Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MINSK1294
2006-12-20 14:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
MFA CRITICIZES RAISING BELARUS AT UNSC, FEARS
how-toVZCZCXRO0248 RR RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSK #1294 3541407 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 201407Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY MINSK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5457 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1382 RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0027
C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 001294
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2016
TAGS: PREL UNSC PHUM BO
SUBJECT: MFA CRITICIZES RAISING BELARUS AT UNSC, FEARS
SANCTIONS
Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 001294
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2016
TAGS: PREL UNSC PHUM BO
SUBJECT: MFA CRITICIZES RAISING BELARUS AT UNSC, FEARS
SANCTIONS
Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
--------------
1. (C) On December 20, Deputy Director of the MFA's Americas
Department Grigoriy Lyashuk presented Ambassador Belarus'
concerns regarding possible sanctions resulting from the
passage of the Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act and the
United State's use of the UN Security Council to raise the
issue of human rights in Belarus. Ambassador did not make
any assurance the USG would not implement further sanctions
against Belarus. She also defended the decision to inform UN
Security Council partners of the ongoing plight of political
prisoners in the country. End summary.
Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act (BDRA)
--------------
2. (C) Lyachuk asked Ambassador whether reports on her
December 19 press conference suggesting the USG was not
considering new sanctions against Belarus as a result of the
BDRA were accurate. Ambassador explained that while the BDRA
contained congressional recommendations rather than mandates,
she could not make any assurances the USG would not implement
the BDRA's additional sanctions at a later date. The
administration would carefully consider the BDRA provisions.
Raising Human Rights Violations at the UN Security Council
-------------- --------------
3. (C) Lyashuk also criticized the USG for bringing up human
rights at the United Nations Security Council. First, he
stated the Security Council (UNSC) was not the proper forum
for such an issue. Then Lyashuk proceeded to argue that
Belarus did not threaten the security of its neighbors,
noting the absence of terrorists in Belarus. Ambassador
responded that by raising the issue at the UNSC, the USG once
again demonstrated its high level of concern for people
jailed on political charges. Furthermore, she said Belarus
would become a more valuable European neighbor through
democratization. Finally, she conveyed to Lyashuk concern
over Belarus' arms sales to countries such as Syria and Iran
that support terrorism.
Stewart
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2016
TAGS: PREL UNSC PHUM BO
SUBJECT: MFA CRITICIZES RAISING BELARUS AT UNSC, FEARS
SANCTIONS
Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
--------------
1. (C) On December 20, Deputy Director of the MFA's Americas
Department Grigoriy Lyashuk presented Ambassador Belarus'
concerns regarding possible sanctions resulting from the
passage of the Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act and the
United State's use of the UN Security Council to raise the
issue of human rights in Belarus. Ambassador did not make
any assurance the USG would not implement further sanctions
against Belarus. She also defended the decision to inform UN
Security Council partners of the ongoing plight of political
prisoners in the country. End summary.
Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act (BDRA)
--------------
2. (C) Lyachuk asked Ambassador whether reports on her
December 19 press conference suggesting the USG was not
considering new sanctions against Belarus as a result of the
BDRA were accurate. Ambassador explained that while the BDRA
contained congressional recommendations rather than mandates,
she could not make any assurances the USG would not implement
the BDRA's additional sanctions at a later date. The
administration would carefully consider the BDRA provisions.
Raising Human Rights Violations at the UN Security Council
-------------- --------------
3. (C) Lyashuk also criticized the USG for bringing up human
rights at the United Nations Security Council. First, he
stated the Security Council (UNSC) was not the proper forum
for such an issue. Then Lyashuk proceeded to argue that
Belarus did not threaten the security of its neighbors,
noting the absence of terrorists in Belarus. Ambassador
responded that by raising the issue at the UNSC, the USG once
again demonstrated its high level of concern for people
jailed on political charges. Furthermore, she said Belarus
would become a more valuable European neighbor through
democratization. Finally, she conveyed to Lyashuk concern
over Belarus' arms sales to countries such as Syria and Iran
that support terrorism.
Stewart