Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NICOSIA210
2008-03-28 13:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nicosia
Cable title:
CYPRUS AGREES BELARUS MUST FREE KAZULIN, VOTES TO
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHNC #0210 0881358 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 281358Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY NICOSIA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8682
UNCLAS NICOSIA 000210
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR OFFICE OF UKRAINE, MOLDOVA AND BELARUS AFFAIRS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL CY
SUBJECT: CYPRUS AGREES BELARUS MUST FREE KAZULIN, VOTES TO
EXTEND EU SANCTIONS
REF: SECSTATE 30007
UNCLAS NICOSIA 000210
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR OFFICE OF UKRAINE, MOLDOVA AND BELARUS AFFAIRS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL CY
SUBJECT: CYPRUS AGREES BELARUS MUST FREE KAZULIN, VOTES TO
EXTEND EU SANCTIONS
REF: SECSTATE 30007
1. Per reftel, POLOFF demarched Alkis Ieromanachou, First
Secretary, Department of Bilateral Relations with Member
SIPDIS
States of the EU and Neighboring Countries, Cypriot MFA, on
March 26. Ieromanachou declared solidarity with the U.S.
position that Belarus must free Kazulin and other political
prisoners. He relayed that, in early March, the Political
Security Committee (PSC) of the European Union (EU) decided
to extend sanctions for 12 more months against Belarus. Since
Belarus still holds political prisoner Kazulin in custody,
the committee voted against unfreezing assets or granting
visas.
2. He did not make any specific statements regarding U.S.-
Belarusian bilateral relations or the fact that Belarus has
asked the U.S. Embassy to remove personnel (or have them
PNGed). Ieromanachou was surprised to hear that the U.S. had
already decided to remove some of its diplomatic personnel,
per the government of Belarus's (GOB's) request.
3. He stated that, historically, there were no bilateral or
EU-level contacts with Belarus, but that recently there have
been discussions and updates in EU circles about how to deal
with the GoB. He said that although Belarus has been showing
optimistic signals here and there, it has not demonstrated
any concrete signs that it would release the prisoners.
SCHLICHER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR OFFICE OF UKRAINE, MOLDOVA AND BELARUS AFFAIRS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL CY
SUBJECT: CYPRUS AGREES BELARUS MUST FREE KAZULIN, VOTES TO
EXTEND EU SANCTIONS
REF: SECSTATE 30007
1. Per reftel, POLOFF demarched Alkis Ieromanachou, First
Secretary, Department of Bilateral Relations with Member
SIPDIS
States of the EU and Neighboring Countries, Cypriot MFA, on
March 26. Ieromanachou declared solidarity with the U.S.
position that Belarus must free Kazulin and other political
prisoners. He relayed that, in early March, the Political
Security Committee (PSC) of the European Union (EU) decided
to extend sanctions for 12 more months against Belarus. Since
Belarus still holds political prisoner Kazulin in custody,
the committee voted against unfreezing assets or granting
visas.
2. He did not make any specific statements regarding U.S.-
Belarusian bilateral relations or the fact that Belarus has
asked the U.S. Embassy to remove personnel (or have them
PNGed). Ieromanachou was surprised to hear that the U.S. had
already decided to remove some of its diplomatic personnel,
per the government of Belarus's (GOB's) request.
3. He stated that, historically, there were no bilateral or
EU-level contacts with Belarus, but that recently there have
been discussions and updates in EU circles about how to deal
with the GoB. He said that although Belarus has been showing
optimistic signals here and there, it has not demonstrated
any concrete signs that it would release the prisoners.
SCHLICHER