| Press Statement Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC September 5, 2001 Belarus: Election Processes Raise ConcernSince 1989, free peoples throughout Europe have chosen democracy over dictatorships. Because of their great courage and commitment, the division of Europe has ended and a new century of hope has begun. The people of Belarus will vote for President on September 9, 2001. Sadly, though, the heartening transitions underway elsewhere in Eastern and Central Europe are at grave risk in that nation. In recent months, Belarusian authorities have increased a campaign of intimidation and threats against the opposition and repeatedly denied them fair media access and funding. This follows a disturbing pattern of "disappearing" opposition leaders over the past two years. Such incidents make it impossible, today, to credit the Belarusian Government's claim that it will conduct a legitimate election that meets the international standards as set forth by the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe. The United States strongly supports the forces of democracy in Belarus, and urges the Lukashenko regime to abide by its country’s OSCE commitments and reconsider its current course. The United States has repeatedly stated that it will accept the winner of free and fair elections in Belarus. Unfortunately, to date, the Belarusian authorities have intimidated and harassed opposition candidates and the independent media, calling into grave doubt whether the electoral process can meet the free and fair standard or reflect the true will of the Belarusian people. The United States and the world will be closely watching what happens in Belarus over the coming days. |
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