BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

23/01/2008

Belarusian President Accuses Opposition Of Colluding With Businessmen

Alyaksandr Lukashenka on January 22 suggested that the opposition, under the guise of protecting businesses, is attempting to destabilize the country, Belapan reported. The previous day, small-business activists held an unsanctioned demonstration in Minsk to protest the presidential decree that, starting on January 1, restricts the activities of certain small-business owners. "We should not permit the destabilization of the country by an opposition that is hiding behind slogans about some protection of business," Lukashenka said. "Money and investors do not like marches on squares, some rumpus, but they, the opposition, seem to want destabilization. That is why we cannot allow calm and peaceful Minsk to come to a boil." Lukashenka said that small-business owners comprised "a 10th" of those gathered, adding that they left the demonstration "claiming that they were framed." AM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2008/01/3-cee/cee-230108.asp