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U.S. Extends Sanctions Against Belarus

June 09, 2010

By RFE/RL

The United States has extended sanctions against Belarus aimed at pressuring democratic change.

The White House said the sanctions target specific officials and citizens who have undermined democratic institutions, committed human rights abuses, or benefited from corruption.

A statement released on June 8 acknowledged the 2008 release of political prisoners by Minsk, but it added that "serious challenges remain."

An executive order by U.S. President Barack Obama extends the sanctions for one year.

Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Savinykh denounced the U.S. sanctions as "useless and confrontational."

He said Belarus considers lifting the sanctions a key condition for improving relations with Washington.

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/US_Extends_Sanctions_Against_Belarus/2066899.html

Copyright (c) 2010. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.