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