Alyaksandr Milinkevich: Sweeping Changes Expected in Belarus :: Charter'97 :: News

“We have celebrated March 25, Freedom Day, as the greatest holiday. On this day the Belarusian nation accepted a responsibility for their country, its independence. The world saw thousands of people supporting Belarusian Freedom yesterday. Despite of intimidation and arrests, countless people took to the streets. I feel that great changes in the country are coming. Belarus is sure to become a democratic country, as for today only democracy could be a guarantee of independence,” told the leader of the united democratic forces Alyaksandr Milinkevich to the Charter’97 press-center, summing up the results of the action on March 25 in Minsk.

Alyaksandr Milinkevich believes that opposition has succeeded to make the regime recognize March 25 as a national holiday. “Yesterday several events with a slogan “For independent Belarus!” have taken place in Minsk. For the first time of Lukashenka’s presidency March 25 is partially recognized as a national holiday,” the politician believes.

As the leader of the opposition told, on March 25 the authorities have demonstrated their fear, confusion and unwillingness for a dialogue with the opposition. “We are stronger than the regime, as we have offered them to reconcile with people, to meet half-way with the nation, to do good for the country and receive assistance of the West in exchange for fulfilment of democratization’s conditions,” Milinkevich believes.

“My greetings are to courageous and honest people. You are the salt of our land; you are creators of our nation. Thank you for coming to celebrate Freedom Day. Our country is to become free soon!” told the leader of the democratic forces in Belarus.