Democratization of Belarus Vital for Europe
Jeffrey Gedmin, Radio Free Europe | June 1, 2009
The US and the EU must take a coordinated approach when trying to bring around reform in "Europe's last dictatorship," Belarus, which will be a slow and tough process. ++ The US should consider lifting sanctions only on the basis of strict conditionality. ++ Belarus must be pressured to have more independent media, to investigate the cases of missing dissidents, and to end the practice of jailing oppositionists. ++ The EU should insist that any economic assistance be closely tied to political reforms and respect for human rights.
