Belarus Says to Prepare Against U.S. Attack

Reuters ^ | December 26, 2003 | Reuters

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

MINSK (Reuters) - President Alexander Lukashenko, isolated by the West for his lack of political and economic reforms, said on Friday Belarus must be prepared to defend itself against U.S. attack.

Lukashenko, once called Europe's last dictator by U.S. officials, has criticized Washington's military campaign against Iraq, saying it had created a precedent whereby undesirable leaders could be unseated with military force.

"Belarus has to be vigilant and pay particular attention to strengthening its fighting efficiency. The world has returned to times when war and brute force were real instruments of foreign policy," Official news agency BelTA quoted him as saying.

"The United States declared its particular right to use military force toward countries that dare to implement independent foreign and internal policies," he said.

Washington and the European Union, which will share a border with Belarus when it absorbs Poland, Latvia and Lithuania next year, have criticized Lukashenko for breaching human rights, cracking down on the opposition, suppressing demonstrations and having a poor record on press freedom.

Belarus, an impoverished former Soviet country of 10 million, had achieved considerable progress in reforming its armed forces, Lukashenko said, pledging to increase state financing for the military next year.

"We are not going to do any saber-rattling. We are not going to threaten anybody. We are talking only about defending our motherland," he said.

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

The people of Belarus will follow the lead of the people in the Republic of Georgia and soon throw this Loser-shenko out.

[thoughtomator]

There's no reason for Belarus to fear US attack, unless they are a major supplier for our enemies. Is that the case?

[baltodog]

"Belarus must be prepared to defend itself against U.S. attack."

Not THE Belarus!!
Not the one no one's ever heard of until just now!!
It just cannot be true!!

[RightWhale]

President Alexander Lukashenko: 'I am not paranoid. Stop staring at me.'

[John Beresford Tipton]

"It just cannot be true!!"

Yes, they are allied with the Duchy of Grand Fenwick,
and have acquired the holy hand grenade of Antioch!

[billorites]

Putin's gonna move in and take over.

We'll act outraged, suspend postal service for an afternoon...

[txhurl]

I thought we used to spell it differently, like Byelorussia or something.

[DefCon]

"...Belarus Says to Prepare Against U.S. Attack..."
- - -
Hmmmm, funny, but I guess that preparing AGAINST an attack
is the same thing as preparing FOR an attack.
I just never thought about it before...

(but why do we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway?)

[billorites]

"I thought we used to spell it differently"

Yes! You noticed.

It's hard to have respect for a country that is that far behind in spelling, usage and documentation.

[baltodog]

Run Away!!!
Run Away!!!

[BunnySlippers]

A little reading on Belarus is hair-raising. There's another country that could stand to be liberated.

[Publius6961]

The Mouse That Squeaked?
You can't make up stuff this funny!

[billorites]

"I thought we used to spell it differently"

Yes! You noticed.

It's hard to have respect for a country that is that far behind in spelling, usage and documentation.

For grammatical reasons alone they ought to have their clocks cleaned.

[billorites]

Echo?

[nhoward14]

If we liberate Belarus and Minnesota, Green Bay, and Dallas all lose tomorrow, does Seattle make the playoffs or does it depend on the number of terrorists caught in Afghanistan on days that start with T?

[pabianice]

Sh*t! Who's the rat that leaked the US' plans??

[baltodog]

It doesn't matter -- it'll all be Bush's fault.

[txhurl]

Yeah, that's all the reason I need. Sorry, Belorus, time's up for your sissy ass, here we come.

[jimtorr]

...but why do we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway?

Yes, and why does cargo go by ship, and a shipment goes by car?

[DefCon]

Gallager? Is that you?