OSCE Troika issues statement on Belarus

LISBON, 3 December 1996 - Following consultations of the Ministerial Troika of the OSCE (Foreign Ministers of Hungary, Switzerland and Denmark), the Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Swiss Foreign Minister Flavio Cotti, received today the President of Belarus. Foreign Minister Cotti informed President Lukashenko that, in light of the concerns expressed at the OSCE Lisbon Summit, the Troika had reviewed developments in Belarus.

The Troika reaffirmed the widely shared conviction that the referendum of November 24 was conducted in contradiction with the constitutional procedures and cannot be considered as legitimate

The Troika remains deeply concerned about the constitutional situation in Belarus and urges the Government of Belarus to take action without delay to respect its commitment to OSCE norms and principles.

Minister Cotti, on behalf of the Troika, called upon the Government of Belarus to

- show restraint towards and enter into dialogue with the opposition;

- ensure freedom of media and not restrict access to the media for members of the opposition;

- re-establish full respect for internationally accepted democratic and constitutional principles and practices.

To this end, the Chairman-in-Office reaffirmed, on behalf of the Troika, the OSCE's readiness to cooperate in concrete terms with the Government of Belarus.