Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus

The Republic of Belarus considers unacceptable the declarations by the European Union and the USA of 27 September 2004.

It is not for the first time that the EU and US illegitimately appropriate a role of judge evaluating other countries.

The EU and US are aware of the fact that law enforcement bodies of the Republic of Belarus have undertaken and continue to undertake exhaustive measures to investigate the disappearances of certain individuals, including appeals for international assistance in search for them.

The EU and US should also know that law enforcement bodies of several Western states have ignored Belarus’ requests for cooperation on this issue. This makes one ponder over the true motives for the declarations made by the EU and US, which instigate political speculations on the disappeared persons’ fate.

Do the EU and US realize that unconcealed double standards that they imply can undermine international cooperation of law enforcement agencies in combating terrorism as well as transborder and organized crime?

The Republic of Belarus will undertake adequate counter measures with regard to the EU and US.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus is currently identifying a circle of EU and USA individuals who will fall under these counter measures.

Minsk, 28 September 2004