[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  URGING GOVERNMENT OF BELARUS TO ENSURE DEMOCRATIC, TRANSPARENT, AND 
                         FAIR ELECTION PROCESS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 21, 2004

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I am a cosponsor of H. Con. 
Res. 652 which urges the Government of Belarus to ensure a democratic, 
transparent, and fair election process for its parliamentary elections 
in October 2004. As the sponsor of the Belarus Democracy Act (H.R. 
854), which has also been reported out by the International Relations 
Committee, it is important that the House call specific attention to 
these upcoming fall elections. Mr. Bereuter, in his capacity as 
Chairman of the House International Relations Subcommittee on Europe, 
has lend his support of the Belarus Democracy Act as well.
   Belarus' poor track record with recent elections--which were judged 
as not meeting international democratic standards by the Organization 
for Security and Cooperation in Europe--and more broadly with the 
situation with respect to human rights and democracy in Belarus, 
underscore the need for this resolution. Belarus, under autocratic 
ruler Alexander Lukashenka, has the worst human rights record in Europe 
today. Repressions against members of the democratic opposition, non-
governmental organizations, the independent media and independent trade 
unions have become commonplace. Independent thought and action are 
anathema to Lukashenka, who over the last 10 years has consolidated his 
power to an alarming extent.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope that the Belarusian authorities will take this 
resolution seriously, as it provides them with a blueprint on what they 
need to do to have their elections conform with OSCE standards. 
Unfortunately, four benchmarks for free and fair elections established 
by the OSCE 4 years ago still not been met. Thus far, the pre-election 
environment has not been encouraging. Last month, three opposition 
parliamentarians staged an 18-day hunger strike demanding changes in 
the Election Code, which still includes several undemocratic 
provisions. The reform bill was overwhelmingly defeated by the 
Lukashenka-controlled parliament.
  Belarusians still have no opportunity to receive independent 
viewpoints through broadcast media. Opposition access to the state 
media is virtually non-existent; rather the political opposition is 
often vilified. Just yesterday Lukashenka, talking about his hopes for 
a pro-government majority in the October elections, said: ``I strongly 
hope that the people will make the right choice,'' and added that ``the 
people will take a close look at traitors, black sheep . . . wolves in 
sheep's clothing, and we will help them if they don't.'' This is not a 
good harbinger for the elections--and the election campaign has not 
even begun!
  Mr. Speaker, it is vital that we convey to the Belarusian authorities 
our call for a free, fair, open and transparent parliamentary election 
process consistent with Belarus' freely undertaken OSCE commitments. 
The long-suffering Belarusian people deserve no less.

                          ____________________