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ESTONIA, Dec. 14 (AP) — Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has named a career diplomat to replace the country’s foreign minister, whose sudden death last month sparked speculation of a murder.
Sergei Aleinik, 57, succeeded the late Vladimir Makei, whose death has not been released by Belarusian authorities.
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Before his appointment on Tuesday, Aleinik served as first deputy foreign minister and represented Belarus at the United Nations, the Vatican and the United Kingdom.
Makei’s sudden death at the age of 64 sparked speculation as he leaned toward Western countries.
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Some media outlets and observers have claimed, without offering evidence, that Makei may have been poisoned by the security services of Belarus’ main ally, Russia, which has been watching with vigilance his efforts to negotiate a settlement with the West.
Opposition leader Pavel Ratushko, who used to work for the Belarusian foreign ministry, said Aleinik’s appointment could signal Lukashenko’s desire to weaken Russia’s influence.
“Aleinik is totally committed to the system, but at the same time, he’s someone who tends to have some kind of communication with the West,” Latushko told the AP. “Aleinik’s appointment may signal Lukashenko’s desire to reduce Russian influence and increase exchanges with the West.” (AP)
(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)
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