BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

04/03/2007

Belarus opposition leader invited Asim Mollazade for March 25 Celebration

The leader of the Belarusian opposition Alexander Milinkevich has invited the chairman of the Democratic Reforms party of Azerbaijan, a former PACE Rapporteur on Belarus Asim Mollazade to visit Belarus on March 25 to take part in the celebration on Freedom Day.

Earlier the Belarusian opposition leader invited to Minsk the chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Rene van der Linden.

In his letter addressed to A. Mollazade, Milinkevich notes that after a discussion with public society structures and the Belarusian regime's statements on normalization of relations with Europe, he sent a letter to Alexander Lukashenko on a possibility to start a dialogue between the regime and the opposition.

In his letter Milinkevich expressed confidence that by opening this dialogue, the country could finally be coming out of the economic crisis, defend independence and realize a strategy of democratization. Only after building a consensus between the regime and opposition Belarus with the help of the European Union could start wide political, economic and social reforms.

Milinkevich has offered Lukashenko to take a step towards the opposition on March 25, on the day which is extremely important for the statehood of Belarus. As said by him, this step is supported by the society of Belarus. March 25, 2007 could become a day when serious discussion on Belarus' future with participation of all strata of society could start.

Taking in account Asim Mollazade's interest in Belarusian problem, Milinkevich has offered him to participate in these important events. He hopes that Belarusian authorities would understand the importance of the moment on the 50th anniversary of European integration, and would make a step to meet the people.

Source:

http://www.today.az/news/politics/37351.html