USG Defends Belarus TIP Ranking Despite GOB Disappointment

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MINSK 000541

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KCRM KWMN BO
SUBJECT: USG Defends Belarus TIP Ranking Despite GOB Disappointment

Ref: State 78615

Summary
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1. (SBU) Following the release of the Department's Trafficking in
Persons (TIP) Report, Ambassador hosted a digital video conference
with G/TIP Ambassador Mark Lagon for those involved in combating TIP
in Belarus. The participants discussed Belarus' Tier 2 Watch List
(T2WL) placement, steps the GOB can take to improve its ranking, the
root causes for TIP in Belarus, and the level of cooperation between
independent NGOs and the GOB. Given tense nature of U.S.-Belarus
relations, Ambassador Lagon stressed that the report is the USG's
objective assessment of the GOB's anti-TIP efforts and that Belarus'
T2WL placement was not a political vendetta. However, during a
demarche to the GOB before the TIP report's release, the MFA
expressed its disappointment with Belarus' ranking and highlighted
what it considers to be Belarus' significant anti-TIP efforts. End
Summary.

Anti-TIP Activists Discuss Belarus TIP Report with G/TIP via DVC
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2. (SBU) On June 19, Ambassador hosted a digital video conference
(DVC) with G/TIP Ambassador Mark Lagon for independent journalists
and representatives from NGOs, international organizations, and the
GOB who combat trafficking in persons (TIP) in Belarus. The
participants discussed the recently released TIP report, Belarus'
Tier Two Watch List (T2WL) placement, and steps the GOB can take to
improve its ranking. Given the tense nature of U.S.-Belarus
relations, Ambassador Lagon stressed that the report is the USG's
objective assessment of the GOB's anti-TIP efforts and that Belarus'
T2WL placement was not a political vendetta. As an example, he
cited Zimbabwe's improved tier ranking this year despite its
strained relationship with the United States.


3. (SBU) Ambassador Lagon commended Belarus for its prosecution and
investigation efforts -- including the recent opening of the
Interior Ministry's Anti-TIP Academy -- but also emphasized the need
for the GOB to devote more attention to protection and prevention at
home. Responding to Ambassador Stewart's question about the GOB's
emphasis on international efforts in combating TIP, Ambassador Lagon
acknowledged that international conferences and multi-lateral
cooperation are important to bring together countries but they
should complement and not substitute domestic efforts to combat TIP.



4. (SBU) International Organization for Migration Representative
Natalya Zhak noted that the root causes of TIP in Belarus were poor
economic conditions. She told Ambassador that NGOs and
international organizations have held several economic training
opportunities for potential TIP victims, but she added that the
state employment agencies should be more involved in this prevention
effort.


5. (SBU) When Ambassador Lagon inquired about GOB and independent
civil society cooperation, Young Women's Christian Association Head
Irina Alkovka praised the good level of cooperation between the GOB
and anti-TIP NGOs, particularly when compared to the GOB's support
of independent NGOs in other spheres. However, since the GOB does
not officially recognize NGOs as partners, Alkovka expressed her
hope for more formalized cooperation with the GOB. Ministry of
Interior (MOI) Anti-TIP Academy Representative Maksim Shrub told
Ambassador Lagon that as far as he knows, the GOB and NGOs have a
good history of cooperation. According to Shrub, the GOB plans to
build on this relationship by inviting NGOs and IOs to share their
expertise at the new Anti-TIP Academy.

GOB Expresses Their Disappointment with TIP Report
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6. (SBU) During our June 12 demarche (reftel),MFA Department of
Humanitarian Affairs Counselor Andrey Taranda relayed the GOB's
disappointment with Belarus' placement on the T2WL. Taranda
insisted that the TIP report did not fully take into account the
measures taken by the GOB to combat trafficking. Noting the UN
resolution introduced by Belarus and the GOB's monetary
contributions to the UN's interagency coordination group, Taranda
asked, "What other eastern European country has done as much as
Belarus in this field?"


7. (SBU) To counter the USG's allegation of Belarus' failure to
fund programs aimed at protecting victims, Taranda argued that
Belarus is a developing country with very limited resources. He
highlighted Belarus' relatively sizable contribution of USD 20,000
to UN Office on Drug and Crime for anti-trafficking enforcement
measures. In addition, Taranda claimed that the USG's failure to
maintain regular contact with MOI representatives was the reason why

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the GOB did not report TIP-specific statistics as requested.
Taranda offered to coordinate more meetings with the MOI throughout
the year to ensure that the Embassy gathers the information it needs
for next year's TIP. [Note: Post invited Taranda to attend the DVC,
but he declined the invitation. End note.]

Comment
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8. (SBU) We hope Taranda's absence at the DVC does not mean his
call to further dialogue was insincere. Despite his absence, the
event was an excellent opportunity to flesh out for the independent
media the USG's decision to place Belarus on the T2WL and to hear
independent civil society representatives' perspectives on Belarus'
progress in fighting TIP. Post expresses its appreciation to
Ambassador Lagon and G/TIP for agreeing to participate.

Stewart