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Note: Ambassador Tsepkalo's response to an April, 2000, letter to the editor in the The Washington Post. (Note: The previous link may be out of date by the time you refer to it. The article should be available in the Washington Post's archives for a fee.)
Question: How much of the following is true, how much of it is distortion, and how much is plain falsehood? Of the several such letters that I have seen, letters such as the following are typical of the Belarusian regime's diplomatic corps. (The current Belarusian regime has been in power for over 5 years. Please examine its record and compare it to its words.)
It is also very interesting to note that the Belarusian regime makes use of (independent) media throughout the world. This is something it does not allow any people or organizations in Belarus, other than those who agree with and support it. The Belarusian regime are certainly hypocrites of the worst order (and most likely a lot worse).
The reality is that the March 25 [2000] opposition rally in Minsk was sanctioned by the city authorities and allowed more than 10,000 participants to freely express their opinions. The authorities interfered only with those who attempted to stage an unauthorized march, which violated peace and order in the center of the city. Only after repeated requests by law enforcement officers to disperse had been ignored were 200 of the most active participants of this illegal gathering detained. President Aleksander Lukashenko criticized the excessive actions by some police and ordered an investigation. As a result, a number of officers were demoted and transferred to other posts.
Most disturbing is the implication that Belarusian authorities are somehow involved in disappearances of political opponents. Deep concern for their safety is fully shared by my government. A thorough investigation into these matters is underway.
As for the "policy recommendations to the U.S. and European governments to step up pressure on Belarus," we don't think it would be productive. We are convinced that only a weighed and balanced approach toward a real state of affairs in Belarus rather than a confrontation will help promote a political dialogue in the country.
VALERY V. TSEPKALO
Ambassador
Embassy of the Republic of Belarus
Washington
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