[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1075-E1076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONSTITUTIONAL IMPASSE CONTINUES IN BELARUS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 25, 1999

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, on May 16, the alternative 
Presidential election concluded in Belarus within the timeframe 
envisioned by the legitimate 1994 Constitution. While the opposition 
Central Election Commission (CEC) concluded that the final results of 
the voting were invalid because of various violations deriving from the 
impediments placed by Belarusian authorities, the ballot served as an 
important barometer of democratic engagement by the citizens of 
Belarus. In the months leading up to the election, President Alyaksandr 
Lukashenka had imprisoned one of the two Presidential candidates--
former Prime Minister Mikhail Chygir--on what were clearly politically 
motivated charges, arrested hundreds of election officials and 
volunteers, and instituted administrative proceedings against others. 
Nevertheless, the authorities were unable to thwart the election in at 
least one critically important respect--according to the opposition 
CEC, the voting itself was valid because more than half--or 53 percent 
of the electorate--participated. When one considers that these were 
unsanctioned elections that

[[Page E1076]]

challenged Lukashenka's legitimacy, this is a substantial number of 
people.
  No matter what the imperfections, Mr. Speaker, the opposition's 
electoral initiative should send a powerful message to Lukashenka. 
Clearly, an appreciable number of Belarusian citizens are dissatisfied 
with the profoundly negative political and socio-economic fallout 
stemming from his dictatorial inclinations and misguided nostalgia for 
the Soviet past or some misty ``Slavic Union.'' The vote highlights the 
constitutional and political impasse created by Lukashenka's 
illegitimate 1996 constitutional referendum, in which he extended his 
personal power, disbanded the duly elected 13th Supreme Soviet, and 
created a new legislature and constitutional court subservient to him.
  Last month, the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe 
(Helsinki Commission), which I chair, held a hearing on the situation 
in Belarus, with a view toward promoting human rights and democracy 
there. Testimony from the State Department, OSCE mission in Belarus, 
the Belarusian democratic opposition and several human rights NGOs all 
reaffirmed that Belarus is missing out on what one witness 
characterized as ``the great market democratic revolution that is 
sweeping Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia'' because of 
Lukashenka's power grab and backsliding on human rights and democracy.
  Despite repeated calls from the international community, including 
the Helsinki Commission, for Lukashenka to cease harassment of the 
opposition, NGO's and the independent media; allow the opposition 
access to the electronic media; create the conditions for free and fair 
elections and strengthen the rule of law, we have failed to see 
progress in these areas. Indeed, we see more evidence of reversals. 
Earlier this year, for example, Lukashenka signed a decree which 
introduces extensive restrictions on non-governmental activity and 
mandates re-registration--by July 1--of political parties, NGOs and 
trade unions. The decree, which among other onerous stipulations 
requires that organizations acknowledge the results of Lukashenka's 
illegitimate 1996 referendum, is clearly designed to destroy democratic 
civil society in Belarus and further consolidate Lukashenka's 
repressive rule. Moreover, within the last few months, several 
disturbing incidents have occurred, among them the March arrests of 
Viktor Gonchar, Chairman of the opposition CEC, and the Chygir 
imprisonment, as well as the mysterious disappearances of Tamara 
Vinnikova, former chair of the National Bank of Belarus and, on May 10, 
Gen. Yuri Zakharenko, former Interior Minister and a leading opponent 
of Lukashenka. Just a few days ago, Lukashenka's government announced 
that no more foreign priests will be allowed to serve in Belarus, 
making it extremely difficult for the Roman Catholic Church, which is 
rebuilding following the travails of the Soviet era, to function.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge the Belarusian Government to comply with 
its freely undertaken commitments under the Helsinki Final Act and 
subsequent OSCE agreements and to immediately, without preconditions, 
convene a genuine dialog with the country's democratic forces and with 
the long-suffering Belarusian people.

                          ____________________