T.Melia: Sanctions are targeted at officials

The aim of the targeted sanctions imposed on Belarus is to be directed at officials and not at the people. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Melia claimed it at a meeting with the administration of the Belarusian Association of Journalists in Minsk on January 23. Andrei Alyaksandrau, deputy BAJ chairperson, has informed BelaPAN that problems of the freedom of speech and the situation of independent mass media in Belarus were discussed at the meeting. Thomas Melia explained that he was going to inform the Belarusian administration about the position of the USA: the events that took place in Belarus on December 19 and later are unacceptable for the USA. Melia noted that his visit was not only a working visit; it was a way to demonstrate solidarity with the Belarusian civil community.

Thomas Melia’s visit will finish on January 25. The representative of the United States Department of State is going to urge to release all the political prisoners as soon as possible. He is also planning to meet families of the detained, representatives of the democratic opposition, NGOs, the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and missions of the EU member states.