DATE=10/27/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / BELARUS TREATY (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255522
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


INTRO:  The president of Belarus has called for Russia 
to approve quickly a planned merger between the two 
countries.  Moscow Correspondent Peter Heinlein 
reports Russian lawmakers responded warmly to the 
proposal.

TEXT:  In a fiery speech to Russia's lower house, the 
Duma, Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko 
accused pro-western interests of trying to subvert the 
public demand for a merger between Moscow and Minsk.

  /// LUKASHENKO ACT IN RUSSIAN, THEN FADE TO... ///

He says we are a nation strongly nostalgic for Soviet 
times. And we are proud of it.  But at the same time, 
he added, I am  not  a Communist.

Mr. Lukashenko, a former Soviet collective farm 
director, was presented with massive bouquets of 
flowers on his arrival at the Duma.  His lengthy 
speech was frequently interrupted by applause from the 
Communist and hardliner dominated house, especially 
when he lashed out at western institutions.

  /// 2ND LUKASHENKO ACT IN RUSSIAN, THEN FADE TO...///

He says why are you kneeling down before these thieves 
from the I-M-F? 

That is a reference to the International Monetary 
Fund, which has loaned Russia billions of dollars, but 
is withholding further loan installments pending the 
results of several corruption investigations.

Mr. Lukashenko urged Russia to turn away from the I-M-
F, and instead raise cash by selling sophisticated 
weapons systems.  He specifically mentioned boosting 
arms sales to Middle Eastern countries such as Syria.

Until recently, Moscow has treated Mr. Lukashenko's 
union overtures with caution.  He and President Boris 
Yeltsin signed an agreement in 1996 boosting 
political, economic, and military ties.  But the 
accord stopped far short of creating a single state.

But the Belarussian leader said he has won President 
Yeltsin's solid support for signing a treaty as early 
as December.  He warned that any further delay risks 
losing the people's faith in the concept of a unified 
Russian/Belarussian state.

  /// 3RD LUKASHENKO ACT IN RUSSIAN, THEN FADE TO...///

He says -- I am fulfilling the will of my people.  I 
will complete the mission by all means.

Mr. Lukashenko did not mention it, but a treaty 
signing in December could have far-reaching 
implications for Russian politics.  First, it would 
come shortly before parliamentary elections in which 
President Yeltsin's opponents are heavily favored.  
And second, opposition forces say the treaty could 
give Mr. Yeltsin an excuse to postpone elections and 
stay in power past the middle of next year, when he is 
due to step down.   (SIGNED)

NEB/PFH/GE/RAE 



27-Oct-1999 10:32 AM EDT (27-Oct-1999 1432 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.