Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 251287 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AEMR ASEC AMGT AE AS AMED AVIAN AU AF AORC AGENDA AO AR AM APER AFIN ATRN AJ ABUD ARABL AL AG AODE ALOW ADANA AADP AND APECO ACABQ ASEAN AA AFFAIRS AID AGR AY AGS AFSI AGOA AMB ARF ANET ASCH ACOA AFLU AFSN AMEX AFDB ABLD AESC AFGHANISTAN AINF AVIATION ARR ARSO ANDREW ASSEMBLY AIDS APRC ASSK ADCO ASIG AC AZ APEC AFINM ADB AP ACOTA ASEX ACKM ASUP ANTITERRORISM ADPM AINR ARABLEAGUE AGAO AORG AMTC AIN ACCOUNT ASECAFINGMGRIZOREPTU AIDAC AINT ARCH AMGTKSUP ALAMI AMCHAMS ALJAZEERA AVIANFLU AORD AOREC ALIREZA AOMS AMGMT ABDALLAH AORCAE AHMED ACCELERATED AUC ALZUGUREN ANGEL AORL ASECIR AMG AMBASSADOR AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL ADM ASES ABMC AER AMER ASE AMGTHA ARNOLDFREDERICK AOPC ACS AFL AEGR ASED AFPREL AGRI AMCHAM ARNOLD AN ANATO AME APERTH ASECSI AT ACDA ASEDC AIT AMERICA AMLB AMGE ACTION AGMT AFINIZ ASECVE ADRC ABER AGIT APCS AEMED ARABBL ARC ASO AIAG ACEC ASR ASECM ARG AEC ABT ADIP ADCP ANARCHISTS AORCUN AOWC ASJA AALC AX AROC ARM AGENCIES ALBE AK AZE AOPR AREP AMIA ASCE ALANAZI ABDULRAHMEN ABDULHADI AINFCY ARMS ASECEFINKCRMKPAOPTERKHLSAEMRNS AGRICULTURE AFPK AOCR ALEXANDER ATRD ATFN ABLG AORCD AFGHAN ARAS AORCYM AVERY ALVAREZ ACBAQ ALOWAR ANTOINE ABLDG ALAB AMERICAS AFAF ASECAFIN ASEK ASCC AMCT AMGTATK AMT APDC AEMRS ASECE AFSA ATRA ARTICLE ARENA AISG AEMRBC AFR AEIR ASECAF AFARI AMPR ASPA ASOC ANTONIO AORCL ASECARP APRM AUSTRALIAGROUP ASEG AFOR AEAID AMEDI ASECTH ASIC AFDIN AGUIRRE AUNR ASFC AOIC ANTXON ASA ASECCASC ALI AORCEUNPREFPRELSMIGBN ASECKHLS ASSSEMBLY ASECVZ AI ASECPGOV ASIR ASCEC ASAC ARAB AIEA ADMIRAL AUSGR AQ AMTG ARRMZY ANC APR AMAT AIHRC AFU ADEL AECL ACAO AMEMR ADEP AV AW AOR ALL ALOUNI AORCUNGA ALNEA ASC AORCO ARMITAGE AGENGA AGRIC AEM ACOAAMGT AGUILAR AFPHUM AMEDCASCKFLO AFZAL AAA ATPDEA ASECPHUM ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ETRD ETTC EU ECON EFIN EAGR EAID ELAB EINV ENIV ENRG EPET EZ ELTN ELECTIONS ECPS ET ER EG EUN EIND ECONOMICS EMIN ECIN EINT EWWT EAIR EN ENGR ES EI ETMIN EL EPA EARG EFIS ECONOMY EC EK ELAM ECONOMIC EAR ESDP ECCP ELN EUM EUMEM ECA EAP ELEC ECOWAS EFTA EXIM ETTD EDRC ECOSOC ECPSN ENVIRONMENT ECO EMAIL ECTRD EREL EDU ENERG ENERGY ENVR ETRAD EAC EXTERNAL EFIC ECIP ERTD EUC ENRGMO EINZ ESTH ECCT EAGER ECPN ELNT ERD EGEN ETRN EIVN ETDR EXEC EIAD EIAR EVN EPRT ETTF ENGY EAIDCIN EXPORT ETRC ESA EIB EAPC EPIT ESOCI ETRB EINDQTRD ENRC EGOV ECLAC EUR ELF ETEL ENRGUA EVIN EARI ESCAP EID ERIN ELAN ENVT EDEV EWWY EXBS ECOM EV ELNTECON ECE ETRDGK EPETEIND ESCI ETRDAORC EAIDETRD ETTR EMS EAGRECONEINVPGOVBN EBRD EUREM ERGR EAGRBN EAUD EFI ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ETRO ENRGY EGAR