[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNITION OF UPCOMING ELECTIONS IN BELARUS

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                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 4, 2004

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to again bring attention to 
the upcoming elections in Belarus.
  The current leader, Aleksandr Lukashenko told the National Assembly 
on April 14th, ``The new parliament that is to be elected this fall 
should include representatives of all groups aside from ``businessmen, 
merchants and capitalists.''
  At a time when Belarus desperately needs business and entreuprenuers, 
it is appalling that the Belaursian leader would declare that 
candidates with business backgrounds or professions would not be 
allowed to run or to serve in the Belarus Assembly.
  In response to this repressive political environment, we need to 
focus our efforts on helping to promote the institutional survival of 
the country's democratic political organizations and helping their 
leaders and activists prepare for political and public policy.
  The important thing for the current regime in Belarus to understand 
is that Washington and the world are watching.

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