BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

04/12/2006

Belarus' Lukashenko congratulates President Chavez for his re-election

Belarus President congratulated Monday his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez for his re-election in the polling held Sunday,

Alexander Lukashenko is certain that Chavez "will continue taking the way of Venezuela's independence," stated a press release from Belarusian news agency Belta, Efe quoted.

"Chavez will face wisely the issues of economic development and make every effort for Venezuelans to live with dignity," he added.

Ending last July, Chavez became the first Latin American leader to visit Belarus. Then, Lukashenko and Chavez made friends and shared criticism of the US "imperialism."

Source:

http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/12/04/en_pol_art_04A811557.shtml