BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

11/03/2008

U.S. President Honors Wife Of Imprisoned Belarusian Politician

In a statement on March 10 marking Women's History Month and International Women's Day, U.S. President George W. Bush honored Iryna Kazulina, the deceased wife of imprisoned Belarusian former presidential candidate Alyaksandr Kazulin, the White House website reported. "America honors women like Iryna Kazulina," Bush said. "Iryna's husband, Alyaksandr Kazulin, is serving a five year prison sentence for protesting Belarus's fraudulent 2006 elections. Iryna worked relentlessly for her husband's freedom. In doing so, she became a leading voice for all political prisoners held captive by [Belarusian President Alyaksandr] Lukashenka's regime," he said. Kazulina died on February 23 after a long fight with breast cancer. "The Lukashenka regime refused to release her husband to be with his wife in her final days. That's the definition of brutality. And the United States calls upon that government to release Alyaksandr Kazulin immediately, just like they ought to release every other political prisoner in Belarus," Bush said. AM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2008/03/3-cee/cee-110308.asp

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