Ethan Goldrich: I will be waiting for all political prisoners’ release

U.S. Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Ethan Goldrich cut the red ribbon and opened the new office of the U.S. Department of Education, Culture and Information a few days before his departure from Belarus.  He even let Chubais the cat enter the building following an ancient Belarusian tradition.

He had to work on the problem of changing offices for the whole 2-year term of his presence in Belarus, Goldrich confessed. There were problems but the Belarusian MFA and Dipservice helped him solve the issue. The problem appeared due to the fact that the government had asked to free the old office in Herzen Street.

“The new office is situated in one of the newest buildings in Minsk and it 100% barrier free. I am hoping that most our Belarusian friends, old and new, will like visiting the new complex and taking part in our projects,” Ethan Goldrich noted.

There are a lot of projects being realized by the department now, the American diplomat said.

Ethan Goldrich: “Our PR projects are an excellent way and opportunity for Belarusians to get acquainted with Americans, enjoy concerts and lectures together, visits other countries – Belarus and America– and study foreign languages.”

The department staff are working hard to get ready for the next Ambasovishcha festival now, he boasted (the festival will be held on the territory of the American Embassy on August 28, it will be broadcast online and the festival programme will be chosen after an online voting — Euroradio). They are also preparing for a documentaries festival and American musicians’ performances. There will be many other happenings, both scientific and educational. If Belarusians can suggest how to improve the work of the department or if they have ideas of new events, they can share them on the website of the U.S. Embassy, the Chargé d'Affaires a.i. said.

Ethan Goldrich answered a few Euroradio’s questions.  

Euroradio: Political prisoner Ales Bialiatski was released on Saturday. Can this fact help restore Belarus-USA relations?

Ethan Goldrich: The U.S. Department of State approved Ales Bialiatski’s release on Saturday. The USA urged to release all the other political prisoners and restore their rights. It is needed to normalize the relations. It is necessary to release all political prisoners to provide for a normal, positive development.

Euroradio: Does it mean that statements like ‘we have released Bialiatski and the USA should make a step forward now and lift sanctions from one of Belarusian enterprises’ are senseless?

Ethan Goldrich: I can only refer to the official statement of the U.S. Department of State – Ales Bialiatski’s release is a political step but it is necessary to release all political prisoners. The relations may be improved only after all political prisoners are released.

Euroradio: The Belarusian authorities have allowed increasing the U.S. Embassy staff by one more representative. The person will be in charge of visa issues. When will the new diplomat arrive and will it become easier to get an American visa?

Ethan Goldrich: The new diplomat will arrive in July. It will be the sixth diplomat in the U.S. Embassy to Belarus. We expect that the consular department will expand its functions after his arrival. However, the information about new services of our visa department in Belarus will be available in a few weeks. The consular department will not be able to fulfil all its functions but they will be expanded. A detailed description of the new functions will be presented later.

Euroradio: You said that you would study Belarusian when you arrived in our country. Did you learn anything new?

Ethan Goldrich: I studied Belarusian and learnt a few verses by heart but I cannot speak the language fluently. The language is very beautiful and I liked studying it!

Euroradio: Can you recite some poetry in Belarusian?

Ethan Goldrich: I learnt Venus the Star by heart. However, I recited it last time a few months ago and the only thing I can remember now is ‘Venus, new-risen above the broad skyline’!

Euroradio: You managed to find a new office of the Department of Education, Culture and Information in the two years of your work in Belarus. The Embassy staff has been increased by one person... What hasn’t been done?

Ethan Goldrich: Not a single political prisoner was released in Belarus when I worked there. But Ales Bialiatksi was released on Saturday and it was very good news. I found it out a few days before my departure. It would be great if all the other political prisoners were released too. I will be watching the situation and waiting for it in my new place of work – Abu Dhabi.

Ethan Goldrich will leave Belarus this week, Euroradio found out. New U.S. Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Scott Rauland will arrive in Belarus a week later. 

Photo: Zmitser Lukashuk