BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

02/03/2007

Belarusian Opposition Leader Warns Against 'Reorientation' Toward East

Former opposition presidential candidate Alyaksandr Milinkevich on March 1 reiterated that he will take part in the upcoming congress of democratic forces in Belarus only if the congress decides to elect a single opposition leader, RFE/RL's Belarus Service reported. Last month, Milinkevich refused to participate in the congress planned for mid-March, saying he objects to the idea of a rotating chairmanship in the coalition of opposition forces that has been proposed for approval at this forum (see "RFE/RL Newsline," February 15, 2007). Milinkevich on March 1 also repeated his former charge that the procedures for selecting delegates to the congress are nontransparent. "Those delegates to the congress whom we have today will most likely decide on the reorientation of Belarusian democratic forces toward the East," Milinkevich said. "Therefore, I am in favor of reconsidering those who have been given the right to go to the congress." JM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2007/03/3-CEE/cee-020307.asp