Scott Roland: Sanctions on Lukashenka's Regime to Be Considered After "Elections"

The final decision upon US sanctions on Belarus' government will be taken after parliamentary elections in the country.

Scott Roland, Chargé d'Affaires in Belarus, stated that in the Krupnym Planom TV programme on Belarus 1, May 31.

The diplomat did not agree that Belarus-USA relations took the reset then, BelaPAN reports.

"The reset understands the start from nothing. Although our relations have been not as good as we wished, however, I think, they were not so bad to use word "reset", Roland noted.

Speaking about complete lifting sanctions, the diplomat stated that the USA wanted to see a progress in democracy and human rights in Belarus. "This year it is particularly important, when the parliamentary elections are to come. And we specifically said that we wanted to see the progress in the sphere. And after the elections let's see what comes next," he said.

Roland noted he considered principles of OSCE "a golden standard for us all" with respect to elections and the US kept a close eye on analysis of elections in different countries on the part of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)/OSCE.

"I guess no country in the world has a perfect electoral system. We must strive for an ideal, but we are people and err is human", he believes.

At the same time he noted while assessment of any elections by observers of the ODIHR pride of place went to their transparency. I think that this is important for your elections as well," the diplomat stated.

Noted thaw in relations between Belarus and the United States, Roland whose mission expires in July said: "I was glad to be here all this period. All of us - the Foreign Ministry, European diplomats, our diplomats, Brussels and Washington DC - played a significant role. All of us saw ways how to take steps towards rectification of relations between our countries. I am glad to see the process has been launched. But I think there is still long way for us to take. I hope we are ready to move on."

On April 29 the US extended the decision taken after the presidential election in Belarus about easing sanctions on Belarusian enterprises until October 31, 2016. Sanctions imposed were based on Decree of the President of the United States George Bush from June 16, 2006 in connection with the violation of human rights in Belarus and were periodically extended. Belarusian Oil Trading House, Belneftekhim concern, Belneftekhim USA Inc., ОАО Belshina, OAO Grodno Azot, OAO Grodno Khimvolokno, OAO Lakokraska, OAO Naftan, and OAO Polotsk- Steklovolokno are in the list.