BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

Rice calls for political change in Belarus

GEORGE GEDDA

Associated Press

VILNIUS, Lithuania - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Belarusian dissidents Thursday she thinks an end to authoritarian rule in their country is within reach. She drew a rebuke from Russia's foreign minister for earlier comments about Belarus.

After meeting with the seven dissidents, Rice said next year's presidential election in Belarus offers "an excellent opportunity" to focus on the need for credible elections in the country, a pro-Russian former Soviet republic led since 1994 by President Alexander Lukashenko.

On Wednesday, Rice had said it was "time for a change" in Belarus - a comment that prompted a reply Thursday from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Apparently interpreting her comment as a call for outside intervention, Lavrov said Russia "would not advocate what some people call regime change anywhere. You cannot impose democracy from the outside."

Rice came here from Russia to attend informal meetings of NATO foreign ministers. Lavrov turned up for discussions of his country's links with NATO.

She said persistent outside pressure for a free and fair election process can serve as a catalyst for change, a phenomenon that led to the ouster of undemocratic governments in Georgia in 2003 and Ukraine in 2004.

Lukashenko has not said whether he will seek re-election next year. Rice's comments and her decision to meet with the dissidents were certain to rile the Belarusian leader, who lashed out Tuesday at what he described as the Western-backed revolutions in Georgia and Ukraine. He vowed that he would not be ousted.

Minsk, the Belarus capital, is just a short drive from Vilnius. When the dissidents tried to cross the border Wednesday night into Lithuania, they were harassed by Belarusian authorities, delaying their arrival here by more than two hours, a Bush administration official said.

Greeting the dissidents Thursday at a hotel, Rice said, "While it may be difficult and long and at times even far away, there will be a road to democracy in Belarus. We admire your courage, and we admire your dedication and we want you all to know you are in our thoughts."

After the meeting, the dissidents told reporters they hoped to organize mass anti-government protests this fall.

Rice, at her own news conference, said the United States does not offer advice to opposition movements on tactics.

"These are the people who know what's best to do," she said.

In his decade in power, Lukashenko has stifled dissent, persecuted independent media and opposition parties and prolonged his power through fraudulent elections. He also has made no secret of his desire to reunite his country with Russia.

On Wednesday, Belarusian and Russian military officials tentatively agreed to set up a joint military communications and control system.

The 2004 Belarus Democracy Act mandates U.S. assistance for Belarusian political parties, nongovernmental organizations and independent media. It also bars U.S. aid to the Belarus government, except for humanitarian assistance.

In signing the legislation last October, President Bush said, "At a time when freedom is advancing around the world, Aleksander Lukashenko and his government are turning Belarus into a regime of repression in the heart of Europe."

Source:

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/world/11449325.htm


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