Tsikhanouskaya calls on authorities to join dialogue and announces establishment of Coordination Council
Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has stated that her headquarters continues to work. Candidate for President says she confirms the authority of Volha Kavalkova and Mikalai Kazlou as trustees, who will coordinate the activities of the headquarters in Belarus.
Tsikhanouskaya said in her address that she was ready for a dialogue with the authorities.
“Taking into account what is happening in the country and the need to take urgent measures to restore law and order in Belarus, I, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, initiate the creation of the Coordinating Council to ensure the transfer of power. This council can include representatives of civil society, respected and well-known Belarusians, and professionals of their business. I instruct my trustee Volha Kavalkova and attorney Maksim Znak to accept applications for nomination of members of the Council from organizations and associations of citizens”.
I would like to thank all the people, all the organizations that supported me and are ready to help in the negotiations.
I ask you to unite in the Coordinating Council. We really need your help and experience. We need your connections, contacts, expert advice and support. This Coordination Council should include all those interested in dialogue and peaceful transfer of power — labor collectives, parties, trade unions and other civil society organizations.
I appeal to the international community, European countries with a request to help us in organizing a dialog with the Belarusian authorities.
I admire Belarusians. Thank you, my darlings! We have done the impossible. We have shown that we are the majority. And this country belongs to us, the people of Belarus, not to one person.
I express my sympathy to every victim these days, every family. It was very difficult for me to look at the violence that the authorities threw our cities into over the last week. It must never happen again.
The authorities must show willingness to have a dialogue with the people.
That is, release all detainees.
That is, to remove riot police and troops from the streets of the cities.
That is to bring criminal cases against those who gave criminal orders to beat and shoot people.
I’m addressing the mayors of the cities. Get out there and start talking, listening to people. It’s up to you to organize legal and peaceful rallies in town squares.
I appeal to the police, the army and other security officials. Do not follow criminal orders. Talk to your superiors, stop the bloodshed. You have taken an oath to serve the Republic of Belarus and your people. We, the people, will be grateful to everyone who’s sided with the people”.
