English

US embassy resumes visa services

The US embassy in Minsk has started issuing visas to Belarusian citizens “in limited quantities,” a representative of the diplomatic mission told BelaPAN.

On March 19, the embassy announced that it was suspending its visa services because of the Belarusian government’s urgent request for staff cuts. The embassy then said that its resources were “engaged addressing other priorities,” and that further information would be provided “once the extent of the U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide visa services in Belarus has been determined.”

“The embassy will keep in contact with those whose visa interview appointments have been cancelled to schedule a new appointment,” the officer said. “Extra information on visa issue matters will be posted on our website as soon as it is possible.”

Minsk demanded, without giving a reason, that the United States reduce its embassy staff to the number of staff members of the Belarusian diplomatic mission in Washington and threatened to expel some of the 35 US diplomats if it does not.

The United States agreed to the demand to avoid breaking diplomatic ties altogether. The US embassy’s staff members were reduced by half to 17 people last week.

Belarusian-American relations further deteriorated after the United States imposed economic sanctions against Belarus’ petrochemical conglomerate Belnaftakhim over human rights abuses.

In mid-November 2007, the US Treasury Department announced that any assets found in the USA that belong to Belnaftakhim) should be frozen, as the Department had added Belnaftakhim to its list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. The resulting sanctions also barred US citizens from doing business with Belnaftakhim and its offices.