Center for Civil Society International ([email protected])
Thu, 6 Jun 1996 17:01:55 -0700 (PDT)
Notes in Response to Allegations Against the Belarusian Charitable Fund
The following comes from a post to the Belarus Listserv, provided by David
Marples on 2 June 1996. It concerns an organization profiled in "The Post
Soviet Handbook: a Guide to Grassroots Organizations and Internet
Resources in the Newly Independent States," recently published by CCSI
and the University of Washington Press.
Belarusian Charitable Fund Accused of Corruption
On 30 April 1996, the German television station ZDF aired a special,
"Frontal," concerning alleged financial corruption within the Belarusian
Charitable Fund, "For the Children of Chernobyl." The Fund's leaders, Dr.
Gennadii Grushevoy and Ms. Grushevaya were blamed for the indiscretions.
CNN afterwards picked up the story.
David Marples, a professor of history at the University of Alberta, has
traveled to Belarus eleven times since April 1992. During those visits
Professor Marples conducted several extensive interviews with Dr.
Grushevoy, and believes these accusations are unfounded.
According to Professor Marples, all accusations against the Fund and Dr.
Grushevoy stem from 1991. In that year, the Fund charged its German
partners DM300 per child for transportation that allegedly cost only DM12
per child. Professor Marples states that at the exchange rate available
at the time, the tickets did in fact cost the Fund DM300. Dr. Grushevoy
accusers assumed that he capitalized on a special "tourist rate."
Professor Marples claims that the tourist rate, which came into effect ten
days AFTER the children left on their journey, was unavailable to Dr.
Grushevoy and the Fund.
Dr. Grushevoy was also accused of distributing the bulk of German food
donations intended for a Belarusian hospital to potential voters in his
election campaign. Professor Marples points out that the parliamentary
elections in question took place in March 1990; the campaign occurred in
1989-1990. The Belarusian Fund was not registered until November 1991.
While a loose organization did exist in late 1990, it had no headquarters
or place to which food donations could have been sent.
No charges have been levied against the Fund or Dr. Grushevoy since 1991.
The Fund, led by an opposition deputy, even escaped accusations during a
government led anti-corruption campaign, which according to Professor
Marples, "rooted out first and foremost the ideological opponents of the
parliamentary Communist majority." In addition, apart from the
accusations which the ZDF show was based on, German relations with the
Fund are good. No accusations have come from organizations directly
involved with the Fund.
Mr. Marples concludes that the charges against Dr. Grushevoy are unfounded
and argues that the Fund is a highly successful nongovernmental
organization.
On 3 June 1996 the following message was also posted to the Belarus
Listserv in Dr. Grushevoy's defense:
Belarus Listmembers --- On behalf of the Canadian Relief Fund for
Chernobyl Victims in Belarus I completely support Dr. Marples' excellent
defense of Dr. Grushevoy and the Belarusian Charitable Fund for the
Children of Chernobyl. We have been working with the Belarusian Fund
since 1991 and from all accounts, including my personal experience, have
found Dr. Grushevoy above reproach and completely dedicated to this
cause. It is noteworthy that the people involved in both our Funds,
including Dr. Grushevoy himself, are volunteers and receive no
remuneration for this work.
Alex Kowalenko
Communications Director
Canadian Relief Fund for Chernobyl Victims in Belarus
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