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Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place.
Since his election in July 1994 as the country's first president, Alexandr LUKASHENKO has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian means.
Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion continue.
As of 2007, 98 of the 110 members the House of Representatives are not affiliated with any political party and the remaining twelve members, eight belong to the Communist Party of Belarus, three to the Agrarian Party of Belarus, and one to the Liberal Democratic Party of Belarus, most of the non-partisans represents a wide scope of social organizations namely worker´s collectives, public associations and civil society organizations. In the other hand, neither the pro-Lukashenko parties, such as the Belarusian Socialist Sporting Party and the Republican Party of Labor and Justice, nor the People's Coalition 5 Plus opposition parties, such as the Belarusian People's Front and the United Civil Party of Belarus, won any seats in the 2004 elections. Organizations such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) declared the election "un-free" because of the opposition parties' poor results and media bias in favor of the government.[29] In the country's 2006 presidential election, Lukashenko was opposed by Alexander Milinkevich, a candidate representing a coalition of opposition parties, and by Alaksandar Kazulin of the Social Democrats. Kazulin was detained and beaten by police during protests surrounding the All Belarusian People's Assembly. Lukashenko won the election with 80% of the vote, but the OSCE and other organizations called the election unfair.[30]
Government type: republic in name, although in fact a dictatorship
Capital: name: Minsk
Economy - overview: Belarus has seen little structural reform since 1995, when President LUKASHENKO launched the country on the path of "market socialism." In keeping with this policy, LUKASHENKO reimposed administrative controls over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene in the management of private enterprises.
Belarus might just be bait for NATO to bite on...
or at least get a massive amount of western monies to conduct a 'color revolution' there over the current dictator
Russia might just be playing the west to (unwittingly) rescue Belarus from its financial & political woes
originally posted by: BornAgainAlien
a reply to: Astyanax
What wars have the Chinese been fighting recently away from their own country its proximity ?
originally posted by: BornAgainAlien
a reply to: Astyanax
I did read it.
The West tries to gain influence by destroying countries, however the Chinese are smarter and are actual building things instead and are looking for partners.
originally posted by: BornAgainAlien
a reply to: DJW001
I guess you're okay with using armed force against citizens who wish to secede, right?
Well you are, so no points for you using that now.
originally posted by: Agent_USA_Supporter
a reply to: ScientificRailgun
Russia Today has being getting more viewers then CNN,FOX since they are better then the westren news outlets which in ways they have being demonizing Russia even during the winter games of last year.
I wasn`t talking about proxy wars
Belarus president in favor of using U.S. dollars, euros in Belarus-Russia trade
18 December 2014 12:38
MINSK, 18 December (BelTA) – It is necessary to use foreign currency — U.S. dollars or euros — in Belarus-Russia trade. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the relevant statement at the government conference held on 18 December to discuss economic matters, BelTA has learned.
I was only asking you how many recently and not being provoked by the US covertly ?
I asked you a question which was pointed to what you wrote, but the question was not to your liking and than you act all bitchy about it...?
I get the idea you were only interested into trying to make it show that China is at least just as bad because of some personal grudge you have against them.