Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06USUNNEWYORK2252
2006-12-14 17:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
USUN New York
Cable title:  

UNSC: U.S. RAISES BELARUS POLITICAL PRISONER, SETS

Tags:  PREL PHUM UNSC BO RS 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #2252 3481743
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 141743Z DEC 06
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0947
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHSK/AMEMBASSY MINSK PRIORITY 0154
C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 002252 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2011
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BO RS
SUBJECT: UNSC: U.S. RAISES BELARUS POLITICAL PRISONER, SETS
OFF STRONG RUSSIAN REACTION

REF: STATE 197404

Classified By: Ambassador Alejandro D. Wolff for reasons 1.4 b,d.

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 002252

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2011
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BO RS
SUBJECT: UNSC: U.S. RAISES BELARUS POLITICAL PRISONER, SETS
OFF STRONG RUSSIAN REACTION

REF: STATE 197404

Classified By: Ambassador Alejandro D. Wolff for reasons 1.4 b,d.


1. (C) Summary. As instructed, USUN raised the case of
Belarus political prisoner Kozulin during Security Council
consultations on the afternoon of December 12. Russian PR
Churkin came to the Council chambers specifically to engage
on the issue, and excoriated - in personal terms - the U.S.
representative who delivered the points. He then refused to
participate in previously scheduled P5 plus 1 consultations
on Iran. End Summary.


2. (C) At the beginning of Security Council informal
consultations on the afternoon of Tuesday, December 12, USUN
Political Minister-Counselor Brencick noted that he wished to
raise an issue under "other matters" at the conclusion of
consultations. (Note: Normal Council procedure is to note
all items that will be raised later under "other matters"
when the agenda is adopted at the beginning of each meeting.
End Note.) The Russian delegation demanded that the U.S. to
specify the issue we intended to raise. In response to the
Russian request, Minister Counselor Brencick delivered the
points contained reftel regarding Kozulin's detention,
modified to reflect that Kozulin had ceased his hunger
strike, and calling for the release of all political
prisoners in Belarus.


3. (C) The Russian delegation reacted strongly in protest,
calling the U.S. comments a violation of the Council's rules
of procedure and an effort to introduce extraneous topics
into the Council. Chinese Minister Counselor Li Junhua
agreed, noting that the subject matter seemed more
appropriately suited for discussion in the General Assembly
and/or the Human Rights Council. The Qatari President cut
short the discussion, noting that the issue should be
properly discussed after the scheduled Council business had
been completed.


4. (C) As the Council wrapped up its consultations on Cote
d'Ivoire, Russian PermRep Churkin arrived to take the Russian
chair. The Qatari President opened the discussion of "other
matters" by suggesting that the U.S. "withdraw" its earlier
remarks given the late hour and controversial nature of the
topic, to allow time for bilateral consultations before
re-introducing the issue, if appropriate, at a later date.
Brencick noted that he had nothing further to add on the
subject, nor any reason to withdraw the informational points
already made. It is important, he said, that all Council
members feel free to raise in informal consultations any
concerns about international events.


5. (C) Churkin reacted strongly and personally, accusing
Minister Counselor Brencick of carrying out a "personal
agenda" and attempting to be a "revolutionary" in disrupting
the work of the Council. Churkin said the "arrogant" U.S.
approach would lead to members "wasting the Council's time"
on "anything that came into their heads." "The next thing
you know," he added, "we will be talking about the best
cornflakes." Churkin continued by suggesting that the
"sudden departure" of the U.S. Perm Rep had created a "lack
of leadership" at the U.S. Mission and emboldened an "out of
control" staff that was disrespectful of the Council as a
whole. At this point, the Qatari President intervened,
suggesting that the matter be deferred.


6. (C) Churkin left the Council chambers to join previously
scheduled P5 plus 1 consultations on the Iran resolution,
taking place nearby. Churkin told the assembled P5
Ambassadors that he could not agree to participate in Iran
discussions at that time, given the U.S. intervention in the
Council, and he would need to seek instructions from Moscow
on the Belarus issue. Churkin subsequently with the press
blamed the U.S. intervention on Kozulin for interrupting the
Iran resolution negotiations.
WOLFF