BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

15/12/2006

Belarus Appoints "Special Representative" For Relations With Europe

Belarusian Foreign Minister Syarhey Martynau has appointed Syarhey Haydukevich, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Belarus and a deputy in the Chamber of Representatives, as his "special representative" for relations with European organizations and parliaments, Belapan reported on December 14. "I believe that my appointment is a good start for a dialogue with Europe. Because I'm an opposition politician, twice candidate for president, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party, which is considered a constructive opposition force," Haydukevich told journalists on December 14. However, among supporters of former opposition presidential candidate Alyaksandr Milinkevich and the Political Council of United Pro-Democratic Forces, Haydukevich is widely seen as a politician totally servile to the authoritarian regime of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka. The "Nasha Niva" independent weekly's website (http://www.nn.by) commented that by appointing Haydukevich, the Belarusian authorities "are mocking the Europeans." "The appointment of the leader of a pseudo-opposition party and a technical candidate for president to such a post can be interpreted as a gesture of demonstrative scorn for the European Union," the website added. JM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2006/12/3-cee/cee-151206.asp

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