ESSO EGAD ENV ENER EAIDXMXAXBXFFR ELA EET EINVETRD EETC EIDN ERGY ETRDPGOV EING EMINCG EINVECON EURM EEC EICN EINO EPSC ELAP ELABPGOVBN EE ESPS ETRA ECONETRDBESPAR ERICKSON EEOC EVENTS EPIN EB ECUN EPWR ENG EX EH EAIDAR EAIS ELBA EPETUN ETRDEIQ EENV ECPC ETRP ECONENRG EUEAID EWT EEB EAIDNI ESENV EADM ECN ENRGKNNP ETAD ETR ECONETRDEAGRJA ETRG ETER EDUC EITC EBUD EAIF EBEXP EAIDS EITI EGOVSY EFQ ECOQKPKO ETRGY ESF EUE EAIC EPGOV ENFR EAGRE ENRD EINTECPS EAVI ETC ETCC EIAID EAIDAF EAGREAIDPGOVPRELBN EAOD ETRDA EURN EASS EINVA EAIDRW EON ECOR EPREL EGPHUM ELTM ECOS EINN ENNP EUPGOV EAGRTR ECONCS ETIO ETRDGR EAIDB EISNAR EIFN ESPINOSA EAIDASEC ELIN EWTR EMED ETFN ETT EADI EPTER ELDIN EINVEFIN ESS ENRGIZ EQRD ESOC ETRDECD ECINECONCS EAIT ECONEAIR ECONEFIN EUNJ ENRGKNNPMNUCPARMPRELNPTIAEAJMXL ELAD EFIM ETIC EFND EFN ETLN ENGRD EWRG ETA EIN EAIRECONRP EXIMOPIC ERA ENRGJM ECONEGE ENVI ECHEVARRIA EMINETRD EAD ECONIZ EENG ELBR EWWC ELTD EAIDMG ETRK EIPR EISNLN ETEX EPTED EFINECONCS EPCS EAG ETRDKIPR ED EAIO ETRDEC ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ERNG EFINU EURFOR EWWI ELTNSNAR ETD EAIRASECCASCID EOXC ESTN EAIDAORC EAGRRP ETRDEMIN ELABPHUMSMIGKCRMBN ETRDEINVTINTCS EGHG EAIDPHUMPRELUG EAGRBTIOBEXPETRDBN EDA EPETPGOV ELAINE EUCOM EMW EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM ELB EINDETRD EMI ETRDECONWTOCS EINR ESTRADA EHUM EFNI ELABV ENR EMN EXO EWWTPRELPGOVMASSMARRBN EATO END EP EINVETC ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID ELTRN EIQ ETTW EAI ENGRG ETRED ENDURING ETTRD EAIDEGZ EOCN EINF EUPREL ENRL ECPO ENLT EEFIN EPPD ECOIN EUEAGR EISL EIDE ENRGSD EINVECONSENVCSJA EAIG ENTG EEPET EUNCH EPECO ETZ EPAT EPTE EAIRGM ETRDPREL EUNGRSISAFPKSYLESO ETTN EINVKSCA ESLCO EBMGT ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EFLU ELND EFINOECD EAIDHO EDUARDO ENEG ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EFINTS ECONQH ENRGPREL EUNPHUM EINDIR EPE EMINECINECONSENVTBIONS EFINM ECRM EQ EWWTSP ECONPGOVBN
KFLO KPKO KDEM KFLU KTEX KMDR KPAO KCRM KIDE KN KNNP KG KMCA KZ KJUS KWBG KU KDMR KAWC KCOR KPAL KOMC KTDB KTIA KISL KHIV KHUM KTER KCFE KTFN KS KIRF KTIP KIRC KSCA KICA KIPR KPWR KWMN KE KGIC KGIT KSTC KACT KSEP KFRD KUNR KHLS KCRS KRVC KUWAIT KVPR KSRE KMPI KMRS KNRV KNEI KCIP KSEO KITA KDRG KV KSUM KCUL KPET KBCT KO KSEC KOLY KNAR KGHG KSAF KWNM KNUC KMNP KVIR KPOL KOCI KPIR KLIG KSAC KSTH KNPT KINL KPRP KRIM KICC KIFR KPRV KAWK KFIN KT KVRC KR KHDP KGOV KPOW KTBT KPMI KPOA KRIF KEDEM KFSC KY KGCC KATRINA KWAC KSPR KTBD KBIO KSCI KRCM KNNB KBNC KIMT KCSY KINR KRAD KMFO KCORR KW KDEMSOCI KNEP KFPC KEMPI KBTR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNPP KTTB KTFIN KBTS KCOM KFTN KMOC KOR KDP KPOP KGHA KSLG KMCR KJUST KUM KMSG KHPD KREC