Resuscitating the Soviet Idelogical Machine

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?
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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?
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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?
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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.



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Ideology and the economy
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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

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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
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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
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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