Obama or Romney? Belarusians Decide

Even in Belarus political decision-makers will spend their time behind TV set waiting for the US election result on the 6 November.

Belarusian regime functionaries and Belarusian opposition will refine their strategies of relations depending on the new president’s policy. Which candidate is preferable for Lukashenka, and which – for the opposition?

Belarusian Americans have split in their preferences. Former President of the Belarusian-American Association Walter Stankievich conducted a mini-poll among Belarusian Americans for this article in order to find out whom American Belarusians support.

Differences between republicans and democrats do matter for the world's only superpower policy towards Belarus. During his presidency, George W. Bush paid significant attention to Belarusian problems. Barack Obama did not have the same take on it. Will this change if Americans elect Mitt Romney?

Since coming to power, Barack Obama defined that Europe is not a priority for the US foreign policy. Especially, Cental and Eastern Europe or more specifically Belarus. Naturally, the policy of “resetting” relations with Russia also has an impact on the US-Belarusian relations. For many U.S. politicians Belarus is still an “exclusive sphere of Russian influence.”

The legacy of George W. Bush

However, Barack Obama has not disposed inherited legacy of George W. Bush policy towards Belarus. In 2004, the U.S. Congress unanimously passed the Belarus Democracy Act, and renews it every two years. Under this law, the U.S. helps political opposition, civil society and independent media in the fight against authoritarian dictatorship of Aliaksandr Lukashenka. At the same time the Act prohibits any U.S. public institutions donate any funds to the Belarusian regime.

Moreover, the current U.S. administration introduced additional economic sanctions against Lukashenka’s regime. In 2007, Bush administration imposed sanctions against Belneftekhim — Belarusian state oil conglomerate. From 2008 to 2011, the American authorities suspended sanctions because of the short-term “liberalisation” of the Belarusian regime.

On December 1, 2010, Foreign Minister Siarhiej Martynau made a joint statement with Hillary Clinton for the first time in many years. Pro-Lukashenka analyst Vadzim Hihin celebrated it as “the beginning of a great friendship.” However, already on December 9 Lukashenka flew to Russia and met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Presidents met behind closed doors and did not allow press even to take official photos.

After that meeting Lukashenka agreed on “tighter friendship” in exchange for supply of cheap energy, which provided an opportunity for Lukashenka to attack and dispense the civil protesters in the main Square in 2010. It seemed that Russia felt threatened by “excessively pro-Western” policy of the Belarusian leadership.

As a result, the United States renewed the sanctions and imposed additional ones against four Belarusian enterprises Naftan, Hrodna Azot, Belshyna and Hrodna Khimvalakno. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belarusian export to the U.S. fell from $ 348.5mln in 2007 to just $86.1mln in 2011.

Presence matters

For Belarus, the principal difference between Democrats and Republicans policy lies in personal presence. During his presidency, George W. Bush repeatedly met with representatives of Belarusian opposition. Barack Obama has not publicly met with Belarusians even once. Obviously, such meetings promoted greater interest in Belarus in the world and irritated Aliaksandr Lukashenka.

It seems that Mitt Romney, if elected, would continue the approach of George W. Bush. Even during his visit to Poland, the Republican candidate publicly expressed his support of the Belarusian opposition.

For sure, Mitt Romney will direct Belarusian issue to his more experienced team. Two months ago Foreign Policy magazine named the most influential foreign policy specialists in both parties. According to the magazine, the most important and experienced person in international relations among Republicans is a friend of Mitt Romney, John McCain.

Mitt Romney lost 2008 Republican nomination for McCain, but then kept assisting him as a fundraiser. If Romney wins, John McCain may receive a position in presidential administration, or at least will have a great influence on the White House. McCain indeed has good knowledge of the situation in Belarus and has repeatedly met with Belarusian opposition. Moreover, McCain attempted to visit Belarus, but the authorities denied him a visa.

Senator McCain became a key co-sponsor of the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004, whose author was another longtime friend of Belarus -- Republican Congressman Chris Smith. In 2002 Senator McCain said at international conference Axis of Evil: Belarus – the Missing Link:

Lukashenka`s rule is an offence to the values whose victory was secured almost everywhere else in Europe with the end of empire. His rule will threaten America and Europe as long as the civilised world pursues the mission of our age: to work from within and without to change the very character of regimes that threaten us.

Ironically, Lukashenka can use Mitt Romney’s victory in the election. Romney has repeatedly said that he sees Russia as a potential enemy. In this situation, Lukashenka can aggravate relations with the United States up to the point of severance of diplomatic ties. Thus he would testify his loyalty to Putin, which would ensure continuous financial support of his regime by Russia.

As for the Belarusian opposition - they hope that the Belarusian issue will be among priorities of the US foreign policy.

How will Belarusian in America vote?

Former President of Belarusian-American Association (BAZA) Walter Stankievich organised a quick poll among Belarusian Americans specifically for this article. 108 Belarusians from all over the United States — from New York to California — responded. The youngest respondent is 19 years old, the oldest — 88.

Both candidates had almost equal support. 48 per cent of respondents would vote for Romney and 45 per cent for Barack Obama. So far, 7 per cent have not decided.

44 per cent of respondents were born in the United States or live there for a long time and 56 per cent are those who immigrated to the United States after the 80's immigrated to the United States after the 80s.

There is a difference between generations. Older people remain pro-Republican and Romney wins among them — 56 per cent against 37 per cent for Obama. The situation with the younger generations changes — Obama and Romney are equal. As for the later immigrants, Obama wins among them — 55 per cent against 45 per cent for Romney.

Belarusian Americans consider that domestic problems are more crucial for the electoral campaign. Walter Stankievich thinks it happens due to “the influence of mass media, where most of the time and place is devoted to the domestic American issues. That is why Belarusians have a great preference to do domestic issues, as a major in the election of a new president.”

American elections, not Belarusian

Nevertheless, U.S. elections will not play a determining role in Belarus. U.S. government policy has been stable and predictable for many years.

At the same time possible election of Mitt Romney makes policy towards Belarus more defined. Republican administration is more likely to raise the Belarusian issue at international forums and meet more frequently with representatives of Belarusian opposition, civil society and independent media.

But after all, America's impact should not be overestimated. Changes in Belarus remain is the task of the Belarusian opposition and civil society, not American presidents.

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