BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

18/07/2006

U.S. Will Not Recognize Belarus-Russia Union State - Ambassador

MosNews

The United States will not recognize a Belarus-Russia Union state, U.S. ambassador to Belarus George Krol has said, referring to the Department of State's statements.

Krol declared that Washington will reject the results of the referendum on establishing the union state, Interfax reported.

The ambassador said the referendum in the climate of restrictions to freedom of expression in Belarus does not guarantee to reflect the Belarusian people's will. The diplomat also expressed concern whether referendum in Russia will be democratic.

"It is difficult to say how real the danger of the unification of Belarus with Russia is," he said.

The diplomat noted that the development of these events in such way causes concern not only in the United States but also in several European states bordering on Belarus.

Krol also stressed the absence of information on the structure and Constitution of the new union state.

Russia and Belarus have been discussing a union state with a common customs area, economic policy and political regulations for almost a decade

Source:

http://www.mosnews.com/news/2006/07/17/notrecognize.shtml