"I'll Call Them Even Rabbits." John Cole Explained What Needs to Be Done to Release New Political Prisoners

One of the first questions to John Cole was why the Belarusian authorities released more than 200 political prisoners after meeting with him in March this year, but this time only 25.

— I believe that in the course of the current negotiations, which are still ongoing, we will be able in the very near future — probably in about a month — to release about another hundred or even more than 100 people.

— What issues need to be resolved for this to become a reality?

— Well, for example, we have previously lifted certain sanctions for the release of people, and now we need to make sure that banks and businesses in the United States understand what this lifting of sanctions means — that doing business in this area is, in essence, permitted.

So, we need to go back to this issue and sort everything out. We didn't know that American business, banks, and other structures didn't understand the essence of these measures. So we need to do that, and then we'll return to the process.

On "trading political prisoners"

The "Current Time" journalist said that, according to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Alyaksandr Lukashenka sells prisoners to achieve the lifting of sanctions. He asked whether these agreements and the lifting of sanctions encourage Lukashenka to arrest new political prisoners to have goods for trade?

— I'm not sure. I don't know the exact number; everyone I talk to gives different figures regarding how many people are currently being arrested.

So I don't know what the real number is. But if Lukashenka is trading prisoners in exchange for sanctions relief, I have no problem with that, because I am the one who looks into the eyes of the freed prisoners and sees what freedom means to them. For me, that is much more important than some political issues that might concern someone on the outside.

My position and the position of the United States is humanitarian: to help people. If I can release 25 people – that's great. If 200 – also great.

That's how we look at it. And, you know, Sviatlana may have her opinion, and I have mine.

— Regarding Alyaksandr Lukashenka's view, he stated that he denies the status of political prisoners for these released people. What did you tell him in response?

— I call them prisoners; if he wants me to do that — fine; if he wants me to call them even rabbits (in the original – rabbits. – RS), in order to release them – I don't care. If he believes they are not political prisoners — let him believe it. I just know the people.

So for me, semantics in this matter don't hold much importance. For other people, it might be important, but not for me.

On US relations with Belarus

— Do your visits to Belarus have other goals besides the release of political prisoners?

— Oh, yes. It's not just about prisoners, but also about making the Belarusian government's behavior better — at least better than what I believe they have shown towards some of their neighbors — so that we can bring them back into the family of nations. And they agree with that.

Over the past year and a half, we have moved step by step, and I think we are making progress, but of course, Lukashenka needs to run the country, he has an ally — Putin, so the situation is complex.

But I think the world would be a better place if Belarus maintained good relations with the rest of the world. And it seems to me that they are trying.

— What gives you confidence that Belarus can be successfully reintegrated into the family of nations?

— They are making attempts, and things are moving in that direction.

I cannot say that I am confident, but we are making progress, and they are making progress. So, I think we are moving in the right direction.

I don't think it will happen overnight. It's a real process. Russia is Belarus's main ally, and Belarus is one of Russia's few allies. So they need to resolve this issue, not me.

— Yes, and now the volume of mutual trade between Belarus and its main ally — Russia — exceeded 50 billion dollars last year. American trade with Belarus was only about 20 million dollars, so the difference is huge. Is there an intention to offer Lukashenka something more than Putin can offer him?

— No, I think these numbers speak for themselves.

I think the United States would like to establish closer economic ties with Belarus someday. I think the West would like this to become the norm. For now, it is not.

This is a process that requires development. The thing is that having economic relations with a country — as in the case of China and how the US interacts with it — allows avoiding the most dangerous scenarios.

— So, is it possible to give future relations between the US and Belarus an institutional character, or will they simply be built on a balance of power?

— No, I think we can give them an institutional form.

I think we need to reopen our embassy. Many steps need to be taken. But I understood that it is a gradual process.

The world is very complex. But, in my opinion, everything is moving in the right direction, and that is much better than moving in the wrong direction.

On Lukashenka as a mediator in negotiations with Putin

— Alyaksandr Lukashenka mentioned in his interviews that he offers himself to Donald Trump and other leaders as a mediator in relations with the Kremlin. Does Donald Trump consider Lukashenka a potential mediator?

— I think potentially — yes, because there is a relationship between Putin and Lukashenka that has lasted for more than 30 years. They are friends.

One is the "older brother," the other is the "younger," but they are friends and keep in touch. They talk constantly. And Lukashenka quite often visits Moscow.

So it could be useful. He could help as a mediator in the context of the war.

The "Current Time" journalist also asked who in the United States decides which sanctions are put up for discussion before the release of political prisoners?

— Well, in the case of Belarus, I do that, and then I discuss the issue with the Secretary of State or the President himself, and we go through a certain procedure. For example, John Cole believes that sanctions should be lifted from this, that, and the other. And it is either approved, or I am told: "No, you can't do that, but you can do this."

• 8
• 5
• 1
• 7
• 0
• 1
• 0
• 1