Opposition gives Belarus democratization roadmap to US Congress delegation

Belarusian opposition leaders handed a Belarus democratization roadmap to a US Congress delegation during a meeting in Vilnius on Thursday, BelaPAN reported.
The US delegation led by Shelley Berkley included four Democrats and three Republicans.

Taking part in the meeting were Anatol Lyabedzka, leader of the United Civic Party, former presidential candidate Alyaksandr Kazulin, former presidential candidate Alyaksandr Milinkevich’s ally Viktar Karnyayenka, Belarusian Association of Journalists chair Zhanna Litvina, a leader of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party and Vintsuk Vyachorka, deputy chair of the Belarusian Popular Front.
Belarus’ opposition politicians had problems when crossing the border into Lithuania in the morning. Kazulin had his belongings searched, while opposition youth leader Artur Finkevich was not allowed to cross the border. Belarusian border guards told the 24-year-old leader of an opposition youth group called Maladaya (Young) Belarus that he was temporarily banned from leaving the country and put an appropriate stamp into his passport.

Lyabedzka expressed the opinion that the Belarusian authorities wanted to prevent them from arriving on time for the meeting. “There was a two-hour line of cars on the Lithuanian side,” Lyabedzka said. “But Lithuanian border guards allowed us to jump the line when we explained the situation to them. Only thanks to that, we managed to arrive on time.”

BelaPAN