US continues sanctions on Belarusian officials

Barack Obama noted that the actions of the Belarusian authorities pose an “extraordinary threat”.

The United States continued for one year the sanctions on certain representatives of the Belarusian authorities imposed by President George W. Bush on June 16, 2006, the press service of the White House reports.

In summer 2006, the US froze assets of ten Belarusian high-ranking officials, including Alyaksandr Lukashenka, KGB head Stsyapan Sukharenka, director of the State TV and Radio Company Alyaksandr Zimouski, interior minister Uladzimir Navumau, deputy head of the Presidential Administration Natallya Pyatkevich and others.

“The actions and policies of the Government of Belarus and other persons continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. Accordingly, the national emergency declared on June 16, 2006, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond June 16, 2011. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency,” the press service quotes Tuesday’s notice from Barack Obama to the US Congress.

Obama noted that the events of the recent months in Belarus demonstrate steps backward in the development of democracy.

“The flawed December 2010 Presidential election in Belarus and its aftermath -- the harsh violence against peaceful demonstrators; the continuing detention, prosecution, and imprisonment of opposition Presidential candidates and others; and the continuing repression of independent media and civil society activists -- all show that the Government of Belarus has taken steps backward in the development of democratic governance and respect for human rights,” Obama emphasized.