Belarus
GANG INFORMATION
PROFILE
OFFICIAL NAME:
Republic of Belarus
Geography
Area: 207,600 sq. km. (80,100 sq. mi.); slightly smaller than
Kansas.
Cities: Capital--Minsk.
Terrain: Landlocked, low-lying with thick forests, flat marshes
and fields.
Climate: Cold winters, cool and moist summers, transitional between
continental and maritime.
People
Nationality: Noun--Belarusian(s). Adjective--Belarusian.
Population (end of 2003): 9,849,000. Men 4,610,000; women 5,239,000.
Urban 71.5%; rural 28.5%.
Population decline (2003): -54,700.
Ethnic groups: Belarusian (81.2%), Russian (11.4%), Polish, Ukrainian,
other (7.4%).
Religions (1997 est.): Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including
Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic, Protestant, Autocephalous Orthodox,
Jewish, and Muslim) 20%.
Languages: Belarusian and Russian (official).
Education: Literacy--98%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (2003)--7.7/1,000. Life expectancy
(2002)--67.9 years.
Work force (4.4 million): Industry--26.2%; agriculture and forestry--11.1%;
construction--7.1%; transportation, communications--8.1%; trade,
catering--13.7%; health services, sports, social services--7.6%;
education--11%; other--15.2%.
Government
Type: Republic.
Constitution: March 30, 1994; revision by unrecognized national
referendum of November 24, 1996, gave presidency greatly expanded
powers and became effective November 27, 1996.
Independence: 1991 (from Soviet Union).
Branches: Executive--president (head of state), prime minister
(head of government), Council of Ministers (cabinet). Legislative--bicameral:
the House of Representatives (110 deputies) and the Council of
the Republic (64 deputies). Judicial--Supreme Court; Constitutional
Court.
Administrative subdivisions: Six voblasts (regions) and one municipality.
Political parties: Belarus has 17 registered political parties,
including: Agrarian Party (AP); Belarusian Communist Party (KPB);
Green Party; Belarusian Social and Sports Party; Belarusian Patriotic
Movement (BPR); Belarusian Popular Front (BNF); Belarusian Social-Democrat
Party (BSDP); Social-Democratic Hramada Party; Belarusian Socialist
Party; United Civic Party (UCP); Liberal Democratic Party (LDBP);
Party of Communists Belarusian (PKB); Party of Popular Accord;
Republican Party of Labor and Justice (RPPS); Social Democratic
Party of Popular Accord (PPA); Women's Party Nadezhda. Several
of these parties exist in name only. Other, unregistered parties
are also active, such as: Christian Conservative Party and Party
of Freedom and Progress.
Suffrage: Universal at age 18.
Economy
GDP (2003 est.): $17.5 billion.
GDP growth rate (2003): 6.8%.
Per capita GDP (2003): $1,765.
Natural resources: Forest land, peat deposits, small amounts of
oil and natural gas.
Agriculture: Products--grain, potatoes, vegetables, flax, beef,
milk.
Industry: Types--machinery and transport equipment, chemical products,
fabrics, and consumer goods.
Trade (2003): Exports--$10.0 billion (machinery and transport
equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals, and textiles). Major
markets--Russia, Latvia, Great Britain, Germany, Netherlands,
Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania. Imports--$11.5 billion (mineral products,
machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, foodstuffs). Major
suppliers--Russia, Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Italy, Lithuania.
Exchange rate (June 2004): 2,157.76 BYR (Belarusian rubles)=U.S.
$1.
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
While archeological evidence points to settlement in today's Belarus
at least 10,000 years ago, recorded history begins with settlement
by Baltic and Slavic tribes in the early centuries A.D. With distinctive
features by the ninth century, the emerging Belarusian state was
then absorbed by Kievan Rus' in the 9th century. Belarus was later
an integral part of what was called Litva, which included today's
Belarus as well as today's Lithuania. Belarus was the birthplace
of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Belarusian was the state language
of the Grand Duchy until 1697, in part owing to the strong flowering
of Belarusian culture during the Renaissance through the works
of leading Belarusian humanists such as Frantzisk Skaryna. Belarus
was the site of the Union of Brest in 1597, which created the
Greek Catholic Church, for long the majority church in Belarus
until suppressed by the Russian empire, and the birthplace of
Thaddeus Kosciuszko, who played a key role in the American Revolution.
Occupied by the Russian empire from the end of the 18th century
until 1918, Belarus declared its short-lived National Republic
on March 25, 1918, only to be forcibly absorbed by the Bolsheviks
into what became the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.). Suffering massive
population losses under Soviet leader Josif Stalin and the German
Nazi occupation, Belarus was retaken by the Soviets in 1944. It
declared its sovereignty on July 27, 1990, and independence from
the Soviet Union on August 25, 1991. It has been run by the authoritarian
Alexander Lukashenko since 1994.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Government Structure
The current constitution has a popularly elected president who
serves a 5-year term. The bicameral parliament consists of the
64-seat Council of the Republic and the 110-seat Chamber of Representatives.
