Sir, - I am afraid Mr Michael Foley ("City of KGB, McDonalds and paranoia", October 23rd) has not chosen the best time to visit Minsk. In late autumn, the capital of Belarus may indeed look grey. However, many capitals in Europe may not be particularly cosy on cold rainy days.
The events of the Belarusian history mentioned by the author, unfortunately, are indeed part of our history. The nation that has gone through numerous upheavals may seem to be slow about reforms, but it will be difficult to survive another upheaval. People are indeed nostalgic about the more secure past. It is a part of human nature to remember mostly the best of the past. It is not surprising that nostalgia is typical of many of the Eastern European countries, even those more affluent than Belarus.
Belarus is not the only country that has to revive a language. After so many years in the shadows of great neighbours, Belarus, like a number of other countries, has to encourage its people to know their culture. The results are evident. Young Belarusians actually speak it.
I don't know why McDonalds was used in the headline. We have only two or three such restaurants, a very small number compared with other capitals. The Belarusian KGB security agency is dealing now mostly with organised crime, a phenomenon that alsoworries EC countries so much.
But what I am really struck by is the word paranoia, which is too strong even for the worst dictatorship. I do not think my country deserves such a characteristic by a journalist from a country with a similar history to that of Belarus.
True, Minsk is not a workers' paradise. However neither is it a paranoid "Stalin-land". I am sure my opinion is shared by many Irish citizens visiting Belarus for business or humanitarian aid even on the rainiest days. - Yours, etc.,
Ambassador of Belarus, Embassy of the Republic of Belarus, London W8 5DL.