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USA extends partial suspension of sanctions against two Belarusian companies

The US Treasury Department has extended until November 30, 2010 a partial suspension of its sanctions against AAT Lakafarba, a paint and varnish company in Lida, and AAT Polatsk-Shklovalakno, a glass fiber manufacturer in Polatsk, BelaPAN said.

According to the Department, all transactions between US persons and the two Belarusian companies are authorized until November 30, 2010, while all property and interests in property of Lakafarba and Polatsk-Shklovalakno that were previously blocked remain blocked.

A US person may not procure goods, services or technology from, or engage in any transactions with, any other blocked person directly or indirectly through the two companies, the Treasury Department said.

"Unfortunately, recent events, including raids on an NGO last week, indicate a continuing, negative pattern in the Belarusian authorities’ respect for basic freedoms," the US embassy in Belarus said in a statement commenting on the extension of the measure. "An improvement in US-Belarusian relations can come only when there is real progress on respect for democracy and for basic human rights. This situation will be a factor in our consideration of whether to continue the selected suspension of sanctions in November."