Prague, 13 June 1997 (RFE/RL) - Russian Duma speaker Gennady Seleznyov, who chairs the Russia-Belarus parliamentary assembly, has proposed to the assembly that the former Soviet anthem -- with new lyrics -- be used as the anthem of the Russia-Belarus union.
Seleznyov, a communist, was speaking yesterday to the first session of the parliamentary assembly, which consists of parliamentarians from the two countries. The session, held in the Belarusian city of Brest, was attended by Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
Seleznyov also suggested that the "fraternal nation" of Ukraine may want to join the union in the future.
Seleznyov, a communist, was speaking yesterday to the first session of the parliamentary assembly, which consists of parliamentarians from the two countries. The session, held in the Belarusian city of Brest, was attended by Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
Seleznyov also suggested that the "fraternal nation" of Ukraine may want to join the union in the future.