BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

04/07/2006

Arms Sales Fund Soviet-Era Belarus

Just 15 years after gaining its independence from the former Soviet Union, the central European country of Belarus is increasingly adopting many old habits of the Soviets.

Ruled by the self-proclaimed autocrat Aleksandr Lukashenka, Belarus is also one of the world's biggest arms dealers, drawing the ire of the United States and now under threat of economic sanctions.

In this week's Dateline, Nick Lazaredes visits the powerful Russian neighbour, and investigates the trail of money from arms sales all the way to the office of the President. He is speaking with Adam Connors.

Source:

http://www9.sbs.com.au/radio/index.php?page=wv&newsID=138007