US embassy cable - 05MINSK1026

C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 001026 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/15 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, BO 
SUBJECT: MFA RESPONDS TO DIP NOTE ON DETAINED U.S. DIPLOMAT 
 
 
Classified by Charge Constance Phlipot for Reasons 1.4 
(B,D) 
 
Ref: Minsk 1006 
 
1. (U) On August 31 Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials 
called in CDA to discuss the results of the MFA's 
investigation into the August 23 detention of Poloff and 
LES political assistant in Gomel (reftel).  Pavel Pustovoi 
and Alexander Strigelsky of the MFA Americas Desk reported 
police in Gomel entered a private apartment to conduct a 
routine passport check.  Pustovoi noted the approximately 
ten Belarusian nationals in the apartment refused to show 
their passports to the police.  When Poloff presented his 
diplomatic card, the police officers determined the 
document to be severely damaged and therefore called their 
regional superiors to verify the credentials of Poloff. 
According to the MFA investigation, once the regional chief 
of citizenship and migration issues verified Poloff's 
credentials, the two Emboffs were immediately allowed to 
leave the apartment.  The MFA concluded the local and 
regional authorities performed their duties within the 
confines of domestic and international law.  Pustovoi added 
the entire incident could have been avoided if Poloff 
carried a legible dipcard. 
 
2. (U) CDA thanked Pustovoi for the response to the 
Embassy's diplomatic note on the incident, but she stressed 
the USG remained concerned about police treatment of an 
accredited diplomat.  The Gomel police officers 
unnecessarily created an atmosphere of fear while carrying 
out their duties.  Moreover, the police refused to allow 
Emboffs to leave the apartment for 40 minutes.  She noted 
the blocking of the road that led to the original location 
of Poloff's meeting with local NGOs and the presence of 
state TV crews at the new meeting location clearly 
indicated the premeditated nature of the detention of the 
Emboffs.  Responding to Pustovoi's suggestion that the 
Poloff carry a legible dipcard, CDA said the lamination of 
the dip cards is of poor quality and therefore all dipcards 
run the risk of becoming exposed and damaged. 
 
3. (C) Comment: The explanation provided by the MFA is 
groundless at best.  The Gomel police were not merely 
conducting a routine check of passports in the apartment. 
It was part of an orchestrated attempt by the GOB to harass 
Embassy officials.  It is noteworthy that when CDA raised 
our concern with the MFA officials, they expressed no 
sympathy and simply advised us to keep our dipcards in good 
condition. 
 
PHLIPOT