BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

04/06/2009

Lukashenko Hopes Israel Can Help With U.S. Ties

Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko called on Israel on Thursday to help his former Soviet republic improve ties with the United States, long critical of its rights record.

Belarus's relations with Western countries suffered for years over allegations that Lukashenko crushed fundamental rights. Ties with Washington deteriorated to their lowest point when the U.S. ambassador was expelled last year.

Authorities have in the past year released detainees described in the West as political prisoners and allowed the sale of opposition newspapers, prompting cautious praise from the European Union. But Washington has not shifted its stance.

"We would be very grateful if Israel's standing helps us to normalise relations with not just the EU but also with the United States," Lukashenko told a news conference alongside Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

"Israel is not an alien country for us as several thousands of our former countrymen live there ... This affectionate note places a special stamp on all our relations," he said.

Lieberman did not comment on whether Israel would act as a go-between for Minsk and Washington.

The United States and the European Union both imposed sanctions accusing Lukashenko of rigging his re-election to a third term in 2006.

Belarussian authorities accused Washington of tightening those sanctions and asked the U.S. ambassador to leave in March 2008. Some embassy staff remain, but no new envoy has been sent.

A senior U.S. official said last year Washington wanted to see a more liberal environment for media and independent organisations before easing sanctions. One sanction is a ban on dealing with an oil products company which brings in a third of the country's foreign currency earnings.

The EU suspended its entry ban on Lukashenko and he visited Western Europe for the first time since the mid-1990s, travelling to Italy in April and meeting Pope Benedict.

Senior Belarussian officials met EU leaders at a summit in Prague last month.

Source:

http://www.javno.com/en-world/lukashenko-hopes-israel-can-help-with-us-ties_263119

Google
 


Partners:
Face.by Social Network
Face.by