KIPRTRD KPREL KEN KCSA KCRIM KGLB KAKA KWWT KUNP KCRN KISLPINR KLFU KUNC KEDU KCMA KREF KPAS KRKO KNNC KLHS KWAK KOC KAPO KTDD KOGL KLAP KECF KCRCM KNDP KSEAO KCIS KISM KREL KISR KISC KKPO KWCR KPFO KUS KX KWCI KRFD KWPG KTRD KH KLSO KEVIN KEANE KACW KWRF KNAO KETTC KTAO KWIR KVCORR KDEMGT KPLS KICT KWGB KIDS KSCS KIRP KSTCPL KDEN KLAB KFLOA KIND KMIG KPPAO KPRO KLEG KGKG KCUM KTTP KWPA KIIP KPEO KICR KNNA KMGT KCROM KMCC KLPM KNNPGM KSIA KSI KWWW KOMS KESS KMCAJO KWN KTDM KDCM KCM KVPRKHLS KENV KCCP KGCN KCEM KEMR KWMNKDEM KNNPPARM KDRM KWIM KJRE KAID KWMM KPAONZ KUAE KTFR KIF KNAP KPSC KSOCI KCWI KAUST KPIN KCHG KLBO KIRCOEXC KI KIRCHOFF KSTT KNPR KDRL KCFC KLTN KPAOKMDRKE KPALAOIS KESO KKOR KSMT KFTFN KTFM KDEMK KPKP KOCM KNN KISLSCUL KFRDSOCIRO KINT KRG KWMNSMIG KSTCC KPAOY KFOR KWPR KSEPCVIS KGIV KSEI KIL KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KQ KEMS KHSL KTNF KPDD KANSOU KKIV KFCE KTTC KGH KNNNP KK KSCT KWNN KAWX KOMCSG KEIM KTSD KFIU KDTB KFGM KACP KWWMN KWAWC KSPA KGICKS KNUP KNNO KISLAO KTPN KSTS KPRM KPALPREL KPO KTLA KCRP KNMP KAWCK KCERS KDUM KEDM KTIALG KWUN KPTS KPEM KMEPI KAWL KHMN KCRO KCMR KPTD KCROR KMPT KTRF KSKN KMAC KUK KIRL KEM KSOC KBTC KOM KINP KDEMAF KTNBT KISK KRM KWBW KBWG KNNPMNUC KNOP KSUP KCOG KNET KWBC KESP KMRD KEBG KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KPWG KOMCCO KRGY KNNF KPROG KJAN KFRED KPOKO KM KWMNCS KMPF KJWC KJU KSMIG KALR KRAL KDGOV KPA KCRMJA KCRI KAYLA KPGOV KRD KNNPCH KFEM KPRD KFAM KALM KIPRETRDKCRM KMPP KADM KRFR KMWN KWRG KTIAPARM KTIAEUN KRDP KLIP KDDEM KTIAIC KWKN KPAD KDM KRCS KWBGSY KEAI KIVP KPAOPREL KUNH KTSC KIPT KNP KJUSTH KGOR KEPREL KHSA KGHGHIV KNNR KOMH KRCIM KWPB KWIC KINF KPER KILS KA KNRG KCSI KFRP KLFLO KFE KNPPIS KQM KQRDQ KERG KPAOPHUM KSUMPHUM KVBL KARIM KOSOVO KNSD KUIR KWHG KWBGXF KWMNU KPBT KKNP KERF KCRT KVIS KWRC KVIP KTFS KMARR KDGR KPAI KDE KTCRE KMPIO KUNRAORC KHOURY KAWS KPAK KOEM KCGC KID KVRP KCPS KIVR KBDS KWOMN KIIC KTFNJA KARZAI KMVP KHJUS KPKOUNSC KMAR KIBL KUNA KSA KIS KJUSAF KDEV KPMO KHIB KIRD KOUYATE KIPRZ KBEM KPAM KDET KPPD KOSCE KJUSKUNR KICCPUR KRMS KWMNPREL KWMJN KREISLER KWM KDHS KRV KPOV KWMNCI KMPL KFLD KWWN KCVM KIMMITT KCASC KOMO KNATO KDDG KHGH KRF KSCAECON KWMEN KRIC
PREL PINR PGOV PHUM PTER PE PREF PARM PBTS PINS PHSA PK PL PM PNAT PHAS PO PROP PGOVE PA PU POLITICAL PPTER POL PALESTINIAN PHUN PIN PAMQ PPA PSEC POLM PBIO PSOE PDEM PAK PF PKAO PGOVPRELMARRMOPS PMIL PV POLITICS PRELS POLICY PRELHA PIRN PINT PGOG PERSONS PRC PEACE PROCESS PRELPGOV PROV PFOV PKK PRE PT PIRF PSI PRL PRELAF PROG PARMP PERL PUNE PREFA PP PGOB PUM PROTECTION PARTIES PRIL PEL PAGE PS PGO PCUL PLUM PIF PGOVENRGCVISMASSEAIDOPRCEWWTBN PMUC PCOR PAS PB PKO PY PKST PTR PRM POUS PRELIZ PGIC PHUMS