US embassy cable - 05MINSK1485

UNCLAS MINSK 001485 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PINR, ECON, BO, CH 
SUBJECT:  GOB Seeks Meeting with U.S. Delegation During WTO 
Ministerial Conference 
 
Ref: Minsk 1422 
 
1. Following up on Ambassador's November 21 meeting with 
Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Mikhnevich (reftel), the 
MFA on December 8 delivered a letter to Ambassador 
requesting the Embassy's assistance in arranging a meeting 
with a senior member of the U.S. delegation at the December 
13-18 WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong.  (Full text 
of the letter is found in paragraph two.)  The Belarusian 
delegation, which will be headed by DFM Mikhnevich, would 
like to discuss with the U.S. Trade Representative or his 
deputy outstanding matters in U.S.-Belarusian bilateral 
negotiations on Belarus' accession to the WTO.  Per reftel, 
Post doubts the Belarusian delegation will present any new 
information to address U.S. concerns, but Post believes an 
appropriate member of the U.S. delegation at the WTO 
Ministerial Conference should meet with the Belarusian 
delegation, if only to show the U.S. is not rejecting 
Belarus' outreach for political reasons, as they often 
claim.  Moreover, it is possible the Belarusians will have 
something new after our earlier discussions. 
 
2.  Begin text of letter: 
 
Dear Sir, 
 
Referring to your meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign 
Affairs Mr. Aleksandr Mikhnevich on 21 November 2005, we 
have pleasure to confirm our intention to arrange a meeting 
with a senior member of the United States delegations at 
the 6th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade 
Organization in Hong Kong (China) on 13-18 December 2005 
(at the level of USTR or his deputy).  As discussed, we 
would appreciate your assistance in scheduling this 
meeting. 
 
At the meeting we would like to discuss ways to proceed 
with regard to solving outstanding matters in our bilateral 
negotiations in the context of Belarus' accession to the 
WTO. 
 
The Belarusian delegation will be headed by Deputy Minster 
of Foreign Farris Mr. Aleksandr Mikhnevich. 
 
Yours faithfully, 
 
Aleksandr Gerasimenko 
Deputy Minister 
 
End text. 
 
KROL