*96111902.WWE 

EXCERPTS: STATE DEPT. COMMENTS ON BELARUS AT 11/18 BRIEFING

(Turmoil in Belarus constitutes "a crisis") (600)

Washington -- The turmoil in Belarus over the past few days "does
constitute a crisis" that the United States believes is "causing, in
fact, some damage in the political system, the political process,"
according to the State Department.

Acting spokesman Glyn Davies noted during the November 18 briefing
that about 5,000 demonstrators fought with police in Minsk over the
weekend, with a number of injuries. Belarusian President Aleksandr
Lukashenko dismissed the chairman of the Central Electoral Commission
and had him removed from his office by force.

He said that although Lukashenko retains "a significant base of
support," the demand by the prime minister that the president
implement reforms indicates that "some leaders in Belarus understand
the damage that the current crisis is doing."

Davies also said that in the U.S. view, there does not appear to be a
basis in the Belarusian constitution for the actions that Lukashenko
has been taking.

Following is the official transcript of his remarks; it is an excerpt
from the official transcript of the full Department of State briefing
November 18:

(Begin transcript excerpt)

Q: Regarding Belarus, there was a demonstration over the weekend in
which a number of people were hurt. The Prime Minister has threatened
to resign. The head of the electoral commission was summarily
dismissed and literally removed by force from his office. Things seem
to be in turmoil over there.

What is the latest view of the United States, the latest position of
the United States on what's going on in Belarus?

DAVIES: This does constitute a crisis that's occurring in Belarus. The
United States believes that it's a crisis that's causing, in fact,
some damage in the political system, the political process.

Our understanding is that about 5,000 demonstrators fought with
government forces in Minsk over the weekend. The troops used force.
They used batons and other non-lethal but serious means to break up
the demonstration. There were a number of injuries, both on the police
side and then about 20 demonstrators were injured as well.

What's happening now is that the parliament is meeting in
extraordinary session. Although President Lukashenko retains a
significant base of support, the announcement that was made just
recently by the Prime Minister suggests that some leaders in Belarus
understand the damage that the current crisis is doing.

The Prime Minister has called on the President to implement reforms.

I have more on it as well. It's basically what looks to be a news
report. If you cut to the bottom line, there does not appear in our
view to be any legal basis in the Belarusian constitution for the
action that President Lukashenko has been taking.

Commission had appealed to him to do so. But our reading of the law
does not give him the right to do what he has done.

More on that?

Q: The parliament issued an appeal last week for the support of the
international community in its battle against the President -- legal
battle. Is the United States concerned about the deterioration of the
situation there with this growing violence? What else can we do?

DAVIES: We are concerned. That's why we've gone so far as to describe
it as really a crisis that's occurring. We've consistently urged the
President and the parliament to work together within the context of
the existing constitution. We would call on the Executive Branch to
respect the decisions that have been taken by the Judiciary.

(End transcript excerpt)
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