Embassy Calls for Humanitarian Release of U.S. Citizen

U.S. Embassy Minsk Press Statement
April 29, 2008

The United States is deeply concerned about the deteriorating health of American citizen Emanuel Zeltser, imprisoned in Belarus.  Since his detention on March 12, the U.S. Embassy in Minsk has only been permitted to visit him on two occasions, March 27 and April 25. 

During the visit on April 25, the consular officer from the U.S. Embassy noticed a significant physical deterioration of Mr. Zeltser’s health since the previous visit on March 27.  Mr. Zeltser lost a considerable amount of weight and was very weak.  Despite all efforts by the U.S. Embassy, his lawyer, and his U.S. doctor to comply with prison procedures, Mr. Zeltser has not been permitted to take his required daily medications, which may be causing irreversible internal damage. 

The United States is extremely concerned for the health and safety of Mr. Zeltser should he remain in the care and custody of the Government of Belarus.   On April 25, the Department of State requested the Government of Belarus to release Emanuel Zeltser on humanitarian grounds immediately.  We urge the Government of Belarus to favorably consider this request in order to save the life of an American citizen suffering in its custody.

Charge Moore Meets With Belarusian MFA

Chargé Jonathan Moore was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 23.  At the meeting, the Chargé was told that the Ministry "requested" that the Embassy provide a list of the five U.S. diplomats who would remain in Belarus on April 30.  Mr. Moore protested this news, and noted that there would be grave consequences as a result of this unprecedented and unwarranted step by the Belarusian authorities.  He added that he would inform the U.S. Department of State in Washington and would provide a reply to the Belarusian requirement in due course.

Mr. Moore also protested the continued lack of access to American citizen Emanuel Zeltser, whom the Embassy has not been able to visit since March 27, and expressed concerns about the state of Mr. Zeltser's health.

Remarks by Charge d'Affaires Jonathan Moore at the Opening of the Earth Day Photo Exhibition

---

Belarus: Access to Imprisoned U.S. Citizen

Statement by State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey
Washington, DC
April 14, 2008

The United States is concerned about the welfare of American citizen Emanuel Zeltser, imprisoned in Belarus.  Mr. Zeltser suffers from serious pre-existing health conditions and requires daily medications.  Despite repeated requests for consular access to Mr. Zeltser, we have been permitted only one visit on March 27.   

The Government of Belarus failed to provide timely notification of his arrest, information about his medical condition, and did not inform the U.S. Embassy of his recent transfer to a state psychiatric hospital.

Consular access in Belarus has long been a concern for the United States.  We urge the Government of Belarus to comply with their international legal obligations and provide immediate and regular consular access to Emanuel Zeltser.

Consular Services Notice

April 3, 2008

The Government of Belarus requested on March 31 that the United States again reduce the size of our Embassy in Minsk.  As you are aware, only last week, our Embassy reduced the number of American staff by half.  We consider these demands by the Belarusian Government to be unwarranted and unjustified.

At this time, the Consular Section is only able to provide American citizen services by appointment only.  To make an appointment, please contact the Consular Section (see contact information below).  Although we resumed visa processing this week, we have again found it necessary to temporarily suspend the acceptance of most visa applications.  Visit the Embassy's website at http://minsk.usembassy.gov for the latest updates.

(more)

Belarus: Crackdown on Media and Demonstrators

Statement by State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack
Washington, DC
March 27, 2008

We condemn today’s crackdown on independent media in Belarus, during which some 30 independent journalists in 12 cities were detained without legitimate cause. This follows the violent breakup of peaceful demonstrations in Minsk on March 25, which was accompanied by scores of arrests.  The regime of Alyaksandr Lukashenka has again shown itself as a brutal, authoritarian dictatorship that blatantly ignores human rights and fundamental freedoms. (full text)

Embassy Minsk Staff Reduction

Statement by State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack 

The United States will with great regret reduce the number of American staff at our embassy in Minsk by almost half, at the insistence of the Government of Belarus.  Visa processing in Belarus is temporarily suspended.  We continue to provide all American citizen services in Belarus. (full text)

Embassy Staff Reduction: Statement by Chargé Jonathan Moore

March 24, 2008

Earlier today I delivered the official response of the United States to the demand that the number of diplomats at our Embassy in Minsk be reduced.  I noted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the United States considers this demand to be unreasonable and inconsistent with normal diplomatic practice.  However, the United States is complying with the demand, and the number of our diplomatic staff in Belarus will be reduced to 17 by the afternoon of March 27.  This step meets the requirements imposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (full text)