Newsroom
Belarus - OSCE Group refutes newspaper accusation of involvement in intelligence operations
MINSK 5 September 2001
MINSK, 5 September, 2001 (OSCE) - An article published in today's edition of the state-controlled newspaper, Sovietskaya Belorussiya, under the headline 'Operation Belarus White Stork', tries to implicate the OSCE's Advisory and Monitoring Group (AMG) in Belarus in intelligence operations. The article appears to be an attempt to discredit the advisory and monitoring activities which the OSCE group has undertaken in accordance with its agreed mandate of 1997 and subsequent official documents.
It should be recalled that the OSCE Istanbul Summit Declaration of November 1999, which was signed by all OSCE Heads of State or Government, including President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, states inter alia:
"We strongly support the work of the Advisory and Monitoring Group in Belarus, which has worked closely with the Belarusian authorities as well as with opposition parties and leaders and NGOs in promoting democratic institutions and compliance with OSCE commitments, thus facilitating a resolution of the constitutional controversy in Belarus. We emphasize that only a real political dialogue in Belarus can pave the way for free and democratic elections through which the foundations for real democracy can be developed."
The Head of the AMG, Ambassador Hans-Georg Wieck, reiterated today that the Group has always acted and continues to act in accordance with letter and the spirit of the Istanbul Summit Declaration. "On earlier occasions, official publications have attempted to associate the Advisory and Monitoring Group with intelligence operations. Such accusations are groundless", he said.
Contrary to the image conveyed to the public in the Sovietskaya Belorussiya article, the AMG enjoys a great deal of confidence in Belarus. According to an opinion poll by the independent news agency, BelaPAN, the level of trust in the OSCE among the citizens of Minsk rose during the last six months from 11 percent in February 2001 to 18 percent in August 2001 (behind the established Church and the United Nations in terms of organizations).
The AMG will continue to offer advice to the Government, political parties and non-governmental organizations engaged in the development of democratic institutions and grass root democracy.
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For further information, please contact Andrew Carpenter, Political Counsellor, OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group in Belarus, Prospekt Gazety Pravda 11, 220116 Minsk, BelarusTel.: + 375 17 272 34 97 Fax: + 375 17 272 34 98 E-mail: osceamg@osce.org.by
It should be recalled that the OSCE Istanbul Summit Declaration of November 1999, which was signed by all OSCE Heads of State or Government, including President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, states inter alia:
"We strongly support the work of the Advisory and Monitoring Group in Belarus, which has worked closely with the Belarusian authorities as well as with opposition parties and leaders and NGOs in promoting democratic institutions and compliance with OSCE commitments, thus facilitating a resolution of the constitutional controversy in Belarus. We emphasize that only a real political dialogue in Belarus can pave the way for free and democratic elections through which the foundations for real democracy can be developed."
The Head of the AMG, Ambassador Hans-Georg Wieck, reiterated today that the Group has always acted and continues to act in accordance with letter and the spirit of the Istanbul Summit Declaration. "On earlier occasions, official publications have attempted to associate the Advisory and Monitoring Group with intelligence operations. Such accusations are groundless", he said.
Contrary to the image conveyed to the public in the Sovietskaya Belorussiya article, the AMG enjoys a great deal of confidence in Belarus. According to an opinion poll by the independent news agency, BelaPAN, the level of trust in the OSCE among the citizens of Minsk rose during the last six months from 11 percent in February 2001 to 18 percent in August 2001 (behind the established Church and the United Nations in terms of organizations).
The AMG will continue to offer advice to the Government, political parties and non-governmental organizations engaged in the development of democratic institutions and grass root democracy.
--
For further information, please contact Andrew Carpenter, Political Counsellor, OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group in Belarus, Prospekt Gazety Pravda 11, 220116 Minsk, BelarusTel.: + 375 17 272 34 97 Fax: + 375 17 272 34 98 E-mail: osceamg@osce.org.by