BELARUS: Minsk denies trying to sell weapons to Syria after the U.S. imposes sanctions on a Belarussian state-owned firm

Record ID: 281388

  • Title: BELARUS: Minsk denies trying to sell weapons to Syria after the U.S. imposes sanctions on a Belarussian state-owned firm
  • Date: 21st September 2012
  • Summary: MINSK, BELARUS (SEPTEMBER 20, 2012) (REUTERS) TRAFFIC ON CENTRAL STREET CARS DRIVING PAST ELECTIONS BANNER POLICEWOMAN WALKING PAST ELECTIONS BANNER TRAFFIC ON CENTRAL STREET EXTERIOR OF BELARUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY BELARUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY ENTRANCE BELARUSSIAN COAT OF ARMS NEAR ENTRANCE BELARUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ANDREI SAVINYKH ARRIVING FOR NEWS B
  • Embargoed: 6th October 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Belarus
  • Country: Belarus
  • Topics: Business,Conflict,Industry,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA9TZYJVHLPKIW89K8TP2N362GM
  • Story Text: Belarus on Thursday (September 20) denied trying to sell weapons to Syria and violating a U.N. Security Council resolution after the United States imposed sanctions on a Belarussian state-owned firm.
    "All the accusations of the American side against Belvneshpromservice company have no basis and are untrue. This is nothing more than an attempt to put pressure on our country for its open and principled stance in support of a peaceful resolution of Syria's internal conflict," Belarussian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Savinykh said.
    Syria is embroiled in civil war with President Bashar al-Assad battling an insurgency that grew out of popular protests.
    The U.S. Treasury said on Wednesday (September 19) it was designating Syria's Army Supply Bureau and Belarus-based weapons company Belvneshpromservice as contributing to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
    In March 2011, the Army Supply Bureau prepared to receive possible fuses for general purpose aerial bombs from Belvneshpromservice, according to the Treasury.
    "It is important to underline that Belarus always follows the U.N. Security Council resolutions. In that respect the United States' unilateral sanctions go against the spirit of constructive interaction between nations on the basis of internal law and mutual respect. We decisively reject this approach and consider any unilateral measures unacceptable," Savinykh said.
    Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko has long been at odds with the West, which accuses him of being intolerant of dissent and violating human rights.
    In power since 1994, Lukashenko has traditionally sided with Russia on international policy issues. Russia has been an important ally and arms supplier to the Syrian government.
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