UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No.

Doc No. C05164518 Date:

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SOURCE: SMRTGRD.0061 70
DRAFTED BY: EUR:FARRELLY, JOSEPH T -- 10126111
APPROVED BY: EURI/RPM:DECKER, KAREN B
HIGGINBOTHAM, BYAII K (OLP) EUR/UMB:O'FLANAGAN, LIAM J
LEGAL:DOLAN, JOANN DRUEUR:FALLS, ERIC G HST, RM 7250:P-EUR DUTY
HST, RM 7240:PETRUSH,.LIZA HST, RM 7246:ELLISON, JANTNE M
PETRONI, LAWRENCE J HST, RM 7310:NAVRAT|L, THOMAS J

--E84746 2622272R8

R262211ZOCT

11

FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO USMISSION USOSCE
AMEMBASSY MINSK

UNCLAS STATE.107533
RELEASED IN FUL
SIPDIS

E.O. 13526: NIA

TAGS: PREL, PGOV, OSCE, PHUM, BO
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO BELARUS
1. (U) Post is authorized to make the following statement at the
OSCE Permanent Council meeting in Vienna on October ZT, ZO11.
Begin text:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

We take note of the question posed by the Belarusian delegation
October 20 regarding the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations
continuing to take place across the United States and in many parts
of the world.
We note that these demonstrations have shown in practice our
respect for the universal right of the people to join together
peacefully in order to voice their common concerns in exercise of
their freedoms of opinion, expression and peaceful assembly,
consistent with the rights guaranteed them by the First Amendment
of the United States Constitution.

Nielsen, Senior Reviewer

\ lhile there have been isolated instances of violence, the

demonstrations in the United States have been for the most part
peaceful. The United States values the rights of these and any

UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No.

Doc No C05164518 Date

UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No.

Doc No. C05164518 Date

demonstrators who seek to exercise their rights to free speech and

assembly without regard to the content of that speech. Should
violence erupt, however, law enforcement has an obligation to
intervene. At the same time, any allegations of excessive force
would be subject to review and investigation.
ln reaffirming our respect for freedoms of opinion, expression and
peaceful assembly, we note the stark contrast between the Occupy
Wall Street demonstrations, which have reaffirmed the right to
political expression, and the regrettable situation in Belarus, in
which political prisoners have been imprisoned and mistreated
because of their beliefs
The United States once again calls on Belarus to release all
political prisoners immediately and unconditionally, to include the
full rehabilitation of their civil and political rights. The
United States also continues to call foran end to the campaign of
harassment against those who criticize the government.
ln concert with our European partnerc, the United States will
continue to hold accountable those Belarusian officials responsible
for repressive actions through targeted sanctions. At the same
time, we remain committed to supporting the democratic aspirations
of the Belarusian people.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
END TEXT.
CLINTON

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UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No.

Joc No. C05164518 Date