OSCE Troika Ministers issue statement on Belarus

BERN, 16 November 1996 - The Foreign Ministers of the OSCE Troika, Mr. Laszlo Kovac of Hungary, Mr. Flavio Cotti of Switzerland and Mr. Niels Helveg Petersen of Denmark, issued the following statement today on Belarus:

The Ministers of the OSCE Troika have followed closely the latest events in Belarus. Recalling their statement made in Copenhagen on 7 November 1996, they express their strong concern as to the dismissal of the Chairman of the Central Election Commission and fear that this may contribute to a further deterioration of the climate in the country.

These events are taking place in a difficult political atmosphere. They follow irregularities in the preparation of the referendum scheduled for 24 November 1996. In addition, this referendum, if held as planned, would violate rulings of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Soviet. These circumstances deprive this referendum of any legitimacy.

The OSCE Troika believes that, for the results of such a referendum to be respected in and outside Belarus, the constitutionality of the referendum procedures must be respected. The referendum must be conducted only after full and open debate in which all sides can take part, and with free reporting by press and media based on open access to all sides.

The OSCE Troika calls upon the President and all other concerned parties to show restraint and enter into a dialogue in order to solve the outstanding problems.

The Troika reaffirms the willingness of the OSCE to assist the authorities of Belarus in this process, and welcomes the commitment by Belarus to cooperate fully with OSCE representatives.