US Helsinki Commission: Lukashenka fears fair elections

The US Helsinki Commission published a statement which says that the Belarusian election demonstrated Lukashenka's wish to keep his absolute power, at their web-site. 

This overarching imperative clearly trumps improved relations with the United States and especially the European Union , quotes the commission's document "Voice of America", reports "Belarusian Partisan".

The authors of the statement claim that the Helsinki Commission, the United States and the European countries condemned the Belarusian regime's violence and called on release of the opposition candidates, hundreds of peaceful demonstrators and several dozens journalists. 

"In a rambling two-and-a-half hour televised press conference the day after the election, Lukashenka belittled what he termed “mindless democracy” while boldly declaring his lack of fear. Despite his bravado, clearly the Belarusian leader fears the prospect of submitting to a vote in a genuinely free and fair electoral contest. Against the backdrop of a decade of rigged presidential and parliamentary elections and an illegal referendum, Belarus is regrettably no closer to restoring legitimacy to executive and legislative structures, and the prospects for meaningful change appear remote. To the detriment of the Belarusian people, the Lukashenka regime has, yet again, chosen the path of self-imposed isolation", - underlined in the statement.