The Grodno initiative╗ - myths and realities.
All, probably, remember with what "pump" they wrote in press (democratic) about the creation лof the Grodno initiative╗ (GI) which united the majority of progressively adjusted public organisations. The United Civil Party was always a supporter of such measures (on association) therefore it not only became a member of this organisation but it relised an active policy on propaganda of this idea. As a result of such activity лThe Grodno initiative╗ was supported by the businessmen of. Grodno and Grodno region, the Free trade unions, Grodno taxpayers, drivers, youth and other organisations.
But, as it became clear УThe Grodno initiativeФ is a large game began by the separate former party and state functionaries with purposes and problems which only they understood. Instead of a co-ordination of the action between the participants of GI, the rigid dictatorship of two people under whom this organisation was created was got. Any dissent, "personal initiative" was hardly barred by these people. The rather doubtful philosophy and the methods of activity they tried to impose to the public including party organisations. All this was hidden under the decision of the collegiate body. The repeated attempts of the leaders of UCP in the Grodno region to explain the illegality of their operations to the leaders of GI were in vain or misunderstood, or the leaders of UCP were offended.
It appears that the United Civil Party should ask for the permission at GI (read at Semen Domash and A. Ostrovsky) to send the telegram to the President (already former), to organise mass measures, to distribute the leaflets, charities, articles in the newspapers. We respect the personal opinion of everybody even of semen Domash and A. Ostrovsky and but we know one thing if we go with them, we shall come again to defeat. They have already shown what they can do. It is possible and even it is necessary to use their useful experience, they can be members of a team, they have large bureaucratic experience. But to make them leaders of the movement is impossible.
The last example was that drop which had overfilled a cup of patience, it is holidays 21.07.99 in Grodno лDembel 99╗ organised by the United Civil Party and businessmen of Grodno. As semen Domash and A. Ostrovsky had hidden (!!!) from UCP time and place of realisation of these measures dedicated to this day, we organised our holiday with the distribution of balls and sweets in the Grodno park near the Puppet Theater at 16.00. The holiday was a success, more than 5.000 people took part in the holiday. The part of the people (small who had no time to live it) after 17.00 took part in the visiting on memorable places organised by A. Ostrovsky.
It seem that the organisers "of visitings" should be happy as thanks to UCP people for visiting were present but no, 23.07.99 the leader of UCP in the Grodno region was criticised by the leaders of GI and BPF. To our large regret, the Grodno resource centre "Ratusha" also said that if UCP and the Grodno businessmen misbehave they will be refused in technical and other support. Certainly, all this was covered by beautiful words about the unification, care about Belarus and etc. Behind words the following thing is hidden - ambitions and attempts "of revenge" of the separate unsuccessful former "leaders", the attempt to cut a dash to Belorussian and international public, the concentration of resources for the development of social movement in the Grodno region in one hands for further dictatorship over social movement in the Grodno region.
Yes, today the former party officials have connections, money, facilities but they do not have the main - political future.
The United Civil Party is an independent political force which is capable to organise any mass measures at the expense of own forces and means. We support any kinds of co-operation with the citizens and organisations but we shall not suffer any dictatorship on the part of the citizens, public or state organisations.
In connection with the above-mentioned the United Civil Party in the Grodno region states that it leaves лThe Grodno initiative╗. We are ready to co-operate on the equivalent basis with the oddments of лThe Grodno initiative╗, parties, public organisations, trade unions, ordinary members of all parties and organisations, without dependence from relations with the leaders of these organisations.
It is a hard but enforced step. It was accepted after we had come across a dead wall of misunderstanding of the leaders of GI. We think that each organisation, each citizen has the right to take the independent decisions behind own signatures. We are against anonymous letters which are sent with not clear signatures, each product should have its author, everyone should answer for the deeds and should not cowardly hide behind the backs of other people and organisations.
Successful attempts to unite and to head opposition with the purpose to "kill" all business were undertaken and earlier. We hope that the leaders of лThe Grodno initiative╗ and the leaders of Grodno BPF will estimate a situation correctly and will stop to prevent to work to those people, who do not agree with their dictatorship. Today лThe Grodno initiative╗ resembles half-criminal structure with "fathers" and hard rules.
It is easy to be convinced in it when you see how "colleagues" start to prevent to work, to be pleased with our difficulties, to blackmail and лto water with mud╗ people who have said that they are not members of GI any more.
Many public organisations are in material and other dependence from "Ratusha" and GI. Some, probably, like the ideas and approaches of Domash-Ostrovsky. It is their right (to be members of GI) and we are obliged to respect it. And we do not ask these organisation to leave GI, especially we are ready to co-operate with them and their members at any stage.
We are sure that in Grodno there should be some independent, strong public structures. To leave the business not finished at a definite stage is a rather widespread thing among the "former". Give the god, the Grodno region will be bypassed by this trouble but we should be ready to the next fraud from their part.
This application does not have a task to crack the social movement of the Grodno region.
The application has another problems as the purpose:
- To free the party from dictatorship of the citizens who are not members of this party
- To be freed from old, dead dogmas, ideologies and approaches to the solution of the main political problems imposed by the "ideologist" GI
- Consolidation of progressive public organisations on the new democratic basis to achieve general purposes (more than 10 public organisations and trade unions, their branches, the Grodno businessmen as of 28.07.99 said that they support the actions of UCP in the Grodno region in a part of leaving of лThe Grodno initiative╗ and creation of own public structure).
- To build a new system of relationships between public organisations, the state, people based on the principles of respect and a constructive dialogue.
We think that it is easier to go to victory if to throw old, unnecessary rubbish away from shoulders. It is necessary to do it today. Tomorrow this rubbish will clue to skin and it will be very difficult to remove it. We have only one purpose Ц to build the democratic society based on priority of human rights. We (arising young opposition) and they (eternal, professional representatives of the opposition) have different methods of achievement of the purpose and approaches to the solution of this problem. What way is better will show time.
Valery Levonevsky
