Because Lukashenka has Allowed Russia to Partially Occupy Belarus, Tsikhanouskaya Says She is Forming a Government in Exile

 Paul Goble

            Staunton, Mar. 7 – Speaking in Berlin today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of the Belarusian opposition, says that because Alyaksandr Lukashenka has allowed Russia to partially occupy her country, she is taking steps to form a government in exile to underscore the fundamental difference between Lukashenka and the Belarusian people.

            She says she had long resisted this step because she did not want to position herself as an exile, but now Lukashenka has left her no choice not only because of his increasing repression but also because he has sacrificed Belarusian sovereignty to Russia which is attacking Ukraine from Belarusian soil (dw.com/ru/tihanovskaja-belorusy-dolzhny-dokazyvat-chto-oni-na-storone-dobra/a-61051667 reposted at ehorussia.com/new/node/25452).

            According to Tsikhanouskaya, “Lukashenka already does not control the army and the military; he has no control over the territory because from out land already are being launched rockets and plans. It is obvious that part of [Belarusian] sovereignty has been lost. Can one call this an occupation? Yes, certainly, in part, an occupation has already taken place.”

            In terms of international law, she acknowledges, the situation is somewhat complicated by the fact that there still exist certain institutions “which continue to work in Belarus” and “we see that Russia still has not been able to establish complete control over Belarus.” As long as its people continue to struggle, Moscow won’t be able to.

            The opposition leader asks the international community for support and also for recognizing that the Belarusian people are different than Lukashenka and must not be punished for his crimes. The Belarusian people must not suffer for what he is doing; they need all the Western help they can get.