NORWAY WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN AN OSCE BELARUS

UNCLAS OSLO 000530 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM OSCE NO SUBJECT: NORWAY WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN AN OSCE BELARUS VISIT REF: STATE 69312 ¶1. (SBU) On May 22, we delivered reftel points to Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office Director for OSCE, Dag Halvorsen. Halvorsen told us that Norway will decline Belarus' invitation for a protocol visit of OSCE Heads of Mission. Halvorsen added that given the program's lack of meetings with human rights, opposition, and free press officials, there was no point in making the trip to Minsk. He heard that the meeting may be postponed until July, but the postponement will not change Norway's decision to turn down the invitation. Norway wants to work with Belarus civil society groups and intends to concentrate on local, working-level contacts in fields such as the environment where Norwegians feels they can make positive contributions. WHITNEY