BELARUS: DEMARCHE REQUEST FOR EMBASSY MINSK

UNCLAS STATE 051361 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR AMEMBASSY MINSK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM OFDP ODIP CASC WTRO BO SUBJECT: BELARUS: DEMARCHE REQUEST FOR EMBASSY MINSK ¶1. (SBU) This is an action request, see paragraph 2. ¶2. (SBU) Embassy Minsk is requested to convey the below points to the Presidential Administration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: -- The Obama Administration seeks to explore possibilities for improved U.S.-Belarus relations. -- We have agreed to an informal Chairman's consultation with other interested delegations to discuss Belarus' request to resume negotiations for accession to the WTO, called by the WTO Secretariat for June 3. -- The Treasury Department will be posting notice of a six-month extension of a general license for transactions with Polotsk Steklovolokno and Lakokraska. -- To further discussions on U.S.-Belarus relations, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Phillip Gordon is prepared to travel to Minsk to meet Presidential Administration Chief Makey and Foreign Minister Martynov. -- We are ready to discuss with the Government of Belarus our common interests in non-proliferation and Belarus' economic development, among other issues, as well as human rights and democratic expression in Belarus. -- Mutual restoration of diplomatic staff in Washington D.C., New York, and Minsk is an important step to fostering a more constructive relationship. As we seek to improve our bilateral relations, we see no justification for artificial limits on our diplomatic staffing. -- We remain deeply concerned about the well-being of imprisoned and seriously ill U.S. citizen Emanuel Zeltser, and we urge the Government of Belarus to release him on humanitarian grounds before his situation takes an irrevocable turn. ¶3. (SBU) Please contact Belarus Desk Officer Joe Wang (EUR/UMB) at (202) 736-4443 or via e-mail at wangj4@state.gov for further information. The Department appreciates the Embassy's assistance. CLINTON