Military

DATE=10/15/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U.S./BELARUS ELECTION (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-319712

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

HEADLINE: US Raises "Serious Doubts" About Fairness of Belarus Elections

INTRO: The United States said Friday it has "serious doubts" that elections being held in Belarus on Sunday will meet international democratic standards. The eastern European country will elect a parliament and vote on a referendum that could indefinitely extend the ten-year rule of President Alexander Lukashenko. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

TEXT: The United States has minimal diplomatic dialogue with the government of Mr. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an increasingly-authoritarian hand. And it is making clear in advance of Sunday's voting that it does not believe the election will meet international fairness standards.

At a news briefing, State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the O.S.C.E, has reported that the Belarus election campaign has been "marred by irregularities," and he made it clear that U.S. officials agree with that assessment:

///Boucher actuality///

"Based on the government's persistent and serious infringements of human rights and democracy, we have serious doubts that the election in Belarus will meet international democratic standards. The authorities have refused to register about 40 per cent of the potential parliamentary candidates in this election. These refusals were largely based on insignificant or alleged errors in the candidate's paperwork, and they were directed disproportionately at opposition candidates.

///end act///

Mr. Boucher said the United States supports the O.S.C.E. mission in Belarus that is monitoring the elections and will watch the election and referendum process closely.

He said U.S. and European Union officials have repeatedly called on authorities in Belarus to abide by international election standards, but that they "unfortunately" had not upheld their commitments in past elections and referenda.

President Lukashenko, who is barred by the country's constitution from seeking a third five-year term in office, is asking for an amendment to the document allowing him to serve any number of terms.

He will need the support of 50-percent of all registered voters to do so, and some domestic and foreign critics have said that he would not have a chance to prevail in the referendum without manipulation.

However the Belarusian foreign minister, Sergei Martynov, told reporters that criticizing the election before it happens is unfair, and an "instrument of pressure" on election observers.

He also challenged reports that President Lukashenko has a core constituency of only about 40-percent of the country's voters, saying there are domestic polls showing he has the backing of nearly two-thirds of the electorate.

After winning the presidency in 1994, Mr. Lukashenko has steadily consolidated powers including control of the media and judiciary, and been the target of international human rights criticism.

Last month, the United States said it would join the European Union in imposing travel sanctions against senior Belarusian officials implicated in the disappearance of three opposition political figures and a journalist four years ago. (Signed)

NEB/DAG/PT/RH