Lithuanian Ministry for Belarusian Affairs

[1][2][3][4] It was established in December 1918 to gain support of Belarusians in international negotiations over the borders of the newly independent Lithuania.

[8][9] This ministry was established as a result of negotiations between leaders of the Belarusian People's Republic and the Council of Lithuania in November–December 1918.

In late 1919, the Lithuanian government decided to reign in ministry's contacts with foreign powers, specifically the West Russian Volunteer Army and the Belarusian People's Republic.

Several Belarusian couriers travelling from Berlin to Riga were arrested and Varonka resigned in protest on 3 January 1920.

Their competencies were divided: the ministry was in charge of Belarusian affairs inside the Lithuanian borders up to the demarcation line with Poland, while the Rada was in charge in Vilnius Region (i.e. between the demarcation line and the border drawn by the Soviet–Lithuanian Peace Treaty).

That pushed the ministry into a secondary role as the Lithuanians cared more about the support Belarusians could provide in their territorial conflict with Poland over the Vilnius Region.

In January 1919, Jazep Varonka presented a plan for the ministry's functions that included education and social support.

[10] The formation of Belarusian military units within the Lithuanian Armed Forces was supported by minister Varonka, who, for example, on 3 February 1919 addressed the Ministry of National Defense of Lithuania and presented his proposals regarding the formation of Belarusian military units.

[10] After the resignation of Semashko, Klawdziy Duzh-Dushewski continued cultural activities of the ministry and organized a six-week training on Lithuanian and Belarusian languages.