Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MINSK831
2006-08-04 06:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
Female Tent City Heroes Reaffirmed Commitment to
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHSK #0831 2160657 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 040657Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY MINSK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4831 INFO RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 3534 RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 3399 RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA 1747 RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS 3763 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1240 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS MINSK 000831
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR G/IWI
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KWMN BO
SUBJECT: Female Tent City Heroes Reaffirmed Commitment to
Work for Change
REF: MINSK 536
UNCLAS MINSK 000831
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR G/IWI
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KWMN BO
SUBJECT: Female Tent City Heroes Reaffirmed Commitment to
Work for Change
REF: MINSK 536
1. (U) On July 28, leader of the Women's Independent
Democratic Movement (WIDM) Ludmila Petina presented the
release of the organization's latest information bulletin,
"We Are Women," in the Embassy's Public Affairs Section
building (reftel). The bulletin included interviews and
editorials from women activists who participated in the
rallies and demonstrations following the 2006 presidential
elections. [Note: The delay in publication resulted from
WIDM's difficulty in finding a printer.]
2. (SBU) During the event, several of the "women heroes"
featured in the bulletin presented first-hand accounts of
their experiences. Many commented that although they had
all but given up on prospects for change in Belarus, the
response from their fellow citizens, and in particular from
Belarusian women, to defend their rights following the
elections renewed their commitment to work for democratic
change in Belarus. Head of the Belarusian Association of
Students Alyena Talapila poignantly remarked in her
interview for the bulletin, "We had a year of freedom during
these four days [in the tent city protest on October
Square]. We felt we were numerous. We were strong. And
such people can move mountains. We didn't care much what
the president or the authorities thought. It was a victory
for us. We had overcome our fears of being beaten or
arrested and our fears to bring about change. [Our success
on October Square] was a psychological victory for me."
MOORE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR G/IWI
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KWMN BO
SUBJECT: Female Tent City Heroes Reaffirmed Commitment to
Work for Change
REF: MINSK 536
1. (U) On July 28, leader of the Women's Independent
Democratic Movement (WIDM) Ludmila Petina presented the
release of the organization's latest information bulletin,
"We Are Women," in the Embassy's Public Affairs Section
building (reftel). The bulletin included interviews and
editorials from women activists who participated in the
rallies and demonstrations following the 2006 presidential
elections. [Note: The delay in publication resulted from
WIDM's difficulty in finding a printer.]
2. (SBU) During the event, several of the "women heroes"
featured in the bulletin presented first-hand accounts of
their experiences. Many commented that although they had
all but given up on prospects for change in Belarus, the
response from their fellow citizens, and in particular from
Belarusian women, to defend their rights following the
elections renewed their commitment to work for democratic
change in Belarus. Head of the Belarusian Association of
Students Alyena Talapila poignantly remarked in her
interview for the bulletin, "We had a year of freedom during
these four days [in the tent city protest on October
Square]. We felt we were numerous. We were strong. And
such people can move mountains. We didn't care much what
the president or the authorities thought. It was a victory
for us. We had overcome our fears of being beaten or
arrested and our fears to bring about change. [Our success
on October Square] was a psychological victory for me."
MOORE