gone, that we are on the right track. Recently, Lukashenko has repeatedly urged Western sponsors: you tell us what to do, and we will do, we will learn. Saying something he says, but it is not going to learn. If only the money was given. The situation is quite satisfied with it. Parliament it is absolutely not necessary, but if it is – then you need him to do something. And what to do, it is well known: to fill a safe material which does not burn, that is, how much of it nor the Kindle, you still extinguishes.

In your opinion, whether bears responsibility for the current state of the country, not only power, but the people?

The fact that this power of the people do what he wants. In his mentality, in his mind there is absolutely no ideas about democracy. He was used to that they someone manages. The reason for this – the life of farm laborers on collective farms, a total alcoholization. Yes, in the local appendage slave mentality: no nail, which previously were – well and good; there is a nail – the most impatient find another place without a nail or where not tunic; others have adapted to live with a nail. In principle, the Belarusians a harmless, gentle people, it borders on indifference and dying state.

Belarusians have maneuvered themselves into a situation where they do not want anything. Even young people – and those mostly banal opportunists. They do not know the story, they have lost the desire to learn the language, they have enough Russian. They are mostly practiced slave principle: the less you know, the easier it is to live. But if you do not learn, do not develop, then comes the passivity and passive for the imaginary awakening need alcohol. Therefore, the country and it becomes an inveterate drunkard.

Where is the exit?

Where is the exit? We are killing the centralized management of Minsk. Power convinces people: without us – you will perish. But the chasm twice is not possible, the gap may be only once. And those people who now do not want anything, – has died. And if they are put in terms of personal responsibility, they will have at least a chance to change their mind. And I think the situation would fracture. Today, the government does not give people who drank themselves a real chance to be rehabilitated, to reach the people. Work on the farm for two million per month – a job without prospects. Milkmaid farm milks fifty cows three times a day and get two – two and a half million. And could the private sector to keep one cow, to have three million, and milked it twice. What is this if not extended for decades the genocide of their own people? To whom does it work? My statement is not unfounded, as he keep cows on the farm.

People need to understand a simple truth: to live well, we must do something, and then comes self-respect. Learn to respect themselves – and to compel the government with respect to treat you, and will not work on its own death for a tiny salary.

S. Horkі