Madame Chairperson, the United States would like to reaffirm its position and express full confidence in the ODHIR and the European Troika finding that expressed disappointment regarding the recent elections in Belarus and the finding that they did not meet international standards for free and fair elections.

The United States urges Belarus to implement its OSCE commitments and to choose the path to democracy. Belarus should take concrete steps immediately to meet international standards, including respect for human rights, to pave the way for recognition of the upcoming presidential elections.

We are disturbed by the November 15^th spot report by the Advisory Monitoring Group that on November 12th the militia in Minsk blocked a peaceful march by youth organizations, including the youth branch of the Belarus Popular Front and arrested approximately 100 youths. We understand that another 15 youths were arrested at a similar march in Grodno.

Some of the arrested have been put on trial. University student Andrei Yurkovets has been sentenced to three days in jail and at least three other students were fined 20 minimum monthly wages each.

These acts are contrary to Belarus' OSCE commitment to freedom of assembly. They also undermine the international community's confidence in the government's commitment to improve human rights and to establish a period of peace as promised by President Lukashenko.

We reissue our call to the Belarusian authorities to meet their OSCE commitments and international standards for free and fair elections.

Only under such conditions can next year's presidential elections win the respect of the international community.