BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

22/12/2006

Belarus: EU sanctions don't pose "serious challenge"

The Associated Press

MINSK, Belarus: Belarus on Friday dismissed new European Union trade sanctions, saying they wouldn't pose a serious challenge to the economy.

The EU voted Thursday to withdraw trade preferences unless Belarus tackles what the 25-nation bloc called serious violations of basic labor rights. The move means higher tariffs for the 12 percent of Belarus exports to the EU that currently have preferential rates.

"Outside pressure on the Belarusian people and the state will have no result," Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Popov said in a statement.

Andrei Sannikov, a former deputy foreign minister, said the sanctions would inflict up to ?300 million (US$395.7 million) in damages on the Belarusian economy.

"The revolting violations of human rights in Belarus today are obvious to all," he said.

The EU has largely cut contacts with the government of Belarus, imposing financial sanctions and a travel ban on President Alexander Lukashenko and other leaders it accuses of rigging elections and cracking down on opponents.

Last month, the bloc said it would send broadcasts Belarus holding out the prospect of increased trade, job opportunities, easier travel to the West, and EU aid to hospitals, schools, energy networks and the environment.

Source:

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/22/europe/EU_GEN_Belarus_EU_Sanctions.php