Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MINSK171
2009-06-03 15:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
BELARUS: NEW INTERIOR MINISTER APPOINTED
how-toVZCZCXRO9560 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHSK #0171 1541522 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 031522Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY MINSK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0282 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHSK/AMEMBASSY MINSK 0286
UNCLAS MINSK 000171
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR BO
SUBJECT: BELARUS: NEW INTERIOR MINISTER APPOINTED
REF: MINSK 106
UNCLAS MINSK 000171
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR BO
SUBJECT: BELARUS: NEW INTERIOR MINISTER APPOINTED
REF: MINSK 106
1. (SBU) Belarusian President Lukashenka formally appointed a
new Minister of Internal Affairs June 2. Anatol Kulyashou, who
has been acting Minister, is a career policeman -- in contrast
to his predecessor. He has largely remained behind the scenes
and is generally well regarded. The Ministry's most
controversial actions, including the violent dispersal of
post-election protests in 2006, were conducted by OMON special
units controlled by Minister Navumau rather than by forces under
Kulyashou's authority; he has not been mentioned as being
complicit in human rights offenses.
Bio note
--------------
2. (U) Kulyashou, born in 1959, graduated from the Minsk Police
Academy and served in various positions in Belarus' capital
before becoming the head of the police in the Gomel region in
2001. He returned to Minsk as police chief in 2003, and became
the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs with oversight
responsibility for the public order police in August 2008.
Kulyashou was named First Deputy Minister in December 2008, and
was tapped to be Acting Minister upon Uladzimir Navumau's
departure from office in April 2009 (reftel).
Comment
--------------
3. (SBU) There has been some comment here about the delay in
filling the ministership. Serving as acting Minister, Kulyashou
was an likely choice, but had been rumored to not want the top
job. Separately, members of the diplomatic community who have
encountered Kulyashou describe him as a professional rather than
political figure. Time -- and the conduct of the Ministry's
personnel -- will help observers evaluate him further.
MOORE
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR BO
SUBJECT: BELARUS: NEW INTERIOR MINISTER APPOINTED
REF: MINSK 106
1. (SBU) Belarusian President Lukashenka formally appointed a
new Minister of Internal Affairs June 2. Anatol Kulyashou, who
has been acting Minister, is a career policeman -- in contrast
to his predecessor. He has largely remained behind the scenes
and is generally well regarded. The Ministry's most
controversial actions, including the violent dispersal of
post-election protests in 2006, were conducted by OMON special
units controlled by Minister Navumau rather than by forces under
Kulyashou's authority; he has not been mentioned as being
complicit in human rights offenses.
Bio note
--------------
2. (U) Kulyashou, born in 1959, graduated from the Minsk Police
Academy and served in various positions in Belarus' capital
before becoming the head of the police in the Gomel region in
2001. He returned to Minsk as police chief in 2003, and became
the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs with oversight
responsibility for the public order police in August 2008.
Kulyashou was named First Deputy Minister in December 2008, and
was tapped to be Acting Minister upon Uladzimir Navumau's
departure from office in April 2009 (reftel).
Comment
--------------
3. (SBU) There has been some comment here about the delay in
filling the ministership. Serving as acting Minister, Kulyashou
was an likely choice, but had been rumored to not want the top
job. Separately, members of the diplomatic community who have
encountered Kulyashou describe him as a professional rather than
political figure. Time -- and the conduct of the Ministry's
personnel -- will help observers evaluate him further.
MOORE