The Council of the Republic is the house of territorial representation.
Eight members of the Council are appointed directly by the president
of the Republic of Belarus, while local regional councils elect
the rest. The deputies to the House of Representatives are elected
directly by the voters. The president appoints the prime minister,
who is the head of government.
Elections
Since his election in July 1994 to a 5-year term as the country's
first President, Alexander Lukashenko has consolidated power steadily
in the executive branch through authoritarian means. He used a
non-democratic November 1996 referendum to amend the 1994 constitution
in order to broaden his powers and illegally extend his term in
office; and he began to count his 5-year term in 1996, thereby
adding 2 years to his first term in office.
In October 2000, parliamentary elections occurred
for the first time since the disputed referendum of 1996. According
to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Office
for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), these
elections failed to meet international standards for democratic
elections. In particular the elections fell far short of meeting
the minimum commitments for free, fair, equal, accountable, and
transparent elections. Following on from the flawed parliamentary
elections, and based on the unrecognized 1996 constitution, Lukashenko
announced early in 2001 that presidential elections would be held.
International monitors noted sweeping human rights violations
and non-democratic practices throughout the election period, including
massive vote-counting fraud. These irregularities led the OSCE/ODIHR
to find that these elections also failed to meet Belarus’
OSCE commitments for democratic elections. March 2003 local elections
also failed to meet international standards of freedom and fairness.
Lukashenko called a referendum in October 2004 on
constitutional changes to remove term limits for the presidency
and allow him to run again in 2006. According to official results,
the referendum passed by a wide margin, and Lukashenko allies
won across-the-board victories in simultaneous parliamentary elections.
OSCE/ODIHR observers declared that the parliamentary elections
fell far short of international standards, citing abuses in the
campaign period and the vote counting. The referendum was also
conducted with little regard for democratic principles. Independent
exit polling showed results far different from those officially
announced.
The March 19, 2006 presidential election marked
another low point in the government’s treatment of its own
citizens. OSCE/ODIHR observers noted that the election failed
to meet international standards and was characterized by a disregard
for the basic rights of freedom of assembly, association, and
expression, as well as by a climate of insecurity and fear and
a highly problematic vote count. Authorities detained many opposition
supporters and civic activists during the campaign, charging some
with offenses that could lead to long prison sentences. The government
detained hundreds in connection with demonstrations in the week
following the election, stormed a demonstrators’ tent camp
in Minsk on March 24, and used force against demonstrators again
March 25. One opposition presidential candidate, Aleksandr Kozulin,
was beaten and detained by authorities on both March 2 and March
25. Many aides and supporters of Aleksandr Milinkevich, the presidential
candidate of a coalition representing most opposition forces,
also suffered from detentions, harassment, and prosecution.
Other Human Rights
Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, peaceful
assembly, and religions continued in 2004 and 2005. Efforts to
further infringe upon press freedoms included the continued use
of libel laws, limitations on foreign funding, pressure on businesses
not to advertise with independent media, limitations on access
to newsprint and printing presses, censorship, restrictions on
the import of media-related materials, temporary suspension of
independent and opposition periodicals, and detention of those
distributing such material. The government continued to make use
of its monopoly on television broadcasting to present biased news
coverage and to minimize the presentation of opposing points of
view. On September 9, 2003 President Lukashenko called upon mass
media to be used as an instrument for promoting a pro-government
state ideology. Additionally, although several Internet service
providers have emerged in Belarus, they are all state-controlled.
Despite constitutional provisions, a 1998 government decree limited
citizens’ rights to express their own opinions. The 1994
and 1996 constitutions both provide for freedom of peaceful assembly;
however, the regime severely restricts this right in practice.
Demonstrations require an application at least 15 days in advance
of the event. The local government must respond positively or
negatively at least 5 days prior to the event. Following many
unsanctioned demonstrations, police and other security officials
detain, harass, and beat demonstration participants.
The constitution provides for freedom of religion;
however, the authorities restrict this right in practice. Although
Article 16 of the 1996 amended constitution that resulted from
the illegal referendum reaffirms the equality of religions and
denominations before the law, it also contains restrictive language
that stipulated that cooperation between the state and religious
organizations "is regulated with regard for their influence
on the formation of spiritual, cultural, and country traditions
of the Belarusian people."
On October 22, 2002, the parliament approved a new
law on religion, despite protests from international and domestic
human rights organizations as well as Orthodox religious groups
not affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church. The law contains
a number of very restrictive elements.
According to the constitution, citizens are free
to travel within the country and to live and work where they wish;
however, the authorities sometimes restrict these rights in practice.
The authorities issue internal passports to all adults, which
serve as primary identity documents and are required to travel,
obtain permanent housing, and for hotel registration.
