2002 Policy Archive

U.S. Joins EU in Full Support of OSCE Mission in Belarus (April 16, 2002)

Statement by Ambassador Stephan Minikes to the OSCE Permanent Council

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The United States welcomes the appearance of Mr. Rivollier, the Acting Head of the Advisory and Monitoring Group (AMG) in Belarus, before this meeting of the OSCE.

We join with the European Union in declaring our full support for Mr. Rivollier. We also convey our strong support for the other staff members of the OSCE Mission in Belarus and for their work. This includes implementation of projects developed by the AMG and the regular reporting on developments. These activities need to continue and go forward.

Mr. Rivollier is this organization's highest representative to Belarus and we call upon Belarus to extend his visa without delay.

Mr. Chairman, the OSCE relationship with Belarus is personified in the work of those individuals who represent this organization as members of the Mission in Belarus. That relationship of Belarus with the OSCE and the AMG must be defined by cooperation.

We consider the work of the OSCE Mission in Belarus essential for the promotion of democratic institutions and the implementation of OSCE commitments. Continued obstruction of the work of the AMG not only offends the principles upon which this organization was founded, but also, most unfortunately, sets back Belarus' own desire to end its self-isolation.

Mr. Chairman, to be effective, the OSCE Mission in Belarus requires strong leadership. Furthermore, a constructive dialogue regarding the future work of the mission requires two partners.

We support your efforts to provide the mission with that kind of leadership and to that end, and in order to advance the prospects for cooperation between the OSCE and Belarus and to enable the Mission to undertake effectively its important work, we urge appointment of a new Head of Mission to the AMG forthwith.

We also urge you to take all additional steps necessary and appropriate to have the AMG be properly staffed and fully functioning and to achieve that result without delay.

Thank you.