ON THE DEFENSE OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF BELARUS
(Appealadopted by the Conference (Assembly) of the patriotic
anddemocratic forces of the Republic of Belarus)
Celebratingthe 26thanniversary of the Independence of Belarus we declare that the stateIndependence of Belarus and the Belarusian language are the greatestvalues of the Belarusian nation. The Belarusian patriots and all thecitizens of Belarus have a duty and the honour to respect and defendthese values.
Weare worried because of the planned illegal and anti-constitutionalmilitary maneuvers of the Russian army (Western-2017) on theterritory of Belarus. Russia began to introduce its troops toBelarus. We qualify this activity as the start of the hybridoccupation of our country as well as a violation of the statesovereignty of Belarus. Such activity of the Russian military cliquerepresents the threat to all our neighbours: Ukraine, Poland,Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The representatives of the Putin’sregime confirmed this fact in their speeches in Moscow several times.
Weappeal the countries-guarantors of the Budapest Memorandum 1994 –the United States of America and Great Britain – to put pressure onRussia in order to secure the accomplishment of the obligationsreflected in the Memorandum. The state independence of the Republicof Belarus has been guaranteed in accordance with the BudapestMemorandum.
Wedemand the Russian government and the actual government of Belarus tocancel the military maneuvers Western-2017 and to withdraw theRussian troops and military equipment from the territory of Belarus.
Weappeal the Belarusian National Army which had sworn allegiance toBelarus to defend our Homeland against the Russian invasion.
Weappeal the citizens and patriots of Belarus to start a campaign ofcivil resistance to the Russian troops using all the methods ofstruggle. The armed Russian soldier cannot be stationed on theBelarusian territory. The Belarusian rail-ways must not transport themilitary equipment and the troops of a foreign state.
Weappeal the Belarusians in the whole world and the internationalsociety to support the Belarusian Independence, freedom, democracyand struggle.
August26, 2017
Minsk