Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MINSK330
2006-03-24 12:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
MFA Refutes U.S. Rejection of Belarusian Elections
how-toVZCZCXRO0720 RR RUEHCD RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHSR DE RUEHSK #0330 0831224 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 241224Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY MINSK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4100 INFO RUCNOSC/ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY COOPERATION IN EUROPE RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1021 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS MINSK 000330
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
KIEV ALSO FOR USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL BO
SUBJECT: MFA Refutes U.S. Rejection of Belarusian Elections
UNCLAS MINSK 000330
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
KIEV ALSO FOR USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL BO
SUBJECT: MFA Refutes U.S. Rejection of Belarusian Elections
1. At a March 23 press briefing, Belarusian MFA Press Secretary
Andrei Popov refuted press statements from the White House and
State Department denouncing the results of the March 19
presidential elections in Belarus. Popov reminded the journalists
that the Belarusian people have made their choice and "like it or
not," the U.S. must respect that choice since the U.S. does not
have the right to determine who will be president in Belarus.
Popov also claimed that the United States' Electoral College system
violates the OSCE's direct election principles. However, Popov
expressed Belarus' readiness to cooperate with the U.S. in areas of
common interest.
2. Below is the MFA's translation of the exchange between Popov
and a journalist.
Begin MFA's Translation of Text:
Correspondent: "During this week the official representatives of
the White House and the State Department have made a number of
statements to the effect that the United States allegedly "cannot
accept the results of the presidential elections" in Belarus. The
Belarusian Foreign Ministry has been leaving these statements
unanswered. Why?"
Andrei Popov: "Actually, there is nothing to comment here. The
United States did not, does not and will not have a mandate to
reject or recognize the elections results in other independent
states. It is not up to the White House to determine who is going
to be the President of Belarus. In our country the President is
elected by the people, and not in the street, but at the polling
stations. The Belarusian people have made their choice, and the
United States has nothing to do with it, whether it likes it or
not.
I want to underline the following: if the United States respects
the Belarusian people, it must respect their choice as well.
Moreover, we cannot accept lecturing from the country which, in
total violation of the OSCE principles, does not have direct
presidential elections, and where those who get fewer votes than
their rivals become presidents.
Nevertheless, I want to stress that responsible states should be
above ideological and political biases and look forward to acting
for the benefit of their peoples. This is what the Belarusian side
proceeds from. We confirm our readiness to interact with the US in
the spheres where we have common interests, on the basis of
equality and mutual respect."
End Text
KROL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
KIEV ALSO FOR USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL BO
SUBJECT: MFA Refutes U.S. Rejection of Belarusian Elections
1. At a March 23 press briefing, Belarusian MFA Press Secretary
Andrei Popov refuted press statements from the White House and
State Department denouncing the results of the March 19
presidential elections in Belarus. Popov reminded the journalists
that the Belarusian people have made their choice and "like it or
not," the U.S. must respect that choice since the U.S. does not
have the right to determine who will be president in Belarus.
Popov also claimed that the United States' Electoral College system
violates the OSCE's direct election principles. However, Popov
expressed Belarus' readiness to cooperate with the U.S. in areas of
common interest.
2. Below is the MFA's translation of the exchange between Popov
and a journalist.
Begin MFA's Translation of Text:
Correspondent: "During this week the official representatives of
the White House and the State Department have made a number of
statements to the effect that the United States allegedly "cannot
accept the results of the presidential elections" in Belarus. The
Belarusian Foreign Ministry has been leaving these statements
unanswered. Why?"
Andrei Popov: "Actually, there is nothing to comment here. The
United States did not, does not and will not have a mandate to
reject or recognize the elections results in other independent
states. It is not up to the White House to determine who is going
to be the President of Belarus. In our country the President is
elected by the people, and not in the street, but at the polling
stations. The Belarusian people have made their choice, and the
United States has nothing to do with it, whether it likes it or
not.
I want to underline the following: if the United States respects
the Belarusian people, it must respect their choice as well.
Moreover, we cannot accept lecturing from the country which, in
total violation of the OSCE principles, does not have direct
presidential elections, and where those who get fewer votes than
their rivals become presidents.
Nevertheless, I want to stress that responsible states should be
above ideological and political biases and look forward to acting
for the benefit of their peoples. This is what the Belarusian side
proceeds from. We confirm our readiness to interact with the US in
the spheres where we have common interests, on the basis of
equality and mutual respect."
End Text
KROL