DATE:
02/06/2008
MINSK, Belarus (AP) - A U.S. educational center in Belarus says it has closed.
The American Center for Education and Research's decision to shut comes amid an escalating diplomatic tug-of-war between the U.S. and the ex-Soviet nation.
A spokeswoman for the center declined comment Monday on reasons behind the closure. The U.S. Embassy has also refused comment.
U.S.-Belarusian relations have been on a downward spiral since Washington imposed financial sanctions on a major state-controlled oil and chemical company last fall.
The U.S. has urged authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko to release all political prisoners and end a crackdown on dissent as a condition for improving ties.
Source:
http://www.pr-inside.com/us-educational-center-in-belarus-closes-r620439.htm