How roguish a white Russian?
Shohdy Naguib from Moscow finds out how Belarus's Alexander Lukashenko was humbled
Labeled "Europe's last dictator" by the US State Department, the president of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, is actually quite an ineffectual figure. Western irritation with Lukashenko is rather puzzling given that some of Belarus's immediate neighbours have a much worse human rights record, which has never earned them more than a passing reprimand from the "self-proclaimed guardians of democratic values".
Official sources maintain that Lukashenko is out of favour with the West for tampering with democratic elections and muzzling the voices of opposition. However, on closer examination his socialist methods of government and reluctant privatisation of the public sector are more likely to blame. He has also been criticised for unruly behaviour: too temperamental for his own people and too rude for a cordial dialogue with Western peers.
Indeed, Lukashenko's "misdemeanours" have mushroomed to such an extent that he has been barred from entering the EU and US and was "unwanted" at the NATO summit in Prague. Thus, "the rogue White Russian" has been left with almost no space for diplomatic manoeuvre and has been pushed back into the arms of Russian President Vladimir Putin, for a talk on the timetable of a unification project with Russia. This project has been dragging on for the past five years, amid indecision on both sides.
However, Lukashenko's behaviour during his one-day visit to Moscow last week was described as "humble", even "meek". Gone was the indignation at Russia's intention to "turn the independent republic into one of its provinces" which marked his discourse only a few months ago.
"We are very well aware that Belarus is Russia's last frontier, that it will never yield," said Lukashenko before the start of talks. This signaled that the geopolitical misunderstanding with Moscow had finally been successfully resolved. Putin added, "During the last decade Russia has yielded so much that there is no question of giving away anything else anymore. We will only be taking back, within the framework of agreements and the norms of international relations of course."
However, a union could be mutually beneficial for both parties. Belarus is dependent on Russia for its energy needs and financial support. Unsurprisingly then, economic issues were at the top of the agenda during the talks.
Integrating Belarus's state-controlled economy with Russia's advanced market reforms is generally regarded to be one of the most important tasks facing Lukashenko's government. Indeed, Lukashenko decided to sell-off Belarus's natural gas pipeline network, Beltransgaz, on his last visit to Moscow. In return, Russia has promised to provide for Belarus's natural gas needs. Thus, Lukashenko returned to Belarus to resume raiding opposition party headquarters, closing newspapers, imprisoning journalists and kicking out troublesome foreign guests.
Meanwhile, the joint committees of the two countries are preparing the ground for a long-drawn but inevitable union. These involve drawing up the integration scheme and preparing for the signing of a constitutional accord. With or without Lukashenko, the unification project is now well underway.
