Right of Reply to Belarus “On the Climate of Engagement of Delegations at the OSCE”
As delivered by Deputy Chief of Mission Courtney Austrian
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
May 26, 2022
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would like to say that I take note of the concerns that were raised by my esteemed colleague, the Belarussian Ambassador. I share the EU’s reaction and the remarks that my colleague across the room made. I also regret that the comments were not shared in advance because that might have allowed for a more fulsome response. We note, as you have, that the event in question follows all the rules of procedure. If your government feels threatened by a discussion with a political opponent, I would say that says much more about the state of affairs in Belarus than about the conduct of diplomacy in the OSCE. I join my colleagues in supporting the chair and the secretary general in their steering of a very challenging situation.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
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