No More American Corner

On Sunday afternoon I made the 5-minute walk to the library for our weekly American Corner meeting. When I got there, two of my friends (Irina and Nastya) were standing outside. They immediately broke the bad news: "It wasn't convenient for us to meet at the library!" They further explained that the library was "under renovation" and that all of the books, videos, etc. that had been donated by the U.S. government were already gone! I had to see and hear it for myself, so I went inside alone.

They were right, all of the books, shelves, posters, etc. had been removed, and the door to the computer lab where we usually met was closed. When I asked what was going on, I heard what seemed to be the week's catch phrase: "We're sorry, but it isn't convenient for you to meet here anymore."

Then it hit me... where were the others? No one had called to tell me they were going to miss the meeting, which they usually did. One of the club members had told me that the KGB keeps a list of who attends and that our meetings were always monitored. Could they have been warned not to come?

All of a sudden I felt very, very alone...

More Bad News...

This afternoon Peter Young (one of the Fulbrighter's in Minsk) called to check in on me. Unfortunately, he had even more bad news. Several classes and lectures had been cancelled at the Belarusian State University with little or no explanation beyond the obviously state mandated "it isn't convenient for us." One of his colleagues cancelled a lunch appointment and the usual invitation to joint his students for a beer after class never came. The other Americans had similar stories to tell and even heard that the American Corners were in jeopardy.

So far nothing strange had happened in Grodno... but then again things always started in the capital city and spread from there. I turned to Lyudmila, my supervisor at Grodno State University, for some reassurance and she said everything was okay. She even called her contact at the U.S Embassy. Everyone was trying to maintain a state of grace despite the dark cloud that was heading our way.

U.S. Embassy Staff Leave Belarus

The U.S. Embassy staff in Minsk was reduced from 30 to 17 people today. This reduction included the Public Affairs Section (PAS), which oversees U.S. educational initiatives such as the English Language Fellow and Fulbright Programs.

At this time, we were told that our programs were not at risk and to continue business as usual. However, we were instructed to be extra aware of our surroundings and to avoid any meetings or gatherings that could be considered political.

We (the remaining 6 American educators) were all very concerned as our main contact at the U.S. Embassy was gone, and out of reach. Not to mention the recent violence at the demonstration in Minsk and the KGB's accusation of an American spy-ring at the U.S. Embassy. It was even worse for me as I was the sole American in Grodno! My friends invited me to come to Minsk for the weekend, but I didn't want to miss my American Corner meeting on Sunday. Besides, I had a ton of lesson plans to prepare for the following week.

Belarusian KGB Confirms Report About U.S. Spy Ring

The Belarusian KGB has confirmed a report aired on March 23 by Belarusian television that a U.S. spy ring was smashed in Belarus, Belapan reported on March 25. "Everything that was broadcast by First National Channel is true," KGB spokesman Valery Nadtachayeu told Belapan. The same day, KGB chief Yury Zhadobin said that no one was arrested in connection with the spy ring. "We are doing prevention work now. We are probing to what extent this or that article of law, this or that provision was violated," he said. "The fact that they are trying to dictate their rules to us on our own territory...is unacceptable," he added. According to the report, the U.S. diplomatic mission in Minsk organized a ring involving some 10 Belarusian citizens who passed to the United States information "for the use to the detriment of Belarus." The information was passed to "an FBI officer who worked at the U.S. Embassy," the report said. It also said that almost all members of the group were arrested on March 13 at a "secret address half a kilometer from the U.S. diplomatic mission." The report named U.S. Embassy officers Bernard Nixon and Curt Finley as being involved in the spy ring. Jonathan Moore, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Minsk, denied the report. "We have no spies operating in Belarus," Moore said.

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2008/03/3-cee/cee-260308.asp

Over 100 Opposition Activists Arrested in Belarus Demonstration

MINSK, March 26 (RIA Novosti) - Police arrested over 100 opposition protesters during Tuesday's march in Belarus, in a crackdown set to further bolster the country's authoritarian image, an opposition leader said on Wednesday.

Alexander Milinkevich said opposition supporters had gathered in central Minsk for a peaceful protest, but were attacked by riot police.

"People were carrying flowers. The brutal suppression and beatings of demonstrators, journalists and even elderly people show that the authorities are afraid of us."

