DAS KRAMER V. MFA, ROUND II

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 MINSK 000222

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ECON BO
SUBJECT: DAS KRAMER V. MFA, ROUND II

REF: MINSK 192

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Classified By: Classified by Ambassador George Krol for Reasons 1.4(B,D
)


1. (C) Summary: Visiting EUR DAS Kramer met on February 23
with MFA America's Desk head Maksim Ryzhenkov. The MFA at
the last minute cancelled a higher-level meeting because
Kramer refused to allow the GOB to control his schedule. The
meeting itself was cordial, despite the repeated accusations
and insinuations thrown at the USG. Kramer repeatedly
stressed that state television's constant harassment of
Emboffs must stop and that the GOB must not resort to
violence during upcoming elections. Ryzhenkov took the
offensive and accused Kramer of conducting a secret meeting
with the ODIHR election mission in Belarus, asserted that
negative U.S. actions are the main cause for negative press
in Belarus, and claimed that the USG is trying to limit trade
with Belarus. The MFA also noted that GOB restrictions on
student exchanges are meant to ensure order in the
educational system. Kramer maintained that Belarus is only
isolating itself internationally, and that all trade, WTO and
MFN problems are a direct result
of the GOB's own actions. After Kramer left the country,
the MFA told the press they were disappointed with his visit.
End summary.


2. (U) On February 23, visiting EUR DAS David Kramer,
accompanied by Ambassador Krol and Embassy note-takers, met
with MFA America's Department Head Maksim Ryzhenkov, deputy
head Andrey Rzheussky and desk officer Sergei Sergeev.


Low Level of Meeting
--------------


3. (C) Kramer was originally scheduled to meet with Deputy
Foreign Minister Viktor Gaisenok. However, after Kramer and
Post refused to allow the MFA to dictate Kramer's schedule,
the MFA lowered the level of the meeting. Kramer opened the
meeting by expressing regret he could not meet with the DFM,
explaining the Embassy sets his schedule and that this was
yet another missed opportunity by the GOB for substantive
dialogue.


MFA on the Attack/Secret ODIHR Meetings?
--------------


4. (C) Ryzhenkov retorted that the meetings the MFA wanted
for Kramer (with both houses of parliament and CIS election
observers) would have shown Kramer the GOB's position.
Ryzhenkov questioned how, if both Belarus and the U.S. are
OSCE members, the USG can refuse to recognize the Belarusian
parliament. He also complained that Kramer would not let any
GOB representatives sit in on his meeting with ODIHR. Such a
refusal, Ryzhenkov maintained, puts ODIHR's objectiveness and
transparency into question, and made the GOB wonder about
secret ODIHR goals and activities. (Note: Kramer had no

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meeting with ODIHR on his schedule.) Meeting the CIS
election observation team, Ryzhenkov maintained, would have
given Kramer an objective view of Belarus' pre-election
period.


5. (C) Kramer parried that he trusted ODIHR to give an
objective assessment, and that in no other country does the
host government demand to participate in such meetings.


Belarusian State (Non) Media
--------------


6. (C) Ryzhenkov complained the U.S. Embassy does not invite
state media to press conferences and does not give it
information. Ryzhenkov particularly regretted Kramer's
decision not to allow state media to participate in his
February 24 press roundtable with independent media (septel).
The MFA official admitted that state media depicts the U.S.
in a negative light, but claimed this is only because Belarus
has freedom of speech and depicts the U.S. as it actually is.
This freedom is why the night before state television gave
opposition candidates airtime. (Note: Ambassador
interjected, "For the first time, and only 30 minutes!")


7. (C) Kramer admitted that he might have considered inviting
state media to his press conference if they would stop
harassing Emboffs. He called state media an offensive,
unprofessional tool of the regime, and asked why this
harassment has not stopped, even after Kramer has raised it

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many times with the MFA and Belarusian Embassy in Washington.
When Ryzhenkov lamely explained the MFA does not control
state media, Kramer challenged the MFA to therefore issue a
statement condemning such harassment.


