During her visit to the United States, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, in Dallas. The meeting lasted over an hour and a half and focused on the situation in Belarus, the fight for freedom and democracy, and Belarus’ role in regional security.
Key topics discussed included:
- Ways to secure the release of political prisoners in Belarus and raise global awareness of their plight;
- Belarus as part of a just and lasting peace in Eastern Europe;
- The need to resist dictatorship and repression, and protect Belarusians who continue their struggle.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya expressed her gratitude to President Bush: “Thank you for your commitment to the Belarusian cause, and especially for all your efforts to secure the release of political prisoners. Belarusians remember you, know you, and will never forget your support. I am honored to meet with you, and I want you to know – you are a hero to us, just as President Reagan was to your generation”.
President Bush responded: “What’s happening in Belarus matters to us here at home. When dictators like Lukashenka oppress their people abroad, it changes our world and our lives. It makes the world less safe. Brave leaders like Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya – who stand up for democracy despite the consequences – are essential to our future of peace and prosperity.”
As a token of gratitude, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya presented President Bush with the Cross of Good Neighborhood, an award given to presidents, prime ministers, and political leaders who have made a significant contribution to the Belarusian struggle for freedom. She also gave Mr. Bush a special album containing archival photos and documents reflecting his support for Belarus during his presidency.
President Bush has consistently spoken in support of Belarus at international forums, met with Belarusian politicians, activists, and journalists, and publicly advocated for the release of political prisoners. He signed the first Belarus Democracy Act, helped secure the release of political prisoners after the events of 2006, and played a key role in shaping US policy toward Belarus.
