19/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU and United States ratchet up pressure on Belarus. Belarusian authorities will face sanctions from the EU and the United States if they do not release imprisoned dissidents very soon, reiterated US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State with responsibility for human rights, democracy and the rule of law Thomas Melia on Wednesday 19 January. “The door is not closed but it is closing”, he said. Melia held meetings on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 January with members of the EU External Action Service (EEAS) before he travels to Ukraine and Belarus. He added: “Decisions are being made in a couple of weeks. If the Belarus government wants to move in another direction, now is a good time”. The United States is considering economic and financial sanctions and visa restrictions for Belarusian leaders. Any decision taken will mirror that taken by the EU, with which the US is “harmonising” approaches. The EU will probably reveal the package of punitive measures against the Belarusian authorities at the Foreign Affairs Council of 31 January. (A.By./transl.rt)