Amb. Beyrle Visits Labor Camp Memorial Site

On October 12, during a visit to central Bulgaria, Ambassador John Beyrle visited a memorial site commemorating the victims of a communist-era labor camp near the city of Lovech.  The camp housed political dissidents and was notorious for its brutal regime: some 150 prisoners are thought to have died during the camp’s four years of existence.  Mr. Plamen Myashkov, Head of Bulgaria’s Modern History Department at the Lovech Historical Museum, accompanied the Ambassador to the site and described conditions there and at other larger camps such as Belene.  Following the visit, Ambassador Beyrle said “the history of many nations includes some dark pages: the fate of American Indians during the 19th century is a sad example.  What is important in a democratic society is for these episodes to be subject to continuing study and open discussion, including in school textbooks, so that succeeding generations are made aware of them and understand their significance.”

 

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