2004 programs and events

Ambassador Krol, French Envoy Co-Host D-Day Event

Ambassador George Krol and French Ambassador to Belarus Stephane Chmelewsky were co-hosts of a June 6 reception to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Operation Overlord, the Allied Landings at Normandy. The more than 200 guests included members of the diplomatic corps, Belarusian government officials, academicians, cultural leaders, journalists, World War II Veterans, and representatives of NGOs, professional associations, and think tanks.

In welcoming remarks, Ambassador Krol said, "We are honored to have present today diplomatic and military representatives of many of the nations whose soldiers, sailors, airmen and paratroopers participated as allies in that mighty effort of liberation." He also noted "Americans today mourn the passing of our former President Ronald Reagan, who died yesterday at the age of 93." Other speakers were Ambassador Chmelewsky, Polish Ambassador Tadeusz Pawlak, and British Ambassador Brian Bennett. The Warsaw Police Band traveled to Minsk to perform at the reception held on the lawn of Ambassador Krol's residence.

On May 11, Ambassador Krol had hosted Belarusian Veterans of the Second World War at a reception commemorating the 59th anniversary of the victory against Nazi Germany celebrated on May 9. He praised the veterans for their courage, calling them "the great generation that not only fought a terrible struggle, but built a new world from the ashes of the old."