BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

07/06/2007

Belarussian opposition leader praises Czech Republic

By Prague Daily Monitor/CTK / Published 7 June 2007

Alexander Milinkevich was one of disidents invited to conference on democracy and security in Prague.

Prague, June 6 (CTK) - The Czech Republic may harm its economic relations with Belarus by the open support to the Belarussian opposition, but this will be outdone for Prague after Belarus is free, Alexander Milinkevich, leader of the Belarussian opposition, told journalists today.

The Czech Republic has chosen the policy of future, said Milinkevich who is attending a conference on democracy and security at which U.S. President George W. Bush delivered a speech on Tuesday.

Milinkevich appreciated the Czech policy toward Belarus. The Czech Republic is one of the most active countries in the struggle for freedom and democracy in Belarus, he said.

After Belarus becomes a free country, the gap will be closed in the economy, he said about official Czech-Belarussian relations. They are tense and the two countries' diplomatic relations have been lowered to the level of charge d'affaires.

Last spring, Milinkevich challenged Alexander Lukashenko in the presidential elections. The opposition said the elections had been rigged.

Milinkevich was imprisoned for his views.

Milinkevich said he wanted to focus on a change in Belarussians' minds. He said that he sought long-standing, determined work, making the most of civic campaigns and leaving the political ghetto.

He said he hoped that democratic changes would come as soon as possible.

The regime will not outlast long, Milinkevich said. It is necessary to launch economic reforms. Instead, Belarussian authorities eliminate small businesses, he added.

Milinkevich voiced objections to Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadi-Nejad's recent visit to Belarus. Belarus might be dragged into support to terrorists and illegal arms deals, he said.

Milinkevich yesterday briefly met Bush who spoke about support to dissidents throughout the world and spread of democracy at the conference.

Source:

http://launch.praguemonitor.com/en/101/czech_politics/7775/