BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

18/03/2006

Both sides cry foul in Belarus election

MINSK, Belarus, March 18 (UPI) -- The president of Belarus claims his opponents plan a coup to seize power through Sunday's election.

Alexander Lukashenko says foreign countries, including the United States, are behind the opposition forces, the BBC reports.

Officials have barred a number of foreign observers from the country, including nine members of parliament in Georgia and two Polish reporters.

There have been almost no public opinion polls, and exit polls are not planned. While Lukashenko warns of a coup, Alexander Milinkevich, one of four opposition candidates, says the result has been preordained by the incumbent.

In his final television address, Lukashenko defended his record and warned foreigners to stay out of Belarusian politics.

"Observe, draw conclusions, but do not decide for us what path the Belarusian people should take," he said.

Source:

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060318-025246-6995r