2005 Programs and events

DCM Phlipot Addresses Event To Launch Book On U.S. Aid To Belarus

On the evening of March 17, Embassy Minsk Deputy Chief of Mission Constance Phlipot spoke at an event to launch a book on American assistance to Belarus after World War One. The book, written by Radio Liberty Belarusian correspondent Alexander Lukashuk, details the work of the American Relief Administration (ARA) in present-day Belarus from 1921-1923. Led by Herbert Hoover the ARA fed nearly 11,000,000 people and vaccinated over 7,000,000. Hoover later served as U.S. President from 1929 to 1933.

During her remarks, the DCM quoted Hoover concerning his mission in the Soviet Union:  "Twenty million people are starving, whatever their politics they should be fed." After her remarks, several historians and academics described the ARA mission, their comments punctuated by moving audio clips from Hoover and from Belarusians who remembered his initiative.