In December 1991, Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian leaders met at a hunting lodge in western Belarus. There they signed the Belavezha Agreement, which had no small historical significance. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was being consigned to the dustbin of history -- the same contemptuous outcome it had predicted for its enemies.

Legislative bodies in those successor states subsequently ratified the agreement. Reports in Belarus noted that there was not much ado; its Supreme Soviet was overwhelmingly in favor, given the circumstances. In fact, local legend has it there was just one delegate who voiced open dissent and voted accordingly. Lest anyone think Florida is the only place where the importance of a single vote can be shown, Belarus offers a more sobering example.

Alexander Lukashenko was that delegate, and today he rules Belarus with an iron hand. Born on Aug. 30, 1954, he spent five years in the Soviet Army, but he pursued his early career in the agriculture sector, as a collective-farm official. He did not join the Communist Party. Using his rural connections, Lukashenko was elected to the Belarusian Supreme Soviet in 1990. Once in, he criticized most of the country's then leadership, probably correctly, for corruption and venality.