LUKASHENKO’S SPIN ON THE ELECTIONS.

Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko claimed that the election of a new parliament on December 10 had demonstrated the voters’ loyalty to the idea of economic reintegration with Russia. (3) His interpretation implied that candidates had aired their views on the issue, which, in fact, was not the case, since Lukashenko did not allow the state-run media to organize debates. Most independent domestic and all foreign commentators view the election’s success as a rebuff to the president.

Kuchma Heads for Great Britain.