Cablegate: Belarus Tip Strategy Proposal Demarche Delivered

VZCZCXYZ0008
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSK #0884 2911248
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 181248Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY MINSK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6584
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0008
RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA 0466
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0031

UNCLAS MINSK 000884

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR IO/T (NEVILLE)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PREL KCRM UN AU BO
SUBJECT: BELARUS TIP STRATEGY PROPOSAL DEMARCHE DELIVERED

REF: STATE 142590

(SBU) On October 18, Pol/Econ Chief and Poloff delivered reftel
points to Andrey Taranda, Head of the MFA Human Rights Division, and
Denis Zdorov, Human Rights Division Counselor. Taranda called the
U.S. decision not to support Belarus' multi-lateral proposal a
"pity," adding that the current U.N. Protocol has proven
insufficient to curb human trafficking. Moreover, he predicted that
international partners would perceive U.S. opposition to the GOB
proposal as "strange." Noting that the Belarusian non-paper was a
preliminary plan, Taranda asked whether U.S. opposition was final or
subject to change upon negotiated amendments. Pol/Econ Chief
replied that U.S. objections to the essential elements of the GOB
proposal were firm but encouraged Belarus' continued efforts to
address trafficking issues.

Stewart

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