30 October 2006
Lenin Communist Youth Union of Belarus opposing the country's possible incorporation into Russia

The Lenin Communist Youth Union of Belarus (LKSMB) opposes the possible incorporation of the country into Russia, LKSMB leader Dmitry Yanenko told BelaPAN.

The head of the pro-opposition group accused Moscow of attempting to force Belarus to "surrender sovereignty and independence in exchange for economic privileges."

"Our organization believes that the Belarusian ruling elite has placed itself in a dilemma of choosing between independence or incorporation by Russia," Mr. Yanenko said. "We are confident that Aleksandr Lukashenko's interests and the interests of Belarus are antipodal today."

At its enlarged session on October 29, the organization's Central Committee decided to amend the charter, calling efforts to strengthen the statehood and sovereignty of the Republic of Belarus as the union's major mission, Mr. Yanenko said.

He also stressed that LKSMB, which was revived in February 1992, has advocated the sovereignty of the country.

"We live in the 21st century and should thus think about the future of our country instead of hoping to revive the USSR. The collapse of this great country in 1991 was a hard blow to us. However, the loss of sovereignty and independence by Belarus would be a much harder blow," said Mr. Yanenko.