A Bad Public Image is Whose Fault?
--------------


8. (C) Ryzhenkov blamed the U.S. for its own negative image
in Belarusian state media, which results from its
introduction of trade and visa sanctions against Belarus.
Ryzhenkov claimed that many Belarusians think there are
secret and improper USG activities aimed against the GOB.

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State media depicts Emboffs as it does because they are the
"tools" of this negative U.S. foreign policy.


9. (C) Kramer retorted that he had just come from Brussels,
where the EU expressed serious concerns about Belarus. He
added that he often visits Moscow, and many Russians share
these concerns. These facts show the GOB officials' picture
of the U.S. vs. Belarus is not accurate. In fact, it is
Belarusian actions that worsen Belarus' international image,
such as the recent detention of four pro-democracy activists
(reftel). Kramer stated the USG urges Minsk to release these
people immediately, drop any charges, and stop raiding
peoples' offices and apartments. He concluded his argument
by explaining that the West has tried several times to engage
the GOB in dialogue, such as through the step-by-step or
benchmark proposals, but in each case Minsk refused.


10. (C) Ryzhenkov then tried to claim that the USG controls
American media to smear Belarus. Kramer immediately shot
back that this is untrue, but that the BKGB does control
Belarusian media. He reiterated that the GOB has chosen not
to stop media attacks against the West, and that Belarus'
international image is of its own making. Kramer stated the
USG would prefer to see Belarus integrated into the
Euro-Atlantic community while maintaining close ties to
Russia. Instead, Minsk has chosen the path of
self-isolation. Ryzhenkov blurted out, "So, we are
sanctioning ourselves? This is absurd," then asked to move
to other bilateral topics of interest.


Elections Must Remain Non-Violent
--------------


11. (C) Kramer asked to say a few words about elections
first. He explained the USG and others are worried that the
current presidential elections are heading in the wrong
direction, and qualified that the USG supports the democratic
process, not any one candidate. Saying he was passing this
message to all parties, Kramer strongly underscored the
importance of the elections being concluded without any
resort to force or violence. Belarus should abide by its
OSCE obligations and allow its people to peacefully protest
if they so desire.


12. (C) Ryzhenkov countered that the GOB has done everything
Kramer asked on his last visit; Minsk invited international
observers, registered all four candidates and gave them media
access. He agreed that the GOB also does not want any bloody
protests, but claimed, "Now is too early to speak of
violence." Kramer noted that it is never too early to speak
of non-violence.


The USG Blocks Belarusian Trade, Despite GOB Goodwill
-------------- --------------


13. (C) Asking to move on from elections, Ryzhenkov raised a
grab bag of smaller issues. He decried alleged State
Department and USG attempts to recommend against trade with
Belarus, even though this trade is growing. Claiming, "We
spend tens of millions of dollars in the U.S.," Ryzhenkov
ludicrously claimed that the American company Caterpillar was
able to buy tires in Belarus, even though there was rising
demand by Belarusian and Cuban companies. He asked that the
USG not block trade, as the "common American and Belarusian
peoples" would know who was to blame (the USG) if trade
falls. (Comment: Caterpillar and other U.S. companies have
complained that Belarusian tiremaker Belshina has failed to
fulfill orders. Although denying the charges, Belshina
admitted to giving preference to CIS and Belarusian
companies.)


14. (C) Ryzhenkov then accused the U.S. of blocking
Belarusian accession to the WTO, saying the GOB has done

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everything it has been asked to do regarding membership. He
asked the USG not to politicize accession and to have a
civilized dialogue with Minsk. Ryzhenkov also stated Minsk
is open to cooperation on combating TIP, drug smuggling and
international crime, wants membership in the Egmont Group to
cooperate with FINCEN on money laundering. He also
recognized the USG for effective humanitarian assistance and
said Belarusian presidential decrees have not hindered this
assistance. Furthermore, he maintained that Minsk allows the
Embassy to participate in events such as those related to
Kosciuszko's birthday to improve the USG's image. Ryzhenkov
also asked for support for a Lukashenko proposal presented
during the UN General Assembly to combat TIP.


