Does Lukashenka’s Regime intend to rupture relations with US?

Belarus has taken a decision about additional cut its staff in the Embassy in Washington. It has been stated in the note handed to Jonathan Moore, deputy chief of the US Mission to Belarus, the press-service of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry informs.

As noted in the document, such a decision had been taken “in connection with numerous refusals of the US side to reverse additional economic restriction measures against Belneftekhim concern, and because of the consistent line of the US administration for winding up contacts with Belarus”.

In line with Article 11 of Vienna Covent ion on Diplomatic Relations, the Foreign Ministry of Belarus offered the US side to cut the staff of the US Embassy in Minsk in the same measure and in the same term.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry does not inform still how many diplomats would be recalled from the US and when.

As we have informed, on March 7, after the US Department of Treasury published guidance on sanctions imposed against Belneftekhim concern in autumn 2007, and thus extended them to all Belarusian petrochemical enterprises with 50 per cent stake of the state, Belarus recalled its envoy Mikhail Khvastou for consultations. On March 12 the US decided to recall Ambassador Karen Stewart from Belarus “for short consultations”. Then the US was recommended to reduce its diplomatic mission staff. In response the US Embassy stated that visa issuing would be temporarily suspended. On March 27, 17 more US diplomats left Minsk.

The sanctions have been imposed against the Belarusian regime for their reluctance to release political prisoners.