The constitution provides for the right of workers--except
state security and military personnel--to voluntarily form and
join independent unions and to carry out actions in defense of
workers' rights, including the right to strike. In practice, however,
these rights are limited. The Belarusian Free Trade Union (BFTU)
was established in 1991 and registered in 1992. Following the
1995 Minsk metro workers strike, the President suspended its activities.
In 1996 BFTU leaders formed a new umbrella organization, the Belarusian
Congress of Democratic Trade Union (BCDTU), which encompasses
four leading independent trade unions and is reported to have
about 15,000 members. In late 2003, the BCDTU became a member
of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU).
In May 2001, a complaint was lodged with the International
Labor Organization (ILO) by several trade union organizations.
A trade union campaign was carried out to raise international
awareness and put pressure on the Belarus Government. Late in
2001, the regime attempted to further restrict the unions by refusing
to turn over dues paid by members. Once it became clear that the
unions and the BFTU were adjusting to this change, the government
in June of 2002 embarked on a takeover of the BFTU and several
of its branch unions. The BFTU subsequently became an arm of the
government, and the election of Leonid Kozik to the position of
Chairman of the BFTU has been challenged by the ILO.
In 2003, the authorities took numerous measures
to suppress independent trade unions and continued to interfere
in the work of the BFTU, especially regarding activities of independent,
affiliated unions. In May, the trade unions at nine state enterprises
merged to form the Belarusian Union of Industry Workers (BUIW),
which subsequently became a member of Kozik’s BFTU. The
authorities and directors of state enterprises placed significant
pressure on workers to join the BUIW. Independent union activists
called the BUIW a pro-government, "yellow union" established
to quell resistance to BFTU's pro-government agenda and undermine
reformist grassroots unions. In June 2003, the International Labor
Organization's (ILO) Standards Committee included the country
in its special paragraph on trade union violations for a second
consecutive year and urged the government to address the ILO recommendations
to eliminate government interference in unions. On November 19,
the ILO approved the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry
to investigate alleged serious violations of workers' rights in
the country. On November 11, the Ministry of the Economy informed
the ILO that all activities related to its technical assistance
project to labor unions must cease, because the registration of
the project was denied.
In March 2004 the government began forcing state
employees (some 80% of Belarusian workers) to sign short-term
work contracts. Although contracts may be concluded for a period
of 5 years, most expire after one year--essentially allowing the
government to fire anyone annually. Although the contracts are
new, several members of independent unions have already lost their
jobs when their contracts were not renewed.
The State Department’s 2005 report on human
rights practices in Belarus is located at http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61638.htm.
Principal Government Officials
President--Alexander Lukashenko
Prime Minister--Sergei Sidorsky
Foreign Minister--Sergei Martynov
Ambassador to the U.S.--Mikhail Khvostov
Ambassador to the UN--Andrei Dapkunis
Belarus’ embassy in the U.S. is at 1619 New
Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009; tel: 202-986-1606; fax:
202-986-1805; website: http://www.belarusembassy.org
ECONOMY
As part of the former Soviet Union, Belarus had a relatively well-developed
industrial base; it retained this industrial base following the
breakup of the U.S.S.R. The country also has a broad agricultural
base and a high education level. Among the former republics of
the Soviet Union, it had one of the highest standards of living.
But Belarusians now face the difficult challenge of moving from
a state-run economy with high priority on military production
and heavy industry to a civilian, free-market system.
After an initial outburst of capitalist reform from
1991-94, including privatization of state enterprises, creation
of institutions of private property, and entrepreneurship, Belarus
under Lukashenko has greatly slowed its pace of privatization
and other market reforms, emphasizing the need for a "socially
oriented market economy." About 80% of all industry remains
in state hands, and foreign investment has been hindered by a
climate hostile to business. The banks, which had been privatized
after independence, were renationalized under Lukashenko.
Economic output, which declined for several years,
revived somewhat in the late 1990s, but the economy remains dependent
on Russian subsidies. Until 2000, subsidies to state enterprises
and price controls on industrial and consumer staples constituted
a major feature of the Belarusian economy. Inflationary monetary
practices, including the printing of money, also have been regularly
used to finance real sector growth and to cover the payment of
salaries and pensions.
Peat, the country's most valuable mineral resource,
is used for fuel and fertilizer and in the chemical industry.
Belarus also has deposits of clay, sand, chalk, dolomite, phosphorite,
and rock and potassium salt. Forests cover about a third of the
land, and lumbering is an important occupation. Potatoes, flax,
hemp, sugar beets, rye, oats, and wheat are the chief agricultural
products. Dairy and beef cattle, pigs, and chickens are raised.
Belarus has only small reserves of petroleum and natural gas and
imports most of its oil and gas from Russia. The main branches
of industry produce tractors and trucks, earthmovers for use in
construction and mining, metal-cutting machine tools, agricultural
equipment, motorcycles, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, and consumer
goods. The chief trading partners are Russia, Germany, Ukraine,
and Poland.
