Public Affairs Officer Orly Keiner Attends Holocaust Memorials Dedication Ceremonies

On July 26, Public Affairs Officer Orly Keiner attended and spoke at ceremonies to dedicate memorials in honor of Holocaust victims in the towns of Kopyl and Nesvizh. The monuments mark the sites where 2,965 and 700 Jews, respectively, were assassinated by the Nazis during the Great Patriotic War. Representatives of local authorities, leaders of Jewish communities and organizations, staff of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, foreign diplomats, and local residents observed a moment of silence, laid flowers and stones according to the Jewish traditions to commemorate Jews who perished simply because they belonged to once thriving Jewish population in Belarus. A Rabbi read the Mourners’ Kaddish prayer which concluded the memorial ceremonies.

Orly Keiner's remarks.

United States Mission to the OSCE
U.S. Response to Report on OSCE Office in Minsk, Belarus

As delivered by Ambassador Ian Kelly
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
July 22, 2010
Response to Ambassador Haller,
Head of Office in Minsk

Ambassador Haller, the United States warmly welcomes you to the Permanent Council today. We appreciate your comprehensive report and the opportunity to hear directly from you what the Office in Minsk is doing to promote work in the OSCE’s three dimensions. We strongly support the mandate of the Office and welcome the achievements cited in the report in the human and economic and environmental dimensions, in the media, and in outreach activities. (more)

United States Mission to the OSCE
Statement regarding Human Rights in Belarus

July 13, 2010

The United States notes with serious concern continued acts of suppression and intimidation aimed at independent media and political opposition figures in Belarus.  After some notable improvements in late 2008, we regret that in the period since there has been a litany of continuing violations of OSCE commitments. (more)

Chargé d'Affaires Michael Scanlan's Remarks at Celebration of American Independence Day

Raubichi, Belarus
July 1, 2010

The Declaration of Independence adopted by the continental congress on July 4, 1776, set the former colonies on an irrevocable course that created the United States of America.  The expectations for American democracy have always been high, and the reality has sometimes been tough.  Yet the nation has grown and prospered, through an endless process of adaptation and compromise, guided by the defining principle so eloquently articulated by President Lincoln:  "a government of the people, by the people, and for the people." (full text)

The US Embassy Funded Project Launches in Gomel

On June 29 Non-Governmental Charitable Jewish Women’s Organization “Kesher” conducted a  competitive selection of participants of the project “Youth Stage.”   The project is funded  by the US Embassy Small Grants Program and implemented in cooperation with the Regional  Department of Youth and a Psychological Center of Human Capabilities.   Kesher aims to  prepare talk show hosts and actors of educational theaters who will later lead the NGO’s  interactive events for local youth on social themes. (more)

New Consular Fees in Effect Starting July 13, 2010

New consular fees will take effect July 13, 2010 at all U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. The fee changes include higher fees for U.S. passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad and notarial services, as well as a new fee for adding additional pages to a valid U.S. passport. For full details of the fee changes and a complete list of the new fees, please see http://travel.state.gov/news/news_5078.html.

US Embassy Small Grants Program Supports Hippotherapy

On June 25 Assistant Public Affairs Officer Orly Keiner participated in the discussion of the outcomes of the Embassy supported project by The Belarusian Public Association of Horse Riding and Hippotherapy (BAHRH). The US Embassy Small Grants Program grant allowed the organization to build partnerships with professionals, government officials, NGOs and media to promote hippotherapy in Belarusian society as an important tool for medical and social rehabilitation of children with special needs. The round table participants praised the commitment and professionalism of the BAHRH team and suggested ideas for further cooperation and development of hippotherapy in the country. Parents of the children that benefited from the therapeutic riding in the course of the project and the NGO leader expressed sincere gratitude to the Embassy for timely and efficient support.

U.S. Musicians Share with Belarusians Their Passion for New Music

The Belarusian audience gave a warm welcome to Christina Fong and Michael Kornacki of Grand Rapids Symphony, who took part in the Music Night Festival sponsored by the Belarusian State Philharmonic Society on June 23.  The eclectic program of a one-day festival brought together musicians representing various genres of contemporary music and dance from Belarus, Poland, and the United States.  Christina Fong, leading performer of new music on the violin and viola, and Michael Kornacki, one of west Michigan's most sought out clarinetists, shared with the audience of over 500 their passion for the works by Hovahness, Cage, Pärt, Feldman, and Glass.  The American musicians performed several pieces in duet and in trio with the Belarusian pianists Alexander Polyakov and Sergey Mikulik, thus proving that the language of music has no barriers and several hours of joint rehearsals can result in an outstanding creative collaboration truly appreciated by Minsk music lovers. (more)

“America through the Eyes of Belarusians” Photo Exhibit Opens at National Library “Panorama” Gallery

On June 23, 2010 Charge d'Affaires Michael Scanlan and Deputy Director of the National Library of Belarus Lyudimila Kiryukhina announced the opening of the “America through the Eyes of Belarusians” photo exhibition.  The exhibit is a collaborative project of the Embassy and the National Library.  It started with “My America” photo contest announced by the Public Affairs Section last January. Over 260 submissions from 58 amateur and professional photographers of different ages and social backgrounds from all over Belarus showed a great deal of interest in the completion.  A professional panel of jurors selected the best 70 works to be exhibited for two weeks at the library’s Panorama Gallery. (more)

Notice from the President on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Belarus

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Chargé d'Affaires Michael Scanlan Speaks at the Seminar on Cultural Identity Preservation

On June 2, 2010 Chargé d'Affaires Michael Scanlan took part in the seminar dedicated to the important issue of the Preservation of Cultural Identity organized by Center for Multicultural Dialogue. The U.S. Embassy, through its Community Connection Program contributed to this project and we are confident it will generate practical results. It is also an opportunity for Belarus to continue to document its centuries-long European history but at the same time preserve its own unique culture and tradition.
 
The Embassy also supports two-way exchange programs for Belarusians and Americans specializing in museum management, cultural heritage preservation, and the promotion of cultural tolerance through arts.  The sharing of best practices between experts is important. (more)

Fulbright Faculty Development Program

The U.S. Embassy in Minsk is pleased to announce the 2010 annual competition for Fulbright Faculty Development Program for 2010-2011 Academic Year. For more information and the on-line application please click here.

United States Extends Partial Suspension of Belarus Sanctions

Press Release by the U.S. Embassy
Minsk, Belarus
May 24, 2010

The United States has extended the suspension of sanctions against Polotsk Steklovolokno and Lakokraska until November 30, 2010. Other related U.S. sanctions in Belarus continue in force.   Unfortunately, recent events, including raids on an NGO last week, indicate a continuing, negative pattern in the Belarusian authorities’ respect for basic freedoms.   An improvement in U.S.-Belarusian relations can come only when there is real progress on respect for democracy and for basic human rights.  This situation will be a factor in our consideration of whether to continue the selected suspension of sanctions in November.

U.S. Embassy Small Grants Program 2010

The U.S. Embassy continues to accept grant proposals from registered Belarusian non-governmental organizations whose projects endorse civic dialogue, public advocacy, social development and strengthening of local communities, local self-government, gender equality, market reforms and preservation of cultural and natural heritage, as well as environmental and post-Chernobyl issues. (more)