Polish Protesters Call On EU To Monitor Belarus Election

Alyaksandr Voytovich is an opposition candidate for the presidency in Belarus (file photo) (RFE/RL) 16 January 2006 -- Around 100 protesters held a demonstration in the Polish capital, Warsaw, today calling for the EU to send observers to monitor the 19 March presidential election in Belarus.

An organizer said the aim was to convince all of the EU organizations to mobilize to observe the election. Polish Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz said earlier this month Poland will send independent observers to Belarus.

The West has accused Belarus leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka of seeking to extend his time in office through a series of rigged elections and referendums and of trying to stamp out domestic opposition.

(AFP)