BELARUS, the former Soviet country between Poland and Russia, is
threatening to ban overflights by western airlines. President
Alexander Lukashenko said he might ban the flights in response to
sanctions against Belarus in connection with his disputed re-election.
He suggested airlines could go over neighbouring Baltic states or the
Ukraine to the south. The United States and European Union have barred
Lukashenko in response to claims of rigging in his March re-election.