Visit our website: HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------------------------- [The foreign ministry of Belarus could have made a similar statement about the United States late last December with a hundred - no, a thousand - times more justification. But somehow I don't recall Associated Press highlighting Belarus' comments on last November's U.S. presidential election.] State Department spokesman calls Belarus election meaningless The Associated Press 9/10/01 6:11 PM WASHINGTON (AP) -- The United States said Sunday's re-election of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko was meaningless and cannot be internationally recognized because it was not free or fair. State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said Monday the United States would consult with other nations in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on what steps to take to restore democracy in Belarus. "Regrettably, no part of the electoral process has been transparent or fair," Reeker said. "Lukashenko has merely used the facade of elections to engineer a meaningless victory for himself." Reeker said the United States agreed with the OSCE that the electoral process in the former Soviet republic was not democratic. "Belarussian authorities have demonstrated a clear disregard for both democracy and human rights during this election by avoiding transparency in all states and engaging in a campaign of intimidation," Reeker said. He said their actions included delaying or hindering participation of international and domestic observers, harassing opposition members and independent journalists and confiscating electoral materials and newspapers. Asked whether U.S. Ambassador Michael Kozak might be called home, Reeker said, "I don't think we have any plans at this point to make any changes." Last week the State Department said it would be an unwise for Lukashenko to expel Kozak. __________________________________________________ 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 ==^================================================================
