Isolated Belarus says to boost links with Sudan
MINSK, July 28 (Reuters) – Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko, accused in the West of human rights violations, said on Wednesday that he had no objections to boosting trade and cooperation with leaders of embattled Sudan.
“The president of Sudan has noted that his country needs new technologies and needs new economic sites to be built. Belarus is ready to take part,” Lukashenko said during talks with Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.
“We have no preconditions for cooperation and no prejudices as regards Sudan. We are ready for immediate cooperation.”
Sudan has come under international pressure over attacks on mainly Black African civilians in western Darfur region by Arab militia said to be backed by the government in Khartoum. More than 30,000 have died and two million are in need of help.
The United States has toughened a U.N. Security Council resolution threatening sanctions against Khartoum, but Secretary of State Colin Powell has described any military intervention as premature.
Russia, Belarus’s eastern neighbour and a veto-wielding Security Council member, is among states resisting sanctions. Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov said on Wednesday that Sudan should be given more time to normalise the situation.
Moscow also rejects U.S. criticism of its sale of fighter aircraft to Sudan, saying it was unlinked to events in Darfur.
Belarus has proposed sales of tractors and farm equipment and Lukashenko said that if both sides moved quickly, good results on a deal could be achieved within 18 months. It has also suggested helping to develop Sudan’s oil industry.
“There are many issues of joint action, in terms of economics and politics at the regional and international level,” Lukashenko said.
Western governments and liberals accuse Lukashenko of staging periodic crackdowns on the liberal and nationalist opposition and of stifling independendent media.
Lukashenko, who rejects rapid introduction of market economics, says he may hold a referendum to continue in office beyond the legal limit of two terms and run again in 2006.