The massive April 26, 1986 nuclear accident at the
Chernobyl power plant, across the border in Ukraine, had a devastating
effect on Belarus; as a result of the radiation release, agriculture
in a large part of the country was destroyed, and many villages
were abandoned. Resettlement and medical costs were substantial
and long-term.
In 2000, Belarus managed to unify its currency exchange
rates, tightened its monetary policy, and partially liberalized
the foreign currency market. These developments led to the conclusion
of a staff-monitored program in cooperation with the IMF, addressing,
among other topics, price and wage liberalization, a widening
of privatization, fiscal reform, the adoption of international
accounting standards in the banking sector, and the repeal of
several egregious laws and decrees to improve the investment climate.
The program was conducted between April and September 2001, with
relatively disappointing results.
Due to the economic and political climate, little
new foreign investment occurred in 2003. In 2002, two major companies,
the Swedish furniture firm Ikea and Russian beer producer Baltika,
ended operations in Belarus due to unrealized government commitments
or unwelcome interference. The government itself faced increasing
fiscal difficulties as arrears rose in wages and pensions, and
in tax payments.
Growth in 2003 and early 2004 was reportedly robust,
but peculiarities in official Belarusian statistics complicate
analysis. Inflation remained highest in the region despite a modest
decline to 18% in early 2004. Over 40% of enterprises and a majority
of collective farms currently operate at a loss, a level that
has persisted since 2002. The government made progress in reining
in its fiscal policies, largely due to constraints imposed by
financial difficulties caused by the earlier economic slowdown.
Belarus continues to be heavily dependent on Russia, with the
potential for greater economic dependency looming in the proposed
European Union (EU)-style union between the two states. Prospects
for an eventual union appear diminished, however, largely due
to the apparent lack of interest on the part of Belarus.
The World Bank’s 2002-2004 country assistance
strategy for Belarus focused on areas such as targeted social
assistance to help open up Belarusian society, AIDS/HIV and tuberculosis
prevention, environmental protection, Chernobyl-related damage,
and small and medium enterprise development. The World Bank’s
most recent project in Belarus began with its June 2001 approval
of a $22.6 million loan to finance repairs in over 450 schools,
hospitals, and homes for orphans, the elderly, and the disabled
throughout Belarus. In 2004, Belarus rejected a World Bank loan
to help fight AIDS and tuberculosis. IMF cooperation is currently
limited to policy and technical consultations.
Environmental Issues
Belarus has established ministries of energy, forestry, land reclamation,
and water resources and state committees to deal with ecology
and safety procedures in the nuclear power industry. The most
serious environmental issue in Belarus results from the accident
in 1986 at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. About 70% of the
nuclear fallout from the plant landed on Belarusian territory,
and about 20% of the land remains contaminated. But government
restrictions on residence and use of contaminated land are not
strictly enforced, and the government announced plans in 2004
to increase agricultural production in the contaminated regions.
The government receives U.S. assistance in its efforts to deal
with the consequences of the radiation.
DEFENSE AND MILITARY ISSUES
The United States continues to support Belarus’ adherence
to arms control agreements and treaties into which it has previously
entered. Added to this list is Belarus’ recent ratification
of the Open Skies Treaty. Cooperation in all such agreements has
been exemplary.
Humanitarian aid continues to be the primary engagement
between the U.S. military and Belarus. In early 2004, the United
States European Command announced the allocation of $200,000 for
the continued renovation of the Gomel Emergency Treatment Hospital.
The hospital had already received more than $600,000 in humanitarian
assistance, which included funds for the renovation and establishment
of its blood transfusion center in 2001. In addition, in May 2004,
the U.S. military donated $95,000 for the renovation of the Turov
regional hospital. These programs, coupled with the continuous
flow of Humanitarian Excess Property from U.S. Cold War stocks,
define the humanitarian assistance program.
Direct military to military cooperation continues
to be minimal. Belarus currently has no International Military
Education and Training (IMET) program, and bilateral exercises
and cooperation are nonexistent. There is a great desire on the
Belarusian side to re-establish such cooperation and contacts,
but it has not been possible due to the political situation. The
only program that is still functional within this category is
the attendance of Belarusian military officers in George C. Marshall
Center programs.
Potential areas of cooperation can be seen in the
area of mine disposal, demining, and small arms destruction. Belarus
possesses an unstable inventory of about 4.2 million anti-personnel
mines, which require proper disposal. Officials have been working
with foreign governments to acquire financial and technical support
for these efforts but have met with little tangible success. In
addition to this, there are numerous World War II-vintage minefields,
which are still in place and kill or injure several Belarusians
every year. The Belarusian Government would quickly accept assistance
in either of these areas.
The Minister of Defense is experiencing success
in the area of military reform. Planned changes include combining
the Air and Air Defense Forces, downsizing the force structure
about 30% from 83,000 to 60,000, transitioning from a conscript
to a contract force, and modernizing the command and control structure
by creating a Ground Forces Command between the Ministry of Defense
and the units in the field. Implementation of these reforms will
take an unspecified amount of time.
