UNCLAS MINSK 001485

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINR ECON BO CH
SUBJECT: GOB Seeks Meeting with U.S. Delegation During WTO
Ministerial Conference

Ref: Minsk 1422


1. Following up on Ambassador's November 21 meeting with
Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Mikhnevich (reftel), the
MFA on December 8 delivered a letter to Ambassador
requesting the Embassy's assistance in arranging a meeting
with a senior member of the U.S. delegation at the December
13-18 WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong. (Full text
of the letter is found in paragraph two.) The Belarusian
delegation, which will be headed by DFM Mikhnevich, would
like to discuss with the U.S. Trade Representative or his
deputy outstanding matters in U.S.-Belarusian bilateral
negotiations on Belarus' accession to the WTO. Per reftel,
Post doubts the Belarusian delegation will present any new
information to address U.S. concerns, but Post believes an
appropriate member of the U.S. delegation at the WTO
Ministerial Conference should meet with the Belarusian
delegation, if only to show the U.S. is not rejecting
Belarus' outreach for political reasons, as they often
claim. Moreover, it is possible the Belarusians will have
something new after our earlier discussions.


2. Begin text of letter:

Dear Sir,

Referring to your meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs Mr. Aleksandr Mikhnevich on 21 November 2005, we
have pleasure to confirm our intention to arrange a meeting
with a senior member of the United States delegations at
the 6th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade
Organization in Hong Kong (China) on 13-18 December 2005
(at the level of USTR or his deputy). As discussed, we
would appreciate your assistance in scheduling this
meeting.

At the meeting we would like to discuss ways to proceed
with regard to solving outstanding matters in our bilateral
negotiations in the context of Belarus' accession to the
WTO.

The Belarusian delegation will be headed by Deputy Minster
of Foreign Farris Mr. Aleksandr Mikhnevich.

Yours faithfully,

Aleksandr Gerasimenko
Deputy Minister

End text.

KROL