OSCE can play a valuable role in Belarus

VIENNA, 11 December 2000 - The following statement was issued today by the Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council, Ambassador Jutta Stefan-Bastl:

"I would like to draw your attention on the latest reports from the OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group (AMG) in Minsk concerning the recent remarks made by President Lukashenko and other Belarusian officials about the future work of OSCE AMG in Belarus. President Lukashenko recently stated that 'it was time to think about the role and place of the AMG in Belarus'.

"The Austrian OSCE Chairmanship firmly believes that the AMG can further play an important and valuable role in Belarus. As stated on many occasions by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ms. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, it is important to keep up the dialogue between the OSCE and the Belarusian Government, as well as the opposition political forces in order to support the building up an well-functioning civil society.

"The AMG will furthermore support the Belarusian Government in its reform efforts in further developing its legislation; continue to advise the Belarusian Government at all levels on elections issues and related matters; implement projects financed by the European Union and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, such as regional conferences on youth and democracy, prison rehabilitation and legal assistance, as well as seminars on conflict resolution.

"The Chair commends Ambassador Wieck`s and the AMG`s activities and supports their future work in Belarus.

"I welcome newly appointed Belarusian Foreign Minister Khvostov`s positive approach to the AMG which he expressed in an interview on 30 November. The Chairmanship is looking forward to a fruitful co-operation with the Belarusian Foreign Ministry in carrying out the AMG`s tasks. "

The OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group in Belarus is mandated to assist the Belarusian authorities in promoting democratic institutions and in complying with other OSCE commitments; and to monitor and report on this process. The Group began working in Minsk in January 1998.

The OSCE Permanent Council, the Organization's main decision-making body, meets weekly in Vienna.

For further information, please contact the Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 36 180 or e-mail: info@osce.org.