VZCZCXRO3232
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHSK #0541/01 1731303
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221303Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY MINSK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6180
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MINSK 000541 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KCRM KWMN BO
SUBJECT: USG Defends Belarus TIP Ranking Despite GOB Disappointment 
 
Ref: State 78615 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Following the release of the Department's Trafficking in 
Persons (TIP) Report, Ambassador hosted a digital video conference 
with G/TIP Ambassador Mark Lagon for those involved in combating TIP 
in Belarus.  The participants discussed Belarus' Tier 2 Watch List 
(T2WL) placement, steps the GOB can take to improve its ranking, the 
root causes for TIP in Belarus, and the level of cooperation between 
independent NGOs and the GOB.  Given tense nature of U.S.-Belarus 
relations, Ambassador Lagon stressed that the report is the USG's 
objective assessment of the GOB's anti-TIP efforts and that Belarus' 
T2WL placement was not a political vendetta.  However, during a 
demarche to the GOB before the TIP report's release, the MFA 
expressed its disappointment with Belarus' ranking and highlighted 
what it considers to be Belarus' significant anti-TIP efforts.  End 
Summary. 
 
Anti-TIP Activists Discuss Belarus TIP Report with G/TIP via DVC 
----------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) On June 19, Ambassador hosted a digital video conference 
(DVC) with G/TIP Ambassador Mark Lagon for independent journalists 
and representatives from NGOs, international organizations, and the 
GOB who combat trafficking in persons (TIP) in Belarus.  The 
participants discussed the recently released TIP report, Belarus' 
Tier Two Watch List (T2WL) placement, and steps the GOB can take to 
improve its ranking.  Given the tense nature of U.S.-Belarus 
relations, Ambassador Lagon stressed that the report is the USG's 
objective assessment of the GOB's anti-TIP efforts and that Belarus' 
T2WL placement was not a political vendetta.  As an example, he 
cited Zimbabwe's improved tier ranking this year despite its 
strained relationship with the United States. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Ambassador Lagon commended Belarus for its prosecution and 
investigation efforts -- including the recent opening of the 
Interior Ministry's Anti-TIP Academy -- but also emphasized the need 
for the GOB to devote more attention to protection and prevention at 
home.  Responding to Ambassador Stewart's question about the GOB's 
emphasis on international efforts in combating TIP, Ambassador Lagon 
acknowledged that international conferences and multi-lateral 
cooperation are important to bring together countries but they 
should complement and not substitute domestic efforts to combat TIP. 
 
 
¶4.  (SBU) International Organization for Migration Representative 
Natalya Zhak noted that the root causes of TIP in Belarus were poor 
economic conditions.  She told Ambassador that NGOs and 
international organizations have held several economic training 
opportunities for potential TIP victims, but she added that the 
state employment agencies should be more involved in this prevention 
effort. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) When Ambassador Lagon inquired about GOB and independent 
civil society cooperation, Young Women's Christian Association Head 
Irina Alkovka praised the good level of cooperation between the GOB 
and anti-TIP NGOs, particularly when compared to the GOB's support 
of independent NGOs in other spheres.  However, since the GOB does 
not officially recognize NGOs as partners, Alkovka expressed her 
hope for more formalized cooperation with the GOB.  Ministry of 
Interior (MOI) Anti-TIP Academy Representative Maksim Shrub told 
Ambassador Lagon that as far as he knows, the GOB and NGOs have a 
good history of cooperation.  According to Shrub, the GOB plans to 
build on this relationship by inviting NGOs and IOs to share their 
expertise at the new Anti-TIP Academy. 
 
GOB Expresses Their Disappointment with TIP Report 
----------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) During our June 12 demarche (reftel), MFA Department of 
Humanitarian Affairs Counselor Andrey Taranda relayed the GOB's 
disappointment with Belarus' placement on the T2WL.  Taranda 
insisted that the TIP report did not fully take into account the 
measures taken by the GOB to combat trafficking.  Noting the UN 
resolution introduced by Belarus and the GOB's monetary 
contributions to the UN's interagency coordination group, Taranda 
asked, "What other eastern European country has done as much as 
Belarus in this field?" 
 
¶7.  (SBU) To counter the USG's allegation of Belarus' failure to 
fund programs aimed at protecting victims, Taranda argued that 
Belarus is a developing country with very limited resources.  He 
highlighted Belarus' relatively sizable contribution of USD 20,000 
to UN Office on Drug and Crime for anti-trafficking enforcement 
measures.  In addition, Taranda claimed that the USG's failure to 
maintain regular contact with MOI representatives was the reason why 
 
MINSK 00000541  002 OF 002 
 
 
the GOB did not report TIP-specific statistics as requested. 
Taranda offered to coordinate more meetings with the MOI throughout 
the year to ensure that the Embassy gathers the information it needs 
for next year's TIP.  [Note: Post invited Taranda to attend the DVC, 
but he declined the invitation.  End note.] 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶8.  (SBU) We hope Taranda's absence at the DVC does not mean his 
call to further dialogue was insincere.  Despite his absence, the 
event was an excellent opportunity to flesh out for the independent 
media the USG's decision to place Belarus on the T2WL and to hear 
independent civil society representatives' perspectives on Belarus' 
progress in fighting TIP.  Post expresses its appreciation to 
Ambassador Lagon and G/TIP for agreeing to participate. 
 
Stewart