Bush Imposes Travel Ban On Members Of Belarus Government
Yvonne Lee - All Headline News Staff Reporter
Washington, DC (AHN) - The U.S. imposes a travel ban on members of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko's government for alleged electoral fraud, human rights violations and corruption. Reuters reports President George W. Bush issued the restriction after the Belarus government took action against the opposition. They protested the re-election of Mr. Lukashenko in an election that was criticized by Western nations for being rigged. Mr. Bush says in a presidential directive, "I have determined that it is in the interest of the United States to take all available measures to restrict the international travel, and to suspend the entry into the United States ... of members of the government of Alexander Lukashenko and others ..." He adds the ban is targeted toward those who "undermine or injure democratic institutions or impede the transition to democracy in Belarus." Mr. Bush has called Lukashenko "Europe's last dictator." However, Russian President Vladimir Putin broke away from Western allies in congratulating Lukashekno on his re-election and urging the opposition to stop fighting his government.
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