Minsk indignant at Adamkus' criticism

  • 2002-01-31
  • BNS
MINSK/VILNIUS - The Belarusian Foreign Ministry has sharply criticized Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus' attitudes to democracy in the country and suggested Lithuania should learn better neighborly relations.

The ministry expressed dissatisfaction with comments Adamkus made on U.S. television during his ongoing visit there.

According to the ministry's spokesperson Pavel Latushko, "Lithuania still has to learn many things from its neighbor Poland, among them what policy to follow in relations with neighboring states."

Adamkus, on a visit to the U.S. and Mexico, met President George W. Bush and made several TV appearances. Asked on the interview show "One on One" at the television network NBC whether he considers Belarus a democratic state, as was hoped when it won independence 10 years ago, Adamkus said, "With regret, I have to say negative. No."

Answering a question as to whether Belarus causes any problems to Lithuania, Adamkus said the country was causing concern.

"Concern, because on our side we are trying very clearly to demonstrate our democratic way, the way you are actually building up a society, and our willingness to cooperate and have a friendly relationship even with governments that do not share our understanding or our philosophy," the president said in the interview.

Defining Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka, Adamkus said he is "a gentleman who actually projects himself, or would like to project himself, as probably one of the greatest defenders of democracy and human rights, publicly, but at the same time I would say that his deeds, the way he conducts his policy in his country - I mean, that's his decision, definitely - run contrary to what he is saying."

The leadership of the Council of Europe, which is currently being chaired by Lithuania, expects Lithuania to use its experience in cooperation with Belarus in trying to democratize the country.

The Council of Europe suspended Belarus' guest status at the organization some years ago because of Lukashenka's undemocratic policies.

Lithuania maintains the necessary pragmatic contacts with Belarus, criticizing it for violations of democracy. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis said in late December that Lithuania is ready to make certain steps in developing relations with Belarus, but that Minsk must be the first to act.