Permanent Representative of Belarus to the OSCE Andrei Dapkiunas, who is taking part in the 29th OSCE Ministerial Council in the Polish city of Lodz, has read out the statement that was supposed to be delivered at the forum by the deceased Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Vladimir Makei was supposed to head the Belarusian delegation at the council, but life had other plans. Nevertheless, the text of his speech was read out at the council. BelTA quotes it in full:
What do you do when a house is on fire?
The first thing any responsible person would do is to try to put out the fire. No one with an able mind would blame this person for the misfortune. When in danger, you deal with a priority task – stop the fire.
Today Europe is on fire. This fire did not start this February. It had been smoldering for decades.
Every disregard for the interests and opinion of a counterpart, every attempt to strengthen one’s own security and well-being at the expense of security and well-being of others, every haughty manifestation of one’s sense of the right to punish and pardon – all of this eroded the tradition of equitable engagement in Europe. It eroded the very spirit of Helsinki.
This is the reason why the political forum for dialogue and respectful discussion, the OSCE is at the last gasp.
Let us not forget that in 1975 no one promised indefinite extension to the Helsinki accords. The Helsinki accords and the agreements that followed are only as effective as the climate of interstate engagement allows. This climate today is a complete disaster.
How do we stop the fire in Europe?
Many in this organization believe that one just needs to identify the culprit and then demonize, isolate and punish it. This is a brief description of the Western approach towards Russia and Belarus.
It has manifested itself in the barring of the Russian minister from participating in this meeting. We regret this decision as it is killing the OSCE. The foreign ministers of the CSTO member states have made their position on this matter very clear in their joint statement last week.
This approach also manifests itself in the decision of the OSCE chair not to invite the CSTO Secretariat to this meeting as an observer.
Silencing the voice of those with whom one disagrees is seen by some people as a sign of strength of their principles. In fact, the only thing such action shows is fear of an alternative viewpoint and weakness.
The practice of ‘naming and shaming’ has turned the Permanent Council into a perfect forum for propaganda.
But the sad truth is that propaganda cannot restore trust or build new bridges of understanding to eliminate discord and animosity in Europe.
Only diplomacy can.
True, one does not need diplomacy if one believes in the power of unilateral efforts to corner, crush and strangle the opponent. Human history knows many examples of using sword and fire to sort out differences and disagreements.
Yet in the nuclear age, only people with suicidal tendencies can harbour these destructive ideas.
Since we know that these ideas still tragically tempt some leaders’ minds, Belarus will always keep her gunpowder dry.
Yet, more importantly, Belarus believes that we may get away from the brink of the looming global military disaster.
We can stop the fire of war in Europe.
To do this we have to, first, renounce the ideas and practice of political, social and cultural superiority and, second, accept in earnest the world around us in all its complexity and diversity.
Let us stop propaganda and media-oriented frenzy in the Permanent Council and use respectful instruments of engaging with each other.
Let us focus not on the 15 minutes of eloquent speaking fame but on down-to-earth and discreet bridge-building.
Let us finally put diplomats to work for the peaceful future of our continent.
Answer:
Dear Shivendu Paul and Metali Listeners' Club,
dthank you for your comment! We'll send you some of our souvenirs ASAP.
Stay tuned and 73,
RBI
Hallo Radio Belarus,
ja der Dieter Leupold ist jetzt auch hier im Gästebuch vertreten... Super, bald sind wir alle zusammen hier im "Belarus Hörerclub", Dieter könnte 1.Vorsitzender werden und Jana und Elena Ehrernmitglieder, Helmut Matt Schriftführer, Alfred Albrecht Beisitzer und ich mache Hausmeister:-) Lutz Winkler wie fit bist Du bereits wieder, für Dich finden wir auch eine nette Aufgabe:-) Beste Grüße und ein schönes Wochenende.
Dietmar
Answer:
Lieber Dietmar,
das stimmt, für alle finden wir im Hörerklub eine Aufgabe!:)
Liebe Grüße und einen guten Start in die Woche!
