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Belarusian Foreign Ministry Slams Obama’s Decision To Extend 'National Emergency'

June 15, 2012

The Belarusian government has denounced the U.S. decision to extend a "national emergency" over Washington's relations to Belarus.

President Barack Obama's declaration says the actions of certain Belarusian government officials "continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States."

It allows Washington to maintain sanctions against Belarusian individuals and companies.

Speaking to journalists on June 15, Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrey Savinykh slammed the designation as "Washington's stereotypical attitude to Belarus."

He added, however, that Minsk remains ready for a "constructive" dialogue with Washington.

The U.S. declaration says the crackdown by President Alyaksandr Lukashenka against opposition supporters shows that "Belarus has taken additional steps backward in the development of democratic governance and respect for human rights."

Based on reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/belarus-slams-us-emergency-decision/24615306.html

Copyright (c) 2012. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.