BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

26/04/2006

Belarus set for opposition rally

Belarus opposition candidate Alexander Milinkevich at earlier rally

Alexander Milinkevich has been told not to attend the rally

The opposition in Belarus is preparing to stage its first large rally since police broke up protests following defeat in the presidential elections.

The rally, marking the anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster in neighbouring Ukraine, has become a traditional forum for anti-government protesters.

Opposition leader Alexander Milinkevich was briefly detained ahead of the rally - which has permission to take place.

Mr Milinkevich, among other opposition leaders, have been told not to attend.

President Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in for a third term following his disputed election win on 19 March.

His election victory was criticised by international observers as being neither free nor fair. European foreign ministers responded by extending a visa ban on Belarus officials, including Mr Lukashenko and 30 others.

Big test

The election result sparked demonstrations in October Square in the capital, Minsk, and hundreds of opposition supporters were arrested.

Mr Lukashenko has accused the West of waging a crusade to drown his country in the chaos of anarchy.

The BBC's Emma Simpson says the demonstration on Wednesday will be the first big test for Belarus's opposition since the post-election protests.

She said the Chernobyl anniversary march was traditionally the biggest event of the year for the opposition. as many Belarussians continued to demand answers about the effects of the disaster and to oppose their government's move to repopulate contaminated land.

Source:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4947192.stm