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 inde-
pendence, expressing concern over the Belarusan government’s infringe-
ment on freedom of the press in direct violation of the Helsinki Accords
and the constitution of Belarus, and expressing concern about the pro-
posed 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 con-
cern 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-
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 mem-
bers of the Council of the Belarusan Democratic Repub-
lic, 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 Na-
tional Republic, adopted a national flag with three hori-
zontal stripes of white, red and white, and subsequently
received widespread international recognition;
Whereas the Russian Duma in March 1996 has voted to de-
clare void the 1991 agreement dissolving the Soviet
Union;
Whereas the Government of President Lukashenka has mo-
nopolized the mass media, undermined the constitutional
foundation for the separation of powers, suppressed the
freedom of the press, defamed the national culture, nar-
rowed the educational basis for patriotic upbringing of
youth, maligned the Belarusan language, and undercut
the ground for all-Belarusan unity: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That it is the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives that Belarus declared itself as an Independent
Belarusan State on March 25, 1918; and be it further
Resolved, That the United States press the govern-
ment of President Lukashenka to abide by the provisions
of the Helsinki Accords and the Constitution of the Re-
HCON 163 IH
public of Belarus and guarantee freedom of the press,
allow for the flowering of Belarusan culture and enforce
the separation of powers; and be it further
Resolved, That the Congress of the United States join
with the people of Belarus and Belarusans throughout the
world in defending the statehood and democracy of
Belarus, sustaining the country’s constitution and pre-
venting the loss by Belarus of its hard-won nationhood
and its opportunity to survive as an equal and full-fledged
member-state among the sovereign nations of the world.
Æ