IRI Hosts Conference on the Future of Belarusian Political Parties

November 15, 2002

On November 15, IRI's Eurasia division hosted a conference to discuss the future of Belarusian political parties. Panelists from four opposition parties stressed the importance of developing national party structures and effective nongovernmental associations.

Party leaders reviewed their voter outreach plans for local elections scheduled for spring 2003. Opposition parties face an uphill battle due to Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenka's efforts to censor all independent media.

Representatives from USAID, the National Endowment for Democracy, the U.S. State Department, Capitol Hill and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe attended the briefing.

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