Embargo looms after US expands sanctions against Belarus
Roman Yakovlevsky: We can expect an economic blockade
The US Department of Treasury published a new amendment to the economic sanctions against Belarusian petrochemical monopoly Belneftekhim. The sanctions also cover three enterprises that are part of Belneftekhim’s holding: the Belarusian Oil Trade House, Lakafarba Ltd paint-maker and a fiberglass factory in Polatsk.
The United States introduced sanctions against Belneftekhim in November 2007, freezing all its assets under the US jurisdiction. In addition, US businesses were recommended to refrain from any contacts with the Belarusian monopoly.
Maxim Kirpichenka, a manager in charge of the American region at the fiberglass factory in Polatsk, confirmed to the European Radio for Belarus that his company had expected this move from the US.
“The sanctions were imposed long time ago, so we have been prepared. We will certainly suffer some losses, but we will continue to work and see. It is still early to say anything”, he said.
The managers of the other two enterprises were not immediately available for comment.
Belarusian Vice Prime Minister Uladzimir Syamashka said in a statement that the new sanctions would not affect significantly the Belarusian enterprises. Piotr Prakapovich, the chairman of the Central Bank, admitted that US sanctions would scare away potential investors by damaging the image of Belarus. In the view of political observer Roman Yakovlevsky, today’s sanctions are just the beginning.
Yakovlevsky: I think that the US Congress will pass the third edition of the Belarus Democracy Act next month. It will make things even more stringent. We will talk about a real economic blockade, not just sanctions.
ERB: How probable is that Belarus’s embassy and consulates in US will be closed?
Yakovlevsky: According to my non-Belarus sources, the question remains open. But the threat of closure is very possible. If this happens, US’s interests in Belarus will be represented by the Polish embassy.
ERB: How will Europeans behave in this situation?
Yakovlevsky: A German-Belarusian energy forum took place several days ago. It had been planned as a huge event, but only minor officials from Germany came to participate. In my view, this is a proof that we are having complications with Germany as well. Lukashenka’s behavior demonstrates that he places Belarus alongside Iran. At the same time, George W. Bush is set to sort our Iran’s issue before his terms expires.
The main intrigue now is how EU and Russia will behave with Belarus. Alexander Lukashenka said recently: “If EU supports US sanctions, Belarus will remind it that 30-70 percent of Europe’s energy demands are shipped through Belarus”. Moscow-based business daily Kommersant described this statement as a gas blackmail
Photo: naviny.by