PAL PNUC PLO PMOPS PHM PGOVBL PBK PELOSI PTE PGOVAU PNR PINSO PRO PLAB PREM PNIR PSOCI PBS PD PHUML PERURENA PKPA PVOV PMAR PHUMCF PUHM PHUH PRELPGOVETTCIRAE PRT PROPERTY PEPFAR PREI POLUN PAR PINSF PREFL PH PREC PPD PING PQL PINSCE PGV PREO PRELUN POV PGOVPHUM PINRES PRES PGOC PINO POTUS PTERE PRELKPAO PRGOV PETR PGOVEAGRKMCAKNARBN PPKO PARLIAMENT PEPR PMIG PTBS PACE PETER PMDL PVIP PKPO POLMIL PTEL PJUS PHUMNI PRELKPAOIZ PGOVPREL POGV PEREZ POWELL PMASS PDOV PARN PG PPOL PGIV PAIGH PBOV PETROL PGPV PGOVL POSTS PSO PRELEU PRELECON PHUMPINS PGOVKCMABN PQM PRELSP PRGO PATTY PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PGVO PROTESTS PRELPLS PKFK PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PARAGRAPH PRELGOV POG PTRD PTERM PBTSAG PHUMKPAL PRELPK PTERPGOV PAO PRIVATIZATION PSCE PPAO PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PARALYMPIC PRUM PKPRP PETERS PAHO PARMS PGREL PINV POINS PHUMPREL POREL PRELNL PHUMPGOV PGOVQL PLAN PRELL PARP PROVE PSOC PDD PRELNP PRELBR PKMN PGKV PUAS PRELTBIOBA PBTSEWWT PTERIS PGOVU PRELGG PHUMPRELPGOV PFOR PEPGOV PRELUNSC PRAM PICES PTERIZ PREK PRELEAGR PRELEUN PHUME PHU PHUMKCRS PRESL PRTER PGOF PARK PGOVSOCI PTERPREL PGOVEAID PGOVPHUMKPAO PINSKISL PREZ PGOVAF PARMEUN PECON PINL POGOV PGOVLO PIERRE PRELPHUM PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PBST PKPAO PHUMHUPPS PGOVPOL PASS PPGOV PROGV PAGR PHALANAGE PARTY PRELID PGOVID PHUMR PHSAQ PINRAMGT PSA PRELM PRELMU PIA PINRPE PBTSRU PARMIR PEDRO PNUK PVPR PINOCHET PAARM PRFE PRELEIN PINF PCI PSEPC PGOVSU PRLE PDIP PHEM PRELB PORG PGGOC POLG POPDC PGOVPM PWMN PDRG PHUMK PINB PRELAL PRER PFIN PNRG PRED POLI PHUMBO PHYTRP PROLIFERATION PHARM PUOS PRHUM PUNR PENA PGOVREL PETRAEUS PGOVKDEM PGOVENRG PHUS PRESIDENT PTERKU PRELKSUMXABN PGOVSI PHUMQHA PKISL PIR PGOVZI PHUMIZNL PKNP PRELEVU PMIN PHIM PHUMBA PUBLIC PHAM PRELKPKO PMR PARTM PPREL PN PROL PDA PGOVECON PKBL PKEAID PERM PRELEZ PRELC PER PHJM PGOVPRELPINRBN PRFL PLN PWBG PNG PHUMA PGOR PHUMPTER POLINT PPEF PKPAL PNNL PMARR PAC PTIA PKDEM PAUL PREG PTERR PTERPRELPARMPGOVPBTSETTCEAIRELTNTC PRELJA POLS PI PNS PAREL PENV PTEROREP PGOVM PINER PBGT PHSAUNSC PTERDJ PRELEAID PARMIN PKIR PLEC PCRM PNET PARR PRELETRD PRELBN PINRTH PREJ PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEMEX PRELZ PFLP PBPTS PTGOV PREVAL PRELSW PAUM PRF PHUMKDEM PATRICK PGOVKMCAPHUMBN PRELA PNUM PGGV PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PBT PIND PTEP PTERKS PGOVJM PGOT PRELMARR PGOVCU PREV PREFF PRWL PET PROB PRELPHUMP PHUMAF PVTS PRELAFDB PSNR PGOVECONPRELBU PGOVZL PREP PHUMPRELBN PHSAPREL PARCA PGREV PGOVDO PGON PCON PODC PRELOV PHSAK PSHA PGOVGM PRELP POSCE PGOVPTER PHUMRU PINRHU PARMR PGOVTI PPEL PMAT PAN PANAM PGOVBO PRELHRC

