US embassy cable - 05MINSK1022

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MINSK 001022 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, SOCI, PHU, ECON, BO 
 
 
 
SUBJECT: Resuscitating the Soviet Idelogical Machine 
 
1. (U) Summary:  Under Presiden Lukashenko, Belarus has adopted an 
"official Belrusian ideology," which in many respects is 
remiiscent of that promulgated under communism.  The oficial 
ideology is to be taught in schools, univrsities and workplaces, 
through the media and th Orthodox Church.  Belarus' state ideology 
is basd on Soviet-era ideology, with its praise of a strng 
central authority, its messianism, and its reliance on external 
enemies.  Despite pervasive skepticism amongst the popultion, the 
constant repetition of the ideology, a well as Lukashenko's 
endless propaganda, has covinced many Belarusians that Belarus is 
thrivingdue to Lukashenko.  End Summary. 
 
 
What is the ideology? 
--------------------- 
 
2. (U) Accordingto Lukashenko, after his election he was forced to 
take charge of the elaboration of the new system of ideology to 
build the foundation of Belarusian sovereignty.  His campaign 
program from the 1994 elections became the first manifestation of 
Belarus' state ideology, stressing patriotism, collectivism, social 
justice, the high prestige of education, and socially useful work 
without any financial rewards.  Other factors that have been 
introduced to the ideology are: the necessity of a powerful central 
authority, strengthening integration with Russia, solidarity of the 
Slavic peoples, the importance of labor, and social justice. 
 
 
Why is ideology crucial? 
------------------------ 
 
3. (U) According to the now mandatory Belarusian textbooks on 
ideology, published in 2004 under order of the president, a society 
cannot exist without an integral code of ideas, values and 
standards uniting all of its citizens.  A state without ideology 
cannot live and develop, and cannot withstand internal and external 
challenges and threats.  In a March 2003 speech, Lukashenko said, 
"Ideology for a state is what the immune system is for a living 
organism.  If the immune system grows weaker, any infection, even 
the slightest one, turns deadly".  He added that the inculcation of 
an official state-controlled ideology into the country's citizenry 
was essential to protect Belarus from any possible "infection".  In 
his view, if the government wishes to see Belarus flourish and 
become a strong, prosperous, sovereign country, it must concentrate 
on its ideological foundations. 
 
 
What do ideological officers do? 
-------------------------------- 
 
4. (U) Every enterprise, school, organization and governmental 
entity in Belarus must have an ideological officer, according to 
the Presidential edict of 20 February 2004 `On improving the 
ideology work of staffing in the Republic of Belarus'.  It is the 
job of ideological officers to address the issues and hardships 
people are facing, to write about them in the printed media and to 
speak about them on TV.  Twice a month the officer is to provide 
ideological instruction to his flock.  An ideological officer has 
to be a well-educated, charismatic person.  The officer has to 
strongly believe in the ideas conveyed to the public and shared 
within the society.  The Presidential Administration created an 
Ideological Department to control and expand the work of 
ideological officers throughout the country.  In addition, the GOB 
has tasked local Councils, labor unions and youth groups with 
propagating the state ideology.  This also applies to private 
businesses.  According to a long-time post contact, the GOB 
recently forced the head of one of the largest car dealerships in 
Belarus to hire and appoint as his deputy an ideological officer. 
 
 
Belarus has become a center of the Slavic civilization 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
5. (U) Belarus' official ideology has a messianic, and self- 
delusional, character.  It borrows heavily from the Soviet ethos 
of, "from each according to his ability, to each according to his 
need."  It preaches that the Belarusian nation is the only Eastern 
Slavic country that remains true to such traditional civilized 
values and ideals.  Therefore, it is inevitable that Belarus will 
become the spiritual leader of Eastern European civilization. 
According to the ideology, many peoples around the world look upon 
Belarus as an example of consistent and independent politics. 
Therefore, Belarus should become a place where people are able to 
speak up and be free from neoliberal [i.e.- American] terror and 
persecution. 
 
 
 
MINSK 00001022  002 OF 003 
 
 
Ideology and the economy 
------------------------ 
 
6. (U) An important facet of Belarus' ideology is the promotion of 
a "socially oriented economy," with equal opportunities for state 
and private ownership.  The goal is a high level of social security 
(full employment, growing wages, receipt of pensions) for all 
citizens. 
 
 
Ideology and education 
---------------------- 
 
7. (U) Education plays a significant role in the development and 
promulgation of the ideology.  In September 2003 a new mandatory 
course, "The Basis of Belarusian Ideology," was introduced to all 
Belarusian state and private universities.  Lukashenko advised 
rectors of both state and private universities to fire professors 
and lecturers who oppose government policies or are wavering in 
their belief regarding the ideology, since they are the ones who 
transmit ideas to the next generation.  All secondary schools must 
recreate Soviet-era youth organizations to spread the ideology and 
increase patriotism among youth.  According to state ideological 
propaganda, high quality educational programs are available to more 
individuals in Belarus than in the rich countries of the West, 
where some people cannot afford them due to the high tuition and 
other fees. 
 
