Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MINSK134
2009-04-27 11:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
BELARUS: MFA OFFERS NEW TEXT FOR CHERNOBYL RESPITE
how-toVZCZCXRO9731 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHSK #0134 1171156 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 271156Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY MINSK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0238 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHSK/AMEMBASSY MINSK 0242
UNCLAS MINSK 000134
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OEXC CVIS CMGT BO
SUBJECT: BELARUS: MFA OFFERS NEW TEXT FOR CHERNOBYL RESPITE
AGREEMENT
REF: MINSK 128
UNCLAS MINSK 000134
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OEXC CVIS CMGT BO
SUBJECT: BELARUS: MFA OFFERS NEW TEXT FOR CHERNOBYL RESPITE
AGREEMENT
REF: MINSK 128
1. (U) Please see action request para 5.
2. (U) Following up on reftel discussion, MFA U.S. and Canada
Director Sergey Rachkov met with Charge April 25 to provide a
new draft text for USG review on the subject of the Chernobyl
respite U.S. travel program for Belarusian children. Rachkov
noted that the GOB was prepared to reach concord on the basis on
an exchange of diplomatic notes, and told Charge that the new
text had been prepared with the intention of meeting both GOB
and USG concerns.
3. (U) Post will forward the full text to EUR/UMB. The key
passages read as follows (in the GOB's unofficial translation):
"7. The American Party...in accordance with the laws of the
United States of America guarantees to take comprehensive
measures for the return of children [garantiruyet prinyatiye
ischerpyvayushchikh mer po vozvrashcheniyu detey] to the
Republic of Belarus upon the completion of health respite
visits, despite the fact that the validity of [the] entry visa
to the United States of America may exceed the period of respite
visits of children."
"11. In case of unlawful holding of children the Belarusian and
American Parties immediately take comprehensive measures for
their unconditional return [nezamedlitel'no primut vse
ischerpyvayushchiye mery dlya bezuslovnogo vozvrashcheniya] to
the Republic of Belarus in accordance with domestic state laws
of both Parties and international agreements, which the Republic
of Belarus and the United States of America are party to."
4. (SBU) Rachkov stressed that this formulation meets the
requirements of Lukashenka's edict that return to Belarus be
guaranteed. Charge underlined that the USG had in fact taken
such measures in the case of the minor Belarusian who initially
chose to remain in California in 2008. Rachkov acknowledged
that point, and expressed the hope that both governments can
reach consensus as the timing for potential respite trips
approaches.
Comment and Action Request
--------------
5. (SBU) The GOB has now concluded agreements for respite
programs with Italy, Ireland, Germany, and the Netherlands, that
incorporate similar (or stronger) language. From post's
perspective, this new text is a marked improvement, as is the
GOB's recognition that a treaty or other formal agreement would
be extremely cumbersome: we recommend that we move forward to
exchange appropriate diplomatic notes. Post would be grateful
for the Department's views.
MOORE
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OEXC CVIS CMGT BO
SUBJECT: BELARUS: MFA OFFERS NEW TEXT FOR CHERNOBYL RESPITE
AGREEMENT
REF: MINSK 128
1. (U) Please see action request para 5.
2. (U) Following up on reftel discussion, MFA U.S. and Canada
Director Sergey Rachkov met with Charge April 25 to provide a
new draft text for USG review on the subject of the Chernobyl
respite U.S. travel program for Belarusian children. Rachkov
noted that the GOB was prepared to reach concord on the basis on
an exchange of diplomatic notes, and told Charge that the new
text had been prepared with the intention of meeting both GOB
and USG concerns.
3. (U) Post will forward the full text to EUR/UMB. The key
passages read as follows (in the GOB's unofficial translation):
"7. The American Party...in accordance with the laws of the
United States of America guarantees to take comprehensive
measures for the return of children [garantiruyet prinyatiye
ischerpyvayushchikh mer po vozvrashcheniyu detey] to the
Republic of Belarus upon the completion of health respite
visits, despite the fact that the validity of [the] entry visa
to the United States of America may exceed the period of respite
visits of children."
"11. In case of unlawful holding of children the Belarusian and
American Parties immediately take comprehensive measures for
their unconditional return [nezamedlitel'no primut vse
ischerpyvayushchiye mery dlya bezuslovnogo vozvrashcheniya] to
the Republic of Belarus in accordance with domestic state laws
of both Parties and international agreements, which the Republic
of Belarus and the United States of America are party to."
4. (SBU) Rachkov stressed that this formulation meets the
requirements of Lukashenka's edict that return to Belarus be
guaranteed. Charge underlined that the USG had in fact taken
such measures in the case of the minor Belarusian who initially
chose to remain in California in 2008. Rachkov acknowledged
that point, and expressed the hope that both governments can
reach consensus as the timing for potential respite trips
approaches.
Comment and Action Request
--------------
5. (SBU) The GOB has now concluded agreements for respite
programs with Italy, Ireland, Germany, and the Netherlands, that
incorporate similar (or stronger) language. From post's
perspective, this new text is a marked improvement, as is the
GOB's recognition that a treaty or other formal agreement would
be extremely cumbersome: we recommend that we move forward to
exchange appropriate diplomatic notes. Post would be grateful
for the Department's views.
MOORE