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 05MINSK904, Russia's Missing Ambassador and the Sorry State of

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #05MINSK904.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
05MINSK904 2005-08-04 13:06 2011-08-30 01:44 CONFIDENTIAL Embassy Minsk
VZCZCXRO2635
RR RUEHDBU
DE RUEHSK #0904/01 2161306
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 041306Z AUG 05
FM AMEMBASSY MINSK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2752
INFO RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 0607
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MINSK 000904 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/15 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR BO
SUBJECT: Russia's Missing Ambassador and the Sorry State of 
Union 
 
Refs: (A) Minsk 312, (B) 04 Minsk 985, (C) Minsk 499 
 
Classified by Ambassador George Krol for Reasons 1.4 (B,D) 
 
1. (C) Summary: Russia's newly appointed Ambassador to 
Belarus, and former Saratov governor, Dmitriy Ayatskov's 
arrival to assume his post has been delayed "indefinitely." 
Minsk has linked this delay to indelicate remarks Ayatskov 
made critical of Lukashenko, although the Russian MFA 
claims he remains in Moscow because of the lack of progress 
on the Union State.  Recent weeks witnessed a flurry of 
activity regarding the Union State, culminating in 
Lukashenko's surprise visit to Moscow.  It appears 
Lukashenko's reluctance to accede to Russian demands may be 
behind the contretemps.  Now, after the recent withdrawal 
of the Polish Ambassador, Belarus' relations with both its 
eastern and western neighbors remain cloudy.  End summary. 
 
 
Where's that Ambassador, with his "Bizarre Comments"? 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
2. (SBU) Incoming Russian Ambassador and former Saratov 
Governor Dmitriy Ayatskov is missing in action.  His 
predecessor, Ambassador Blokhin, departed Minsk July 8. 
Ayatskov was originally scheduled to arrive in Minsk the 
week of July 11, but on July 13 the Russian MFA announced 
his arrival had been delayed until sometime "in the near 
future."  No reason was given for the delay. 
 
