IV

104TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 163

A Concurrent Resolution expressing the sense of Congress that March 25

be recognized as the anniversary of the Proclamation of Belarusan independence, expressing concern over the Belarusan government’s infringement on freedom of the press in direct violation of the Helsinki Accords

and the constitution of Belarus, and expressing concern about the proposed union between Russia and Belarus.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APRIL 17, 1996

Mr. PALLONE submitted the following concurrent resolution, which was

referred to the Committee on International Relations.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

A Concurrent Resolution expressing the sense of Congress

that March 25 be recognized as the anniversary of the

Proclamation of Belarusan independence, expressing concern over the Belarusan government’s infringement on

freedom of the press in direct violation of the Helsinki

Accords and the constitution of Belarus, and expressing

concern about the proposed union between Russia and

Belarus.

Whereas the seedlings of an independent and democratic

Belarus, for which generations of Belarusan patriots had

fought and died, are now in danger of being swept away

as a result of the policies of Belarusan President

Alaksandr Lukashenka and the efforts of Russian nation-
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HCON 163 IH

alist leaders to reunite the New Independent States of

the former Soviet Union;

Whereas March 25, is the date that Belarusans throughout

the world salute the sacrifices and bravery of the members of the Council of the Belarusan Democratic Republic, who in 1918 liberated their country from the harsh

and oppressive czarist and Soviet rule. Representatives of

the United Councils of the First Belarusan Convention,

meeting in Miensk (Minsk), on March 25, 1918, issued

a proclamation of independence of the Belarusan National Republic, adopted a national flag with three horizontal stripes of white, red and white, and subsequently

received widespread international recognition;

Whereas the Russian Duma in March 1996 has voted to declare void the 1991 agreement dissolving the Soviet

Union;

Whereas the Government of President Lukashenka has monopolized the mass media, undermined the constitutional

foundation for the separation of powers, suppressed the

freedom of the press, defamed the national culture, narrowed the educational basis for patriotic upbringing of

youth, maligned the Belarusan language, and undercut

the ground for all-Belarusan unity: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of the House of Rep3 resentatives that Belarus declared itself as an Independent

4 Belarusan State on March 25, 1918; and be it further

5 Resolved, That the United States press the govern6 ment of President Lukashenka to abide by the provisions

7 of the Helsinki Accords and the Constitution of the Re-
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HCON 163 IH

1 public of Belarus and guarantee freedom of the press,

2 allow for the flowering of Belarusan culture and enforce

3 the separation of powers; and be it further

4 Resolved, That the Congress of the United States join

5 with the people of Belarus and Belarusans throughout the

6 world in defending the statehood and democracy of

7 Belarus, sustaining the country’s constitution and pre8 venting the loss by Belarus of its hard-won nationhood

9 and its opportunity to survive as an equal and full-fledged

10 member-state among the sovereign nations of the world.

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