Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Belarus President Sworn to Fourth Term VOA News 21 January 2011 Belarus's President Alexander Lukashenko takes his oath of office during his inauguration ceremony in Minsk, 21 Jan 2011 Photo: Reuters Belarus's President Alexander Lukashenko takes his oath of office during his inauguration ceremony in Minsk, 21 Jan 2011 Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko took the oath of office for a fourth term on Friday, following his controversial election victory last month. European ambassadors boycotted the inauguration to protest Mr. Lukasheno's crackdown on political opponentsand human rights activists. Earlier this week, European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton signaled travel bans could be applied to Belarus officials until the government releases all political prisoners, and stops harassment of opposition members. U.S. Democratic Senator Ben Cardin said the United States, Europe and others must mount a firm response to the crackdown on opposition in Belarus following Mr. Lukashenko's disputed re-election. Cardin, who co-chairs the the U.S. Helsinki Commission, issued a statement Thursday calling for the immediate and unconditional release of imprisoned journalists and opposition activists. Mr. Lukashenko has threatened to take retaliatory measures if the EU imposed any sanctions. He also accused Germany and Poland of trying to oust him by supporting his political opponents, which both countries denied. Belarus' presidential elections on December 19 were widely viewed in the West as fraudulent. Mass protests in Belarus against the vote were met with violent repression and widespread detentions. Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters. .