Political Quotes

“I come down tonight to put into the Record the names of some freedom fighters who have been jailed, not only politicians, but also members of the news media, after the stolen elections in Minsk, Belarus, of two nights ago. The opponents of Dictator Lukashenko were as follows. Their locations are unknown. Some have been jailed: Andrey Sannikaw, Yaraslaw Ramanchuk, Ryhor Kastusyow, Uladzimir Nyaklyayew, Ales Mikhalevich, Vital Rymashewski, Viktar Tsyareshchanka, Mikalay Statkevich and Dzmitry Uss. Tens of thousands of Belarusians converged on Independence Square in the capital, heeding opposition leaders who called Sunday's election a farce and accused Lukashenko of keeping the post-Soviet country locked in a dictatorship. They gathered on the evening on the 19th and the morning of the 20th. Also arrested were prominent journalists and civil society activists, folks who are friends of individuals I know: Anatol Lyabedska, leader of the United Civic Party; Mr. Sannikaw's wife, Iryna Khalip; Dzmitry Bandarenka, coordinator of an opposition group called Khartyya97; and Natallya Radzina, the editor of www.charter97.org. The Organization For Security and Cooperation in Europe called the election ``flawed,'' and the United States of America and the European Union condemned the crackdown. With me I have some photos of the evening of December 19 showing protestors.…”