Belarusian opposition rally in Minsk on March 19 (Bymedia.net)
BRUSSELS, March 20, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Western and Russian officials are differing sharply in their reactions to the March 19 presidential vote in Belarus.
In a statement, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) says the election did not meet standards for a free and fair vote. That assessment was delivered in Minsk by U.S. Representative Alcee Hastings, the special coordinator of the OSCE's 500-member observer mission in Belarus.
In Brussels, European Commission spokeswoman Emma Udwin said the bloc will probably impose some sanctions on Belarus in protest at the conduct of the election.
"It is now really very likely that some action will be taken, following up what the council [of EU foreign ministers] said in both November and January, that ministers stood ready to take further restrictive measures if the elections turned out not to be free and fair," Udwin said.
The pan-European rights body the Council of Europe described the poll as a "farce" and said President Alyaksandr Lukashenka "is a president with a tainted mandate."
But Russia's Foreign Ministry said the vote was fair and that the results should be respected.
Vladimir Rushailo, the head of an observer mission from the Commonwealth of Independent States, concluded that, despite some technical violations, the election took place within the requirements of Belarusian law.
In Brussels, European Commission spokeswoman Emma Udwin said the bloc will probably impose some sanctions on Belarus in protest at the conduct of the election.
"It is now really very likely that some action will be taken, following up what the council [of EU foreign ministers] said in both November and January, that ministers stood ready to take further restrictive measures if the elections turned out not to be free and fair," Udwin said.
The pan-European rights body the Council of Europe described the poll as a "farce" and said President Alyaksandr Lukashenka "is a president with a tainted mandate."
But Russia's Foreign Ministry said the vote was fair and that the results should be respected.
Vladimir Rushailo, the head of an observer mission from the Commonwealth of Independent States, concluded that, despite some technical violations, the election took place within the requirements of Belarusian law.
Election Day In Images
Election Day In Images
THE BELARUS ELECTION: To view a complete archive of RFE/RL's coverage of the March 19 presidential election, click here.
To read and listen to RFE/RL's Belarus Service's coverage of the vote in Belarusian, click here.