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| >> Regional Overview >> Belarus Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(text taken from the FY 2003 Congressional Budget Justification) 
The Development Challenge: The 2001 presidential elections presented Belarus with alternatives to presidential autocracy and concentrated executive power. The elections attracted international attention, providing the possibility for a renewal of democracy. However, the Government of Belarus (GOB) ignored the recommendations of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for free and fair elections. The OSCE Limited Election Observation Mission concluded that the September 9 presidential elections in Belarus did not meet democratic standards, but that a vibrant civil society has emerged despite the efforts of the government.
In the early 1990s, Belarus, started economic liberalization and structural reforms after gaining independence from the Soviet Union. The election of the current president in 1995 interrupted this transformation, as he centralized all authority in the executive. State ownership of property, depreciated industrial assets, limited foreign and domestic investment due to an unfavorable investment climate and the legacy of a command-driven economy also hampered economic development. A report released by the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Statistical Committee in December 2001 shows that Belarus has the lowest GDP growth and highest inflation in the CIS. According to the GOB's Labor and Social Protection Department, Belarus' social indicators have also deteriorated. Economic and social developments in the country have led to an acute decline in birth rates, marriages, and an increase in emigration and mortality rates (since 1990, the birth rate has declined 30%). The legislative branch is largely limited in its powers, and a weak judiciary-directly controlled by the Executive branch-cannot protect civil or commercial rights. Nonetheless, the civic resistance that emerged during the presidential election period has broadened the debate on legislative reform and redistribution of power. Civil society remains weak largely due to the restrictive environment imposed by the government and its harassment of the most active democratic non-governmental institutions. During the election year, the GOB chose to tighten the existing legislation even further, and used its administrative structures and state-controlled mass media to neutralize and discredit the most active components of the civil society: trade unions, democratic political parties, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The role of civil society is largely unrecognized and misunderstood by the general public due to the government's control over the media, and misinformation in the state-owned information sources. Despite the repressive climate, civil society struggles to raise the level of citizens' involvement in the political process, as demonstrated by the non-partisan get-out-the-vote campaign and the 2001 presidential election observation campaign. The developmental challenge is to broaden the constituency for change towards democratic, market-oriented society. USAID's assistance program will continue to play an important role in the democracy-building process. Our national interests in Belarus stem from U.S. security and economic and political development concerns, including the need to promote genuine democratic institutions and a strong civil society. The U.S. Government supports the following developments: a legal environment in which peaceful political opposition and civil society can freely operate; free expression in the media, whether state-owned or independent; an open and transparent electoral process; and the return of independent legislative and judicial functions to those branches of government. THE USAID PROGRAM:
USAID's objective in Belarus is to achieve a pluralistic and democratic political culture that involves citizens directly in civic action and participation in the private sector of the economy. The Program Data Sheet attached covers the Strategic Objective for which USAID is requesting funds. This Strategic Objective is aimed at supporting the development of civil society, complemented by continued support to a weak private sector existing in a heavily regulated and unfavorable business environment. There is a small, but limited Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Development Program helps to build and support the private sector, an alternative to a largely centralized economy. Specific activities to be funded by FY 2002 and FY 2003 appropriations are described in more detail in the following Program Data Sheet. OTHER PROGRAM ELEMENTS: A regional Farmer-to-Farmer program supported by P.L. 480 funds provides technical assistance to private farmers in Belarus and assists them to organize democratic associations and cooperatives to serve and represent them. The program, implemented by the Citizens' Network for Foreign Affairs (CNFA) brings modern agricultural know-how and management skills to Belarusian farmers and cooperatives. OTHER DONORS: Donor coordination substantially improved during the election year. USAID implemented several joint projects with other donors. In its political process development and election monitoring activities, USAID cooperated closely with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which had the mandate to monitor the electoral process and political parties. There are a number of donor and donor organizations operating in Belarus. The largest bi-lateral donors are Germany, France and the United States. Other bilateral donors are Sweden, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. Among the multi-lateral donors, the largest contributions come from the European Union Technical Assistance for the Commonwealth of Independent States (TACIS) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. TACIS focuses on regional and cross-border activities and third sector development. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) supports health improvement and economic development activities. Private donors include the Soros Foundations/Open Society Institute and the National Endowment for Democracy. Program Data Sheets
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