President Bush Extends Asset Freeze for Certain Belarusian Officials

U.S. Embassy Statement on the Small Grants Program

The Small Grants Program of the U.S. Embassy in Belarus has been in existence for a number of years.  It is described in detail on the Embassy's websites, both in English (http://minsk.usembassy.gov/democracy_commission.html) and Belarusian (http://belarusian.minsk.usembassy.gov/democracy_commission.html).

As is noted on those sites, the program's priority areas are independent media, rule of law, and human rights.  The program is interested in projects relating to building democratic institutions, support of civic education, women's equality, legal reforms and market economy to facilitate Belarus' integration into the trans-Atlantic community of democratic nations.

Given the fact that this is an established and well-publicized activity of the U.S. Embassy, it is curious that this program is receiving such profound scrutiny at this time.  However, subject to the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Embassy is prepared to receive an official inquiry about the work of the Small Grants Program from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

U.S. Embassy and Pobeda Movie Theater Present Hollywood Classics Film Festival

Minsk, Belarus
May 29, 2008

The U.S. Embassy in Minsk and Pobeda Movie Theater are holding our third Hollywood Classics Film Festival June 3-6, 2008.

In Belarus, this tradition of American classic film festivals began in July 2003.  In May 2007, we presented another successful series of Hollywood classics to an enthusiastic Belarusian audience.  This year’s program will bring together four Hollywood movies, each one telling a unique and captivating story.  It includes such films as The Best Years of Our Lives; 12 Angry Men; West Side Story; and In the Heat of the Night.  While several of these may be known to viewers, some of them will be seen on the big screen for the first time in Belarus.  The selected films touch upon a variety of universally resonant social and moral themes and have received high critical acclaim in the United States and internationally.

American Jazz Musicians Play in Belarus

ALVIN ATKINSON & THE SOUND MERCHANTS, an American jazz group, will visit Minsk to play two concerts and conduct a series of master classes on jazz music for the Belarusian art students during the week of May 26th.

The group integrates jazz and blues influences with inflections of rhythms and melodies from around the world. The musicians are as follows: Alvin Atkinson, Jr. (drums), Sean Higgins (piano), Ameen Saleem (bass), and Lakecia Benjamin (saxophone).

The project is organized within the framework of Rhythm Road, an American Music Abroad Program, which is a partnership between Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) and the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The program is designed to foster cultural exchange with audiences worldwide.

For detailed information, please contact Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Belarus. Tel: (017) 217 04 81.

Concern about Continued Detention of American Emanuel Zeltser in Belarus

Statement by State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack
May 19, 2008

The United States is deeply concerned about the deteriorating health of American citizen Emanuel Zeltser, imprisoned in Belarus.  Despite repeated direct requests to Belarusian officials in both Washington and Minsk, Belarusian authorities have only permitted U.S. government access to Mr. Zeltser twice since his detention on March 12.  During the second visit on April 25, the consular officer noticed a significant physical deterioration of Mr. Zeltser’s health.  He has not been permitted to take his required daily medications.

Because of these serious medical concerns, on April 25, the Department of State requested Emanuel Zeltser's release on humanitarian grounds.  We have yet to receive a response and urge the Belarusian government to respond quickly and favorably to this request.

Treasury Designates Three Entities of Major Petrochemicals Conglomerate in Belarus

Embassy Calls for Humanitarian Release of U.S. Citizen

U.S. Embassy Minsk Press Statement
April 29, 2008

The United States is deeply concerned about the deteriorating health of American citizen Emanuel Zeltser, imprisoned in Belarus.  Since his detention on March 12, the U.S. Embassy in Minsk has only been permitted to visit him on two occasions, March 27 and April 25. 

During the visit on April 25, the consular officer from the U.S. Embassy noticed a significant physical deterioration of Mr. Zeltser’s health since the previous visit on March 27.  Mr. Zeltser lost a considerable amount of weight and was very weak.  Despite all efforts by the U.S. Embassy, his lawyer, and his U.S. doctor to comply with prison procedures, Mr. Zeltser has not been permitted to take his required daily medications, which may be causing irreversible internal damage. 

The United States is extremely concerned for the health and safety of Mr. Zeltser should he remain in the care and custody of the Government of Belarus.   On April 25, the Department of State requested the Government of Belarus to release Emanuel Zeltser on humanitarian grounds immediately.  We urge the Government of Belarus to favorably consider this request in order to save the life of an American citizen suffering in its custody.

Charge Moore Meets With Belarusian MFA

Chargé Jonathan Moore was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 23.  At the meeting, the Chargé was told that the Ministry "requested" that the Embassy provide a list of the five U.S. diplomats who would remain in Belarus on April 30.  Mr. Moore protested this news, and noted that there would be grave consequences as a result of this unprecedented and unwarranted step by the Belarusian authorities.  He added that he would inform the U.S. Department of State in Washington and would provide a reply to the Belarusian requirement in due course.

Mr. Moore also protested the continued lack of access to American citizen Emanuel Zeltser, whom the Embassy has not been able to visit since March 27, and expressed concerns about the state of Mr. Zeltser's health.

Remarks by Charge d'Affaires Jonathan Moore at the Opening of the Earth Day Photo Exhibition