Ahead of the September 2006 presidential elections, the United Civic Party has begun drafting a party platform that addresses all spheres of development within the country. They are hoping to pave the way for a democratic Belarus.

The United Civic Party (UCP) has gotten down to developing a program that could be used by a single opposition candidate as an election platform in next year????????s presidential campaign.

As UCP leader Anatoly Lebedko told BelaPAN, the document should become a positive alternative to the course of Aleksandr Lukashenko????????s government. ???????We will draw voters if we create an attractive picture of Belarus???????? reforms in the event of victory in the 2006 presidential election,??????? he stressed.

The politician expressed hope that the document, which is expected to embrace all spheres, including economy, politics, culture and education, would become part of a national strategy of pro-democracy forces.

???????We seek to complete the work on the document before the National Congress of Pro-democracy Forces that will elect a single democratic presidential candidate,??????? Mr. Lebedko said.

According to the UCP chairman, Belarus has several analytical groups developing a concept of the country????????s development after Mr. Lukashenko is unseated. ???????We intend to hold consultations with them and agree on a joint document as a result,??????? he noted.

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