Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MINSK1024
2007-12-14 15:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR VISITS HOSPITALIZED YOUTH LEADER FEDARUK
how-toVZCZCXRO2155 PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSK #1024 3481512 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 141512Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY MINSK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6724 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 1761 RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 001024
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR VISITS HOSPITALIZED YOUTH LEADER FEDARUK
REF: A. MINSK 1018
B. MINSK 1011
Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 001024
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR VISITS HOSPITALIZED YOUTH LEADER FEDARUK
REF: A. MINSK 1018
B. MINSK 1011
Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (d).
1. (U) On December 13, Ambassador and DCM, accompanied by
the Slovak Head of Mission Lubomir Rehak (representing the
local EU presidency),visited with opposition youth
organization Malady Front Acting Chairman Dmitriy Fedaruk at
a local hospital, where Fedaruk has remained since GOB police
severely beat him after violently dispersing a peaceful
pro-Belarusian sovereignty demonstration on December 12 (ref
A). (Note: Of the two activists also injured, our contacts
report that Dmitriy Kavagun was treated for lesser injuries
and released from a local hospital on December 12. End
note.)
2. (C) During our meeting, Fedaruk showed clear signs of
recovery. Despite his serious head trauma, which the doctors
have told him will likely keep him hospitalized for five to
seven days, he spoke cogently and enthusiastically about his
recent visits with President Bush and Secretary Rice.
Moreover, he was earnest in expressing his deepest gratitude
to the United States for its support. He also reiterated his
determination to continuing leading Malady Front in its
campaign for Belarusian democracy and sovereignty. When
asked, he did not request any assistance, rather expressing
his gratitude for the delegation's Washington visit and to
the State Department for the December 12 statement issued on
his behalf. (Note: On December 14, Poloff telephoned
Fedaruk's close friend and fellow activist Katerina
Galitskaya who reported that Fedaruk's condition continued to
improve overnight, but that he remains confined to bed. End
note.)
3. (C) After seeing Fedaruk, DCM introduced the Ambassador
and Slovak Charge to Fedaruk's mother, who echoed her son's
message of gratitude to the USG. She acknowledged our offer
of any needed assistance, but did not make any request.
Pro-Sovereignty Demonstrations Continue
--------------
4. (U) Shortly after our meeting with Fedaruk, more than 30
opposition youth activists staged another pro-sovereignty
demonstration in Minsk's city center to protest Russian
President Putin's December 13-14 visit to Belarus (ref B).
Police detained 15 demonstrators but released them from a
local police station without formal charges. There were no
reports of injuries.
STEWART
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR VISITS HOSPITALIZED YOUTH LEADER FEDARUK
REF: A. MINSK 1018
B. MINSK 1011
Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (d).
1. (U) On December 13, Ambassador and DCM, accompanied by
the Slovak Head of Mission Lubomir Rehak (representing the
local EU presidency),visited with opposition youth
organization Malady Front Acting Chairman Dmitriy Fedaruk at
a local hospital, where Fedaruk has remained since GOB police
severely beat him after violently dispersing a peaceful
pro-Belarusian sovereignty demonstration on December 12 (ref
A). (Note: Of the two activists also injured, our contacts
report that Dmitriy Kavagun was treated for lesser injuries
and released from a local hospital on December 12. End
note.)
2. (C) During our meeting, Fedaruk showed clear signs of
recovery. Despite his serious head trauma, which the doctors
have told him will likely keep him hospitalized for five to
seven days, he spoke cogently and enthusiastically about his
recent visits with President Bush and Secretary Rice.
Moreover, he was earnest in expressing his deepest gratitude
to the United States for its support. He also reiterated his
determination to continuing leading Malady Front in its
campaign for Belarusian democracy and sovereignty. When
asked, he did not request any assistance, rather expressing
his gratitude for the delegation's Washington visit and to
the State Department for the December 12 statement issued on
his behalf. (Note: On December 14, Poloff telephoned
Fedaruk's close friend and fellow activist Katerina
Galitskaya who reported that Fedaruk's condition continued to
improve overnight, but that he remains confined to bed. End
note.)
3. (C) After seeing Fedaruk, DCM introduced the Ambassador
and Slovak Charge to Fedaruk's mother, who echoed her son's
message of gratitude to the USG. She acknowledged our offer
of any needed assistance, but did not make any request.
Pro-Sovereignty Demonstrations Continue
--------------
4. (U) Shortly after our meeting with Fedaruk, more than 30
opposition youth activists staged another pro-sovereignty
demonstration in Minsk's city center to protest Russian
President Putin's December 13-14 visit to Belarus (ref B).
Police detained 15 demonstrators but released them from a
local police station without formal charges. There were no
reports of injuries.
STEWART