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PRESS
RELEASE
On Statement
by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus on the
Decision by the United States and the European Union to Impose Restrictions
Toward Belarusian Officials
Washington,
D.C., March 24, 2006
The European
Union and the United States have responded to the election of President of
the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at the direct and general
elections with a decision to impose restrictions toward a number of
Belarusian officials.
It is difficult
to comprehend the sense of this decision. Both the US and the EU had never
questioned Mr. Lukashenko being the most popular leader in Belarus who
leaves far behind all other contenders. It means that the people’s choice is
not liked.
At the same
time, the US and the EU continue to pronounce their interest in friendly
relations with the Belarusian people. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
stresses once again: if the United States and the European Union respect the
people of our country, they must respect the choice they have made.
Responding with
restrictions to the people’s choice means rejecting the Belarusian citizens’
right to live in their country at their own discretion, not somebody else’s.
This policy is not the best. Above all, it is a dead-end policy.
The Republic of
Belarus reserves the right to undertake reciprocal actions. |
