“The geopolitical reorientation of Belarus is increasingly possible. If happens, it may well initiate deeper internal changes within the country. ” This was the main message of the conference ‘Belarus: Shaping the Space for Change” organized by the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies in Kyiv, Ukraine, on 11-12 November 2008. The conference offered an opportunity to reflect on the dynamics and prospects for political, economic, and social changes going on in Belarus in the new international and geopolitical context, created by the warming up of the relations between Belarus and the West, a military conflict in the Caucasus, and the world financial crisis.
Cash-strapped Belarus has said it may turn its back on the International Monetary Fund if the organization refuses to give it a US$ 2 billion loan.
The United States said Friday a proposed deployment of Russian short-range missiles in Belarus would not be helpful to regional security. The State Department also acknowledged another round of high-level U.S. contacts with Belarus, aimed at improving the strained relationship. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.
