Belarus votes, hopes for better ties with West

"If the election goes smoothly, the West will recognize Belarus," a beaming Lukashenko said after voting."Dictator? Last dictator? Fine, let it be so," he said, referring to the label applied by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in 2005. "You wouldn't have seen the last dictator had you not come here," he said in a joky exchange with reporters, his younger son Nikolai at his side.Lukashenko, accused of flouting fundamental rights during 14 years in power, has freed political prisoners and eased curbs on the opposition, which was shut out of the outgoing 110-member parliament.His opponents this time have been allowed to put forward some 70 candidates and hope to win up to 30 seats. But they do not trust that Lukashenko's reforms are for real."Of course the Central Election commission and officials in polling stations are now nicer, they do not seek confrontation," said Alexander Kozulin, an opposition leader freed from jail last month, told reporters after voting. "But this is all superficial, it does not change the basic problems."The opposition sees advance voting, which began on Sept. 23 and is encouraged by authorities, as an opportunity for cheating. Officials put the advance turnout at 26 percent.TRAVEL BAN

Lukashenko remains banned from travelling to the United States and European Union, which accused him of blatantly rigging his 2006 re-election. The EU has said it may consider easing or lifting its sanctions if the election goes well.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has sent 477 observers and their observations on whether the poll was free or fair may matter more than the actual outcome.

"What we have so far seen monitoring the election is in full accordance with rules and procedures," state-run Belta news agency quoted a senior OSCE observer, Anne-Marie Lizin, as saying. "We have a favorable impression."

No election in Belarus, wedged between Russia and three EU members, has won a Western endorsement since the mid-1990s.

Lukashenko says he wants the opposition to win some seats, if only to counter Western critics. But he remained contemptuous of its current leaders.

"We need ... a constructive opposition," he said. "But the current opposition is short-lived. It will disappear because they represent only themselves and have lost their worth."

Lukashenko set about trying to improve relations with the West more than a year ago amid rows over energy prices with ally Russia. A deep chill in relations between Moscow and the West after its war with Georgia last month has given him the chance to press home that strategy.

The liberal and nationalist opposition appeared split over how the West should react to Lukashenko's charm offensive.

Kozulin said the West should offer new incentives.

"It is impossible to close doors for the Belarussian political regime," he said. "Lukashenko should be talked to."

But Vintsuk Vechorko of the nationalist Belarussian Popular Front urged caution. Monitors, he said, could either accede to a "project of remaking Lukashenko into a European, nationally minded politician ... or remain committed to their principles of calling a fraudulent election a fraudulent election."

The OSCE said during the campaign it was uncertain it would be allowed to attend the count. Officials say observers will have access.

Voting started at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) and was to last until 8 p.m. (1700 GMT). Central elections commission head Lidia Yermoshina told a news briefing that by 1100 GMT average turnout in the constituencies was above 50 percent.

First unofficial results are expected in the early hours of Monday.

Photo: Reuters