Russian State Duma accused Belarusian authorities of anti-Russian propaganda

• 19.05.2008, 16:40

The Committee for CIS Affairs in the State Duma is aware of reducing the number of Belarusian citizens, supporting creation of the “union state” with Russia and thinks “anti-Russian” propaganda of the Belarusian authorities is responsible for it.

Aleksei Ostrovski, head of the State Duma’s CIS Committee, said on a press conference in Smolensk on the results of visiting session of the committee, he often visited Belarus and didn’t like propaganda of the Belarusian authorities towards Russia, Interfax reports.

“It leads to reducing the number of Belarusian citizens standing for creation of the “union state” with Russia,” he emphasised.

Ostrovski noted that the formation of Russia-Belarus “union” is checked down by the fact they are two very different states from the economic point of view.

“What concerns political will, this issue was repeatedly discussed on different levels by the heads of two states, heads of governments and legislative bodies. There are different views in Minsk and in Moscow of how the “union state” should be formed,” Ostrovski said.