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Lukashenka signals readiness for closer relations with USA

Belarus is "ready to leave all grudges in the past and begin fruitful cooperation with the United States not only in the economic but also in other spheres," Alyaksandr Lukashenka said while receiving a US business delegation in Minsk on March 29.

The delegation included top executives representing software companies Honeywell, Microsoft and Cisco Systems, automotive industry companies ArvinMeritor and ERS Engineering, and US International Trading Corporation, according to the Belarusian leader's press office.

Noting that Belarus was not to blame for sour relations between the two countries, Mr. Lukashenka attacked the economic sanctions imposed by the George W. Bush administration on certain Belarusian companies, which he said are still creating "a negative background" for bilateral economic ties.

"In my opinion, it does not become such a state like the USA to resort to barefaced economic blackmail against a fledging sovereign state," he was quoted as saying.

Mr. Lukashenka expressed hope that US President Barack Obama would help rebuild strained relations between Minsk and Washington. "I am inclined to believe that President Obama has a more adequate and democratic view of the world, which is not laden with Cold War holdovers and aggressive ideological approaches to the settlement of international issues," he stressed.

The Belarusian leader welcomed the Obama administration's foreign policy. "We have already started a cautious dialogue with the current [US] administration and are ready to extend a hand of friendship to American partners," he was quoted as saying.

He reportedly warned that a civilized and efficient dialogue was not possible when one of the two sides was under "open pressure." "Belarus is interested in the development of full-scale, mutually beneficial, constructive relations with the world's superpower. But they must be based on the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of the other state, mutual respect and trust," he stressed.

Mr. Lukashenka stressed that US businesspeople could help the two countries improve their relations. "A situation where two civilized states that once fought against the Nazis together are today on the opposite sides of the barricades and leer at each other is not normal," he said.

Mr. Lukashenka promised that US businesses would enjoy favorable conditions and as much support from the government as possible in Belarus.// BelaPAN.