MINSK, 12 October (BelTA) – It would be wrong to view the meeting of Belarus' president with representatives of opposition forces in the KGB pre-trial detention center from the point of view of past events, the meeting is aimed at the future - at the forthcoming constitutional reform, Secretary of the Belarusian Union of Journalists, Candidate of Science [History] Vadim Gigin told the Belarus 1 TV channel, BelTA informs.
Vadim Gigin called Aleksandr Lukashenko's visit to the KGB jail and the meeting with representatives of the opposition movement an absolutely unexpected and extraordinary step. “However, in contrast to the previous steps, it is already obvious that this is part of a system. A struggle for interpretations is going on. Some say, “this is weakness, this was done under pressure, the power is yielding, let's wear it down. “Indeed, that was a very risky step, and such interpretations can emerge if there is no explanation from the authorities. However, if you say that it was done “under pressure” you use the logic of the past. In reality, this is the logic of the future, the logic of the constitutional reform. Despite his status, the president began to talk to those people who represent some political part of the society. We should understand why it was done and how we should look at the participants of the meeting. Most importantly, if it is part of a certain system, we should follow the next steps. It is absolutely obvious that the authorities have a kind of plan,” Vadim Gigin said.
He believes that the plan provided for several scenarios. The president said something in an interview with Russian journalists. And the other day everyone could see a series of consistent steps by the government. However, these steps must be taken quickly to leave no room for speculations and interpretations.
Vadim Gigin emphasized that the authorities show that they are taking the strategic initiative into their own hands and suggesting the solutions that are not expected of them. “The government is primarily responsible for the order in the society, for the legal system, for a civilized dialogue. The government must not shy away from this responsibility, they must show a pro-active stance, which will guarantee that the outcome of the ongoing developments will remain within the legal framework. The main question is whether the other side is ready for such civilized approaches,” he added.
