Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Lukashenka Seeks Help with Russia

After complaining to the Ukrainian journalists about the expected price increase and about what he sees as Moscow's intention to put Belarusian economic entities in a disadvantageous position compared to Russian businesses, Lukashenka admitted that he would welcome the idea of forming a union state with Ukraine.

He went so far as to suggest that, because of the "comparable" sizes of the two states, such a union might even be more feasible than one with Russia.

According to the Belarusian president, such a political formation could face a bright future.

"Pray God it happens some time. Believe me, everybody would have to take this [Belarusian-Ukrainian] state into consideration," Lukashenka said. "We would bargain a great deal from the world for our peoples."

Vintsuk Vyachorka, leader of the Belarusian Popular Front, told RFE/RL's Belarus Service that, in making such comments, Lukashenka is beginning to promote an idea first proposed by the Belarusian opposition 15 years ago. At that time, Vyachorka noted, the opposition sought to seek closer ties and, if possible, a union with Ukraine and the Baltic states in order to counter Russia's political and economic clout.

According to Vyachorka, such a move on the part of Lukashenka testifies to the desperation of the Belarusian president in the face of Russia's economic pressure.

"I think that today Mr. Lukashenka has no response to this challenge, to this deadlock into which he himself has brought our country," he said.


Now he sees what an asp he's been sleeping with. "Too bad" he's a tyrant and completely unsavory for everyone to try to deal with. After all, he's a snake too. Ukraine unite with Belarus? Why? to piss off the Russians? To drag down their economy even more? *snickers* Handled wrong though he might end up in bed wth someone that the West just can't stand. Someone even 'worse' than him. Or more threatening. If the Russians don't eat him first.

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