Cichanoŭskaja briefs 25 nations’ diplomats on position, activities

September 15, BPN. Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja held a briefing for diplomats from 25 countries in Vilnius on September 14, her press office reported.

Cichanoŭskaja spoke against imposing a EU visa ban on all Belarusians, but supported banning entry to government officials, security forces, special services and propagandists. She suggested that the EU should send chargés d’affaires instead of ambassadors to Belarus because the former do not have to present credentials to Alaksandr Łukašenka whom EU countries do not recognize as president.

The former presidential candidate also spoke about the upcoming amnesty announced by the authorities in Minsk. In her opinion, “everyone should be released and rehabilitated without any conditions, and political cases should be closed.”

Cichanoŭskaja told the diplomats about latest reprisals in her country. She condemned the recent brief arrest of EU Chargé d’Affaires Evelina Schulz in Minsk.

She also spoke about the first month of the Joint Transition Cabinet created on her initiative and plans to expand Płan Pieramoha, a mobilization plan for ordinary people to take power.

The politician expressed support for the Ukrainian people “in connection with an effective counteroffensive” and opined that “Ukraine’s victory could open up a window of opportunity for changes in Belarus.”

The briefing at the Czech embassy was attended by ambassadors and diplomats from Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, the UK, Ukraine and the USA.