USA: We are acting in a lawful manner


Assertions by the government of Belarus that U.S. sanctions violate the 1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances are unfounded, the U.S. Embassy in Minsk states.

“Although the Memorandum is not legally binding, we take these political commitments seriously and do not believe any U.S. sanctions, whether imposed because of human rights or non-proliferation concerns, are inconsistent with our commitments to Belarus under the Memorandum or undermine them. Rather, sanctions are aimed at securing the human rights of Belarusians and combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and other illicit activities, not at gaining any advantage for the United States,” the statement reads.

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In August, 2011 the United States announced another set of economic sanctions targeting Belarusian state-owned companies. Embargo was imposed on Naftan refinery, fertilizer producer Grodno-Azot, a synthetic fiber factory Grodno-Khimvalakno and Belshyna, a car tires producer. American citizens are forbidden to conduct any financial and trade transactions with the listed companies, and all their assets in American banks were frozen.

BelOMO, a company producing military equipment and optical guidance, and Beltechexport which deals with the modernization of aviation and air defense systems, are also on the list of companies subjected to sanctions. The companies are accused of supplying.equipment or technology that could be used in developing weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles to countries covered by the UN embargo on arms trade: Iran, North Korea and Syria.

In February 2013 the sanctions were imposed on two more organisations in Belarus – TM Services Limited (TMS) and the managing company of Radar Systems Holding and its subsidiaries. The sanctions imply that the U.S. government is banned to sign contracts with these companies in order to acquire goods, service and technologies. In addition, these physical and juridical persons cannot buy U.S. arms and military hardware.

TM Services is known to be engaged in security research and development, Radar produces jamming devices which supress operation of communication and tracking systems, etc. In addition, Radar Systems Holding pursues modernization and repair of radar systems and equipment.

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