Soviet delegation remains official representative of Belarus at Parliamentary Assembly

COPENHAGEN, 7 July 1998 - On 7 July, the first day of the 7th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, in Copenhagen, the Standing Committee of the Assembly voted today, with an overwhelming majority, against the challenges made by the Delegation from the Republic of Belarus, representing the Naational Assembly, and continues to recognize the 13th Supreme Soviet as the legitimate parliament of Belarus. This means that the 13th Supreme Soviet Delegation remains seated as the official representatives to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

In order to consider whether there were reasons to change the 1997 decision of the Parliamentary Assembly Standing Committee to recognize the members of the 13th Supreme Soviet of Belarus elected in 1995, the President of the Assembly requested the Rt. Hon. Sir Peter Emery (MP-United Kingdom, Treasurer of the OSCE PA) and Mr. Kimmo Kiljunen (MP-Finland, Vice Chair of the OSCE PA Committee on Security and Political Affairs) to visit Belarus, earlier this month, and observe the political situation in the republic.

Having considered the facts and arguments presented, the OSCE Rapporteur Delegation states that it can find no reason for the Parliamentary Assembly to alter the decision made by the Standing Committee in 1997. However, the Delegation requests that the President or Bureau of the Assembly appoint a parliamentary working group, in order for the Assembly to play a more pro-active role in supporting the work of the OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group, in attempting to bring about the development of democracy in Belarus, and in building dialogue and facilitating national reconciliation.