The area of greatest concern continues to be links
between Belarus and states of concern through the sale of arms
to, equipment services to, and the training of personnel from
these states. Included in this category (but not limited to these
examples) are the sales of weapons to Libya and Syria, along with
reported weapons transfers, upgrades of equipment (S-300 system),
and air defense training of service members of the former Iraqi
regime.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Under an arrangement with the former U.S.S.R., Belarus was an
original member of the United Nations. It also is a member of
the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS--a group of 12 former
Soviet republics) and its customs union, the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization's (NATO) Partnership for Peace, the North
Atlantic Cooperation Council, the International Monetary Fund,
and the World Bank.
Following the recognition of Belarus as an independent
state in December 1991 by the European Community, EU-Belarus relations
initially experienced a steady progression. The signature of the
Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in 1995 signaled a
commitment to political, economic, and trade cooperation. Significant
assistance was provided to Belarus within the framework of the
TACIS technical assistance program and also through various aid
programs and loans. However, progress in EU-Belarus relations
stalled in 1996 after serious setbacks to the development of democracy
and the Drozdy conflict. The EU did not recognize the 1996 constitution,
which replaced the 1994 constitution. The EU Council of Ministers
decided against Belarus in 1997: The PCA was not concluded, nor
was its trade-related part; Belarusian membership in the Council
of Europe was not supported; bilateral relations at the ministerial
level were suspended; and EU technical assistance programs were
frozen. In 2004, the Council of Europe adopted a report written
by special rapporteur Christos Pourgourides calling on Belarusian
authorities to suspend various high-level officials in conducting
a thorough investigation of the cases of several prominent Belarusian
political figures who have disappeared and remain unaccounted
for.
Acknowledging the lack of progress in relation to
bilateral relations and the internal situation following the position
adopted in 1997, the EU adopted a benchmark approach in 1999,
whereby relations would be gradually improved upon fulfillment
of the four benchmarks set by the OSCE. In 2000, some moderately
positive developments toward the implementation of recommendations
made by the OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group (AMG) were observed
but were not sufficient in the realm of access to fair and free
elections. The Belarusian Government, objecting to the OSCE AMG's
activities, forced its shutdown by failing to renew visas or extend
accreditation of professional staff. The Belarus Government agreed
to a successor OSCE presence after 14 EU member countries and
the U.S. imposed visa restrictions on the travel of high-ranking
Belarusian officials. The OSCE Office in Minsk formally came into
existence on January 1, 2003 with a mandate to "assist the
Belarusian Government in further promoting institution-building,
in further consolidating the Rule of Law and in developing relations
with civil society, in accordance with OSCE principles and commitments".
Russia is the largest partner for Belarus in the
economic and political fields. In terms of trade, two-thirds of
Belarusian exports go to Russia. Due to the structure of Belarusian
industry, Belarus relies heavily on other CIS countries and Russia
in particular both for export markets and for the supply of raw
materials, energy, and components. The introduction of free trade
between Russia and Belarus in mid-1995 led to a spectacular growth
in bilateral trade, which was only temporarily reversed in the
wake of the financial crisis of 1998. The framework for the Russia-Belarusian
Union was set out in the Treaty On the Formation of a Community
of Russia and Belarus (1996), the Treaty on Russia-Belarus Union,
the Union Charter (1997), and the Treaty of the Formation of a
Union State (1999). The integration treaties contain commitments
to monetary union, equal rights, single citizenship, and a common
foreign and defense policy. They also have established a range
of institutions modeled after the EU. After protracted disputes
and setbacks, the two countries' customs duties were unified as
of March 2001. Belarus has made progress in monetary stabilization
in the context of ongoing negotiation with the Russian Central
Bank on monetary union. In early 2003, a bilateral working group
was developing a draft union constitution to be ratified by a
referendum held in both countries. Belarus and Russia had also
reaffirmed their intention to achieve currency unification by
2005. However, differences over tax policy, customs codes, foreign
trade, and constitutional issues make union appear increasingly
unlikely. In July 2004, Lukashenko claimed that currency union
would have to wait until at least 2008.
U.S.-BELARUSIAN RELATIONS
The United States recognized Belarusian independence on December
25, 1991. After the two countries established diplomatic relations,
the U.S. Embassy in Minsk was officially opened on January 31,
1992. Ambassador David H. Swartz, the first Ambassador to Belarus,
officially assumed post on August 25, 1992--the first anniversary
of Belarusian independence--and departed post on completion of
his term in late January 1994. On November 7, 1994, Ambassador
Kenneth S. Yalowitz assumed post. He was succeeded by Ambassador
Daniel V. Speckhard, who served from August 1997 to August 2000,
spending one year recalled to Washington because of a dispute
between the government and Western embassies over the confiscation
of diplomatic residences. Michael G. Kozak served as U.S. Ambassador
from October 2000 to August 2003. George A. Krol replaced Ambassador
Kozak as U.S. Ambassador and arrived in Belarus on September 4,
2003.
