BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

14/05/2008

Lukashenko Offers Hope

MINSK -- President Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday that he hoped a parliamentary election in September would deliver some seats to the opposition to disarm Western criticism of human rights in Belarus.

Lukashenko warned the European Union against joining the United States in imposing economic sanctions, reminding the bloc that Belarus was a transit country for Russian oil and gas.

"I would like for at least a few opposition figures to win support so that you cannot accuse us of not having an opposition in parliament. But that will depend on the people," Lukashenko said.

The opposition currently has no seats in the parliament. (Reuters)

Source:

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/1011/42/362708.htm

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