Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MINSK335
2006-03-27 15:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:  

MFA Issues Two Statements In Response To Critical U.S. and

Tags:  PGOV PREL BO 
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RR RUEHCD RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHSR
DE RUEHSK #0335/01 0861511
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271511Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY MINSK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4110
INFO RUCNOSC/ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY COOPERATION IN EUROPE
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1028
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MINSK 000335 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

KIEV ALSO FOR USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL BO
SUBJECT: MFA Issues Two Statements In Response To Critical U.S. and
EU Statements

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MINSK 000335

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

KIEV ALSO FOR USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL BO
SUBJECT: MFA Issues Two Statements In Response To Critical U.S. and
EU Statements


1. On March 24-26, the Belarusian MFA published two statements in
response to the U.S. and EU actions and statements against Belarus.
The March 24 MFA statement denounced the U.S.-EU decision to impose
travel sanctions on Belarusian officials as a "senseless" and
"dead-end policy." The statement underscored that the popularity
of Lukashenko among Belarusians is undeniable and therefore the
U.S. and EU must respect the choice of the Belarusian people. The
statement concluded by stating that the Belarus reserves the right
to undertake reciprocal actions.


2. Begin unofficial translation of text of March 24 Statement:
Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Belarus on the Decision by the United States and the European Union
to Impose Restrictions Against Belarusian Officials

The European Union and the United States have responded to the
election of President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander
Lukashenko at the direct and general elections with a decision to
impose restrictions against a number of Belarusian officials.

It is difficult to comprehend the sense of this decision. Both the
US and the EU had never questioned Mr. Lukashenko being the most
popular leader in Belarus who leaves far behind all other
contenders. It means that the people's choice is not liked.

At the same time, the US and the EU continue to pronounce their
interest in friendly relations with the Belarusian people. The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses once again: if the United
States and the European Union respect the people of our country,
they must respect the choice they have made.

Responding to the people's choice with restrictions means rejecting
the Belarusian citizens' right to live in their country at their
own discretion, not somebody else's. This policy is not the best.
Above all, it is a dead-end policy.

The Republic of Belarus reserves the right to undertake reciprocal
actions.
End Text.


3. The March 26 MFA statement said U.S. and EU comments on the
March 25 violent dispersal and arrests of protesters, including
opposition leader Aleksandr Kozulin, bored on "anti-Belarus
hysteria." The MFA statement pointed that out that even Ten Plus
Coalition leader Alexander Milinkevich (without giving his name)

called Kozulin's appeal to march to the BKGB's Okrestina detention
center a provocation. The MFA urged the U.S. and EU "to apply
unified standards" when criticizing the measures of Belarusian
security forces, and warned against destabilizing the situation in
Belarus from outside.


4. Begin unofficial translation of text of March 26 MFA statement:


Statement by Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
the Republic of Belarus

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already stressed that the
European Union and the United States, while commenting on the
situation in Belarus, are persistently trying to misrepresent their
wish as reality.

The latest statements by the EU Austrian Chairmanship and the US
State department press secretary are a demonstration of the
European Union and the United States being on the verge of anti-
Belarusian hysteria. They either allow someone to mislead them, or
delude the European and the American public themselves.

On 25 March 2006, the Belarusian law-enforcement agencies acted
with self-restrain and patience neither hindering the conduct of
the rally nor taking any suppressive measures, in spite of the fact
that the opposition event had not been sanctioned by the city
authorities. However, the peaceful conduct of the rally was broken
by the opposition leader Alexander Kozulin's call to a coercive
overturn of the legitimate regime (coup d'etat) and marching to an
establishment of the Ministry of Interior the special admittance
and distribution facility under the Minsk interior department. A
part of the protesters heeded the call.

The police that blocked the passages to this specially guarded
building was attacked and had to restore the order. A.Kozulin and
the most aggressive attackers were detained. A number of law-
enforcement officers were hit. At present a comprehensive
investigation and study of the materials is being carried out with
the aim to provide a legal assessment of the actions of the non-
sanctioned event participants.


MINSK 00000335 002 OF 002


We would like to draw the attention of the EU and the US to the
fact that even a runner-up in the presidential election who
received their support called Kozulin's appeal a provocation and
stated that he would no longer propose the latter to join the
coalition.

We would also like to remind the EU and the US of the full-scale
use of power by the law-enforcement agencies against the rally in
the capital of one of the largest European Union member states,
including the use of water jets, tear-grenades, clubs and other
special means. We strongly recommend the US and the EU to apply
unified standards while assessing the actions of the law-
enforcement bodies in Belarus and in their own countries.

It is obvious for objective monitors that the situation in Belarus
is absolutely calm. In this regard we resolutely urge the European
Union and the United States to stop trying to destabilize the
situation from outside.


End Text.

KROL