2002 press releases

Head of USOSCE on Belarus (January 17, 2002)

But, keying off your comments on Belarus, the United States approach to Belarus in the post-election period is largely guided by the conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR Report from October 4, 2001. The U.S. believes that the OSCE Mission in Minsk should continue to expand contacts with and support for genuine civil society and independent media within Belarus. The Belarusian Government, in turn, needs to take concrete steps to build democratic institutions and to address human rights concerns.

In that regard, we attach special significance to a new Head of Mission taking the helm at the mission and to his enjoying the full cooperation and support of the Belarusian Government. Only with a Head of Mission in place and having the opportunity to be informed by his on-the-ground experience and expertise, would it be possible to discuss the future functions of that mission.