EMBASSY VISITS AILING IMPRISONED AMERICAN

UNCLAS VILNIUS 000425

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

AMEMBASSY MINSK SENDS
DEPT FOR CA/OCS AND EUR/UMB
FRANKFURT FOR RCO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CACS PREL PHUM BO
SUBJECT: EMBASSY VISITS AILING IMPRISONED AMERICAN

REF: A) Savage - Platukis email 05/30/08
B) GOB dipnote 19-17/4392 05/30/08


Summary
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1. (SBU) Conoff met June 2 with ailing American citizen Emanuel
Zeltser who has been held in Belarusian KGB pretrial confinement
since March 12. Since the last visit on April 25 Zeltser's health
had significantly worsened; he had lost even more weight, had
trouble standing and walking, supporting himself by holding onto a
chair or the wall alternatively. Zeltser said he is "in a great
deal of pain" and cannot sleep as a result. He appeared weak, had
trouble concentrating and speaking, and his hands and mouth trembled
regularly. Zeltser told Conoff that he can "barely get out of bed"
and has a hard time getting up and down the stairs for his
occasional interrogations.


2. (SBU) According to Zeltser, the prison doctor has visited him
several times and recently prescribed Zeltser to take Zanax, which
was given to him and then seized by prison officials who explained
that the doctor had "changed his mind." According to Zeltser, the
doctor also prescribed him relenium (valium),which he was also not
allowed to take. He confirmed that he is not permitted any
medications except an herbal supplement that is ineffective in
dulling his pain. Other than the lack of medication, Zeltser did
not make any other complaints about his treatment, even upon
questioning. (Comment: As in previous visits, it is relevant to note
that the BKGB investigator was present throughout the course of the
interview.)


3. (SBU) Raising the possibility of an independent doctor's visit,
per the parameters described in reftel B, Zeltser was skeptical of
the usefulness. He said that no Belarusian national will "do
anything other than what they are told to do," but said that he
would discuss the matter with his lawyer, Dmitriy Goryachko.


4. (SBU) Conoff shared with Zeltser the DOS' request for his
release on humanitarian grounds as well as related press statements
and clippings. Zeltser expressed his appreciation for Conoff's
visit, asked that the DOS continue to appeal for his release and
speak to a wide audience of international press about his condition
and case. He requested that we convey this information to his
family.

Comment
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5. (SBU) Zeltser's self-described health concerns are corroborated
by his overall appearance and difficulties moving and talking.
Although post agrees with Zeltser that the chances of finding a
truly independent doctor to examine Zeltser in Belarus, we believe
this avenue merits exploration. We will reach out to Moscow and
Vilnius in the hopes of finding a third-party doctor who may be less
easily influenced by political forces at play.

Moore
Cloud