GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL LUIS AYALA: “BELARUS IS MY PAIN AND HOPE.”

On May 19-20 in Moscow, the Committee on CIS and Caucuses of the Socialist International held  a conference, chaired by the Secretary General of the Socialist International Luis Ayala. Representatives of social-democratic parties of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Sweden and Ukraine attended the conference. The leadership of the Socialist International was also represented by Alexandra Dobolyi (head of the CIS and Caucasus Committee), and Latifa Perri. The Party of European Socialists (PES) was represented by Yonness Polet, and Women’s Socialist International by its Chairwoman, Antigoni Dimitriadi. Aleksei Karol, Deputy Chairman, and Iryna Kazulina, wife of the arrested Chairman Alexander Kazulin, represented the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada) BSDP.

According to its tradition, the Committee holds its regular conferences in its member countries, devoting the main theme of the host country. Vladzimir Kishenin, Head of the Social Democratic Party of Russia, delivered the host country’s address “Modern social democratic movement in Russia – a European social democracy.”

The Russian content of the conference logically extended to neighboring Belarus, which became the sole subject of a dedicated half a day session. In his introduction address to the session, Mr. Ayala highlighted that representatives of all Belarusian parties sharing the social democratic platform were invited to participate. This followed a similar initiative by Mr. Ayala in Chile, where he facilitated an alliance of sixteen parties helping to ensure electoral success. This level of attention to Belarus is a result of  rising global awareness facilitated by recent presidential elections. “Belarus is my pain and my hope,” stated Mr. Ayala.

The General Secretary greeted Iryna Kazulina, and reminded the forum that he was the first to call for public outrage immediately after the Head of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party, Alexander Kazulin, was arrested, and demanded his release from Belarusian authorities. Mr. Ayala said he attempted to visit Belarus shortly after March 19th, the elections date, but was denied an entry visa. Iryna Kazulina and Aleksei Karol were the first to address the session. Other Belarusian speakers included Stanislau Shushkevich (BSDH), Siarhey Kaliakin (PCB) and Aksana Biarnatskaya.

The necessity of a wide international campaign of solidarity for liberation of Mr. Kazulin, raised by Aleksei Karol and Iryna Kazulina in their speeches, became one of the main subjects of the conference. Another important issue that dominated the discussion was the electoral campaign by Mr. Kazulin and BSDP, which led to a wider discussion of the role of the social democratic movement as an independent political force acting in partnership with other democratic movements.

Stanislau Shushevich highlighted that the Belarusian parties represented at the conference do not have any significant strategic differences and acted in coordination during the electoral campaign. However, they all are forced to work in very tough environment created by the regime. If these parties were to join together formally into one entity, this single party could be easily denied registration and therefore lose an opportunity for legal operation. Concurrent presence in Belarus of several social democratic parties thus has a tactical benefit. Siarhei Kaliakin stated that at this stage of struggle against an authoritarian regime a closer consolidation of all democratic movements is necessary, including a possible closer consolidation of the parties and movements of the left.

Mr. Urban Ahlin, a leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party, criticized an often heard disapproval of the fact that the Belarusian opposition was represented by two separate forces during the campaign, and a critical view of Mr. Kazulin who was at times portrayed as an agent of the regime. Mr. Ahlin said that he himself held that view in the past until it became evident for him that the personal role of Mr. Kazulin and BSDP added a new dynamism to the whole campaign, and that the Belarusian political stage gained from the emergence of a colorful, decisive and brave leader.

Tadeusz Iwinski, member of a working group of the Party  of European Socialists, voiced a similar opinion. He noted positive role played by Alexander Milinkevich, who was able to consolidate all democratic movements during the elections and now continues to work on their consolidation. However, Mr. Milinkevich is not a left politician, strated Mr. Iwinski, and the Socialist International and PES should support the left over and beyond other factions. It is important that the International find the time to work on the Belarusian problems, stated Tadeusz Iwinski.

In his concluding remarks, Luis Ayala stated that Belarus is undergoing a complicated transitional period. However, it is people who ultimately determine the boundaries of their actions. If we work only within the boundaries established by the regime, there would be no chance of success. One must look for realistic ways and opportunities to influence the situation changing the boundaries. The CIS and Caucasus Committee needs to develop a single consolidating platform that would unite the international socialist movement with Belarus. He suggested that the conference immediately adopted a communiqué of support with Belarusian political prisoners, taking into consideration a draft resolution prepared on behalf of BSDP by Aleksei Karol and Iryna Kazulina.

Luis Ayala had a separate conversation with Ms Kazulina and asked her to pass to her husband words of solidarity and support, wishes of strength and assurance in victory.

Pan, May 22, 2005