Orsha, Belarus, September 19, 2008--Belarusian sportsmen carry state flags during a harvest festival in this town located about 125 miles (200 kilometers) northeast of Minsk.

The festival, called Dozhinki, is held in a different city each year and honors the country's best-performing farmers.

President Alexander Lukashenko, who attended the festivities, told reporters that his country will sever ties with the West if it fails to recognize Sunday's parliamentary elections. International observers have reported limits on campaigning, according to Reuters.