BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
18/03/2008
U.S. says its ambassador to return to Belarus
The United States said Monday that its expelled ambassador will return to Belarus soon and it does not expect to cut relations with Belarus.
"We've had some interesting relations with Belarus in recent weeks, and certainly have our ambassador, now, out of the country temporarily, and expect her to got back shortly," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said.
Casey said he did not know when the ambassador would schedule her return to Belarus.
When asked if Belarus will cut ties with the United States, Casey said: "I don't think anyone expects that to happen. But, you know, obviously, Belarus, like any other country, is free to determine how it wishes to manage its diplomatic relations with us and with other countries."
Belarus expelled U.S. ambassador to Belarus Karen Stewart earlier this month and recalled its envoy to the United States.
According to the Foreign Ministry of Belarus, the moves have been taken to retaliate against Washington's new sanctions on Belarus' national oil products firm Belneftekhim last year.
Bilateral ties between the United States and Belarus have been chilly.
Source:
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/6375279.html
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