BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

13/02/2008

Belarus' Lukashenko says release of opposition activists shows goodwill to EU

MINSK, Belarus (AP) - Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday that the recent release of some opposition activists was a show of goodwill in order to improve relations with the European Union.

Lukashenko, described in the West as "Europe's last dictator," has stifled dissent and independent media during 13 years in power. The United

States and the EU have imposed economic sanctions on Belarus and travel restrictions on Lukashenko and other top Belarusian officials they accused of rigging elections and cracking down on opponents.

Lukashenko, speaking to students, said the recent release of several opposition activists in Belarus was meant as a goodwill gesture to the EU.

"We have made a step forward. I mean the early release of some prisoners for whom the West had special feelings," he said. "Now it's the EU's turn to show their good will in respect to the Belarusian people. We are strongly interested in cooperation with Western countries, particularly the EU nations.

Belarus shares borders with EU-members Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.

Lukashenko began signaling a desire for better relations with the West after Russia's decision to sharply hike prices for oil exports to Belarus _ exports on which the country's Soviet-style, centrally controlled economy had long depended.

The United States and the EU have made clear, however, that Lukashenko must free all political prisoners and allow more democratic freedoms before sanctions can be eased and relations normalized.

Source:

http://www.pr-inside.com/belarus-lukashenko-says-release-of-r436035.htm

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