Strasbourg, 15/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - The members of the ad hoc delegation of the European Parliament for the elections in Belarus, to be held this weekend, have already admitted that this ballot will not take place under thea democratic conditions: as their visas have been refused, the MEPs will have to follow the elections from eight "situation room" in Brussels, and a smaller one in Warsaw. Polish member Bogdan Klich (EPP/ED), president of the ad hoc delegation and of the permanent delegation for relations with Belarus, announced this to the press in Strasbourg on Wednesday. The delegation hopes that the General Affairs Council, to be held in Brussels on 20 March, will be able to examine the first conclusions that it will have drawn from these elections, on the basis of the information available to it. Vice-president of the permanent delegation, Aldis Kuskis (EPP/ED, Latvia), pointed out that the message the EP hopes to send to the people of Belarus is part of the common position agreed with the United States Congress, which is to sign a resolution supporting democracy in Belarus tomorrow. What can we do to help the opposition and all those who want democracy in Belarus? Mr Kilch reiterated the proposals of his delegation, particularly that of granting visas to nationals of Belarus who aspire to democracy, for example those who want to come and study in European universities.
German Green Elisabeth Schroedter said: I am originally from East Germany (she was born in Dresden), and I know what it means to live under a dictatorship, the citizens of Belarus are the only people to know what it means to live under Lukaschenko, and they deserve our support and respect. But in no case, Mr Kuskis warned, should we suggest to them how they should behave after the elections, and above all, we should not encourage them to take to the streets: it is up to them to decide how they wish to act.