Possible Magnitsky Sanctions Similar to Measures Imposed on Other Countries — McFaul
Interfax - 5.2.12 - JRL 2012-80
MOSCOW. May 2 (Interfax) - A possible ban on U.S. entry for a number of Russian officials, who in Washington's view played a part in the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky while in custody, fits in the framework of the U.S. human rights policy, U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul said.
file photo
I will stress that we are taking these measures not only over the Magnitsky case but over all human rights violations, and we do so not only with respect to Russia but all other countries as well, McFaul said in an interview with the Vedomosti newspaper published on Wednesday.
These measures are the law that gives us a right to decide who can and who cannot enter our country, he said.
The Magnitsky bill proposed by Senator Ben Cardin is only being readied for submission to the U.S. Congress. The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has studied very carefully the circumstances which led to Magnitsky's death, the U.S. diplomat recalled.
file photoI was personally involved in this when I worked at the White House. I would come here to meet with officials who were in charge of this case, and with his mother. For me personally, this was the hardest meeting I have ever had in my public service, McFaul said.
Very soon the Congress is also expected to debate the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment passed in 1974, which restricts trade relations between the two countries over the Soviet emigration policy.
I can say that the Obama administration is going to work with the Congress to end the effect of the Jackson-Vanik amendment this year. This is not a gift or favor to Russia, we are doing this because it is in our economic interests, McFaul said.
Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization will create trade and investment opportunities for U.S. companies, he said.
The ambassador also appraised some of the recent outcomes of U.S.-Russian relations.
The past three years were simply amazing in terms of how much we have achieved and how many real things we have accomplished: the operation in Afghanistan, the new strategic arms reduction treaty, the 1-2-3 agreement on nuclear cooperation, Russia's accession to the WTO, a new visa agreement, joint actions on North Korea and Iran, the U.S. ambassador said.
MOSCOW. May 2 (Interfax) - A possible ban on U.S. entry for a number of Russian officials, who in Washington's view played a part in the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky while in custody, fits in the framework of the U.S. human rights policy, U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul said.
file photoI will stress that we are taking these measures not only over the Magnitsky case but over all human rights violations, and we do so not only with respect to Russia but all other countries as well, McFaul said in an interview with the Vedomosti newspaper published on Wednesday.
These measures are the law that gives us a right to decide who can and who cannot enter our country, he said.
The Magnitsky bill proposed by Senator Ben Cardin is only being readied for submission to the U.S. Congress. The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has studied very carefully the circumstances which led to Magnitsky's death, the U.S. diplomat recalled.
I was personally involved in this when I worked at the White House. I would come here to meet with officials who were in charge of this case, and with his mother. For me personally, this was the hardest meeting I have ever had in my public service, McFaul said.
file photoVery soon the Congress is also expected to debate the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment passed in 1974, which restricts trade relations between the two countries over the Soviet emigration policy.
I can say that the Obama administration is going to work with the Congress to end the effect of the Jackson-Vanik amendment this year. This is not a gift or favor to Russia, we are doing this because it is in our economic interests, McFaul said.
Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization will create trade and investment opportunities for U.S. companies, he said.
The ambassador also appraised some of the recent outcomes of U.S.-Russian relations.
The past three years were simply amazing in terms of how much we have achieved and how many real things we have accomplished: the operation in Afghanistan, the new strategic arms reduction treaty, the 1-2-3 agreement on nuclear cooperation, Russia's accession to the WTO, a new visa agreement, joint actions on North Korea and Iran, the U.S. ambassador said.