“Good afternoon friends,
My team, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s team continues its work. Maryia Moroz will remain the officer of the headquarters. She is currently with me and is still managing the campaign. I confirm the credentials of Olga Kovalkova and Nikolay Kozlov as my authorised representatives and they will coordinate actions of the headquarters in Belarus.
I declare that we are ready to start a dialogue with the government.
Taking into consideration what is happening in the country and the need for urgent action in order to restore justice in Belarus, I, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, launch the creation of the Coordination Board to manage a political transition.
Civil society representatives, respected and known Belarusians and professionals of their craft will be able to join the board. I put in charge my authorized representative Olga Kovalkova and lawyer Maxim Znak to receive applications to bring forward board members from organisations and citizen groups.
I thank everyone, all organisations that have supported me and are ready to help us in these negotiations.
I ask you all to join the Coordination Board. We are in real need of your help and experience. We need your connections, contacts, expert advice and support. Everyone, who is interested in a dialogue and peaceful political transition, must become a part of the Coordination Board: worker’s association, parties, trade unions and other civil society organisations.
I appeal to the international community and european countries with a request to help us in organising a conversation with Belarusian authorities.
I deeply admire Belarusians. Thank you my dear! We have achieved the impossible. We have shown that we are the majority. And this country belongs to us, the people of Belarus and not just to one person.
I condole with every person and every family that has suffered these past days. I found it really hard to watch the violence that the government has released upon our cities in the last week. This must never happen again.
The government must express readiness to start the conversation with the people.
It means to release the detained.
It means to remove the riot police “OMON” and the military from the streets of our cities.
It means to open a criminal case against those who were giving illicit orders to assault people and shoot at them.
I appeal to city mayors. Go out and start to talk and listen to the people. It is within your competence to organize legal and peaceful rallies in the city squares.
I appeal to police officers, armed forces and other security services. Do not execute illegal orders. Talk to your superiors, stop the bloodshed. You took an oath to serve the Republic of Belarus and your people. Us, people, we will be grateful to everyone who takes side with the nation”.
14 August, 2020, 15:24. Originally published in Telegram-channel of the press service of the headquarters of Tsikhanouskaya’s, Babariko, Tsepkalo