I recently learned my surname is not Polish, but Belarusian. I heard you on shortwave in the past and am so happy to listen online in English. We hear nothing about Belarus here in the US so I am so glad to learn about your country. Keep on broadcasting in English. I also joined the Hoererklub on Facebook as I can understand German. If you have information or a station pennant, I will very much appreciate it.
Sheryl Paszkiewicz, 1015 Green St, Manitowoc WI 54220 USA
Answer:
Dear Sheryl, thank you very much for listening to us! We'll send you some of our souvenirs as soon as we can. By the way, if you're interested, you can participate in our "The Old Country's Loving Call" project and send a greeting to Belarus. You can find more detailed information at http://www.radiobelarus.by/en/content/hukaje_eng
Also, in case you like sports, here's the link to an international competition of ours "My Greetings to 2nd European Games" http://www.radiobelarus.by/en/content/games_eng
73 from the entire staff of RBI! Прывiтанне з Малой Радiзмы :)
Hello from Birmingham United Kingdom!
My name is Michael.
I really enjoyed listening to your program on the Hotbird satellite 13e. I very much love listening to your news and current affairs.
Ask you to send me a small gifts. I hope you guys are all good.
Lots of love from UK
Especially enjoying learning about Belarus. History and culture
Michael Rogers
Flat 2 463 City road Birmingham
B17 8LG
United Kingdom
Answer:
Michael,
thank you very much for listening to us! We're glad that you enjoy our programs. We'll send you some of our souvenirs as soon as we can. Best regards and stay tuned!
Hello. I am a new listener to your English service. I listen on the Radio 1 News app. I enjoyed listening to the news. Do you have any information on shortwave broadcasts you can send me?
Thank you,
Joe Cosimo
23 Ivy Ln, Dupont, PA 18641 U.S.A.
Answer:
Dear Joe, thank you for listening to Radio Belarus International! We're glad that you enjoyed our news. RBI broadcasts on shortwave only in German on 6005 and 3985 kHz. News and programs in English are available via our website and satellites. We'll also send you a postcard and a small souvenir as soon as we can. 73!
Hello,
My name is Younes Lazazi, I am from Algeria.
I am very happy that radio Belarus has started broadcasting in Arabic.
I would like to receive stickers and printed matter of the station and the Arabic and french services if possible.
My address:
Monsieur Younes Lazazi 14 rue Maza Boualem El-Harrach 16009 Alger Algérie
Thank you.
Answer:
Dear Younes Lazazi,
we're happy that you like our boradcasts. We'll send you some of our printed materials via mail in the nearest future. 73!
Dear English Service Radio Belarus,
Greetings to all staff and listeners of English Service of Radio Belarus. We listen your webcast program. Your program quality is very nice. Your website is colorful & documented. We liked your programs, News, and Current Affairs Program. We are interested about Culture, life style of Belarusian people, historical places, Tourist attraction and destination of Belarus.
Please send some program schedule, sticker, view card, Promotional items of Radio Belarus for our club members and students.
We are waiting for your reply.
With best wishes,
SHIVENDU PAUL
President
Metali Listeners' Club
India
Answer:
Dear Shivendu Paul,
thank you very much for listening to us! Your club is among our most dedicated listeners. We will send you some of our promotional products as soon as possible. 73!
Hello!
Did the arabic programmes start? I don't see them on your Internetcast schedule page. Thanks!
Answer:
Hello! The Arabic programmes have been on air since October, every Monday. You can see the schedule and listen to them on our Arabic page http://radiobelarus.by/ar
FM transmitters and frequencies:
Rakitnitsa - 106.2 MHz
Hrodna - 95.7 MHz
Svislach - 104.4 MHz
Heraniony - 99.9 MHz
Braslau - 106.6 MHz
Miadzel - 102.0 MHz
Satellite broadcasting:
see satellite parameters here
