Zmitser Bandarenka: “Like Americans, Belarusians are waiting for changes”
4- 21.01.2009, 10:09
The US Embassy has organized a reception dedicated to the inauguration of the 44th US President Barack Obama. Those present had a possibility to watch live broadcast from Washington.
Public leaders, representatives of the Foreign Ministry of Belarus and politicians gathered in the educational centre of the US Embassy. US Embassy spokesperson Caroline Savage delivered a short address.
After that all present watched the inauguration of the 44th president of the US.
It worth mentioning TV channels of post-Soviet countries have paid much attention to this event. Caroline Savage expressed her opinion on that:
She said that these elections have inspired US citizens and people worldwide because of their importance. It is important not only for Americans, but for all people, she said.
It is also possible that for the first time in the US history an African Americans has been elected president in their society where slavery and segregation existed not long ago. It shows that the American society could be treated and changed, the spokesperson said.
The speech by the Barack Obama has been commented by the Belarusian politicians who were present at the reception in the US Embassy.
“The fact that Barack Obama has been elected is evidence that the US is moving towards democracy, where rights of all national minorities are respected, when people have equal rights despite of their racial background or religious views. It is an example for all of us, for Europe and the whole world,” the leader of “Young Belarus” organisation Artur Finkevich said.
The Charter’97 coordinator Zmitser Bandarenka noted:
“Today we see that for US citizens, and primarily for African Americans, Obama is not simply a president. In a certain sense he is a messiah. Hopes for changes in the country are pinned on him. It is obvious that today’s system in Belarus is a mistake. It has exhausted itself. For Belarusians it is an analogy with the American situation – Americans are waiting for changes, and Belarusians too”.
