BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

08/08/2007

U.S. tightens travel restrictions for Belarusian officials

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON: The United States tightened restrictions on U.S. travel by Belarusian officials after the U.S. State Department said the country had not improved its human rights record and taken steps toward democracy.

The move implemented on Aug. 3 expands a list of the type of officials who will be restricted for travel under an order signed by President George W. Bush last year aimed at those responsible for repressive policies in the government of President Alexander Lukashenko.

A statement issued by the U.S. embassy in Minsk said that since Bush's order, the Belarusian government has "continued to imprison and harass persons for speaking out in favor of democracy, holding peaceful demonstrations, and opposing the repressive policies of the regime."

Officials added to the list and their spouses will have to undergo stricter reviews to obtain visas to travel to the United States. The list includes security and election officials as well as business leaders of state owned companies.

Source:

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/07/america/NA-GEN-US-Belarus.php