3. (SBU) Ayatskov held a press conference in Saratov on 
July 19 where he stressed President Putin had given him the 
task of accelerating the Russian-Belarusian Union. 
Predicting success in unification, he announced, "I would 
like and I will surely be the last Ambassador of Russia to 
Belarus."  Ayatskov added it would be difficult to persuade 
Lukashenko to agree to full union, "Although difficult, my 
mission is possible... It is very difficult to persuade 
Lukashenko to change his mind.  He firmly plants his feet. 
Of course, he needs to change his perception of Russia and 
Belarus as separate countries, and of Putin and Lukashenko 
as leaders of separate countries.  In no case should he put 
on airs.  I will not be his errand boy just because he has 
worked there for a long time."  Ayatskov further predicted 
Belarus would adopt the Russian ruble in 2006, a long 
delayed initial step to further unification. 
 
4. (C) Official Minsk was not happy with Ayatskov's 
remarks.  Lukashenko, during his annual three-hour 
televised harangue on the harvest, commented, "You must 
have heard the speech of the future, or possibly not 
future, Russian Ambassador in Belarus Dmitriy Ayatskov and 
his bizarre statements.  We are studying them."  In another 
presentation, Lukashenko called the comments "extravagant" 
and accused Russia of trying to pressure him before his 
July 20 meeting with Putin.  Belarus' MFA maintained, 
"Russian TV channels highlighted an interview with 
Ayatskov, which quite surprised us.  His allegations do not 
correspond to the warm and friendly way in which relations 
between our countries are developing."  The MFA's spokesman 
added, "I don't remember anyone speaking like this before 
the presentation of credentials." 
 
5. (SBU) No one seems to know when Ayatskov will arrive in 
Minsk.  Various sources told the press he would be arriving 
on July 27 by plane.  When he failed to appear, the 
Belarusian MFA announced he would fly in July 28.  Again, 
Ayatskov was a no show.  Moscow sources then told the press 
he would take the night train to Minsk, arriving July 29. 
A crowd of journalists went to the train station, but the 
conductor told them Ayatskov had purchased a ticket but not 
gotten on the train. 
 
6. (SBU) On July 29 the GOR announced Ayatskov's arrival 
was being delayed indefinately.  When asked by the press if 
this delay was related to Ayatskov's comments, Russia's MFA 
replied, "His press conference attracted attention and 
resonated with the press.  However, [the delay] is because 
of other issues.  It is about the need for additional 
deeper consideration of a number of relevant matters 
concerning the current and future tasks of building the 
union state and integration cooperation between our two 
countries."  On July 29 the Russian Embassy in Minsk added 
the wrinkle that Ayatskov's arrival will depend on the date 
the GOB agrees to accept his credentials.  However, the 
Embassy admitted it is currently not talking with the 
Belarusian MFA on setting a date as the Belarusian Foreign 
Minister is on vacation until mid-August. 
 
MINSK 00000904  002 OF 003 
 
 
 
 
Is it Linked to No Progress on Union? 
------------------------------------- 
 
7. (C) Another disagreement on the Union State appears to 
be brewing.  In recent weeks Russian officials have made 
several comments supporting further unification of Belarus 
and Russia and questioning Lukashenko's interest in union. 
Minsk has replied by giving lip service to union but also 
insisting on improbable demands, such as holding public 
referendum in both states on a Constitutional Act. 
 
8. (C) For the past few years Russia has been pushing for 
Belarus to adopt the Russian ruble, while Minsk has been 
throwing out unrealistic preconditions (ref C) and delaying 
the process.  In April Minsk's National Bank said the 
latest target date, January 2006, could not be met.  On 
July 19 Russia's First Vice Speaker of the Duma, Lyubov 
Sliska, replied, "I would very much like to ask a question 
of Mr. Lukashenko.  Aleksandr Grigoryevich, when will we 
have a true Union State?  How long will you continue 
delaying the adoption of the Russian ruble?" 
 
9. (SBU) On July 20, the day Putin and Lukashenko met 
outside Moscow, a Russian MFA spokesman said development of 
the Union State is a top priority for Russian-Belarusian 
relations.  The spokesman listed a number of Union State 
agreements Russia expected to be signed soon, and added, 
"We may say without exaggeration the relationship between 
the two countries has been developing at a growing pace." 
Putin told the press July 27, "The formation of a union 
with Belarus depends on Belarus alone." 
 