The two countries have exchanged top-level official
visits. Stanislav Shushkevich, the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet
of the Republic of Belarus, met with President Clinton in Washington
in July 1992, and President Clinton visited Belarus on January
15, 1994. After this high point in relations, however, bilateral
relations cooled following the election of President Alexander
Lukashenko in July 1994.
On September 12, 1995 three hot air balloons participating
in the Coupe Gordon Bennett race entered Belarusian air space.
Despite the fact that race organizers informed the Belarusian
Government about the race in May and that flight plans had been
filed, the Belarusian air force shot down one balloon, killing
two American citizens, and forced the other two to land. The crews
of the other two balloons were fined for entering Belarus without
a visa and released. Belarus to date has not apologized or offered
compensation for these killings.
In November 1996, the Lukashenko regime conducted
an internationally unrecognized constitutional referendum, which
resulted in the dissolution of Belarus’ legitimate parliament
and the centralization of power in the executive branch. In that
same year, the Belarusian authorities provoked a diplomatic crisis
by demanding and, in contravention of international law, eventually
confiscating diplomatic residences in the Drozdy housing compound,
including the U.S. Ambassador’s residence. This action led
the United States and other countries to withdraw their ambassadors
from Belarus until the Belarusian authorities provided compensation
and guarantees to respect international law. In addition, Lukashenko
used his newly centralized power to repress human rights throughout
the country, including persecuting members of the illegally disbanded
Belarusian parliament (13th Supreme Soviet) and former members
of his own government.
As a result of these events and tendencies, in 1997,
the United States announced its decision to pursue a "selective
engagement" policy with the Government of Belarus. This policy
included downgrading government-to-government contacts to the
level of Assistant Secretary and below, and restricting U.S. Government
assistance to the Belarusian Government--with the exception of
humanitarian assistance and exchange programs with state-run educational
institutions. At the same time, the U.S. greatly expanded contacts
with Belarusian civil society to promote democratization in Belarus.
Since 1997, despite growing U.S. engagement with
Belarusian society, official bilateral relations have remained
at a low level. The "selective engagement" policy has
remained in effect. No meetings at the ministerial level or above
have occurred. In 2003, the United States, in tandem with the
European Union, proposed a step-by-step, gradual approach to improve
bilateral relations: the United States would respond positively
to genuine efforts by Belarusian authorities to improve Belarus’
human rights and electoral practices. Belarusian authorities have
yet to take such steps to warrant a positive response. In 2004,
both the United States and European Union imposed travel restrictions
on Belarusian officials implicated in politically motivated disappearances
and in election-related abuses. In October 2004, the U.S. Congress
passed, and the President signed, the Belarus Democracy Act, designed
to promote democratization.
U.S.-Belarusian Economic Relations
The U.S. Government continues to support the development of the
private sector in Belarus and its transition to a free market
economy. With the advent of the Lukashenko regime, Belarusian
authorities have pursued a generally hostile policy toward the
private sector and have refused to initiate the basic economic
reforms necessary to create a market-based economy. Most of the
Belarusian economy remains in government hands. The government,
in particular the presidential administration, exercises control
over most enterprises in all sectors of the economy. In addition
to driving away many major foreign investors--largely through
establishment of a "Golden Share " requirement, which
allows government control in all companies with foreign investment--Belarus’
centralization and command approach to the economy has left only
a trickle of U.S. Government and international assistance programs
in this field.
In February 1993, a bilateral trade treaty guaranteeing
reciprocal most-favored-nation status entered into force. In January
1994, the U.S. and Belarus signed a bilateral investment treaty,
which has been ratified by Belarus but has not been ratified by
the U.S. Senate. In addition, due to continuing repression of
labor rights in Belarus, the U.S. removed Belarus from the Generalized
System of Preferences (GSP) in 2000.
The United States has encouraged Belarus to conclude
and adhere to agreements with the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) on the program of macroeconomic stabilization and related
reform measures, as well as to undertake increased privatization
and to create a favorable climate for business and investment.
Although there has been some American direct private investment
in Belarus, its development has been relatively slow given the
uncertain pace of reform. An Overseas Private Investment Corporation
agreement was signed in June 1992 but has been suspended since
1995 because Belarus did not fulfill its obligations under the
agreement. Belarus is eligible for Export-Import Bank short-term
financing insurance for U.S. investments, but because of the adverse
business climate, no projects have been initiated. The IMF granted
standby credit in September 1995, but Belarus has fallen off the
program and did not receive the second tranche of funding, which
had been scheduled for regular intervals throughout 1996. Since
that time, Belarus has had an ongoing discussion to relaunch IMF-backed
reforms, concluding an IMF Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) in 2001,
which ended in September 2001 with relatively disappointing results.
