2003 press releases

U.S. Embassy Deeply Concerned Over Acts of Vandalism in Belarus (May 30, 2003)

The Embassy of the United States of America wishes to express its deep concern over several instances of vandalism that occurred within the past week in several Belarusian cities, including Minsk. On May 25, unknown vandals heavily damaged a memorial bench at the Kuropaty gravesite. This bench, a gift from the people of the United States to the people of Belarus was donated by President Clinton during his visit to Belarus in 1994.

This is the second time that unknown vandals damaged this bench. We repaired the bench and rededicated the bench in January 2002. We have advised the government of Belarus that if proper security cannot be provided for this memorial bench, the Embassy is prepared to provide a secure location for it on  Embassy grounds until such time as safeguards can be provided for it at its rightful location in the Kuropaty gravesite.

The Embassy of the United States of America also wishes to express its deep concern over vandalism against the Yama Holocaust Memorial in Minsk that was defaced with anti-Semitic graffiti. Unknown individuals also recently vandalized a Holocaust memorial in Timkovichi and a Jewish cemetery in Bobrusk.

The Embassy of the United States of America calls upon the Belarusian Government to investigate these acts of vandalism and to take the necessary steps to protect of these and other sites of historical and religious importance.