Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), showed the EU's grave concern at the news of violent police attacks against several Opposition leaders and media representatives, on the occasion of a peaceful political demonstration in Minsk, Belarus, on Tuesday.

Mr Solana said: "I am very concerned by the latest reports of violent attacks, carried out two days ago by Belarussian police forces, following a peaceful political demonstration in Minsk contesting the results of the recent parliamentary elections and referendum in Belarus.

"I have received reports that several persons, including leading figures of the Belarussian opposition and foreign journalists, were arrested and beaten, which I take very seriously. This type of action by the Belarussian authorities is totally unacceptable and goes against the constitution of Belarus, which guarantees freedom of speech, and against internationally agreed democratic standards.

"A thorough investigation of these attacks is needed and the perpetrators must be brought to justice. I call on the authorities of Belarus to release those peaceful demonstrators and opposition leaders immediately."

Now is that not familiar? Belarus is perhaps the last pariah state of Europe were elections are still rigged and totalitarianism is still at its worse. The EU must be strongly urged to use all the pressure it can to help this country begin the necessary political and economic reforms.