Tom Casey: “US continue pressure with intent of Kazulin’s release”

• 18.03.2008, 10:11

At the briefing on March 17 Tom Casey, US Department of State spokesman told that the US does not expect that Belarus “would break relations and close embassy in the US”.

On the other hand, like any other country Belarus is free to form its diplomatic relations with the US or any other country. On their part the US stated what was important for them, and about the necessity to leave a high level of representation and continue pressure with the aim to release Alyaksandr Kazulin, as well as work on other human rights issues, told the US Department of State representative. He stressed the readiness of the US to keep the US Embassy headed by a good Ambassador in the capital of Belarus, BelaPAN informs.

As we have informed, on March 17 the Belarusian side again strongly recommended the US diplomatic missions to reduce number of workers in the Embassy in Minsk.

On March 7 Belarusian authorities recommended the US Ambassador to leave the country in connection with the sanctions of the US Department of State against Belneftekhim. On March 7, 2008 the US Treasury explained sanctions imposed in autumn 2007 against Belneftekhim. In fact, their application was expanded against all Belarusian enterprises of petrochemical complex with a state share of 50% or more. Before publication of this guidance sanctions concerned only the concern’s subsidiaties.

On March 13 the US passed a decision to recall Ambassador Karen Stewart for short-term consultations. Belarus recalled its Ambassador Mikhail Khvastou from the US.

The reason of the sanctions’ imposing by the US is a refusal of the Belarusian authorities to release political prisoners. Today a former presidential candidate in Belarus Alyaksandr Kazulin, a young leader Andrei Kim and a leader of small businessmen Syarhei Parsyukevich stay in prison.