2004 press releases

U.S. Embassy Minsk Press Release on Ambassador Krol's Visit to IISEPS Office in Minsk (December 27, 2004)

On December 21, United States Ambassador George Krol joined Heads of Missions of European Union members in visiting the Minsk office of the Independent Institute of Socio-Economic and Political Studies (IISEPS).  Ambassador Krol and the local EU Presidency representative, Ambassador Ardizzone of Italy, expressed joint concern over recent actions taken by Belarusian authorities to harass and hinder the work and threaten the existence of the institute.  Ambassadors Krol and Ardizzone underscored the importance of the analytical and polling work of IISEPS in building a free and democratic society by providing Belarusian citizens objective information to help them make informed decisions.  Ambassador Krol noted in his remarks that the joint visit is a sign of support not only for the beleaguered NGO but for the Belarusian people in general.  The joint visit also reflects the unity of the United States and the European Union in supporting and engaging the Belarusian people. The United States calls on Belarusian authorities to halt its campaign against IISEPS and other NGO's.