U.S. envoy leaves Belarus temporarily

By Andrei Makhovsky

MINSK (Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador left Belarus temporarily on Wednesday in a sign relations between Washington and the ex-Soviet state have hit a new low.

Ambassador Karen Stewart's departure followed two requests from Belarus for her to leave over what it said were new U.S. sanctions. Minsk recalled its envoy from Washington on Friday.

"Ambassador Stewart's absence is temporary and she remains the U.S. ambassador to Belarus," the embassy said.

U.S. officials have said there had been no new sanctions and the U.S. embassy statement said U.S. policy remained unchanged. It repeated a call for Belarus to uphold democratic principles and release people Western countries call political prisoners.

"Following the unconditional release of all political prisoners, the United States stands ready to explore steps to improve our bilateral relations," it said.

Belarussian authorities last Friday urged Stewart, one of the government's strongest critics among ambassadors in Minsk, to return home. The U.S. State Department initially said she would remain in the absence of a formal order to leave.

ENVOY SUMMONED AGAIN

But the foreign ministry said it had called on the envoy a second time to return home.

"Let me stress that the U.S. ambassador's departure took place after Karen Stewart was again summoned yesterday to the foreign ministry," spokesman Andrei Popov said.

"It was again suggested to her that she abide by the Belarussian government's strong recommendation."

The U.S. embassy in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius said later Stewart had arrived there. It gave no further details.

Belarussian officials said they acted in response to what they saw as new sanctions against national oil products firm Belneftekhim.

Sanctions were introduced against Belneftekhim last year, prohibiting Americans from doing business with it and freezing any assets it has under U.S. jurisdiction. U.S. officials say a note issued last week implied no new punitive measures.

Both the United States, which has called Belarus the "last dictatorship in Europe" and the European Union have imposed a range of sanctions against Belarus and barred entry to President Alexander Lukashenko, saying he rigged his 2006 re-election.

Lukashenko has sought improved relations with the West since quarrelling with Russia last year over energy prices.