Embassy Staff Reduction: Statement by Chargé Jonathan Moore

24 March 2008

Minsk, Belarus

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.

As long as we are able to continue our work in Minsk, the Embassy will carry out its fundamental tasks in full accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, including the pursuit of contacts between Belarusians and Americans, looking after the interests of U.S. citizens in Belarus, welcoming visitors to the United States, and reporting on political and economic developments.  As before, the unconditional release of all political prisoners would make it possible to explore improvement of our bilateral relations.