Lukashenko: Belarus unafraid of possible U.S. economic sanctions

Belarus does not fear possible U.S. economic sanctions, and will respond with its own should they be imposed, the Belarusian president said Monday.

"We will take the toughest possible measures with regard to U.S. enterprises and companies working in Belarus," Alexander Lukashenko said at a solemn meeting dedicated to Belarusian Independence Day.

International human rights groups have repeatedly voiced concerns over democratic processes in Belarus after Lukashenko took office for a third time in elections described as fraudulent by the United States and Europe.

Last year, the U.S. and the then-25 member EU also imposed an entry ban on Lukashenko, dubbed by Washington as "Europe`s last dictator," and other top Belarusian officials following Lukashenko`s landslide victory in a presidential election last March.

"We do not have to be taught," the president said. "We all see what kind of democracy they want and how they act when their wealth is even slightly threatened. They do not take into account anything - neither people nor the environment - and use all possible and impossible means [to achieve their ends]."

But he added that Minsk is interested in normal relations with the United States and the European Union based on mutual respect and dialogue.

sections: Economics