 
Ideology and labor 
------------------- 
 
8. (U) Lukashenko's ideological campaign envisions the Belarusian 
Federation of Trade Unions [note: the state-controlled labor 
behemoth] becoming the core of society, since the BFTU now unites 
more than 4 million workers.  The BFTU is to work to ensure high 
levels of safety, employment and adequate salaries for Belarusian 
employees.  As the ideology books quote Lukashenko, "Reaching a 
man's soul and mind is a great art and hard work."  Therefore all 
enterprises in the country must have a deputy director/officer for 
ideological instruction. 
 
 
Ideology and health 
------------------- 
 
9. (U) There is nothing more valuable for any person than life and 
health.  Therefore, the government is attempting to consolidate all 
its efforts to propagate a healthy life-style.  Even when it goes 
against the wishes of the citizens, the ideology directs the 
government to fight against smoking, drinking, and drug abuse.  The 
President must serve as an example to its people in this regard. 
[Comment: In this sphere, the government appears to be fighting a 
losing battle, as health statistics indicate that the Belarusian 
lifestyle is far from healthy.] 
 
 
Ideology and the media 
---------------------- 
 
10. (U) Mass media, including radio, television, and printed media, 
are the most efficient transmitters of ideology.  The Internet is 
another source of information, but according to the ideological 
texts, it has become a "garbage can" of conflicting, destructive 
ideas.  The work of all of mass media, regardless of ownership, 
should be aimed at strengthening ideological penetration of 
society.  The media should not only concentrate on the positive 
achievements of the government, but also reflect its failures and 
provide constructive criticism.  [Comment: There is little evidence 
the state media is fulfilling the latter responsibility.]  However, 
since reporters play a key role in forming public opinion, 
journalism has to be a profession controlled by the government. 
Every journalist therefore is to be held accountable for the 
message he conveys to the public. 
 
11. (U) Belarusian television is the cornerstone of media policy. 
In an era of the satellite TV, accessible in every part of the 
world, the international media is engaged in an information war and 
ideological competition launched by the Western countries against 
Slavdom.  If Belarus loses this battle, it will be deprived of its 
sovereignty, national character, the uniqueness of the Belarusian 
nation, its spiritual core and its moral foundation.  Belarusian 
television has to counter this by providing a positive image of the 
republic abroad. 
 
 
Ideology and religion 
 
MINSK 00001022  003 OF 003 
 
 
--------------------- 
 
12. (U) Religion and language are critical in the Belarusian 
ideology.  The state church in Belarus is the Belarusian Orthodox 
Church.  Its Metropolitan, who answers to the patriarch in Moscow, 
regularly praises Lukashenko for his Russophile and pan-Slavic 
beliefs.  Indeed, from time to time Lukashenko describes his state 
ideology not as Communist, but as Orthodox Christian.  He often 
praises the Belarusian Orthodox Church for opposing "destructive 
forces," cooperating with the authorities, and contributing to 
social stability.  For its part, the BOC has been granted preferred 
treatment by most government ministries in a series of bilateral 
agreements.  At the same time, the GOB likes to emphasize the 
Belarusian tradition of tolerance to all faiths and peoples. 
 
 
Creating obedient people 
------------------------ 
 
13. (U) According to the ideology texts, every Belarusian citizen 
has to be well informed on state policies and the official 
ideology.  Moreover, every Belarusian must feel themselves to be an 
integral part of the community and the country, who thoughtfully 
fulfills their civil and professional duties.  The ideology 
stresses obedience to a strong central authority.  Dissent should 
be kept to a minimum. 
 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
14. (SBU) Even in the official ideology texts, the ideology is very 
poorly defined.  It gives no clear answers to show what Belarus is 
and where it wants to go.  Slogans, such as "a socially oriented 
market economy" and "a strong and prosperous Belarus", could as 
well be used by most opponents of the current government.  As in 
the Soviet era, the ideology seems to be best used in dividing the 
populace between the "productive," those who say they believe in 
the state ideology, and the "destructive," those who do not. 
Perhaps Lukashenko's most significant victory with this ideology is 
his ability to convince so many Belarusians that he is the 
guarantor of Belarus' independence.  Judging from opinion polls and 
comments from a wide spectrum of Belarusian society, the ideology 
does resonate within the Belarusian population.  For one, it 
confirms the Belarusians' own image of themselves as tolerant, 
peaceful, hardworking and orderly.  Furthermore, while many 
Belarusians, especially the young and cynical, might challenge the 
official ideology, in the absence of alternate points of view they 
end up believing it.  This wide acceptance of government propaganda 
in turn limits the likelihood the Belarusian people will agitate 
for democratic reforms. 
 
PHLIPOT