US to respond tomorrow about embassy staff cuts
The US State Department is tomorrow expected to issue an official answer in respond to Belarus's demands to reduce the staff of its embassy in Minsk. The respond will be given tomorrow at the scheduled time, the US mission in Minsk told Interfax.
The Belarusian foreign ministry earlier proposed that US embassy trim its staff to five people by the end of April. US Charge d'Affaires Jonathan Moore said that "this unprecedented and unjustified steo of the Belarusian authorities will lead to serious consequences". At the moment, 15 staff remain at the US embassy in Minsk.
In retaliation to US economic sanctions against Belarus's petrochemical monopoly Belneftekhim, Minsk recalled it ambassador in Washington Mikhail Khvostov on March 7. On March 12, US ambassador in Minsk Karen Stewart left Belarus, following the demands from the local government. After the recall of ambassadors, US embassy had to send home 17 staff. But it was not enough for the Belarusian side.
The Belarusian foreign ministry earlier proposed that US embassy trim its staff to five people by the end of April. US Charge d'Affaires Jonathan Moore said that "this unprecedented and unjustified steo of the Belarusian authorities will lead to serious consequences". At the moment, 15 staff remain at the US embassy in Minsk.
In retaliation to US economic sanctions against Belarus's petrochemical monopoly Belneftekhim, Minsk recalled it ambassador in Washington Mikhail Khvostov on March 7. On March 12, US ambassador in Minsk Karen Stewart left Belarus, following the demands from the local government. After the recall of ambassadors, US embassy had to send home 17 staff. But it was not enough for the Belarusian side.
