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Belarussian Officials Subject of U.S. Travel Ban

It has been announced that a travel ban has been enacted by the United States and is in effect for members of Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko`s government. The reasons? Alleged electoral fraud, human rights violations and corruption. President George W. Bush issued the travel restriction after the Belarussian government took action against opposition efforts against the re-election of Mr. Lukashenko, in an election that was widely criticized by Western nations for being rigged.

Mr. Bush has in the past called Mr. Lukashenko "Europe`s last dictator." However, Russian President Vladimir Putin broke away from Western allies in congratulating Lukashekno on his re-election, and urging the opposition to stop fighting his government. Russia was keen to avoid the repeat of an "Orange Revolution" in Belarus similar to what happened in Ukraine when a Kremlin ally rigged an election, prompting opposition rallies, a re-vote, and the installation of a fairly elected president of Ukraine more inclined to the West.

Stating that the travel ban targeted those who "undermine or injure democratic institutions or impede the transition to democracy in Belarus", Mr. Bush went on to say that "I have determined that it is in the interest of the United States to take all available measures to restrict the international travel, and to suspend the entry into the United States of members of the government of Alexander Lukashenko."