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Belarusian Popular Front urges opposition presidential hopefuls to sign manifesto on protection of national interests

The Belarusian Popular Front (BPF) has called on all opposition presidential hopefuls to sign a manifesto on the protection of national interests, BelaPAN reports.

It is in the national interests of Belarus to remove Alyaksandr Lukashenka from power as soon as possible, says the draft manifesto, unveiled at a news conference in Minsk on August 23.

"Having not only recognized rigged elections for many years but also supported Lukashenka politically and economically, the Russian leadership is responsible to a high degree for the crimes of the Belarusian regime," the draft says. "We understand that a danger to the political and economic independence of Belarus and to the freedom of its citizens is posed not only by the current regime but also by the top political circles of Russia and the business tycoons connected with them."

The draft manifesto calls for withdrawing from the customs union with Kazakhstan and Russia and from the Collective Security Treaty Organization; prioritizing the protection and development of the Belarusian language and culture; and preventing government-controlled organizations in neighboring countries and entities linked to organized crime from participating in the privatization of Belarus' public assets.

The most recent developments confirm that it will be necessary to battle on two fronts in the forthcoming presidential campaign, against both the government and the pro-Russian candidate, said the BPF's presidential hopeful, Ryhor Kastusyow.

"The unity of opposition forces against Lukashenka is a weak position," Mr. Kastusyow said. "We call for unity not against somebody but in defense of the national interests."

BPF Chairman Alyaksey Yanukevich said that copies of the draft manifesto would be sent later in the day to all potential opposition candidates who had announced their presidential bids.