Let's Make Belarus True Europe, Milinkevich Says

Milinkevich’s nomination was approved by the Rada (Council) of the his party For Freedom (Za svobodu) at an April 30 meeting. The party is legal yet frequently harassed by the Belarusian police. Milinkevich won six percent of the 2006 election, which Western organizations said was neither free nor fair. Perhaps remembering the past, Milinkevich warned the Belarusian authorities should count votes jointly with the people. "You count the votes -- we recognize your elections. You don't count them -- we take people to the streets for a peaceful protest, which will cause no chaos or bloody revolution. If there is no democracy at polling stations, democracy is implemented in the streets," he said. Earlier presidential bids were also announced by Ales Mikhalevich, a former deputy chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front; Vital Rymashewski, co-chairman of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party; Andrey Sannikaw, leader of an opposition group called European Belarus; Mikalay Statkevich, chairman of the Narodnaya Hramada Belarusian Social Democratic Party; and Syarhey Haydukevich, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party.