BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

04/01/2008

U.S. Ambassador To Belarus Responds To Expulsion Threat

U.S. Ambassador to Belarus Karen Stewart has responded to the December 30 statement of Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka threatening to expel her from the country if Washington introduces new sanctions against Minsk (see "RFE/RL Newsline," January 2, 2008), RFE/RL's Belarus Service reported on January 3. Stewart said that the United States has repeatedly explained to Belarusian authorities that the measures were imposed against Belarusian officials and others responsible for human rights abuses, the crackdown on democracy, and corruption. Stewart said that the United States is also "prepared to take appropriate action against entities owned or controlled by such persons." Stewart stressed that her December 13 statement on possible new sanctions was in line with U.S. policy. "The key to improved U.S.-Belarus relations remains in Belarusian hands -- the release of all political prisoners and its respect for basic democratic norms, including free elections and freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association," she said. AM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2008/01/3-cee/cee-040108.asp