Anzelika Borys satisfied with her visit to European Parliament :: Charter'97 :: News

Anzelika Borys (Anzhelika Boris), the ousted leader of the Union of Belarusian Poles (UBP), expressed her satisfaction with her visit to the European Parliament while speaking at a news conference held on September 9 in the office of the newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza in Warsaw on her return from Strasbourg.

"The meeting with MEPs was very successful," she said. "I told them about repressive measures against the Union and helped all the Polish politicians who speak about the problems of the Belarusian Poles. I confirmed their information as a witness."
Ms. Borys visited the European Parliament on Thursday at the invitation of Polish MEP Bogdan Klich, who heads the EP`s Delegation for Relations with Belarus. " It is important that given the European Parliament`s interest in the Belarus theme, a representative of the Polish minority in that country appear. I believe that Ms. Anzelika Borys, whom the Polish authorities continue recognizing as chairperson of the Union of Poles in Belarus is the most appropriate person, and that is why she was invited to a meeting of the Delegation of the European Parliament`s Delegation for Relations with Belarus," Mr. Klich explained, according to Radio Polonia.
Ms. Borys arrived in Strasbourg in company with Donald Tusk, vice president of the Polish lower parliamentary chamber and one of the most serious candidates in Poland`s presidential race.

In particular, Ms. Borys met with Terry Davis, secretary general of the Council of Europe, urging him to support both the Polish ethnic community and opposition forces in Belarus.

Ms. Borys and Mr. Tusk also spoke to members of the European People`s Party, which has the largest group in the European Parliament.

"There were specific proposals with regard to the creation of a radio station and support of us, Poles, as well as other communities, because we are now regarded as an opposition group because we are fighting for our rights," Ms. Borys said at the news conference in Warsaw. "As you know, we were accused of being directed from Poland. This, of course, insults us. European parliamentarians` statements in which they support us, understanding our situation are very important."

The 31-year-old Borys thanked Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka for his proposal that she take over the post of Poland`s Honorary Consul in Belarus. "I am very pleased with this offer, but our authorities will never agree to this. In addition, I do not want my compatriots to think that honors are more important for me than work for Poles," she said.

Ms. Borys also said that she would not like to apply for Polish citizenship, explaining that since Belarusian regulations do not provide for dual citizenship, her status of a Polish citizen would be grounds for the Belarusian authorities to ban her from entering the country, where, according to her, she plans to continue her activities.

Ms. Borys said that the UBP leaders elected at the Union`s March convention and their supporters would attempt to found a new organization, but the authorities would hardly allow this. "Certainly, we`ll be able to organize, but I can`t say how this will happen," she noted.

Andrzej Pisalnik, ex-spokesman for the UBP and former editor-in-chief of the Union`s weekly Glos znad Niemna, said at the news conference that he would represent Belarusian Poles at the Congress of pro-Democratic Forces that is to name opposition groups` single presidential candidate.