Alyaksandr Milinkevich: “I spoke about threat to Belarus’ independence at every meeting in the US”

The meeting with the US President George Bush in Washington on December 6 was the culmination of the visit of Belarusian oppositionists to the US. “Instead of the planned 40 minutes, the meeting lasted for an hour,” one of its participants, the leader of “For Freedom” movement Alyaksandr Milinkevich said.

Leaders of the oppositional parties Anatol Lyabedzka (the United Civil party), Syarhei Kalyakin, Anatol Lyaukovich (the Belarusian Social Democratic party), and the head of the organizing committee for creation of the Belarusian Christian Democratic party Paval Sevyarynets, one of the leaders of the Young Front Zmitser Fedaruk, and a former political prisoner Enira Branitskaya. The US Ambassador to Belarus Karen Stewart was present as well. After the discussion the US president showed them their office.

“The meeting was planned in advance, but it wasn’t confirmed. We received a confirmation only a day before,” Milinkevich confessed in an interview to “Belorusy I Rynok”. As said by him, the US President is a very open and active man. “He looks different on TV screens,” the politician indicated.

As said by A. Milinkevich, the meeting with the US leader was very open, sincere and deep. The Belarusian politician had an impression that the US President is rather well-informed about the today’s situation in Belarus. “That is why he asked not to concentrate on the present situation, but to formulate how America could help,” the Belarusian politician explained. “Imagine that every of you is the US president, and say what you would be able to do for Belarus,” Milinkevich quoted the US President.

“We said that mass media should be supported in the today’s situation. All the range of them should be supported, including the new TV channel, as well as newspapers, internet and underground press. It is very important to support programs of solidarity with political prisoners. It has proved to be effective. The support to the civil society in Belarus should be continued. The issues of coordination of the international policy towards Belarus and its regime were discussed,” A. Milinkevich told.

As said by him, George Bush underlined in his conversation with the Belarusian politicians that the US had become a great country by making the foundation of the state building moral and Christian principles, as well as the principles of freedom, democracy and justice. “And there where they are violated, the US finds it necessary to support people who are living without freedom, whose rights are violated. I think that the US are performing this role,” A. Milinkevich said.

As said by the Belarusian politician, rights after the meeting a report was received that Belarusian and Russian presidents allegedly planned to sign a Constitutional Act of the “union state” in Minsk. “At every meeting in the US I brought up the issue of continuing threat to Belarusian independence, that democratic countries, primarily the US, should express their uncompromising non-acceptance to a possible “union” referendum in Belarus, where referendums and elections are held undemocratically. After nuclear arms withdrawal from Belarus the US and the Great Britain have obligations in defense of independence of our country. A document was signed once on this issue,” A. Milinkevichstated.

He has also noted that the voyage was a pronouncedly joint action of the opposition. “We are doing a lot together. And this trip is our common step as well. Belarus is interested in such contacts, as it has to have serious partners on the world scene. And the US demonstrate that they treat the democratic forces as representatives of the democratic part of the Belarusian society. That is why we are together. Interests of our country demand that,” A. Milinkevich said.

During the visit the Belarusian democrats met with the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, took part in the hearings of the Congress, communicated with representatives of American foundations and Belarusian expatriate community.