The European Union (EU) is "very likely" to impose stiffer
sanctions on the Belarusian authority amid suspicions over foul
play in the country's presidential election, EU External Relations
Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said on Monday.
"From what we have seen so far, my view is some action is now
very likely indeed," said Ferrero-Waldner, who has warned
repeatedly in recent weeks that the EU could strengthen sanctions
if it was not happy about the Belarusian election.
However, she noted that there was unlikely to be any immediate
decision because the EU was awaiting a report by election observers
due later in the day.
Ferrero-Waldner's spokesperson said on Monday that if the EU
decided to take any action, it would only target those responsible
for the wrong-doings, not the whole population.
"There is no intention ... to undertake any formal restrictive
measures that could hurt the population as a whole," said Emma
Udwin.
"It is clear that many aspects of the campaign, particularly
arrests of members of the opposition, have no place in a free and
fair election," she claimed.
According to the final results released by the Central Election
Commission in Minsk, incumbent Belarusian President Alexander
Lukashenka garnered 82.6 percent of the vote in the Sunday
election.
His main opponent, Alexander Milinkevich, gained some 6 percent
of the vote. The opposition claimed that the result was rigged and
called for the election to be annulled.
EU sanctions already in place include a visa ban on six key
Belarus leaders.
The Belarusian election drew different reactions around the
world.
Russia said on Monday the presidential re-election in Belarus
had been fair and was legitimate.
"The election has highlighted high civic activity among the
population, the Belarusian people's interest in stability and
continuation of the socially-oriented policy," the Russian Foreign
Ministry said in a statement.
"There is every reason to believe that the election has been
held in conformity with universally-recognized standards, and its
legitimacy is beyond any doubt," said the statement.
The Bush administration called for new elections after
independent observers said the election did not meet standards for
a free and fair vote.
White House press secretary Scott McClellan said the election
was flawed by a "climate of fear," and hinted that penalties such
as travel restrictions "are things we will look at."
"We support the call for a new election," McClellan said. "The
United States will continue to stand with the people of
Belarus."
(Xinhua News Agency, Chinadaily.com via agencies March 21,
2006)
