Unofficial translation from Russian

A Presidential election was held in Belarus on March 19. According to preliminary data released by the Central Election Commission, more than 90 percent of the voters took part. About 80 percent of them cast their votes for Alexander Lukashenko.

The elections were conducted on an alternative basis. This made it possible through the voting results to reflect the opinion of the citizens of Belarus, which is an indicator of the public disposition to move forward along the democratic path.

Understandable is the interest which Moscow showed in the election campaign in Belarus, as well as in the atmosphere which took shape around and within the republic in the course of the elections. For, Belarus is not only our closest neighbor, but also an ally of Russia, a long-term partner in economic ties that plays an important role in our trade relations with Europe.

The elections were evidence of the high civic activeness of the population, of the interest of the Belarusian people in stability and the continuation of a socially oriented policy. The Belarusians have clearly expressed their will, and it must be regarded with respect.

There are all the grounds to believe that the election was held in conformity with generally recognized standards, and the legitimacy of their results evokes no doubt. Of the same opinion, by the way, is the large group of observers from Russia and the CIS who took part as members of monitoring missions.

The course of the Presidential election campaign has borne out that the development of democratic institutions and the strengthening of the bases of civil society in Belarus depend on the processes within the country itself as well as on the harmonious development of the Republic's relations with the outside world.

March 20, 2006