Belarus may ban EU, US official

Belarus, its leaders shunned by much of the Western world, has snapped back at moves by the European Union and United States to restrict the movements of its senior officials and threatened to respond in kind. President Alexander Lukashenko denounced the EU decision to deny entry to four senior officials in protest at the disappearances of three opposition politicians and a journalist. The United States has also said it would take steps. "I want to declare publicly that we will not tolerate such double standards and any kind of actions against our officials," Lukashenko said in a statement released by his press service. The Foreign Ministry said it would take appropriate measures against the EU and the United States. "The Foreign Ministry of Belarus is currently establishing the individuals from the EU and the United States to which these retaliatory measures will apply," it said. Lukashenko said the EU and Washington were intensifying pressure on his country ahead of an Oct. 17 referendum which will ask voters if he can serve a third term as head of state. Lukashenko has expressed certainty he will win the poll.