Iryna Krasouskaya and Belarusians in US meet with Deputy Assistant Secretary

Representatives of the Belarusian-American Association (BAZA) met with Eric Rubin on April 29.

They discussed Rubin's visit to Minsk in February, prospects for the development of bilateral relations and the position of the US on the “elections” in Belarus.

Valer Kavaleuski shared details of the meeting in an interview with Radio Svaboda.

– Who represented the Belarusian community at the meeting with Mr Rubin?

– Alesia Kipel, president of the Washington department of the Belarusian-American Association, deputy president Viachaslau Bortnik, head of We Remember organisation Iryna Krasouskaya and I came to the meeting.

– What did representatives of the community tell the American diplomat? What did they suggest and, perhaps, insist on?

– We raised the questions that are important to us, above all, the problem of political prisoners. We also discussed the problem of disappeared politicians and activists. We asked Mr Rubin if he had discussed that topic at his meeting with Lukashenka. We also asked if American politicians and Belarusian officials discussed these issues.

– Did you touch on the theme of the coordination of positions of the US and the EU?

– Mr Rubin said the US would keep an eye on the “elections” in Belarus and coordinate its position with the EU. The Americans always emphasise they coordinate their position with the EU.

– Some people think the relations between American MPs and the Belarusian community in the US were at a low level. Is the meeting with Mr Rubin a new page in the relations? Do representatives of the government and the Department of State often meet with members of the Belarusian community?

– We often meet with American officials. I mean meetings in the Department of State and unplanned meetings with officers of the US presidential administration. We often meet with officials in the Congress. Meetings in the Department of State are quite frequent. The level of Eric Rubin is high, but the meeting with him is not a unique event.

– In what degree are suggestions and recommendations of the Belarusian community implemented in the US policy towards Belarus?

– We do not have any misunderstandings during such meetings. We have the same positions on most issues. But we understand that the United States has its own interests and its own point of view on events in Belarus. We are happy that the US shares our position in many ways. But we understand that other decisions can be made for tactical reasons.