BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

08/08/2007

U.S. Expands Travel Sanctions On Belarusians Officials

August 8, 2007 -- The United States says it has expanded a list of Belarusian officials placed under strict travel restrictions in connection with human-rights violations.

Following the contested re-election of Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in 2006, U.S. President George W. Bush signed an order sanctioning about 40 Belarusian authorities blamed for repressive policies and violations connected to the election.

A statement issued on August 7 by the U.S. Embassy in Minsk said that since that order was issued, the Belarusian government has "continued to imprison and harass persons for speaking out in favor of democracy, holding peaceful demonstrations, and opposing the repressive policies of the regime."

The expanded list includes security and election officials, and business leaders at state-owned companies.

Belarusian officials said the country will take "appropriate" measures in response to the travel ban.

(Reuters)

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/08/7cce9738-f52c-4a8e-8b8d-0dc14897d30d.html