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"It's Time for OSCE to Leave," Belarus President Says MINSK, Apr 23, 2002 -- (dpa) Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko defied Western critics on Tuesday by saying the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) should leave the country. In an annual speech in parliament, Lukashenko said the OSCE had requested its Minsk office remain open in order to observe the presidential elections. Now that the elections were over, the OSCE should end its mission, the president said. But he left the date of the OSCE's departure open. Lukashenko was re-elected last year with a large majority. Only three European diplomats currently work in the OSCE's Minsk office along with a skeleton crew of support personnel. Belarussian visa officials two weeks ago denied entrance to a French diplomat assigned to the office. Lukashenko said he would consider reviewing his decision to close down the OSCE office if the OSCE "changed all its staff and its policy towards Belarus". Lukashenko also criticized the World Bank saying it too should cease operations in Belarus "because we do not need their assistance". The World Bank's activities in Belarus are limited to programs aimed at reducing levels of tuberculosis and AIDS. Lukashenko also warned other Western non-governmental organizations in Belarus that they would be expelled if they "meddled in Belarussian internal affairs". (C)2002. dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Games - play chess, backgammon, pool and more http://games.yahoo.com/ --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9617B Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
