VZCZCXRO8381
RR RUEHAST
DE RUEHSK #0819 2141414
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021414Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY MINSK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4820
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 3533
RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KIEV 3384
RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 3398
RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS 3762
RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA 1746
RUCNOSC/ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY COOPERATION IN EUROPE
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1237
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS MINSK 000819 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BO
SUBJECT:  US and European Heads of Mission Press for Access to NGO 
Partnership Trial 
 
Ref:  Minsk 791 
 
¶1.  (SBU) U.S. and EU embassies in Minsk have taken an assertive 
and coordinated approach to spotlighting the criminal trial against 
four young leaders of the prominent NGO Partnerstvo (Partnership). 
Belarusian authorities accused Timofei Dranchuk, Aleksandr 
Shalaiko, Nikolai Astreiko, and Enira Bronitskaya of operating an 
illegal organization, a charge for which they could receive up to 
three years in prison (reftel). 
 
¶2.  (SBU) On August 1, Charge met with family members of the 
accused activists on trial at the courthouse.  In response to 
questions from independent journalists observing the trial, Charge 
stated that the diplomatic missions of the United States and the 
European Union were following the trial closely.  He expressed 
regret that the trial was closed, noting that he did not see a 
reason for it to be closed and that the closure of the trial 
disadvantaged both international observers and the family members 
of the accused.  Charge's remarks were reported accurately and 
positively by several international and independent Belarusian news 
organizations.  Following Charge's visit, OSCE Head of Mission 
Ambassador Peterson also arrived at the courthouse to confer with 
the family members. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) On August 2, Charge and the German Ambassador on behalf 
of the Finnish EU presidency arrived together at Tsentralniy 
courthouse to renew their request that presiding judge Leonid 
Yasinevich permit international observation of the proceedings but 
were repeatedly denied entry.  German Ambassador Hecker left the 
courthouse after a brief stay.  Charge remained for almost an hour 
to reiterate to authorities his request for permission to observe 
the trial, to offer moral support to the families, and to confer 
with OSCE observers on site.  Poloff, well acquainted with the 
court's security officer, reiterated the request for access which 
was politely but finally refused.  The families repeatedly 
expressed their gratitude to Charge and the people of the United 
States for the daily Embassy presence.  They also told Charge that 
the prosecution would likely finish its case late on August 2. 
Relatives of Dranchuk and Shalaiko informed Charge that two 
surprise prosecution witnesses were called to the court earlier on 
August 2 and that these witnesses were not members of Partnership. 
[Note:  On July 28 and July 31, court authorities denied Poloff and 
representatives from the OSCE and EU permission to observe the 
trial, ostensibly for reasons of "witness protection."  Relatives 
of Dranchuk and Shalaiko separately mentioned to Poloff that a 
prosecution witness failed to appear at court to testify and that 
the BKGB had searched the witness' residence at least three times 
that morning.   Family members reported to the OSCE observers and 
Poloff that the detention center had denied the accused water on 
July 28 and 31 but provided water on August 1.] 
 
MOORE