[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19938-19939]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1230
            REESTABLISHING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH BELARUS

  (Mr. ROHRABACHER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution 
calling for reestablishing full diplomatic relations between the United 
States and the nation of Belarus with the focus of exchanging 
ambassadors between our countries. This resolution recognizes that the 
Government of Belarus has reached out to the West and has improved 
political conditions in their own country.
  For example, the Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe 
monitored the recent Presidential election

[[Page 19939]]

in Belarus and noted the progress made in establishing a more 
democratic and open system.
  Another example of Belarus' positive action is that it played a 
significant role in bringing about a cease-fire in Ukraine. It did this 
by hosting immense diplomatic talks between all parties to the 
conflict. This was a major contribution toward restoring peace to that 
region.
  Furthermore, on October 22 of this year, Belarus released all of its 
very few political prisoners.
  In response, the European Union and the United States have 
temporarily lifted economic sanctions. Hopefully, that temporary 
suspension of economic sanctions will become permanent as Belarus 
continues to improve its standing.
  Exchanging ambassadors, as my resolution calls for, is a major step 
forward in the right direction. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
supporting this resolution, which I will submit to the Congress right 
now.

                          ____________________