BELARUS: OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS STAGE PROTEST RALLY IN MINSK ON LAST DAY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN
Record ID:
215412
BELARUS: OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS STAGE PROTEST RALLY IN MINSK ON LAST DAY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN
- Title: BELARUS: OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS STAGE PROTEST RALLY IN MINSK ON LAST DAY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN
- Date: 7th September 2001
- Summary: (U5) MINSK, BELARUS (SEPTEMBER 7, 2001) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. WS: PROTEST RALLY OPPOSITE THE PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 0.08 2. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS HOLDING PHOTOS OF MISSING CAMERAMAN ALEXEY ZAVADSKY AND ELECTION COMMISSION CHAIRMAN VICTOR GONCHAR (4 SHOTS) 0.36 3. SCU/SV/WS: PROTESTERS WEARING T-SHIRTS THAT SAY 'WE WANT TO
- Embargoed: 22nd September 2001 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: MINSK, BELARUS
- Country: Belarus
- Reuters ID: LVA2UYYWZM6Q5QXJ4CYRK7IEOYGB
- Story Text: Belarus's opposition, united behind a single candidate,
have called on the citizens to join an unauthorised
rally on Sunday evening after polls close, either to defend
their victory or protest at President Lukashenko's win.
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(OSCE), monitoring the election, have voiced concern about the
fairness of the poll which pits a trade unionist as the sole
opposition candidate to run against Lukashenko.
Several dozen supporters of opposition candidate
Vladimir Goncharik staged a protest rally in central Minsk on
Friday (September 7), the last day of the election campaign.
On Sunday (September 9) the citizens of Belarus will head to
the polls to elect their new president.
The opposition protesters lined-up before the presidential
residence wearing t-shirts that read "We want to know the
truth" and holding photos of missing journalist Alexey
Zavadsky and Chairman of the Election commission Victor
Gonchar.
The United States has accused Lukashenko of running "death
squads" against his opponents in the former Soviet state. It
has said it fears Sunday's election will not be free or fair.
Lukashenko denies involvement in the disappearances and
stepped-up his attack against opposition parties which have
formed a coalition to improve their chances of unseating him.
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(OSCE) and Western governments refuse to recognise the results
of last year's parliamentary elections and fear Sunday's poll
will be rigged.
Lukashenko accuses the OSCE of espionage and of
masterminding a Western plot to oust him, a charge it denies.
Alexander Lukashenko has been in power since 1994. He is
dubbed Europe's last dictator by U.S. officials for his poor
record on human rights, suppression of independent media and
autocratic style.
He has vowed he will not be ousted by a show of people
power.
Despite fighting talk from the opposition, who say a
20,000-strong protest in central Minsk would represent a
massive moral victory, analysts doubt ordinary Belorussians
have the stomach or incentive for a clash.
"I will go to the polls and will vote for Lukashenko
because I like him as President," said officer Alexander
Lyashkevich.
Twenty-three year-old Sasha said he will not go to the
polls. "I haven't voted before and I'm not planning to now,"
adding "I simply don't see a decent candidate."
Lukashenko predicts he will win 90 percent of the vote.
Analysts suggest 60 percent is possible, still sufficiently
above the 50 percent-plus-one needed to avoid a second round.
A former collective farm manager he enjoys support amongst
older voters and those in rural areas who back his adherence
to a Soviet-style administration and economy that has sought
to preserve order, pensions and salaries.
Minimal media access and official harassment have hampered
the opposition's campaign say the Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe. Opposition posters are regularly
torn down by police and meetings broken up.
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