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As Belarus Protests Grow, Russia Offers to Step In

Charles Maynes

   MOSCOW - Russia indicated it was ready to provide military assistance
   to embattled Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko-- even as massive
   crowds marched in protest to an August 9election protesters say was
   rigged in favor of the longtime Belarusian leader.'¯

   A Kremlin statement said Russian President Vladimir Putin and
   Lukashenko agreed to "comprehensive assistance to maintain security in
   Belarus" on the basis of an existing joint security agreement during
   phone talks Sunday.'¯'¯

   The Russian offer comes as Lukashenko has increasingly looked to Moscow
   to help maintain support for his suddenly flagging 26-year hold on
   power.

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