Source:

http://en.rian.ru/world/20080326/102256692.html

Police Crush Demonstration in Minsk

Belarusian police dressed in riot gear have broken up a demonstration in the capital, Minsk, by opponents of the president, Alexander Lukashenko. Witnesses said a few thousand protesters clashed with police after gathering in an attempt to mark 90th anniversary of the country's original founding as an independent state. Some of the demonstrators waved European Union or red and white flags from Belarus' pre-Soviet era. Dozens of activists and journalists are reported to have been arrested.

Source:

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/function/0,,12215_cid_3215833,00.html?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf

Belarus Says It Has Uncovered U.S. Spy Network

Belarus's intelligence agency says it has uncovered a network of U.S. spies working in the ex-Soviet republic.

The intelligence agency, known by its Soviet-era initials KGB, made the claim Tuesday. The country's state-run television Sunday accused the U.S. Embassy in Minsk of recruiting spies in Belarus.

The move is the latest sign of crumbling diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Source:

http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-03-25-voa29.cfm

U.S. Agrees to Cut Down Embassy Staff in Minsk to 17

MINSK. March 25 (Interfax) - Washington will cut down the staff of its embassy in Minsk, although it deems the Belarusian authorities' demand unfounded, U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Belarus Jonathan Moore said.

The United States sees this demand as unfounded and inconsistent from the point of view of diplomatic practice, he said. But the U.S. will meet the demand and the number of U.S. diplomats in Belarus will be reduced from 30 to 17 by the end of March 27, Moore said in a statement on Tuesday.

The statement also says that the embassy will manage to ensure contacts between Belarusian and American citizens, protect the interests of American citizens in Belarus, receive guests in the U.S., and inform the State Department about political and economic developments, the moment it is able to continue its work.

Source:

http://www.interfax.com/3/377560/news.aspx

U.S. Halts Visas for Belarus as Tit-for-Tat Goes Continues

MINSK (Reuters) - The United States has stopped reviewing Belarussian visa applications for now, its embassy in Minsk said on Wednesday, in a diplomatic spat that continues after Washington's envoy temporarily left the country.

"The U.S. government is at the moment looking at the recommendation of Belarus' Foreign Ministry for a reduction of staff at the U.S. embassy in Minsk," the embassy said in a statement.

Source:

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSL1974534920080319

Belarus Seeks Staff Cuts in U.S. Eassy

MINSK (Reuters) - Belarus has asked the United States to cut staff at its embassy in Minsk, a week after Washington's envoy temporarily left the former-Soviet state which the U.S. and European Union says violates human rights.

A statement from the Foreign Ministry said a U.S. diplomat from the embassy had been called in and told of the "urgent recommendation from the Belarussian side that the U.S. embassy in Minsk reduce its number of personnel".

The ministry did not give a reason for this demand.

Source:

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSL1777959820080317

U.S. Ambassador Temporarily Leaves Belarus

MINSK, March 12 (Itar-Tass) -- U.S. ambassador to Belarus Karen Stewart on Wednesday left Minsk and is on the way to Washington, the U.S. embassy's press service reported.
The embassy said Stewart's absence would be temporary, and she remained the ambassador to Belarus. The embassy added the United States policy regarding Belarus remained unchanged. The U.S. embassy supported democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people. The U.S. embassy stressed it is only after all political prisoners were unconditionally released that the United States would be ready to consider the subsequent steps toward improving bilateral relations.

Source:
http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=12470123&PageNum=0 .htm

The Beginning of the End

Today is October 2, 2008.... I have been back home for 6 months. My Fellowship was tragically cut short due to the deteriorating relationship between the United States and Belarus. It was a very traumatic experience, which is why it has taken me so long to write about it. To better explain what happened, I will post a series of news excerpts beginning with this one from April 7, 2008.

U.S. Ambassador to Belarus Expelled
Belarus has expelled the United States ambassador, after a row over travel restrictions imposed on its president by Washington.
The decision was also prompted by U.S. sanctions imposed on the country's state-controlled oil-processing and chemicals company, Belneftekhim.
The Belarusian Foreign Ministry announced at the same time that it was recalling its own ambassador to the U.S.
A White House spokesman described the expulsion as "deeply disappointing".
The United States - along with the European Union - has restricted the travel of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko and members of his inner circle, as well as imposing economic sanctions.
Both the U.S. and the E.U. have demanded that President Lukashenko frees political prisoners, and allows more democratic regimes, before normal relations can be restored.

Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7283847.stm