BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

26/03/2007

Police Dissolve Anti-government Rally in Belarus Capital

MosNews

Thousands of opposition protesters gathered this weekend in Minsk, Belarus, to mark the anniversary of the short-lived Belarussian republic in 1918, the UPI news agency reports.

Between 10,000 and 15,000 people are believed to have taken part in the rally during the officially sanctioned Freedom Day celebrations.

The BBC reported on the protest in which activists rallied against President Alexander Lukashenko. About 700 people did not leave the scene after official demonstration and headed towards the government building. Police used water cannons to dissolve the rally. About 30 people were arrested, Russia's Echo of Moscow radio station reported.

Washington calls Lukashenko "Europe's last dictator" and the rally leaders emphasized the opposition's backing from the European Union and the democratic world.

Meanwhile, the EU made a new appeal for democratic reform in Belarus.

Source:

http://www.mosnews.com/news/2007/03/26/belarusrally.shtml