BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
21/01/2011
Belarus says EU accusations groundless, threatens retaliation
MINSK, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Belarus' Foreign Ministry said Thursday the European Parliament's accusations of Belarus are groundless.
"Foreign Ministry regrets the adoption of the resolution. They openly contradict the interests of a constructive dialogue between Minsk and Brussels. I think that the parliamentarians of the National Assembly of Belarus will express their opinions on this issue in more details," said Andrei Savinykh, press secretary of the Foreign Ministry.
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday ordered the Government to prepare retaliatory measures in response to sanctions introduced against Belarus. " If anybody attempts to impose economic or any other sanctions, we should respond immediately," he said.
"We are always ready for a calm dialogue with anyone who is eager to speak with us sincerely and on equal terms. No one is allowed to speak with Belarus using force or ultimatums. At the same time we cannot hide our head in the sand and avoid discussing the issue. The situation demands that we make firm and well- thought decisions," said Alexander Lukashenko.
The European Parliament adopted Thursday a tough resolution against Belarus, calling on the Council of the European Union to impose sanctions, including a ban on entry to the EU and the freezing of assets, against Belarusian officials, judges and law enforcement agents involved in the dispersal of the opposition after the presidential election on Dec. 19, 2010.
According to the Press Service of the European Parliament, the resolution condemns "in the strongest terms" the violent suppression of opposition protests on the voting day and calls for an independent and objective international investigation of events in Belarus under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
In addition, the European Parliament called for a new presidential election in accordance with international standards.
Source:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-01/21/c_13700407.htm
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