Belarus’ ambassador to US came back to Minsk

Belarus’ ambassador to the US Mikhail Khvastou has come back to Minsk. Marya Vanshina, head of the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it to BelaPAN. The ambassador was recalled from the US due to additional sanctions imposed by the US against Belneftekhim concern.

The United States imposed sanctions because the Belarusian authorities had refused to release political prisoners and carry out democratic reforms.

The recalling of the ambassador and the appropriate statement of the MFA spokesman Andrei Papou were caused by the fact that an overview and guidance to all imposed against Belarus sanctions had been published on the official site of the US Department of Treasury on 6 March. The guidance in particular, noted: “U.S. persons who have or who are contemplating business relationships with entities in which Belneftekhim owns, directly or indirectly, a 50% or greater interest should be aware that the property and interests in property of such entities are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13405.”

The executive order 13405, sighed by the US President in June 2006, imposes financial sanctions against 10 Belarusian officials, responsible for “actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in Belarus; human rights abuses; and public corruption.” The document blocks their property and interests in property that are in the United States, accounts and financial operations; US companies and private persons are prohibited to deal with these administrative officials. The list of ten individuals is annexed to the order. They are President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, his son Viktar Lukashenka, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Natallya Pyatkevich, Minister of Justice Viktar Halavanau, Head of Belarusian State Television and Radio Company Alyaksandr Zimouski, Stsyapan Sukharenka (KGB head at that time), Secretary of the Security Council Viktar Sheiman, Commander of the Special Response Group of the Ministry of Interior (SOBR) Dzmitry Paulichenka, Minister of Internal Affairs Uladzimir Navumau, Head of the Central Commission for Election Lidziya Yarmoshina.