BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

Saturday, 16 July 2005

Belarus expels US prof and Polish diplomat

Written by Brussels journalist David Ferguson

Prof. Terry Boesch Juncker: "We never knew which organization was doing what."

"I am concerned for my family," said Terry Boesch. On Friday, the U.S. professor, who has been teaching international law and business at Belarus State University after moving to the Eastern European country in 2003, was ordered to pack his bags, with his two young daughters. "I have never one time complained against the government of this country, and instead try to find positive things about its policies or personalities to comment upon," said Boesch, who has appeared numerous times in national media.

Belarus President Aleksander Lukashenko, who U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice called 'Europe's last dictator', appears increasingly wary of Western and independent influences in the run-up to 2006 presidential elections. On Friday, Lukashenko also ordered Andrzej Buczak, Polish deputy ambassador, to leave the country. "The internal situation in Belarus is worrying for President Lukashenko and he's looking for enemies," Polish Foreign Affairs Minister Adam Rotfeld told Polish radio following the expulsions.

Opposition leaders add that a bomb scare on Friday, allegedly an attack by the previously unknown Belarus People's Liberation Army, is a further sign President Lukashenko is stepping up his campaign against 'internal and external enemies'. Belarus authorities cleared a Minsk bank, rail stations and government buildings, but found no bomb.

Lukashenko also recently tightened controls for Belarus officials, and certain citizens, wishing to travel abroad. Two weeks ago, Belarus KGB agents stormed an English-language summer camp detaining 23 US high school students. And last month ago, Lukashenko issued Ukaz No. 274. The decree stipulates those persons authorized to take decisions on sending officials abroad for business trips, and "those persons," stated Lukashenko's press service, "who can be sent on business trips abroad only with the consent of the Head of State".

Further to this, decree 302, issued by Lukashenko on 1 July and effective from 1 September 2005, tightens legislation regarding international and national NGOs. "The Belarus government declared that it will no longer issue one-year visas for any Western humanitarian aid worker in the country," said Boesch.

"The regime of President Lukashenko has retreated into a siege mentality," believes UK MEP Charles Tannock. "Increasing paranoia about the intentions of the EU, the USA, and even Russia at times has resulted in mounting repression and authoritarian responses," alleged Tannock, speaking last week at a European Parliament debate on whether to impose trade sanctions on Belarus for human rights abuse.

Aware of the political sensitivities in Belarus, US professor Boesch concentrated on humanitarian and academic help. Aside from teaching activities, 40-year old Boesch, previously a practicing lawyer in the US for 13 years, helped arranged volunteer academic activities including book donations, exchanges for Belarus students, visits of guest lecturers, and English-language programmes.

"I have avoided politics at every level. I have never met an opposition leader, nor spoken at any kind of anti-government rally or audience," added Boesch. "I even avoid contact with the United States embassy in Belarus, so as not to be identified with the American government."

"It is hoped that my daughters and I will have at least till Monday of next week to leave the country," said Boesch, whose daughters, aged 10 and 13, have been attending school in Belarus. "For the past three months I have felt increasing pressure in the university, following the Belarus president's recent appointment of a former Minister of Education as the new rector of Belarus State University."

Source:

http://euro-reporters.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=138&Itemid=1