BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

20/12/2006

Sanctions against Belarus won't hamper CAC Shaw

By DEREK ABMA

Staff Writer

The director of humanitarian aid for Canadian Aid for Chernobyl (CAC) says his agency's efforts to help people in Belarus will not be hindered by new economic sanctions taken by the Canadian government against Belarus.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said this week it is imposing limits on Canadian exports to the former Soviet republic in response to what it says are flawed election procedures and abuse of human rights in relation to political dissenters.

The Brockville-based CAC provides charitable goods to Belarusian people struggling with the lingering effects of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

The organization's Dave Shaw said he has aware of possible Canadian sanctions since July. He said he's been told by foreign affairs officials that a straightforward application now needs to be filled out in order to make shipments.

He said a permit for about $3 million worth of goods would likely be sought, which would cover the group for a year or two, and then the CAC would have to apply for another permit.

"I'm not terribly concerned," Shaw said, noting that the next shipment is due to be sent in March.

Shaw said, however, he does not agree with the Canadian government's actions. He said trade between Canada and Belarus is so small, Canadian sanctions will have little effect.

What Shaw worried about initially was retaliation from the Belarusian government that might negatively affect CAC's operations there. However, Shaw said he met with Belarusian officials in October and was assured that CAC's work in the country would not be curtailed by that government despite the Canadian government's plans for sanctions.

Shaw said CAC is the third largest humanitarian agency operating in Belarus and the government there has been supportive of its efforts.

"They assured us we have a flawless track record working within the republic," Shaw said. "They're well aware of our organization. They have a tremendous respect for the work and support of the Canadian people."

Shaw said he has received the Order of Belarus from President Alexander Lukashenko, whose re-election in March was met with skepticism from western governments.

Shaw said it's his impression that the Belarusian population is largely in support of Lukashenko, particularly in rural areas and small communities, and his opposition is mainly from university students in Minsk, the national capital.

He added that it's hard for someone to make the judgment from Canada that people in Belarus are being imprisoned for political reasons.

"Unless you're there, we don't know the full circumstances," he said.

Shaw stressed that CAC is non-political and non-profit and added that he too has concerns about the democratic process in Belarus.

There were accusations that those opposed to Lukashenko's re-election were harassed and detained during the last election, and media coverage was biased and independent observers faced interference.

Source:

http://newsfeed.recorder.ca/cgi-bin/LiveIQue.acgi$rec=20664