Rebuttals and a Defense of Student Exchanges
--------------


15. (C) Kramer replied that it was hard to support anything
from Lukashenko at the UN after he blamed the U.S. for all
the world's ills in his UNGA speech. Kramer continued that
certain of Lukashenko's TIP initiatives have brought a
virtual end to student exchanges. Such travel restrictions
are not the way to engage with Washington. Both Kramer and
the Ambassador explained that Belarus should not count on an
automatic renewal of MFN status (Jackson-Vanik). This will
be a political decision that depends on Belarusian
restrictions on emigration. Kramer also raised the good work
the USG does with humanitarian assistance to Belarus, but
complained that this work gets lost in the GOB's
anti-American propaganda.


16. (C) Ambassador clearly stated that any accusations the
U.S. restricts trade are false. Rather, the low levels of
trade reflect Belarus' poor business climate. He explained
that the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a statement last
fall warning U.S. companies from transiting goods through
Belarus. This warning came after the Embassy unsuccessfully
tried to work with the GOB to solve problems with U.S.
companies. Ambassador also explained that Belarus' problems
on WTO accession are purely economic and reflect a lack of
cooperation from the GOB. Econoff added that Caterpillar
appealed to the USG for assistance because of its problems in
trying to buy Belarusian tires, and that thus far the GOB had
been unresponsive to Embassy requests for help. Ryzhenkov
only replied, "I received new information just today."


I'm Rubber and You're Glue
--------------


17. (C) Ryzhenkov responded that yes, U.S. companies have
problems in Belarus, but that Belarusian companies are also
discriminated against in the U.S. He said there were not
many examples of U.S. goods being confiscated. Rather, the
GOB frequently confiscates transiting goods from Poles,
Lithuanians and Russians, but their governments do not
complain as they know these confiscations are legal.


18. (C) Ryzhenkov attempted to defend the crackdown on
exchanges. First, he explained that GOB officials need to
provide a strong reason before they are allowed to travel
abroad. Claiming that the Belarusian state pays for most
education, students who do not return to Belarus owe the GOB
for their education. He also graciously claimed the GOB is
only interested in defending U.S. law, since students become
illegal immigrants when they do not return. He concluded,
"This is not self-isolation, but ensuring order in our school
system."


Why Do You Keep Raising Violence?
--------------


19. (C) Kramer concluded by reiterating two main points, that
state television harassment of Emboffs is ugly and must be
stopped, and that if the GOB resorts to election violence it
will face serious consequences. Ryzhenkov replied by asking
if the USG had information on who would use violence and if
this could be shared with the GOB. He ended by saying that
neither the U.S. nor EU had ever raised the issue of violence
before, so he did not understand why it was being raised now.
Ambassador replied that it seemed appropriate, given the
several times Lukashenko has announced he would use force to
prevent any revolution.


MFA Dissatisfied with Visit
--------------

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20. (U) On February 25, the MFA's spokesman expressed
disappointment with Kramer's visit, saying, "We did not hear
from him any serious proposals regarding the existing
problems in the bilateral relationship and the development of
cooperation in areas of mutual interest. He voiced a
standard set of evasions and conditions. There was the
impression the State Department representative either was not
ready for a serious talk or did not have the necessary
authority." The spokesman complained that Kramer did not
want to participate in any meetings suggested by the MFA,
which could have "helped the American guest form a more
balanced and objective view of the Republic of Belarus." The
MFA accused Kramer of excluding state media from his press
conference, which he held in a "secret" time and place,
making it harder to build "mutual respect and trust between
the peoples of our states." The spokesman also dismissed
Kramer's focus on preventing violence, claiming the
Belarusian people know there is no cause for co
ncern. He added, "We would ask the USA to use all
opportunities at its disposal to talk the potential
initiators of violence out of staging disturbances if, of
course, the American side maintains contact with them."


Comment
--------------


21. (C) Contrary to the MFA statements, it was the Belarusian
side which was not prepared for a serious dialogue. However,
though the MFA stubbornly rebutted each of DAS Kramer's
statements, his message on conduct of elections, restraint
from use of violence, and release of arrested NGO activists
was clearly delivered. The MFA could not have hailed to hear
it.
Krol