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Article: Minsk electoral miscarriage.(COMMENTARY)
- Article from:
- The Washington Times (Washington, DC)
- Article date:
- March 21, 2006
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 The Washington Times LLC. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Ariel Cohen, SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES
On March 19, Belarus, the last dictatorship in Europe, held presidential elections. President Alexander Lukashenko claimed more than 80 percent of the vote after threatening to "wring necks to those who threaten a coup."
About 10,000 protesters gathered in Minsk's central square but dispersed quickly due to a blizzard - and without violence. No expected "denim" revolution there.
Mr. Lukashenko conducted elections in an atmosphere of political repression, with snipers posted in the center of Minsk, the nation's capital. Thanks to thuggish tactics, a crooked electoral system, and a large slush ...