Alyaksandr Kazulin in interview to Voice of America: “These 3 days gave me something great and big”

Former candidate for presidency in Belarus and current political prisoner Alyaksandr Kazulin came back to the Vitsebsk colony №3 yesterday. Three days, which were given by the Belarusian regime under the pressure of world community to him to attend his wife’s funeral, have passed. His wife Iryna Kazulina died last Saturday from hard disease.

The EU and the US demand final and unconditional release of Alyaksandr Kazulin, which will be a condition for negotiations with the official Minsk on normalisation of relations with the West. It was said in the statement of Tom Casey, US State Department’s Deputy Spokesman spread on 26 February. He stressed the permanent release of Alyaksandr Kazulin would mean that “all internationally recognized political prisoners” would be released. As soon as it will happen, the US is “prepared to begin a dialogue with Belarus on further steps to improve bilateral relations,” T. Casey said.

US president George Bush extended his condolence to Alyaksandr Kazulin and his family.

The Russian service of the Voice of America managed to reach Alyaksandr Kazulin by phone, when the opposition leader, sentenced to 5 and a half years of imprisonment for protest against falsifying presidential election 2006, was going back to the place of imprisonment.

Alex Campbell: Mr Kazulin, what conclusion did You draw from Your three-day release?

Alyaksandr Kazulin: These three days gave me something great and big, what is titled human love and expressing deep and sincere mercy and sympathy. It has turned me over. I’m quite decided about my future activity. But after the words I heard from people, I decided I can’t act like the current authorities. We can’t solve problems by means of ultimatums and violence. We must put a period to violence, we should think of serious, true values, we should free the light spirit that any human being has, and I proposed it to Mr Lukashenka today.

Alex Campbell: Your destiny as a political prisoner has been in the center of attention of the world community for the last two years. Did You feel support of the United States and the European Union?

Alyaksandr Kazulin: Taking the opportunity, I’d like to thank the American people, President Bush, Secretary of State Rice, the US Department of State for that they saved my life. They took unprecedented in diplomacy measures to save life of a human being. They proved once more how the United States appreciates human life.

I can say I have really had my second birth. As it is known, any who was born on the US territory is the US citizen. So, given a second life to me, the US has got a part of a new citizen in my person – I’m speaking figuratively, of course.

I am thankful to President Bush for his personal condolence to my family, for that he watching my destiny. It’s very pleasant for us, common people. It means the US president is a man of high morality, who has feelings of compassion and mercy.

Alex Campbell: What do You know about plans of Belarusian authorities concerning You?

Alyaksandr Kazulin: I was given a clear instruction to have come back to the colony by 8.00pm. So in an hour and a half I’m leaving Minsk to be on time. I have always been a law-abiding citizen, and I have always spoken, everybody must obey laws. When laws rule in the country, then there will be order.