Brussels, 29/05/2000 (Agence Europe) - On 25 May, the Portuguese Presidency made the following statement on behalf of the EU.
"Bearing in mind that Mr Chigir's return to prison would have put paid to any hope of establishing the climate of confidence necessary for the holding and observation of democratic elections in Belarus, the European Union notes that he remains at liberty. However, the sentence imposed on Mr Chigir on 19 May 2000 is designed to prevent him from playing a proper part...