Interview with Charge d’affaires ad interim of the Czech Republic in the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Ruml :: Charter'97 :: News

Vladimir Ruml started his political career in 1989 as a member of the oppositional “Democratic Initiative” and after the collapse of the communist regime he represented the Civil Forum in the first free election. In the early 90s he run the cabinet of the Vice Minister of the Interior and then he was promoted to the position of the Head of the Security Department of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since 1998 Mr. Ruml worked as the counsellor of the Czech Republic permanent mission to NATO, and January 7, 2004, he became the head of the Czech Embassy in Belarus.

- How did you manage to define the so-called “belarusian character” for yourself?

- From my point of view, there is no big difference between the mentality of the Czech and the Belarusian peoples. The Belarusians are peace loving and amiable, but a bit passive. The Western states criticize the powers. We do not want to act as subjects. If the power exists at our expense, we should control it. We discuss freely and openly in the Mass Media and the Parliament positive and negative aspects of the work of our Government and State institutions.

- How important was for the Czech citizens to overcome their inner fear in the victory of democracy in your country?

- Extremely important. Outrageous people from “Charter-77”, “Democratic Initiative”, “Helsinki Committee”, a range of artists, actors and musicians helped common citizens with their own examples - visiting plants, towns and villages - to overcome this fear.

- “Orange Revolution”, “Rose Revolution”, victory of democracy in Yugoslavia and Kirghizia… What do you think - can we consider the democratic revolutions to be a continuation of the “velvet” revolution or maybe these are new geopolitical processes?

- I deem that the Czech Velvet Revolution did not start and, unfortunately, did not finish the process of the post-war liberation of the peoples. In my view, this is not a new geopolitical process, but a natural aspiration of those who wish for more freedom, just and prosperity. Europe has already encountered authoritarian chiefs, and there is neither place, nor mood for new ones.