GOB Seeks Meeting with U.S. Delegation During WTO

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