BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
15/12/2008
Thousands of Belarusian business owners protest
MINSK, Belarus - Nearly 2,000 entrepreneurs are rallying in Belarus' capital, decrying new regulations that they say are destroying small business in the ex-Soviet republic.
It was the second protest by business leaders this year and largest anti-government rally in years.
Riot police did not interfere as protesters chanted "Freedom for Businesses!" and waved European Union and opposition flags in downtown Minsk Monday.
The regulations pushed by President Alexander Lukashenko's government would double their taxes and force them to reregister their businesses, among other things. They take effect Jan. 1.
Earlier rules restricted whom employers could hire.
Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with an iron fist since 1994, maintaining a Soviet-style, centrally controlled economy.
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