Mr. Chairman, we would like to note with relief and satisfaction that the Belarusian authorities have released former Prime Minister Mikhail Chigir from prison.

We regret that the charges against him have not been dropped. We express our hope and expectation that the Government not use these pending charges to intimidate him or others of the opposition. His release, nevertheless, removes one of the main obstacles to the opening of a dialogue between the Government and opposition.

We urge further steps to improve the political climate in Belarus, such as accounting for the disappeared and ending harassment of the free press and NGOs. Belarus can then begin the long-overdue process of internal reconciliation, leading to free and fair elections and the full reintegration of Belarus into the family of democratic nations. That is a process in which Belarus will find a willing partner in the United States.