MFA REQUESTS A RESPONSE TO ITS LETTER TO THE

UNCLAS MINSK 000521 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR DS/CR/CIL MICHAEL BAYER DEPT FOR DS/IP/RD/AF ANTON KORT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CVIS OEXC PREL BO SUBJECT: MFA REQUESTS A RESPONSE TO ITS LETTER TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL REF: 06 MINSK 793 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph three. ¶2. (SBU) On June 12, MFA Americas Desk Counselor Andrei Rzheusskiy reminded A/DCM that the GOB is awaiting an answer from the USG on its request that the FBI participate in the investigation of the deaths of Belarusian citizens Aliaksei Vasileuski (reftel) and Maryia Udavichenka. The GOB sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney General expressing its concern that local law enforcement authorities had not made sufficient progress on the investigations and that the FBI take over the investigations. FM Martynov raised this issue during his April 23 meeting with EUR DAS David Kramer. We have informed the MFA that the Department of Justice received the letter March 20 and that the competent office is preparing a response. ¶3. (SBU) Post requests a written response from Department of Justice to the Ministry of Justice's request as soon as possible. Stewart