BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

13/03/2008

Envoy quits Minsk amid US-Belarus row

Washington's envoy to Belarus has left Minsk amid a diplomatic row between Belarus and the United States over the US economic sanctions.

At a meeting with representatives of the united democratic forces of Belarus on Wednesday, Karen Stewart stated the policy of the US towards the Belarusian regime would remain unchanged.

The envoy also expressed hope that her absence would last no more than a few weeks.

Last week, Belarus advised Stewart to leave the country and recalled its envoy from Washington for consultations over new sanctions against the national petrochemical company, Belneftekhim.

The US sanctions were sparked by Minsk's decision to start oil production in Venezuela.

In December, a joint Belarusian-Venezuelan oil production company was opened in the South American country, with plans to produce about 7 million tons of oil annually, with 40% going to Belarus and 60% to Venezuela.

Source:

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=47202§ionid=351020606

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