It is simply inconceivable that Belarusian authorities would have no knowledge of his whereabouts or what has happened to him. We expect a thorough and prompt investigation. And we expect the results of that investigation to be made known this week at this conference. We are here to remind each of us what our commitments are, what promises we made at Helsinki. Our very presence says that we are keeping our promises.
Talk can sometimes be cheap.
Some states represented here have little if any intention of implementing all of their OSCE commitments on Democracy, Free and Fair Elections, Freedoms of the Press, Speech and Religion, Economic freedoms. For a few states, these have become the lexicon of doing just enough to obtain benefits from the World Bank, the IMF, the EU and the Council of Europe. As long as credible appearances are kept up, objectives appear to have been met, while corruption and stolen elections keep a few in power at the expense of the many. Mr. Chairman, we should look back on the discourses of twenty-five years ago when the promises of the Helsinki Final Act were made. And we should look forward to future generations who will hold us accountable if we fail in our duty.