[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 125 (Wednesday, October 6, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10612-S10613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     BELARUS DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2003

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, also I ask unanimous consent that the 
Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 854 which is at 
the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 854) to provide for the promotion of 
     democracy, human rights and rule of law in the Republic of 
     Belarus, and for the consolidation and strengthening of 
     Belarus sovereignty and independence.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.

  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I am today in support of H.R. 854, the 
Belarus Democracy Act. Alexander Lukashenka, President of Belarus, is 
the last remaining dictator in Europe. After orchestrating an illegal 
and unconstitutional referendum in November 1996, enabling him to 
impose a new

[[Page S10613]]

constitution, abolish the duly-elected parliament, and install a 
largely powerless national assembly, he has progressively abolished the 
previously existing democracy in that country.
  Belarusian authorities under Lukashenka's control have mounted a 
major systematic crackdown on civil society through the closure, 
harassment, and repression of non-governmental organizations and 
independent trade unions. Three leaders of the democratic forces in 
Belarus--Victor Gonchar, Anatoly Krasovsky, and Yuri Zakharenka--and 
one critical journalist, Dmitry Zavadsky, have disappeared and are 
presumed dead. Former Belarus Government officials have made credible 
allegations, with evidence, that officials of the Lukashenka regime 
were involved in the disappearances. Lukashenka's administration has 
repressed freedom of speech and expression, has reversed the revival of 
Belarusian language and culture, and has harassed religious groups.
  The Government of Belarus has made no substantive progress in 
addressing criteria established in 2000 by the Organization for 
Security and Cooperation in Europe to end repression and the climate of 
fear, permit functioning independent media, ensure transparency of the 
election process, and strengthen the functions of parliament. The 
campaign for the parliamentary elections to be held October 17 has not 
been fair. Lukashenka has also added a referendum to the ballot to 
eliminate term-limits for the presidency so that he can run again in 
2006.
  H.R. 854, the Belarus Democracy Act, authorizes funds to assist in 
the observation of elections and the promotion of free and fair 
electoral processes; the development of democratic political parties; 
radio and television broadcasting to and within Belarus; the 
development of non-governmental organizations promoting democracy and 
supporting human rights; the development of independent media within 
Belarus and from outside the country; international exchanges and 
professional training programs for leaders and members of the 
democratic forces; and other activities consistent with the purposes of 
the Act.
  Like most other legislation, this bill is not perfect. I would have 
preferred even stronger legislation. In fact, I had prepared such 
legislation, which I planned to introduce in the form of an amendment 
to the State Department Authorization legislation if it had reached the 
Senate floor. My bill would have authorized, with specific numbers, 
increased funding for the activities described above; would have 
streamlined and tightened controls on exports to Belarus; and would 
have imposed visa bans on Lukashenka and his inner circle.
  Unfortunately, for unrelated reasons, the State Department 
Authorization bill has not been brought up, and there is no time in the 
closing days of the 108th Congress to introduce my legislation as a 
free-standing bill.
  Nonetheless, I strongly support H.R. 854. It makes unmistakably clear 
to President Lukashenka and his cohorts that the United States strongly 
disapproves of his brutal authoritarian rule and that we intend to 
continue to oppose him. Lukashenka is an anachronism in twenty-first 
century Europe and is surely destined for the ash-heap of history. The 
Belarus Democracy Act may hasten this process. I urge my colleagues to 
support H.R. 854.
  I thank the Chair and yield the floor.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill 
be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon 
the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 854) was read the third time and passed.