AMBASSADOR VISITS HOSPITALIZED YOUTH LEADER FEDARUK

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