BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

24/02/2006

Poles turn on radio to help dissidents

By Roger Boyes

THE dissident Opposition to Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarussian President dubbed Europe's last dictator, has been boosted by a new radio station that is broadcasting from Poland into his police state.

Radio Ratsya began transmissions on Wednesday, providing news, interviews with opposition supporters and contemporary music banned by the Belarussian leader. If the station catches on it could help to stir resistance to Mr Lukashenko before presidential elections on March 19.

No one doubts that the President will claim victory but there is a chance that the result could stoke unrest in the manner of the Orange Revolution in Ukraine.

"We have already broadcast an interview with the Belarussian opposition candidate for the presidency, Alexander Milinkevich," Nikola Markevich, a founder of the radio station, said.

The editorial team is made up of Poles and Belarussians, fed by correspondents in Belarus. The transmitters are in southern Poland and Lithuania, ensuring that most of western and northern Belarus will be able to listen.

There is little doubt that the new Polish Government is committed to engineering democratic change in Belarus.

The opening of the station - financed by the Polish State with about ?180,000 a year - was attended by Adam Lipinski, the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff. Journalists banned by President Lukashenko often find jobs across the border. Outlawed bands record in Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. Books are printed in Poland and smuggled to Belarus.

Source:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-2055898,00.html