In early 2004, Belarus halted negotiations on a follow-on stand-by
arrangement due to disagreements with the IMF on macroeconomic
policy and claiming that it did not require IMF funding.
Because of the unpredictable and at times hostile
environment for investors, the U.S. Government currently does
not encourage U.S. companies to invest in Belarus. Belarus’
continuing problems with an opaque, arbitrary legal system, a
confiscatory tax regime, cumbersome licensing system, price controls,
and lack of an independent judiciary create a business environment
not conducive to prosperous, profitable investment. In fact, several
U.S. investors in Belarus have left, including the Ford Motor
Company.
U.S. Assistance to Belarus
Since 1992, the U.S. Government has provided an estimated $597.07
million in assistance to Belarus, including $194.05 million in
U.S. Defense Department excess and privately donated humanitarian
commodities. U.S. Government assistance to Belarus peaked in 1994
at a level of approximately $76 million (consisting of more than
$16 million in FREEDOM Support Act funds and some $60 million
in funds from various U.S. Government agencies). However, U.S.
assistance levels dropped sharply due to the lack of progress
in democratic and economic reform after the coming to power of
Alexander Lukashenko in mid-1994. An overview of annual assistance
levels is provided below:
Annual U.S. Assistance (through 2002 figures include
DoD excess and privately donated humanitarian commodities)
FY 1994--$101.5 million
FY 1995--$86.1 million
FY 1996--$69.2 million
FY 1997--$22.8 million
FY 1998--$17.2 million
FY 1999--$29.4 million
FY 2000--$24.3 million
FY 2001--$30.7 million
FY 2002--$28.07 million
FY 2003--$9.05 million
FY 2004--$10.14 million
FY 2005--$11.8 million
U.S. Government assistance to Belarus continues
to be subject to the policy of selective engagement with the Government
of Belarus, under which little bilateral assistance is channeled
through the Government of Belarus, except for humanitarian assistance
and exchange programs involving state-run educational institutions.
Most U.S. Government assistance is targeted to supporting Belarus’
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), particularly those working
to promote the development of civil society and the free flow
of information. The U.S. also supports international organizations’
efforts in Belarus to combat the growing problem of trafficking
in persons.
[Fact sheet on FY 2005 U.S. Assistance to Belarus.]
Training and exchange programs. Since FY 1993, U.S.
Government-funded exchange programs have brought more than 2,510
Belarusian citizens to the United States for short-term professional
or long-term academic training, including some 200 in FY 2003
alone. These programs give reform-minded Belarusians an opportunity
to develop their skills and establish contacts with U.S. counterparts.
In FY 2003, 50 Belarusian students participated in the Future
Leaders Exchange program, attending U.S. high schools and living
with American families for one academic year.
Crossborder training programs. U.S. Government-funded
cross-border programs provide training to Belarusians in neighboring
countries, giving the Belarusians an opportunity to see first-hand
the results of successful post-communist democratic and economic
reforms.
Democracy fund small grants program. The U.S. Embassy's
Democracy Commission awards small grants to Belarusian NGOs in
support of a wide range of democracy-building activities, including
civic participation, independent print and electronic media, independent
trade unions, legal aid organizations, youth and women's groups
and human rights groups. Although Democracy Commission grants
are limited in size--individual grants do not exceed $24,000,
with most falling between $5,000 and $15,000--they have proven
to be a very effective vehicle for supporting pro-reform segments
of Belarusian society at the grassroots level.
Support for the National Endowment for Democracy.
The U.S. Government provides supplementary funding to the National
Endowment for Democracy (NED) in support of small grants to Belarusian
NGOs and independent media outlets.
Political process programs. With funding from the
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the International
Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute
(NDI) conduct in-country training focusing on party- and coalition-building,
domestic election monitoring, and strengthening political skills
for democratically oriented organizations, party leaders, and
activists.
Independent print media. Until it was closed by
the Belarusian government in August 2003, the International Research
and Exchanges Board (IREX) offered technical and legal assistance
to Belarus’ independent media.
Rule of law programs. With funding from USAID, the
American Bar Association's USAID-funded Central and Eastern European
Law Initiative (ABA/CEELI) is strengthening law-related NGOs and
educating average Belarusian citizens about their rights under
Belarusian law. ABA/CEELI has been working with lawyers from 22
legal advice centers run by independent trade unions and NGOs
to improve the quality and increase the availability of free legal
advice to the population.
NGO development programs. With funding from USAID,
the Counterpart Alliance for Partnership (CAP) seeks to promote
civil society development in Belarus by providing assistance to
Belarusian NGOs, with a focus on legal aid and education to strengthen
the capacity of its Belarusian NGO partners to protect their own
rights.
Support for Belarusian entrepreneurs. Although the
lack of economic reform in Belarus has precluded a broader program
of USAID-funded economic development assistance, USAID has sought
to help Belarusian entrepreneurs to organize and defend their
rights.
