BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

20/03/2008

Belarus FM to halve number of US diplomats in Minsk

Foreign ministry of Belarus has recommended that US State Department take measures to adjust the level of diplomatic presence of the USA in Belarus to that of the level of diplomatic presence of Belarus in the USA. Personnel of the Belarusian embassy in New-York is comprised of 18 people (including all embassy employees, not just diplomats). The number of employees of US embassy in Minsk is 38.

Relations between Minsk and Washington deteriorated in the end of last year after the USA froze accounts of Belarusian concern Belneftekhim and its subsidiaries. The future Belarus-US dialog depends on total cancellation of sanctions against Belarusian enterprises.

Information about suspension of visa-issuing process has appeared on the US diplomatic mission web site. The US embassy has suspended admitting visa applications and issuing visas, since the US administration is closely examining letter of Belarusian foreign ministry recommending that the number of US embassy staff be reduced.

Source:

http://www.regnum.ru/english/974236.html

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