Belarus goes to the polls tomorrow, but the President's opponents have a nasty habit of disappearing
Published:
16 October 2004 y., Saturday
He speaks as though the Cold War never ended and makes no effort to conceal his aggressive desire to forge a new Soviet Union. He has in the past praised Hitler's talent for ruling, ridden roughshod over human rights in his country and is suspected of ordering the murders of political opponents who have disappeared without trace. Tomorrow, the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, aims to win a referendum that would entitle him to tear up the constitution and ensure his continued reign as Europe's last Stalinist dictator.
Mr Lukashenko, his opponents have said, is not merely intent on clearing a constitutional path to run for a limitless number of terms in office, what he wants is a lifetime presidency. The 50-year-old has attempted to deny the allegation, but after a decade of ruling with what he has admitted is "an element of authoritarianism" Mr Lukashenko shows no sign of going quietly.
Belarus, a country of 10 million, is now perched at the frontier of the European Union, bordering Lithuania and Poland. But it has remained hermetically sealed against the democratic and economic forces that have changed the face of many of the former Soviet republics. First-time visitors are struck by how the country seems frozen in a Soviet twilight zone where people still speak in whispers and criticism of the authorities is risky and sometimes life-threatening.
Šaltinis:
news.independent.co.uk
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
14-year-old Nathan Clark drowned after being sucked into the Thai water park in the popular resort of Pattaya pool's pumping system.
more »
The sixth day of Spain's Pamplona bull run got off with a bang.
more »
China drafts its first animal protection law to prevent animal abuse.
more »
You arrive at the airport ready for your flight - but upon arrival you find the flight has been overbooked leaving you waiting for another one.
more »
Former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, the leading architect of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, has died in his sleep at his home in Washington, D.C.
more »
Tips and advice for a hassle-free holiday in Europe.
more »
Some EU countries are making it hard for other EU nationals to obtain residence permits.
more »
People, who lay claim to the state sponsored housing loans, can already submit applications on receiving a credit under preferential conditions in Bank SNORAS.
more »
From July 1, all gambling activities in Russia have to move to 4 designated zones, far from the bright lights of the big cities, or cease altogether.
more »
French President Nicolas Sarkozy supports a group of legislators, who've said they're concerned that increasing numbers of women are wearing burqas in France.
more »