BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

05/04/2006

Belarus: Sovereignty without Pressure

Minsk, Apr 5 (Prensa Latina) Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko asserted his government?s foreign policy supported the principles of sovereignty and collaboration among states, but without foreign pressure to force a change in the national process.

"Our nation is open to the world and international cooperation with all partners, based on respect of Belarus interests and approaches," pointed out Lukashenko, who said his foreign policy would remain unchanged.

Receiving Belarus Ambassador to Poland Pavel Latushko, Lukashenko praised achievements in regional security, economic trade and the struggle against criminality and organized crime.

As to Poland, whose ambassador participated in one of the opposition?s demonstrations after election, Belarus Foreign Minister Serguei Martinov referred to the historic relations and shared views between both countries and people.

"It is very clear for Belarus that the Polish know well that foreign pressure wishes to change the domestic situation, and that is inadmissible, noted Pavel Latushko.

According to the National Security Committee, diplomats from Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Georgia, France, Italy and Great Britain have backed the radical opposition groups? plans to destabilize the nation.

They sought the repetition of street riots like those in Georgia (2003) and Ukraine (2004), to ignite a "velvet" revolution leading to the ouster of Lukashenko, he said.

Before the start of the election race, the Assembly of the European Parliament threatened to sanction Belarus if electoral results propelled Lukashenko to the presidency.

That was followed by US and EU remarks favoring the freezing of bank accounts of Lukashenko and other government officials, and the denial of visas.

Source:

http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID=%7B19FD6892-348D-42B9-8813-87B1AAC2C981%7D)&language=EN