World press: “It is not clear what for EU rewards Lukashenka”

• 14.10.2008, 11:49

Leading newspapers of the world have written about the decision of the European Union to lift visa sanctions against Belarusian dictator Lukashenka and his officials.

“Recently the EU and Belarus have been exchanging uncustomary amenities. Certainly, normal relations are better than a blockade, as Belarus is one of the most important transit countries for raw material resources. There is no doubt that autocrat Alyaksandr Lukashenka who experiences significant economic difficulties sends positive signals. He seeks rapprochement with the West, and he even released some opposition representatives from prison. At the same time he makes Moscow angry by not supporting its recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia’s independence.

But still it is not clear what for the EU is rewarding Lukashenka. The dictator can go to the West again, the EU annulled its ban imposed in 2004. But wasn’t it the same Lukashenka who have done poorly at the examination for democratic maturity during the parliamentary elections, was he? Hasn’t it turned out that all his fake liberalization measures are simply a dust thrown in the eyes?” Berliner Zeitung writes.

Formally this decision adopted on Monday was a response to the recent release of political prisoners by the Belarusian government. But Brussels diplomats have expressed an opinion that the short Russian-Georgian war in August has possibly made other neighbours of Russia including Belarus worry about their own independence.

However, governments of some European countries are skeptic about the idea of using these fears at the diplomatic level. They doubt that the recent initiatives would influence the position of the Belarusian government greatly, and it has reflected on the temporarily nature of the concession relating the ban for travelling; in 6 months it will expire if the EU countries won’t support its prolongation unanimously, The New York Times notes.