BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

February 01, 2006

Putin demands free elections in Belarus

Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader has demanded free and fair upcoming presidential elections in Belarus. Speaking at the Kremlin, Putin also lashed out at international criticism of over a lack of democracy and human righs in the neighbouring country.

Alyaksandr Milinkevich, the Belarussian opposition candidate, has been holding talks with top EU officials in Brussels. Speaking through a translator, he said the European Union should step in to ensure standards in the March poll.

"These are not democratic elections...it is critical that European institutions send a strong message to the Bellarussian regime, but if the Bellarussian elections are not free, fair and transparent - there will be grave consequences for this undemocratic regime, " he said.

Source:

http://www.sabcnews.com/world/europe/0,2172,120776,00.html