Mikalai Statkevich: We Will Defend Freedom of Our Country

On August 25, 1991 the Declaration on Independence of Belarus became the law.

Mikalai Statkevich, one of the leaders of the Belarusian National Congress, appealed to his compatriots on the 26th anniversary of the legislative design of Belarusian independence:

"Dear compatriots!

On behalf of the Belarusian National Congress I congratulate you on the anniversary of Independence of Belarus!

On this day, August 25, 1991, the Parliament of our country granted the Declaration of Sovereignty adopted a year earlier the status of the constitutional law. Belarus became independent. Belarusians have found their own Home - their sovereign state. They have become masters of their own fates.

Yes, we have not always successfully disposed of our destiny and allowed the deceiver to lead our country. Despite his desire to sell independence we managed to defend our state. This is the main thing. After all, if we preserve our state, our Home, sooner or later we will be able to restore order here, establish a decent life for all of us. As soon as we lose your home, we will lose the chance for a decent life on our land.

Now an illegal "re-entrant" allows foreign troops to Belarus. This jeopardises the independence of our state, the peace and security of our people. We must warn potential aggressors and traitors in power that we will defend the freedom of our country.

On September 8 the Belarusian National Congress will launch a Warning Action at 7 pm, Kastrychnitskaya Square, Minsk.

Let's free Belarus from internal occupation and not allow external aggression in!

Power to the people!

Long Live Belarus!"