BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

09/04/2006

Belarussian President takes oath, attacks critics

Belarus's President Alexander Lukashenko has taken the oath of office for a new term and told critics to stop trying to impose a "coloured malaise" in his ex-Soviet state.

Mr Lukashenko's re-election has been contested in the West.

With his right hand on the Belarussian constitution, Mr Lukashenko vowed to serve the Belarussian people and uphold their rights during a ceremony in the imposing Palace of Republic in central Minsk.

In a short, emotional speech after taking the oath, the 51-year-old leader vowed to maintain the policies which have drawn such stinging criticism from the European Union and United States.

He launched a fierce new attack on both Belarus's liberal opposition and the West, saying that his state of 10 million had rejected the "coloured" revolutions that helped sweep leaders from power in ex-Soviet Georgia and Ukraine.

"Today the will of the people who elected their president independently and freely is confirmed in law," Mr Lukashenko said.

The ceremony was broadcast live on television and attended by 3,000 dignitaries and parliamentarians.

"No one inside or outside the country has the right to ignore the will of the people. Dear politicians, please look after affairs in your own houses.

"Belarus has a strong immune system. Your awkward attempts to induce a revolutionary virus had the opposite effect and became an antidote to this 'coloured malaise'."

Mr Lukashenko's inauguration had been due to take place on March 31 but was postponed without explanation, prompting speculation that he had been rattled by several days of unprecedented protests against his landslide victory.

After taking the oath, Mr Lukashenko donned a military uniform and walked into October Square - focal point of opposition protests after the election - to watch a military march past.

- Reuters

Source:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200604/s1611879.htm

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