Western NIS Enterprise Fund (WNISEF). WNISEF runs
a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) credit and capital investment
program in Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus. However, because of
the restrictive environment for private SMEs in Belarus, WNISEF
has had no active credit and investment projects in Belarus for
the past several years.
U.S. Department of State--Operation Provide Hope.
Since 1992, the United States has provided more than $200 million
in humanitarian assistance to the most needy citizens in Belarus,
and the U.S. Department of State has sponsored 35 medical airlifts.
Security programs. Belarus was previously a recipient
of assistance under the U.S. Defense Department's Cooperative
Threat Reduction (CTR) Program, whose objective is to reduce the
threat posed to the United States by weapons of mass destruction
remaining on the territory of the former Soviet Union, by promoting
denuclearization and demilitarization and preventing weapons proliferation.
However, in February 1997, due to the Belarusian Government's
poor record on human rights, President Clinton de-certified Belarus,
rendering the country ineligible for further assistance. This
resulted in the reallocation to other countries of unobligated
CTR assistance funds originally intended for Belarus, as well
as restrictions on other security-related assistance to Belarus.
The United States and Belarus signed a government-to-government
umbrella agreement on CTR assistance in 1992, seven agency-to-agency
CTR implementing agreements, and one memorandum of understanding
and cooperation; the umbrella agreement was extended for one year
in October 1997, but has now expired.
For more detailed information on U.S. Government-funded
assistance programs, please see the Annual Reports on U.S. Government
Assistance to Eurasia, which are available online at the following
addresses:
The FY 2000-2004 annual reports are available at
http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/rpt/
The FY 1994-99 annual reports are available at http://www.state.gov/www/regions/nis/nis_assist_index.html
Principal U.S. Embassy Officials
Ambassador--George Krol
Deputy Chief of Mission--Constance Phlipot
Political/Economic Officer--Dereck Hogan
Consular Officer--Christopher Reynolds
Management Officer--William Stevens, Acting
Regional Security Officer--Anthony Tortora
Public Affairs Officer--James Land
Defense Attaché-- MAJ John Pilloni
IPO--Harry Chamberlain
USAID--Chuck Howell
The U.S. Embassy in Minsk, Belarus is located at Starovilenskaya
46; tel: (375-17) 210-12-83; fax: (375-17) 234-78-53.
TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION
The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program provides
Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements.
Consular Information Sheets exist for all countries and include
information on entry requirements, currency regulations, health
conditions, areas of instability, crime and security, political
disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. posts in the country.
Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends
that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Public Announcements
are issued as a means to disseminate information quickly about
terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas
that pose significant risks to the security of American travelers.
Free copies of this information are available by calling the Bureau
of Consular Affairs at 202-647-5225 or via the fax-on-demand system:
202-647-3000. Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings
also are available on the Consular Affairs Internet home page:
http://travel.state.gov. Consular Affairs Tips for Travelers publication
series, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning
a safe trip abroad, are on the Internet and hard copies can be
purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, telephone: 202-512-1800; fax 202-512-2250.
Emergency information concerning Americans traveling
abroad may be obtained from the Office of Overseas Citizens Services
at (202) 647-5225. For after-hours emergencies, Sundays and holidays,
call 202-647-4000.
The National Passport Information Center (NPIC)
is the U.S. Department of State's single, centralized public contact
center for U.S. passport information. Telephone: 1-877-4USA-PPT
(1-877-487-2778). Customer service representatives and operators
for TDD/TTY are available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
Travelers can check the latest health information
with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta,
Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web site
at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm give the most recent health
advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and
advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries.
A booklet entitled Health Information for International Travel
(HHS publication number CDC-95-8280) is available from the U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, tel. (202) 512-1800.
Information on travel conditions, visa requirements,
currency and customs regulations, legal holidays, and other items
of interest to travelers also may be obtained before your departure
from a country's embassy and/or consulates in the U.S. (for this
country, see "Principal Government Officials" listing
in this publication).
U.S. citizens who are long-term visitors or traveling
in dangerous areas are encouraged to register their travel via
the State Department’s travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov
or at the Consular section of the U.S. embassy upon arrival in
a country by filling out a short form and sending in a copy of
their passports. This may help family members contact you in case
of an emergency.
Further Electronic Information
Department of State Web Site. Available on the Internet at http://www.state.gov,
the Department of State web site provides timely, global access
to official U.S. foreign policy information, including Background
Notes and daily press briefings along with the directory of key
officers of Foreign Service posts and more.
Export.gov provides a portal to all export-related
assistance and market information offered by the federal government
and provides trade leads, free export counseling, help with the
export process, and more.
STAT-USA/Internet, a service of the U.S. Department
of Commerce, provides authoritative economic, business, and international
trade information from the Federal government. The site includes
current and historical trade-related releases, international market
research, trade opportunities, and country analysis and provides
access to the National Trade Data Bank.
