In the Zapata family’s photos, it’s hard to separate Tanya Kazyra from the other children. They are shown hugging in portraits, smiling in Christmas cards, playing together.
The 16-year-old from Belarus has spent nine summers in this California wine country town as part of an exchange program for children from regions affected by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident in Ukraine. But now she is refusing to return home, where she lives with her grandmother, causing a rift in diplomatic circles and prompting her native country to halt its exchange and adoption programs involving the US.
“This is my family,” she said.
And the Zapatas agree.
“She’s called us mom and dad since she was eight years old,” Debra Zapata said.
Tanya’s decision to outstay the program’s Aug. 5 end initially led to accusations of kidnapping, with police visiting the Zapata residence to make sure the girl was not being held against her will.
Her visa will expire in December and she has requested an extension from immigration authorities.
“I would not call this a small incident,” said Oleg Kravchenko, charge d’affaires at the Belarusian embassy in Washington.
Kravchenko said this was the first time an exchange participant has refused to return home, but it has led to the government suspending the trips.
“As a party responsible for these kids we do not find ourselves in position to let them go here anymore,” he said.
An envoy of the Belarus ministry of foreign affairs flew to Petaluma to talk in person with Tanya, while Belarusian representatives said they were talking with the US State Department, seeking the girl’s prompt return and a guarantee that this would not happen again.
State Department officials said they could not discuss the details of the case, but confirmed they were in discussions with the government of Belarus regarding one of its exchange programs.
“There was an agreement and it was violated,” Kravchenko said. “So we are suggesting an agreement between the governments.”
No resolution emerged from meetings last week.
The US is one of the fiercest critics of the authoritarian Belarusian President Alexander and relations have been on a downward spiral.
The US ambassador left in March after Belarus pulled its ambassador from Washington. Most employees of the US embassy have been expelled in recent months.
The US and the EU have also imposed travel sanctions on Lukashenko and his officials. They say Lukashenko’s government must release all political prisoners and end its crackdown on dissent as a condition for improving ties.
As negotiations continue, the pressure is mounting on the Zapatas and Tanya. Other families who have hosted children over the years are afraid they will not have another chance to see kids they have grown to love, and program organizers, who have promoted the exchanges since 1991, are worried.
Up to 2,000 children from regions still suffering from fallout from the Chernobyl disaster get health, dental and vision care as well as a carefree summer through programs such as this every year, said Cecelia Calhoun, Belarus liaison for the Children of Chernobyl United States Alliance.
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