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Press Release
February 7, 2000
Siamion Sharetski, Speaker of the Supreme Council of Belarus in Washington, DC.Mr. Siamion Sharetski, Chairman of the 13th Belarusan Parliament, held a series of meetings with representatives of the American Government to inform them about the current situation in Belarus and the threat to Belarusan nationhood from Russian chauvinism in whose service the current illegitimate president of Belarus, Alaksandar Lukashenka, has been engaged.
On February 2, Mr. Sharetski and two of his colleagues, Supreme Council deputies, Stanislau Shushkevich, MP and former head of the SC, and MP Ms. Ludmila Hraznova, met with Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott. Mr. Talbott reaffirmed U.S. support for Belarusan democracy and encouraged these Belarusan officials to continue working with the international community on behalf of a democratic and independent Belarus.
The guests also had a talk with Harold Koh, Undersecretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Mr. Sharetski and Mrs. Hraznova informed the American side about abuse of power and human rights violations in Belarus by the state authorities.
The same day Mr. Sharetski and his colleagues had a discussion with Steny Hoyer, member of the congressional Helsinki Commission and the vice-president of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The visitors briefed Congressman Hoyer on the impasse with the process of negotiations in Belarus between the democratic opposition and the government as well as the threat to Belarus's independence on the part of Russian chauvinism. This was the topic of Speaker Sharetski's speech he gave at Radio Liberty before a sizable audience of invited guests.
The delegation of Belarusan legislators also paid visit to Congressman Sam Gejdelson whose father came from Belarus and who supports Belarus's Democracy and independence.
Messrs. Sharetski and Shushkevich and Ms. Hraznova used their meeting to inform about planned demonstrations in Belarus as well as in some European capitals in defense of Belarusan democracy and independence. Such demonstrations will take place on March 15 (Constitution Day), March 25 (Independence Day) and April 26 (Chernobyl Day, or Day of Sorrow).
Other meetings with high officials have been scheduled for Mr. Sharetski, including his visit to Congressman Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House.
Similar visits Mr. Sharetski had in Canada from where he arrived to the United States with his wife Halina Sharetski on January 29th.
The Coalition in Defense of Democracy and Human Rights in Belarus calls on all its members and sympathizers to support the struggle of Belarusan democrats by organizing solidarity pickets in New York, Washington, and other American cities.
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Press Release
February 9, 2000
Conclusion of Sharetski Visit to the United StatesFebruary 8, 2000, marked the last day of meetings in Washington, D.C. for Siamion Sharetski, Chairman of the 13th Belarusan Parliament. Mr. Sharetski spent a week in Washington visiting with high level U.S. government officials, as well as with representatives of NGOs. The purpose of his visit was to encourage support for the fight for democracy in the Republic of Belarus and to sensitize the U.S. government to the current situation in Belarus. At every turn, Mr. Sharetski took the opportunity to inform those with whom he met about the dictatorial and lawless regime of Belarus's illegitimate president, Alaksandar Lukashenka.
On the last day of his visit, Mr. Sharetski had a series of very significant meetings. The morning was devoted to less formal meetings with Mr. Rodger Potocki of the National Endowment for Democracy and with the former U.S. Ambassador to Belarus, David Swartz.
On the afternoon of February 8, Mr. Sharetski participated in an in-depth meeting with Mark Medish, Senior Advisor for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia at the National Security Council. Their meeting lasted twice as long as planned. Mr. Sharetski spoke about the reign of terror being exercised by the Lukashenka regime, including the suppression of peaceful protests and unsubstantiated arrests of members of the political opposition. He asked for political, legal and economic support from the United States and international organizations to help restore democracy in Belarus. Mr. Sharetski also warned that vigilance was necessary to ensure that financial support given to Russia is not diverted to the Lukashenka regime. Mr. Medish responded by voicing concern over the current situation in Belarus. He also indicated an understanding of the difficulty presented by Belarus's geographic location. Nevertheless, he expressed optimism that democracy will ultimately reign in Belarus.
After his meeting at the National Security Council, Mr. Sharetski proceeded to Capitol Hill, where he visited with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert, and with Congressman Christopher Smith, Chairman of the Congressional Helsinki Commission. Mr. Sharetski expressed thanks for the support that legislators in the United States have extended to members of the 13th Belarusan Parliament. He also stressed that the problems being faced in Belarus today need to be addressed independently of any consideration of the issues that may affect Russia or relations between Russia and the United States. Speaker Hastert indicated his awareness that stabilization in Belarus is important not just with respect to the fate of Belarus itself, but also with respect to stability in the entire area surrounding Belarus. In his capacity as Chairman of the Congressional Helsinki Commission, Congressman Smith encouraged Mr. Sharetski to return to the United States to testify before Congress as to the Lukashenka regime's violations of human rights. He also questioned Mr. Sharetski as to what more can be done to assist Mr. Sharetski and other members of the opposition in their struggle.
The Coalition believes that Mr. Sharetski's meetings are indicative of a continuing recognition on the part of the U.S. government of the legitimacy of the 13th Belarusan Parliament. That Mr. Sharetski was so well received by such highly positioned individuals is evidence of the strong U.S. support for democracy in Belarus.
©2000 by the Coalition in Defense of Democracy and Human Rights in Belarus.
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