U.S. Department of State expects Karen Stewart to Return to Minsk
4- 13.03.2008, 8:43
US Ambassador Karen Stewart is expected to return to Minsk after "consultations," Sean McCormack, spokesman for the Department of State, said at a press briefing in Washington on March 12.
He said that the ambassador left Belarus. She intended to spend a day or two in Vilnius and "talk to officials" in Brussels on her way back to Washington, BelaPAN informs.
"And we expect that after her consultations have been completed, that she would return to Belarus," he said.
Ms. Stewart left Belarus amid a diplomatic dispute. The moves have been taken to retaliate against the U.S. sanctions on Belarusian oil monopoly Belneftekhim, said a statement by the Belarus Foreign Ministry. On March 7, 2008 the U.S. Treasury, explaining the sanctions against Belneftekhim imposed in autumn 2007, in fact expanded their application to all Belarusian enterprises of petrochemical complex in which the state in which the state owns, directly or indirectly, a 50% or greater interest. “U.S. persons who have or who are contemplating business relationships with entities in which Belfneftekhim owns, directly or indirectly, a 50% or greater interest should be aware that the property and interests in property of such entities are blocked,” reads the document.
