2003 press releases

U.S. Embassy Statement on Death of Vasil Bykov (June 25, 2003)

It is with tremendous sorrow that the  U.S.  Embassy has learned about the death of Vasil Bykov. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and fellow countrymen. It is a terrible and irreplaceable loss for the people whose aspirations are with a free and independent Belarus.

One of the world's finest writers, an artist of rare insight and amazing strength and an undaunted champion of independence of his beloved Belarus, Bykov wrote about the fight between good and evil. The fact that his works have been translated into almost forty languages is proof that it is inherent in human nature to stand up to oppression and our own weaknesses. Proud is the country that gave the world such vision and talent.

Vasil Bykov's "long way home" is over. But he will long be remembered by those who love liberty.