Belarusian Politicians Comment on Political Crisis in Ukraine

Text of report in English by Belarusian news agency Belapan

Minsk, 3 April: Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko’s 2 April decision to dissolve parliament may further postpone his meeting with [Belarusian President] Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Anatol Krasutski, deputy chairman of the international affairs committee in the House of Representatives [Belarusian lower house of parliament], told Belapan.

Krasutski said he regretted the Ukrainian leader’s decision. He said he fears another political turmoil in the neighbouring country. “What matters most is that all of them should be wise enough not to bring people to the barricades and solve all problems in a civilized manner,” he said.

Krasutski expressed certainty that the political crisis would not affect economic contacts between Ukraine and Belarus.

Vintsuk Vyachorka, leader of the Belarusian People’s Front [BPF- Revival Party], welcomed Yushchenko’s step as the best possible solution to Ukraine’s political deadlock. “This step required a certain degree of courage from the president, considering his behaviour during the past year when endless round-table conferences were held. Some knots should rather be cut if they cannot be untied,” he said in an interview with Belapan. Vyachorka expressed hope that Ukrainian democratic forces would drop ambitions and rally around Yushchenko.

Anatol Lyabedzka, chairman of the United Civic Party, said that Belarusian state-run media outlets would capitalize on the crisis to paint a grim picture of “colour revolutions” and their consequences.

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