arm leadership of Belarus has prevented tycoon-controlled governments and destruction of the social welfare net seen in neighbouring Russia and Ukraine. A total 667 international observers from 50 nations were in Belarus to monitor the vote. Lukashenko had announced in the run-up to the polls that he would lock out observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe(OSCE) and from countries criticising the poll. Belarusian border police on Sunday were nevertheless allowing all foreign observers entry into the country even without a visa, according to a Bel-1 television report. International monitors on hand included representatives from Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, Italy, and the Czech Republic. Most described the vote as well organized and orderly, but far from democratic.
