EU quadruples Belarus opposition aid

(WARSAW) - Brussels will quadruple its aid to the Belarussian people to 15.6 million euros (21.6 million dollars), after a crackdown by President Alexander Lukashenko, a top EU official said Wednesday.

"As a clear demonstration of our unequivocal support to civil society in these difficult times, we will increase our funding from the currently available four million euros to 15.6 million euros," Stefan Fule told a donors' conference in the Polish capital Warsaw.

"With these measures, we are seeking to avoid isolating the Belarusian population. I believe we have an important responsibility in this regard," said Fule, the member of the EU's executive European Commission responsible for ties with the bloc's neighbours.

The money is mostly destined for Belarussian NGOs, the independent media and students who face repression, he said.

Fule also said 1.7 million euros would be released urgently to help the families of detainees.

Thirty-six states gathered at the conference are expected to bolster financial support for Belarussian campaign groups, free media and students.

The "Solidarity with Belarus" meeting was called by Poland, Belarus's neighbour and a leading player in the EU's drive to get tough with strongman President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled the ex-Soviet state since 1994.

The meeting was a response to a crackdown in the wake of Lukashenko's December 19 re-election, which has been disputed by the opposition and the West.

The meeting comes just days after the European Union and United States slapped a new raft of sanctions -- including a travel ban and asset freeze -- on Lukashenko and 157 associates.

Some 200 representatives from all 27 EU members, Canada, the United States, EU candidates Croatia and Macedonia, plus ex-Soviet Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine were attending the fundraising drive.