Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BERLIN1175
2008-08-22 15:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
GERMANY CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHRL #1175 2351536 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 221536Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2021 INFO RUEHSK/AMEMBASSY SUSTEL MINSK 0310 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1953 RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI 0211
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 001175
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2018
TAGS: GM PREL PHUM RU GG PGOV BO
SUBJECT: GERMANY CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS
IN BELARUS
Classified By: ACTING DCM JEFFREY RATHKE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 001175
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2018
TAGS: GM PREL PHUM RU GG PGOV BO
SUBJECT: GERMANY CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS
IN BELARUS
Classified By: ACTING DCM JEFFREY RATHKE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier
August 20 welcomed the release of Belarusian political
prisoners Andrey Kim and Syarhey Parsyukevich and noted that
Belarus had taken an important step towards improving
relations with the EU. PolOffs met with MFA desk officer for
Belarus, Thomas Freudenhammer, August 21 to hear more about
the German perspective on recent developments in the country.
Freudenhammer echoed Steinmeier's comments, but did not
outline specific steps Germany planned to take in response to
the release of the prisoners. He speculated that the timing
of opposition leader Alexander Kozulin's release from prison
might be linked to the recent Georgian-Russian conflict,
which could have spurred Belarus to improve ties with the
West. On the other hand, Freudenhammer also noted the more
cynical possibility that President Lukashenko hoped the
release would cause internal strife and weaken Belarus's
opposition party in the run up to parliamentary elections on
September 28. Although the release of these prisoners is an
important first step, Freudenhammer noted that an important
next step must be increased freedom for the Belarusian press.
Overall, Freudenhammer stressed that while Germany welcomes
the release of the political prisoners, it remains cautious
about what Lukashenko's next steps will be.
2. (SBU) PolOffs emphasized that the United States remains
gravely concerned about the treatment of and court
proceedings concerning Emanuel Zeltser, an American citizen
who was arrested in Belarus in March. Freudenhammer, while
knowledgeable about Zeltser's case, only reiterated his
understanding of the U.S. concern.
TIMKEN JR
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2018
TAGS: GM PREL PHUM RU GG PGOV BO
SUBJECT: GERMANY CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS
IN BELARUS
Classified By: ACTING DCM JEFFREY RATHKE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier
August 20 welcomed the release of Belarusian political
prisoners Andrey Kim and Syarhey Parsyukevich and noted that
Belarus had taken an important step towards improving
relations with the EU. PolOffs met with MFA desk officer for
Belarus, Thomas Freudenhammer, August 21 to hear more about
the German perspective on recent developments in the country.
Freudenhammer echoed Steinmeier's comments, but did not
outline specific steps Germany planned to take in response to
the release of the prisoners. He speculated that the timing
of opposition leader Alexander Kozulin's release from prison
might be linked to the recent Georgian-Russian conflict,
which could have spurred Belarus to improve ties with the
West. On the other hand, Freudenhammer also noted the more
cynical possibility that President Lukashenko hoped the
release would cause internal strife and weaken Belarus's
opposition party in the run up to parliamentary elections on
September 28. Although the release of these prisoners is an
important first step, Freudenhammer noted that an important
next step must be increased freedom for the Belarusian press.
Overall, Freudenhammer stressed that while Germany welcomes
the release of the political prisoners, it remains cautious
about what Lukashenko's next steps will be.
2. (SBU) PolOffs emphasized that the United States remains
gravely concerned about the treatment of and court
proceedings concerning Emanuel Zeltser, an American citizen
who was arrested in Belarus in March. Freudenhammer, while
knowledgeable about Zeltser's case, only reiterated his
understanding of the U.S. concern.
TIMKEN JR