10. (C) Belarus, while giving lip service to greater union, 
is openly hesitant (ref B).  One common Belarusian delaying 
tactic is to insist on full equality between Russia and 
Belarus in the union, something Putin has publicly 
rejected.  On July 2 Lukashenko told a Russian TV 
journalist he supports the Union State, "We will surely be 
together and now is the moment our generation can do this. 
Let us make this move."  However, "The parties of this 
state alliance should enjoy equal rights... The Russian 
political elite should admit it would have to compete with 
Belarus' elite, which is smaller, but more honest, 
purposeful, and as educated as yours.  But I see the 
Russian elite are not ready for that... Belarus is 
perplexed that Russia violates the clauses of the Union 
Treaty... Now they stray from the Union construction plan 
and put forward the inadmissible initiative, the 
introduction of the common currency.  This should be the 
ultimate result of union construction." 
 
11. (C) Commenting July 26 as to whether Putin offered him 
any personal guarantees in exchange for Belarus joining the 
Union State, Lukashenko replied, "This has never been a 
matter of discussion and never will be.  We will not give 
our land to anyone.  We do not trade in sovereignty.  This 
is impossible, I have repeatedly said that."  [Note: Last 
year Lukashenko said Russia would gain another Chechnya if 
it attempted to incorporate Belarus.]  Lukashenko supporter 
and Secretary of State for the Union State Pavel Borodin 
told the press July 18 that Belarus was responsible for no 
progress being made on ownership of Union State property. 
However, Borodin blamed this on presidential aides working 
against Lukashenko's express orders [comment: highly 
unlikely in Lukashenko's Belarus]. 
 
12. (C) Meanwhile Belarusian officials seem to still be 
using the pretext of needing to draft a Constitutional Act 
before the Union State can progress.  This act, which 
Belarus insists would have to pass popular referendums in 
both countries, would change the Russian and Belarusian 
constitutions to allow their merger.  GOB officials, 
including Lukashenko, reiterated several times in July that 
Russia and Belarus have not yet agreed on a Constitutional 
Act, so the Union State will not be possible in the near 
future.  [Note: Before this flurry of attention in July, we 
do not recall the last time GOB officials discussed the 
Constitutional Act in such detail.]  Lukashenko's 
spokesperson and Deputy Head of the Presidential 
Administration Natalia Petkevich stated on July 11, "Our 
aspiration for union progress is visible in all our 
actions.  Yet there is no Constitutional Act, so we have no 
grounds for speaking about the referendum." 
 
 
Its all about Union 
 
MINSK 00000904  003 OF 003 
 
 
------------------- 
 
13. (C) Comment: Despite the GOB's talk about welcoming 
union, their actions say otherwise.  Ayatskov's only 
"crime" was in openly stating his job is to promote union, 
and in identifying Belarus as the obstructionist party 
(although he was indelicate in his phrasing).  For this, 
Lukashenko and the GOB lashed out at Ayatskov and are 
openly hinting he may not be welcome in Minsk.  Moscow and 
Minsk appear ever more distant in reaching agreement on the 
union they both claim to want.  Russia may have thought, 
with Belarus under siege from the West, that Lukashenko 
could be forced to an union agreement on Russia's terms as 
Russia remains his only friend in the region.  But all's 
fair in love and war, and Lukashenko has shown once again 
his ability to thwart Russian efforts -- but a major 
question remains, how long will Russia's patience last? 
 
14. (C) Comment cont'd: The GOR announced Ayatskov's 
arrival would be delayed a full week before he made his 
comments on union.  The GOR subsequently insisted Ayatskov 
is in Moscow discussing how to promote the Union State, a 
Russian priority.  Lukashenko is already dragging his heels 
on adopting the Russian ruble, and appears in no hurry to 
surrender his country to Russia (as an equal union with 
Russia is highly improbable).  As a result, Russia's 
Ambassador to Minsk remains in Moscow.  Following Poland's 
recent withdrawal of its Ambassador from Minsk, Belarus' 
two most important neighbors to the east and west are 
without ambassadors in Minsk, further clouding Belarus' 
international relations under the mercurial Lukashenko. 
 
 
KROL