Alyaksandr Kazulin: “Belarus’ future is in Europe” (Video)

During a press-conference before his return to Vitsebsk colony, a political prisoner Alyaksandr Kazulin stated that during the 53-day hunger strike in prison his life was saved by the people of the United States of America, as it was the US who had heard the appeal of Kazulin and raised the Belarusian question in the UN Security Council. The politician has also stated that at the moment it is absolutely evident to him that “Belarus is a European country and Belarus’ future lies in Europe”.

“We are to draw a line under the past, to forget our particular wrongs, division for the Right and the Left, for incorrupt and corrupt, conventional persons and misfits. We all should unite today. The time for changes has come. The time of violence, wars, terror is coming to an end. The time of conciliation and serenity is coming. The time of peace in our country is coming,” Alyaksandr Kazulin stated in the beginning of the press-conference.

Once again the political prisoner called upon Alyaksandr Lukashenka the dialogue with the opposition. “Today I have waken up a different man, serenity and peace have come to my soul after these two days. I always understood that violence is destructive and won’t do any good. I forgive Lukashenka. My family forgives Lukashenka for everything he had done to us. I do not have malice, hate or even resentment. I offer him to forget personal wrongs as well, to rise above all that. The time has come for Lukashenka to rise above his passions, evil passions, and show the good which he has inside of him, as inside of every man. I offer to start anew for the good of our country, for the future of our children, for free and independent Belarus,” the politician said.

Kazulin told about his vision of the free and independent Belarus.

“Now we are to handle the situation inside our country. When we’ll do that, then we’ll have relations with the EU, with the US, with Russia. Today, when so many questions are asked, I can tell you: Belarus is a European country, and undoubtedly our future lies in Europe. It’s just a matter of time. It’s understandable that this time is not just around the corner, but it’s clear it’s our time. At the same time, we should maintain good relations with Russia. But I repeat that our future is in Europe,” Alyaksandr Kazulin stated.

The political prisoner has also underlined that during a 53-day hunger strike in prison his life was saved by the people of the United States of America, as it was the US who had heard the appeal of Kazulin and raised the Belarusian question in the UN Security Council.

“My life was saved by America and the people of the US, for whom a factor of a single human life is very important. They have demonstrated for the whole world that every human life must be treasured. I was very near to the line beyond which the other world begins. Moreover, I have even been at the other side. I can say that it’s even better there than here. In fact, speaking about this world, I have been born again,” Kazulin said.

Alyaksandr Kazulin noted the importance of decent celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian People’s Republic proclamation.

“I have asked the democratic forces of the country to support my initiative and announce the year 2008 the year of the Belarusian People’s Republic in Belarus, Europe and worldwide. In view of the fact that the Belarusian People’s Republic was proclaimed on initiative of Belarusian Social Democrats, this initiative should certainly come from Social Democrats of Belarus. Besides, I asked everyone to support my initiative to create the National Committee for celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian People’s Republic,” the politician said.

Today the political prisoner is to return to Vitsebsk colony No.3. Three days granted to Alyaksandr Kazulin to attend funeral of his wife Iryna have expired. Iryna died of a grave illness on February 23. The politician stated that he wouldn’t announce a hunger strike of protest in the colony. As said by him, during the funeral many people asked him not to continue the hunger strike, but to preserve his life and health. “My responsibility to people makes me hunger strikes,” Kazulin said.

The EU and the US demanded unconditional release of Alyakasndr Kazulin. Only in this case the official Minsk has a chance to start the process of normalizing relations with the West.