BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

Belarus Best, Latvia Worst for Russian Diplomacy

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Russia hold a former Soviet Republic in high esteem, according to a poll by the Yury Levada Analytical Center. 45 per cent of respondents consider Belarus as a friend and ally of Russia.

Germany was second on the list with 23 per cent, followed by Kazakhstan with 20 per cent, Ukraine with 17 per cent and India with 16 per cent. Aleksandr Lukashenko has headed the government in Belarus since 1994, extending his tenure through constitutional referendums. His administration's human rights record has been severely criticized internationally. Lukashenko and Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a bilateral treaty in late 1999, where the two nations agreed to eventually merge their tax systems and currencies.

On May 4, United States president George W. Bush referred to Belarus as "the last remaining dictatorship in Europe," adding, "When the elections come, make sure the elections are free, and have monitors and international observers. As you know, that made a big difference in the Ukraine."

Latvia tops the list of perceived "enemies" of Russia with 49 per cent, followed by Lithuania with 42 per cent, Estonia with 32 per cent, Georgia with 28 per cent and the U.S. with 23 per cent.

On May 5, Putin denied any further clarification on a long-standing dispute with Latvia, saying, "Speculations on this score should be stopped." The Latvian government has repeatedly insisted on the restoration of a 1920 peace treaty, and the condemnation of the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, which led to the 1940 annexation of Latvia to the Soviet Union.

Polling Data

Which countries do you consider friends and allies of Russia?

(All mentions)

Belarus

45%

Germany

23%

Kazakhstan

20%

Ukraine

17%

India

16%

France

13%

China

12%

United States

11%

Bulgaria

11%

Armenia

9%

Finland

6%

Italy

6%

Kyrgyzstan

5%

Poland

5%

Azerbaijan

5%

Britain

5%

Israel

5%

Uzbekistan

4%

Moldavia

4%

Japan

4%

Which countries do you consider are unfriendly to Russia?

(All mentions)

Latvia

49%

Lithuania

42%

Estonia

32%

Georgia

28%

United States

23%

Ukraine

13%

Afghanistan

12%

Iraq

10%

Japan

6%

Iran

6%

Azerbaijan

5%

Moldova

4%

Poland

4%

Armenia

4%

China

4%

Britain

3%

Israel

3%

Germany

3%

Belarus

2%

Source: Yury Levada Analytical Center

Methodology: Interviews to 1,600 Russian adults, conducted from May 13 to May 17, 2005. No margin of error was provided.

Source:

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewItem&itemID=7495


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