BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

01/05/2008

US Considers Closure of Belarusian Diplomatic Mission

By VOA News

The United States is reported considering whether to order Belarus to close its embassy in Washington and consulate in New York.

U.S. officials, who asked not to be identified, say the State Department may also close the American embassy in the Belarusian capital, as a diplomatic dispute over the human rights situation in Belarus escalates.

A formal expulsion announcement could be made in the coming days.

The State Department said Wednesday the United States wants good diplomatic relations with Belarus. However, a spokesman said, Washington is not willing to stop pressing the government in Belarus to allow more freedom of speech and respect other civil liberties.

U.S. Ambassador Karen Stewart was forced to leave Belarus in March. Since then, both sides have ordered reductions in their respective diplomatic staffing.

The United States and the European Union have imposed wide-ranging travel and economic sanctions on the government of President Alexander Lukashenko due to its poor record on human rights and fair elections.

Earlier this month, Mr. Lukashenko demanded that Washington lift sanctions against the Belarusian state-owned oil and chemical company, Belneftekhim, if it wants to improve relations.

President Bush has repeatedly referred to the Belarusian leader as Europe's last dictator.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.

Source:

http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-05-01-voa38.cfm

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