Visit our website: HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------------------------- [The 'resentful people' by all indications have just reelected the president in a landslide victory; but as Henry Kissinger (who it's reported in today's The Scotsman is to be sued by General Rene Schneider's son for his role in his father's murder) said in regard to Chile in the early 1970s, the people can't be allowed.... But the OTPOR-style brownshirts are already being mobilized, and round two of the West's coup plans is to be implemented, just as in Yugoslavia a year ago.] Belarus president tightens grip on a resentful people Ian Traynor in Moscow Monday September 10, 2001 The Guardian The president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, looked certain to tighten his dictatorial grip on power last night in a controversial election likely to be deemed illegitimate by the west, deepening the international isolation of the most hardline regime in Europe. Amid a mood of menace that could spill over into ugly confrontation, Mr Lukashenko was expected to claim a fresh five-year mandate in the post-Soviet republic after seven years of increasingly authoritarian leadership. Casting his vote yesterday, he hinted at rewriting the constitution to prolong his regime further. Opposition activists who fanned out around Belarus to monitor the conduct of the presidential ballot reported widespread irregularities in the casting of votes as the climax to a campaign that has seen sweeping media censorship, harassment and intimidation of the opposition, and obstructions placed in the way of international monitors. The regime has accused Washington and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe of running an espionage operation and conspiring to topple Mr Lukashenko. Yesterday, after casting his vote, the president announced that Hans-Georg Wieck, the OSCE ambassador in Minsk, was a spy who would be expelled from the country if he did not leave freely. Mr Wieck is a former German spy chief and retired diplomat who has spent three years in Minsk seeking to promote the opposition to Mr Lukashenko and buttress democratic procedures. There have also been threats that Michael Kozak, the US ambassador in Minsk, could also be expelled after the White House and the US state department made explicit statements supporting the opposition. A small explosion occurred yesterday behind the US embassy in Minsk. No one was hurt. The president, the KGB secret police and the state media fomented a climate of fear all day yesterday, delivering threats of a crackdown on the streets if students and human rights activists make good their promise to organise large demonstrations against the regime. "We're in control of the streets," Mr Lukashenko stated. "The people can be absolutely sure everything will be calm." A spokesman for the KGB also warned the opposition to keep off the streets, while state television hammered home the message with a broadcast showing riot police rehearsing to thwart any protests. Western diplomats in Minsk predicted that a traditionally passive public, already cowed by the regime's warnings, would react with resignation to Mr Lukashenko's declared victory, but student leaders have pledged to mobilise tens of thousands. The situation could turn ugly if the protests materialise. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email alerts & NEW webcam video instant messaging with Yahoo! Messenger http://im.yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------- This Discussion List is the follow-up for the old stopnato @listbot.com that has been shut down ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9spWA Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [email protected] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
