I haven’t been to Belarus, but I have been lived in Russia, and visited other former Soviet states. I think I have a reasonably good grasp of the politics of most post-Soviet states, including Belarus.

I read widely on the former Soviet Union, including state media from within the FSU, and don’t just take my information from the EU/US horses’ mouths. I certainly don’t take information published by RFE/RL or George Soros at face value – neither to I take information published by Belarus state media at face value.

I assume from your comment that you are Belarussian.

The first thing that strikes me is that, in a free election, the average citizen of Belarus would be aware of each candidate in a Presidential election with only four candidates. That you, and no-one you know has ever heard of Milinkevich is, I think, a testament to the fact that elections in Belarus aren’t fair to all candidates.

I also observe that you seem to be remarkably well informed about the activities and policies of a candidate that you have never heard of.

Nonetheless, each candidate has two slots on television over the course of the election, so I assume that, if you do follow the election closely, you will be well aware of who Milinkevich is, and will feel able to judge for yourself whether he is the best candidate.

I would never presume to tell you that you should vote for any particular candidate in an election. That, in a free election, is your choice. I can give you my opinion, but it is up to you to decide how much value you place on my opinion.

I personally think Milinkevich is a better candidate, and would make a better President than Alexander Lukashenko. I believe he will enable Belarus to break free from the shackles of an oppressive regime, and will enable Belarus to build a solid relationship with the EU and US that is based on legal relations, and not patronage. I believe his election would be a big step towards the development of a political system in Belarus based on the rule of law, and democratic accountability.

The short term consequences of such a decision may be difficult, and may include higher oil prices (although, if Ukraine is any example, they will not actually go so far as to increase to market rates initially). But I believe that, in the longer term, voting Alexander Lukashenko out of office is in the best interests of Belarus.

In any case, why WOULD the Belarusians be expected to vote for a candidate who has promised to make them pay the market price for oil and gas?!

Perhaps you should surf a little wider before taking your news from the EU/US horses’ mouths.