Another article on Belarus in the Guardian’s Comment is Free website – but oddly this one hasn’t got open comments.
The article, by Neil Almond is unsurprised by Lukashenko’s overwhelming election victory – according to Neil, its all because Lukashenko has built up the economy. Not a mention of electoral fraud.
By protecting Belarus from the ravages of free-market fundamentalists and delivering economic growth and prosperity for the mass of Belarussians, Lukashenko has sown the seeds of a pluralistic society far better than by handing the state’s assets over to half a dozen cronies of western advisers.
Belarus is far from perfect, but it is a country where masses of ordinary people are getting on with life and getting a bit better off. That is why Lukashenko inspires fear and loathing in the thinktanks and foreign ministries of the west. By saving Belarus from mass unemployment he set a terrible example. What if the neighbours tried to copy it?
I’m not upset at the Guardian for printing this view. What I am upset about is that they haven’t opened it up for comment. Unless we have the opportunity to point out the stupidity of unbalanced arguments such as this, what is the point of Comment is Free?
Lets hope I’m jumping the gun, it’s just an administrative hitch, and comments will be opened later this morning.