Authorities insist only 5 U.S. diplomats stay in Belarus

• 24.04.2008, 9:03

U.S. embassy in Belarus is offered by 30 April to give a list of 5 American diplomats, staying to work in Belarus.

As BelaPAN has learnt from the U.S. embassy, Jonathan Moore, U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Belarus, was said it in the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 23 April.

“Mr Moore expressed protests against this new demand and noted this unprecedented and unwarranted step of the Belarusian authorities would lead to serious consequences,” the embassy said.

Mr Moore also assured the Belarusian MFA officers he would inform the U.S. Department of State and give an answer to the Belarusian authorities at the right time.

7 March, after the U.S. published guidance to the sanctions against Belneftekhim, Belarusian ambassador Mikhail Khvastou was recalled from Washington. U.S. ambassador Karen Stewart left Mink on 12 March as the Belarusian side insisted. Later, the U.S. side was recommended to reduce its embassy staff. 17 American diplomats left Belarus on 27 March.

31 March Belarus took a decision to cut its embassy staff in Washington and suggested the U.S. to do the same. As Viktar Haisyanok, deputy minister of foreign affairs, explained Belarus wanted to reduce the number of its diplomats in the United Nations and U.S. ones in Belarus on a parity basis, according to the formula one plus six (one ambassador and six diplomats).