BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

19 April 2005

Belarus' Lukashenko Vows No

By VOA News

President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus says he fears no so-called "colored revolutions" such as the popular uprisings that have toppled governments in Ukraine and Georgia.

In his annual address to parliament Tuesday, Mr. Lukashenko dismissed such popular movements as "plain banditry" and affirmed that they will make no inroads in Belarus.

The president, who has close ties to Moscow, was referring to the so-called "rose revolution" in Georgia in late 2003 and the "orange revolution" in Ukraine one year later. Both saw pro-Russian leaders replaced by pro-Western governments.

Critics say Mr. Lukashenko has steadily consolidated power and stifled media freedom and democracy since he took power in 1994. International human rights groups also have criticized his record.

Some information for this story provided by Reuters and AFP

Source:

http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-04-19-voa48.cfm