BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
13/10/2008
Alexander Lukashenko travel ban lifted by EU
A travel ban on Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus and the man dubbed "the last dictator in Europe", was on Monday lifted by European Union foreign ministers.
By Bruno Waterfield in Luxembourg
Alexander Lukashenko was hit with EU entry restrictions after the 2006 Belarus elections were internationally criticised Photo: AP
The EU has suspended a travel ban on President Lukashenko and 40 close associates in an attempt to encourage democracy in the wake of disputed parliamentary elections last month.
"It is most important to encourage Belarus to come closer to the European Union," Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU External Relations Commissioner, said.
Mr Lukashenko and key members of his government were hit by EU entry restrictions and cash freeze sanctions after international observers ruled that 2006 presidential elections were not free and fair.
EU foreign minister took a tougher line on Zimbabwe by condemning the country's President Robert Mugabe move to take control of key ministries in defiance of a power-sharing deal with opposition parties.
Bernard Kouchner, French Foreign Minister, warned that the EU was keeping a "close watch on the implementation of the agreement" signed on Sept 15 by Mr Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
"We will certainly not abandon Mr. Tsvangirai. We can all see that Mr. Mugabe did not keep his promises," he said.
Tsvangirai threatened Sunday to pull out of the national unity government if Mugabe refused to cede control of the defense, home and foreign affairs, justice, mining and land ministries.
Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party has only given Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change, which won a majority in March elections, minor posts in the government.
David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, said: "It is important that there is an international united response that says that the results of the elections need to be respected and a power grab will not be respected."
Source:
Archive
Subscribe Daily Newsletter:
Belarus News and Analysis Donate:
