OSCE Criticizes Belarus Vote As Not Free Or Fair
March 20, 2006
Alyaksandr Lukashenka celebrating victory on March 19 (epa)
In a statement, the OSCE says the "arbitrary use of state power and widespread detentions showed a disregard for basic rights."
It continued that the detentions of opposition figures ahead of the vote "raise doubts regarding the authorities' willingness to tolerate political competition."
That assessment was delivered in Minsk today by U.S. Representative Alcee Hastings, the special coordinator of the 500-member observer mission in Belarus.