World
Belarus orders U.S. diplomats out
Minsk, Belarus | May 09, 2008 12:01:13 AM IST
The Belarusian government expelled 10 U.S. diplomats Wednesday, intensifying a dispute over sanctions imposed on the ex-Soviet state because of its leader. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the diplomats in Minsk were told they had 72 hours to leave Belarus. About four people will be left at the mission, he said. We told the Belarusians in private and we will say in public that we believe that this action is unjustified and unwarranted, McCormack said during a news briefing. (We) are considering what our response will be. The expulsion comes after the United States imposed sanctions because of the authoritarian rule of President Alexander Lukashenko, The Washington Post said. After the 2006 presidential election independent observers said was fraudulent, Lukashenko and other Belarusian officials were barred from traveling to the United States and the European Union. The United States also imposed sanctions on the Belarusian state oil company, saying Lukashenko controlled it. U.S. Ambassador to Belarus Karen Stewart was ordered to leave in March. The United States wants a good relationship with Belarus, McCormack said, but not at the expense freedom of expression, political freedoms ... and other freedoms in Belarus. (UPI)
Mahroof leads Delhi to set target of 157 for Rajasthan Royals Important win for KKR: Ganguly KKR posts 23 run win against Deccan Chargers Holding Olympics in China was not a good decision: Speaker of Italian provincial parliament Varanasi woman defined motherhood by son\'s sacrifice to save four kids Force India earns 16th position in Turkish Grand Prix Second phase election to witness 49 criminal candidates in K\'taka Raja sent in judicial custody till May 24
| 
