Belarusian authoritarian leader seeks closer ties with US
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MINSK- The authoritarian leader of Belarus has told the US envoy in this former Soviet republic that he wants to forge closer ties with the United States.
The US imposed sanctions on top Belarusian officials in 2004 for curtailing freedoms in their country. Washington recalled its ambassador to Belarus in 2008 and has since been appointing temporary envoys.
President Alexander Lukashenko on Wednesday met with the outgoing US charge d'Affaires, Scott Rauland, pledging Minsk's commitment to improve ties.
