BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

23/11/2006

EU unveils new policy toward Belarus

Brussels has unveiled a new draft strategy toward Belarus that links lavish economic promises with basic political recommendations, none of which encroaches on Alexander Lukashenko's regime.

It appears that the Belarusian leader, who was recently dubbed Europe's last dictator, may triumphantly enter the vast EU market, retain power, and get rid of Moscow's tutelage forever.

For example, the EU does not question the results of the latest presidential elections in Belarus, i.e. it does not dispute Lukashenko's legitimacy.

European "bureaucratic" economists have promptly reacted to cooler Russian-Belarusian relations after the latest gas conflict. They have taken the opportunity to remind Lukashenko that higher Russian gas prices will perpetuate inequality between Belarusian and Russian producers and damage plans for the common economic space.

Brussels is hinting that agreements with such an ally are worth little.

"Bureaucratic" politicians have decided that the economic rift between Moscow and Minsk will inevitably cause a military-strategic breach. Minsk may voice unexpected demands in reply to Russian gas pressure tactics and torpedo the bilateral military alliance.

Consequently, Russia would have to establish a new army group in its Smolensk Region.

Brussels would doubtless fully support Lukashenko in case of deeper Russian-Belarusian differences, and if the Union State faces possible disintegration.

Europe would forgive Lukashenko for his "dictatorial" rule and list Belarus among prospective EU members.

This would deprive Russia of its last Eastern European ally.

Ironically, the EU has long tried to convince Moscow to use political and economic leverage to influence Lukashenko's "dictatorial regime."

However, Brussels started playing its own game right after Moscow resorted to sanctions.

Gazeta, Novye Izvestia

Source:

http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20061122/55909504.html

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