US deputy assistance secretary of state arrives in Minsk

David Merkel, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs at the US State Department, has arrived in Minsk.

The US Embassy in Minsk told Belapan news agency that Merkel was scheduled to hold meetings with Belarus officials and the representatives of the pro-democracy opposition on August 21-22. It is yet to be revealed who the high-ranking American official will meet exactly.

Unofficial reports suggests that David Merkel will meet with some representatives of the Belarusian opposition on August 22.