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courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08VILNIUS353, BELARUS: VICTORY DAY "IN THE FACE OF TODAY'S THREATS"

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08VILNIUS353 2008-05-13 11:00 2011-08-26 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Vilnius
VZCZCXRO2859
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBW RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHVL #0353 1341100
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 131100Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2285
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0103
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 0225
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS VILNIUS 000353 
 
AMEMBASSY MINSK SENDS 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR BO
SUBJECT: BELARUS: VICTORY DAY "IN THE FACE OF TODAY'S THREATS" 
 
Charge and Others Lay Wreath at Victory Square 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
1.  (SBU) Charge attended the official May 9 ceremony marking the 
63rd anniversary of Allied victory in Europe.  Participating in a 
wreath-laying ceremony with the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and the 
Ambassadors of Russia, Serbia, and Vietnam, Charge was able to 
closely observe Lukashenko and his cabinet.  Later, following 
previous practice, Lukashenko shook the hands of all diplomats 
present (who were lined up in rough protocol order), but Charge did 
not engage him in conversation.  The Belarusian leader looked 
somewhat old and tired but walked steadily, had a firm grip, and 
seemed to be generally in good spirits. 
 
Luka Honors Veterans, Warns of Threats 
-------------------------------------- 
 
2.  (U) Immediately following the wreath-laying, the dictator gave a 
brief speech along the path he has traveled before, highlighting the 
sacrifices of the soldiers and the loss of one-third of the 
Belarusian population during the war, saying that "we will never 
forget the victims who paid for our victory."  He commented further 
that "certain countries that think themselves superpowers allow 
themselves to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states 
and use military force as the final word.  The NATO bloc is 
increasing its activity, recruiting new members from among former 
socialist states.  Elements of the U.S. strategic missile defense 
system are being deployed at the center of Europe.  Someone is 
trying to revise the outcome of the Second World War and redraw the 
map of Europe." 
 
3.  (U) With U.S. sanctions clearly in mind, Lukashenko added that 
"There have been many attempts to dictate and use economic blackmail 
against a sovereign and independent Belarus.  However, nobody and 
nothing can make us divert from the path we have chosen and 
surrender to somebody else's will." 
 
Parading the Glories of Belarus 
------------------------------- 
 
4.  (U) As in previous years, the wreath-laying and speech followed 
a parade along Minsk' main thoroughfare, Independence Prospect. 
Lukashenko and his two adult sons led the parade, walking in front 
of twelve cars bearing Second World War veterans.  The streets were 
lined with members of the Komsomol-successor Belarusian Republican 
(State) Youth Union (BRSM) and other sympathetic citizens waving the 
regime's green and red flags.  The celebrations in Minsk and all 
major regional cities of Belarus received wide coverage from the 
state-run media. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
5.  (SBU) A number of diplomatic colleagues expressed their pleasure 
at seeing the United States take part in the ceremonies, and 
commented that their GOB contacts were observing Charge's 
participation with interest.  If there is no other benefit, the 
event served to underline that despite the many steps the regime has 
taken against us the U.S. Embassy is still open for business. 
 
MOORE 
CLOUD