Belarus opposition leader hopes "America will show active, not just symbolic actions."
Record ID:
1627736
Belarus opposition leader hopes "America will show active, not just symbolic actions."
- Title: Belarus opposition leader hopes "America will show active, not just symbolic actions."
- Date: 20th July 2021
- Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (JULY 20, 2021) (REUTERS - Broadcasters: NONE Digital: NONE) WIDESHOT BELARUS OPPOSITION LEADER SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA ON STAGE AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB (SOUNDBITE) (English) BELARUS OPPOSITION LEADER SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA SAYING: "We understand that only the Belarusan's themselves can bring the country to democratic changes, but we hope that American, that America will show active, not just symbolic actions." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) BELARUS OPPOSITION LEADER SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA SAYING: "Belarus will be an example of the transition from autocracy to democracy in the nearest future, and we are fighting hard and we welcome all the democratic countries to join this fight." WIDE SHOT OF TSIKHANOUSKAYA ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (English) BELARUS OPPOSITION LEADER SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA SAYING: "The so-called friendship is rather strange between the President of Russia and the ex-president of Belarus. And we understand that we have to fight inside the country. This is not a fight against Russia or against other countries. It's not pro-Russian or pro-Western fight, it's a fight between the past and the future. And we have to send clear messages to Kremlin that you can play a constructive role, in solving the Belarusan crisis, don't interfere in our internal policy, don't send your propagandists. Don't send your military forces. This is our problem, and we have to solve this problem by ourselves, with the support of Democratic countries, standing up for human rights, for values, democratic values for rule of law is not interference into policy, but normal adequate reaction of democratic countries." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) BELARUS OPPOSITION LEADER SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA SAYING: "It is strange to me that you are asking about Putin at all. We have to talk about Belarus here. I came here with the problem of the regime that prevails in our country and the U.S.A. can send clear messages to Russia that our independence is not for trade. Our serenity is our highest value and all the deals that are undersigned between these two people at the moment they will be reviewed in the future. And that Russia should not interfere in our internal policy. This is the only context with which we can discuss Russia." WIDE SHOT OF TSIKHANOUSKAYA ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (English) BELARUS OPPOSITION LEADER SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA SAYING: "I was met very warmly by the Administration, and we just talked about assistance to civil society, about more pressure on the regime, and you know too about justice, and about democratic values, and I just, we did our job together, you know we coordinated our actions. I didn't meet with President Biden, this meeting wasn't scheduled but who knows, maybe we will have chance." MEMBERS OF AUDIENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) BELARUS OPPOSITION LEADER SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA SAYING: "Only a united response, a joint position the USA, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada can put a powerful hit on Lukashenko's regime." WHITE FLASH TSIKHANOUSKAYA ON STAGE BEING HANDED NATIONAL PRESS CLUB MUG (SOUNDBITE) (English) BELARUS OPPOSITION LEADER SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA SAYING: "Thank you to all the journalists who are talking about Belarus right now, and writing about Belarus, for your interest is extremely important to speak about us, and I am really grateful for your job." WHITE FLASH TSIKHANOUSKAYA STANDING UP AND LEAVING STAGE
- Embargoed: 3rd August 2021 20:35
- Keywords: Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya sanctions
- Location: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
- City: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics,United States
- Reuters ID: LVA001EMNCXMV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said in Washington on Tuesday (July 20) that "only the Belarusan's themselves can bring the country to democratic changes, but we hope that American, that America will show active, not just symbolic actions."
She asked U.S. officials to impose sanctions on companies in her country's potash, oil, wood and steel sectors, as she visited Washington seeking stronger action against President Alexander Lukashenko's government.
Such measures would go beyond existing sanctions on Lukashenko's political allies and government bodies and "will be a real hit on him, to make him change his behavior and to release political prisoners," Tsikhanouskaya told reporters.
She said she delivered the list of enterprises, among them state-owned Belaruskali producer of potash fertilizer, at a meeting on Monday with State Department officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Tsikhanouskaya was a candidate in the election instead of her husband Sergei Tsikhanouskiy, a video blogger who has been jailed since May 2020 on charges such as violating public order, which he denies. Tsikhanouskaya fled to neighboring Lithuania after Lukashenko's crackdown.
Lukashenko's opponents say the election was rigged so that he could retain power. He denies the allegation. Meanwhile, the government has detained thousands of people amid allegations of torture, and shuttered independent media and rights groups.
Tsikhanouskaya called for Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop supporting Lukashenko. "The U.S.A. can send clear messages to Russia that our independence is not for trade," she said.
(Video: Gershon Peaks; Production: Deborah Lutterbeck) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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