И по существу.

Philip J. Crowley
Assistant Secretary
Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
December 21, 2010

Сразу после вопроса про Северную Корею:

QUESTION: Can you – do you expect any qualitative change now in the relationship with Belarus? Lukashenko seemed to be flirting with the West for a couple years, released political prisoners, made a nuclear deal several weeks ago. Now he seems to have gone to the dark side, so to speak, with this election. What’s going to happen for him tangibly?

MR. CROWLEY: Well, I’m not sure I necessarily subscribe to the suggestion. Whatever flirtation was happening here, it’s – I mean, Belarus and – President Lukashenko may well be a country that never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity. Our sanctions will continue in place, and it’s tragic what Belarus – what has happened in Belarus. Respect for the democratic process and human rights of its citizens is at the center of our relationship and our aspirations for Belarus.

QUESTION: Have you heard or are you concerned that these events and the U.S. reaction to them might somehow derail the nuclear swap deal?

MR. CROWLEY: Well, we would hope not. That is something that’s important to the international community, including others in the region. But certainly, any fundamental improvement in our bilateral relations will only be possible based on a meaningful improvement in the government’s policies affecting democracy and human rights.

QUESTION: So no word on the nuclear?

MR. CROWLEY: No, but we would hope that that cooperation will continue.

QUESTION: Thank you.