Jonathan Moore: The situation with our embassy is extraordinary

US Charge d’Affaires in Belarus Jonathan Moore has described as unjustified and illegitimate the declaration of ten American diplomats by the official Minsk as persona non-grata. He says that economic sanctions against Belarus will be expanded, while US will continue to demand the release of all political prisoners. Jonathan Moore has also promised that the Ambasovischa music festival will definitely be held again this year on the territory of the US ambassador’s residence in Raubichy.

On Wednesday, April 30, US Charge d’Affaires in Minsk Jonathan Moore received from the Belarusian foreign ministry the list of ten American diplomats who were officially declared persona non-grata. Under the Vienna Convention, the listed diplomats must leave the country within 72 hours. Jonathan Moore told a news conference in Minsk Wednesday that the actions of the official Minsk were unjustified and illegitimate. At the same time, the diplomat warned the Belarusian side that this measure would by no means resolve the main issue: political prisoners in Belarus.

Jonathan Moore: “For the United States, the issue of the number of political prisoners in Belarus is more important than the number of American diplomats. I immediately warned the Belarusian foreign ministry that the situation with political prisoners would have led to very serious consequences”.

The diplomat reminded that the number of political prisoners had increased to three, namely: Alexander Kozulin, Andrei Kim and Siarhei Parsyukevich. In addition, the United States is worried by the health condition of Emanuel Zeltser, a US lawyer, arrested in Minsk on March 12. Since then, American diplomats have been given only two appointments with the US national. During the second visit on April 25, diplomats noticed that Zeltser’s health had significantly deteriorated. However, they were banned from bringing a necessary medicine for him.

Answering a question from the press, Jonathan Moore confirmed that economic sanctions against Belarus would be expanded further. However, he noted that it was not linked with the “diplomatic scandal”.

Jonathan Moore: “The issue of economic sanctions is directly linked with human rights concerns. Economic sanctions do not depend on what is happening with our embassy. When a process of freeing political prisoners began in January, we made it understand that we hoped that the process would reach the logical end and that all, including Alexander Kozulin, would be freed. However, the process has not continued. Rather, it has taken a reverse direction. As long as political prisoners remain in Belarus, economic sanctions will not be lifted”.

He stressed that economic sanctions would likely be expanded. However, the diplomat would not elaborate on what other Belarusian enterprises could repeat the fate of petrochemical monopoly Belneftekhim. He would not comment either on whether Lukashenka’s private bank accounts, allegedly frozen, existed indeed. Moore said that it was sufficient for US to know that all Belneftekhim’s assets were controlled personally by the Belarusian leader.

Jonathan Moore: “The main sanctions to freeze accounts were imposed after the 2006 elections. The introduction of economic sanctions was coordinated together with European nations. On our side, we expanded the sanctions by freezing Lukashenka’s accounts with the help of sanctions against Belneftekhim. These assets are controlled personally by him. However, I cannot say that some of his private accounts were frozen”.

As for the further operation of the embassy and its visa and consular services in Minsk, the diplomat noted that the embassy in Minsk would issue visa in extraordinary cases only. Other applicants would be redirected to the embassies in the neighboring countries.

ERB: Observers use various wording to describe the current situation. Some call it a diplomatic war. Others say that this is a tough political dialogue. Others describe it as a bargaining for political prisoners. If this is a war, what is the level of combat the United State is prepared for? If this is a dialogue, for how long will your patience last to maintain dialogue in such a tone? If this is bargaining, how much will US be able to pay so that its demands are met?

Jonathan Moore: “As a diplomat, I’d like to say that the situation with human rights is the most important issue for us. Talking about the moves made against our embassy, I would not relate them to any of the categories named by you. During my discussions with my colleagues and diplomats, everyone agrees that this is an extraordinary case when we are demanded to cut diplomatic staff on conditions of parity. None of my colleagues were declared persona non-grata for the actions which these diplomats are doing. The bottom line is that the Belarusian authorities simply want to reduce our embassy staff. This is an absolutely unprecedented case in the international practice”.

ERB: After staff cuts and the natural difficulties in the operation of the embassy, will humanitarian, cultural and training programs of the US embassy be suspended? Will Ambassovischa festival take place this year?

Jonathan Moore: “There are many projects, including Ambasavischa that we will hopefully be able to continue. We got this unpleasant news just today. We are still discussing how we are going to work and what to do. But I indeed hope that during the time when I will serve as charge d’affaires in Belarus, we will continue these programs and will meet at Ambasovischa”.

According to the diplomat, it is very important that US pays attention to Belarus on the year of presidential elections in America. Both the Republicans and Democrats follow very carefully the developments in Belarus. All the three hopefuls are seriously concerned by human rights violations in this country. Therefore, the diplomat is confident that the US administration will not change its stance towards Belarus after the polls.

When asked if the US would consistently demand the release of all political prisoners in Belarus, the charge d’affaires said briefly in Belarusian: “Tak! (Yes!)"