Press Release

Chairman-in-Office Statement on Belarus

The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Foreign Minister Knut Vollebæk of Norway, follows with great anticipation the first steps towards negotiations between government and opposition in Belarus. The Chairman-in-Office agrees with the government in Belarus and the opposition, that free, fair, and internationally recognized parliamentary elections in the year 2000 are indeed the most promising basis for a solution to the problems of democracy in Belarus.

However, meaningful negotiations cannot be undertaken in a climate of distrust and fear. The Chairman-in-Office therefore urges the Belarus authorities to clarify convincingly the disappearance of Victor Gonchar, acting Chairman of the 13th Supreme Soviet. This is the third unresolved disappearance of a leading political figure in four months.

The Chairman-in-Office further urges the Belarus authorities to immediately stop the growing harassment of independent newspapers. Such harassment is inconsistent with the democratic principles and the negotiations on free access to the media for all political groups. Unimpeded and equal access to media for all competitors is an internationally accepted precondition for fair elections.

The Chairman-in-Office reiterates his demands to release the former Prime Minister Chigir from detention. This would enhance confidence in the negotiation process. At the same time, the Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE appeals to both sides to refrain from confrontational actions and to resume negotiations in a cooperative spirit.