EuroNews, the leading European news channel has prepared a series of programs on Belarusian topics. The Russian service of the EuroNews, which is available in Belarus, is to broadcast them. Belarusian civil activists, politicians and culture personalities have taken part in these programs. We offer you the timetable for the next week, from September 30 to October 6.


News from the top

President of Belarus Meets with Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Wu Guanzheng

Alexander Lukashenka and Wu Guanzheng

On September 27, President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko met with a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, the chairman of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China Wu Guanzheng.

The Belarusian leader underscored that “the visit of a high-level Chinese delegation will mark a definite stage in preparing the upcoming meeting of the presidents of both countries in Beijing.” The Head of State valued highly the interaction between Belarus and PRC in all areas. “The Belarusian-Chinese cooperation can be held up as a example. These ties are efficient, not only in political and diplomatic fields, but also in the field of trade and economy,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
Full Text as well as more from the president's office

From Belta

Alexander Lukashenko commissions to shorten period of considering documents on allocating land plots

Good for sellers, bad for buyers!

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko commissioned to shorten the period of considering the documents applied by citizens and juridical entities on allocating land plots to them for constructing housing and production facilities.

As the Belarusian leader stated today at a meeting on withdrawing and allocating land plots, the term of granting a corresponding license should not exceed two months if a building is erected on the territory of a settlement or a regional center; in an oblast center or in Minsk – three months. For juridical entities implementing big projects these licenses should be given within 6 months; construction of economic objects (farms, workshops, etc.) – three months.

At the same time Alexander Lukashenko underlined that building land can be allocated only in line with the general layout of this territory; in case there are no general layouts – within the confines of a settlement.

The president commissioned to make an inventory and to register every plot of the land to ensure its proper use.

Alexander Lukashenko also supported an initiative to put up for auction prestigious land plots for housing construction. Executive committees will continue settling issues on construction of social housing, the president underlined.

Alexander Lukashenko underlines a considerable increase in the demand for land in the country. “Belarus has become a favorable place to construct a house or a plant, to live and work. I am concerned about this issue: a huge amount of land plots are purchased as Belarus is considered to be a calm place for living, to be the crossroads and the center of Europe”, the president stated. “We are not against receiving people here. Therefore the procedure of land allotment for construction of houses or plants should be simple enough. However, agricultural lands cannot be used for these purposes”, the head of state noted.

"The country has a lot of land plots not suitable for agricultural production, where one can construct companies and houses. Therefore this issue should be placed under a special control: agricultural fields can be occupied only in agreement with the president."

Alexander Lukashenko underlined that the issue on growth of prices for housing construction would be considered in the near future

Further sanctions against the Republic of Belarus

From Charter '97

The EU is just not happy with Belarus...

Today late in the night at the session of the European parliament in Strasbourg the draft resolution on Belarus is to be discussed. The day before, on September 27, this document was accomodated with all parliamentary factions, disseminate among the deputies, the BelaPAN informs with a reference to the Belarusian service of radio Liberty.

In the draft resolution regret over constant deterioration of the general political situation in Belarus is expressed. “If the Belarusian authorities cannot improve the situation with the freedom of expression, association and religion, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and the European parliament are to start procedure of expansion of the list of Belarusian officials for whom entry to the EU countries is banned, and the procedure of freezing the assets of the Belarusian authorities abroad,” the document reads.
Full text plus more from Charter ‘97

And also this from VIASNA

PACE also condemns Belarus for abuse of journalists

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe:They know if you've been bad or good.

The Committee for Legal Issues and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) condemned "the systematic campaign of persecuting the independent journalists and activists of civil society in the Republic of Belarus"

On 16 September the Committee for Legal Issues and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted in Paris a statement that condemned "the systematic campaign of persecuting the independent journalists and activists of civil society in the Republic of Belarus", as well as "reprisals against the Union of Poles and the Polish-speaking media".
The PACE committee expressed its concern over the criminal persecution against the authors of a cartoon assessed by the Belarusian authorities as libeling and insult of the head of state, and believes that such actions "are incompatible with the freedom of speech and the right to peaceful assembly" that Belarus "has undertaken to honor in accordance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of UN and the Helsinki Final Act of OSCE".
The statement authors urged the independent journalists and civil society activists not to yield to the "intimidation campaign" and "continue the struggle for democracy and human rights", reported the press service of the Belarusian Association of Journalists.
And please click here to view more headlines from Viasna

From Radio Free Europe

Belarus Rejects Ukraine's Mediation Offer With EU

Belarusian Foreign Minister Siarhiej Martynov

26 September 2005 -- Belarus today refused an offer of help from Ukraine for it to mediate between Belarus and the European Union amid a growing row.

Acting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk made the offer today in Kyiv after having talks with his Belarusian counterpart Siarhiej Martynov.

However, Martynov said that Belarus "doesn't need outside help," saying: "[Belarus], as a sovereign state, will make its own decisions about processes taking place in its society and it does not need outside help, with all respect to brotherly Ukraine."

Ukraine's offer comes as European officials criticize a recent crackdown on Belarus's Polish minority. Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka accuses Poland of working with the European Union and the United States to encourage Belarusian Poles to help oust him from power.

From UCPB.org

CONGRESS OF DEMOCRATIC FORCES WILL BE AT MAZ PALACE
OF CULTURE ON OCTOBER 1-2, 2005

The “other” flag of belarus

The first press-conference of the Congress of democratic forces will be at the BPF Party office – Varvasheni Str., 8 (Masherov Ave., 8 – new version) at 16.00 on Friday September 30, 2005.

Congress of democratic forces will be at MAZ Palace of culture on October 1-2, 2005.

Sergey Kaliakin, Anatoly Lebedko, Aleksandr Milinkevich and Stanislav Shushkevich will take part at the press-conference.

Before and after the press-conference accreditation of the journalists for the Congress of democratic forces will take place.

Further information you can get at:
+375 293-23-09-41
+375 292-51-32-19

(NOTE: Anatoly Lebedko, the leader of the UCPB is expected to gain the nomination t be considered a candidate to run for the office of president in Belarus. By any reasonable consideration, he seems to be the only one making any noise about even being considered. To have a look at a brief pseudo-interview with Lebedko, CLICK HERE

News from the world

Some stats from Israel

From israel jpost.com

5 years of intifada: 1,061 Israelis killed in 26,159 attacks
By MARGOT DUDKEVITCH

Hillel Cafe suicide bombing in Jerusalem.

Terror groups have increased their efforts to launch attacks inside the Green Line, especially in Jerusalem in the past year, marking the fifth year since the outbreak of the Al Aksa intifada in September 29, 2000, a report issued by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) on Wednesday stated. This is despite the so-called truce or tahdiya terror organizations pledged to uphold in January this year, the report said.

In the past year (from last September up until the present date), 57 Israelis were killed in a total of 3,531 attacks in Israel as well as in the West Bank and Gaza. Of that number, 262 attacks were perpetrated inside Israel compared to 185 between September 2003 and September 2004.

Twenty percent of all Israeli casualties in the past five years were harmed in attacks in which east Jerusalemites were involved in, the report said.

In the five years of violence, a total of 1,061 Israelis were killed and murdered and 6,089 wounded in a total of 26,159 attacks carried out in Israel as well as in the West Bank and Gaza

Sources in the security establishment estimate that in the coming year, terror groups will increase their efforts to transfer knowledge and weapons, including Kassam rockets, to the West Bank, which is expected to become the main arena for Palestinian terror since the IDF pullout from Gaza.
Full text

Sport

News from the International Chess championships in Argentina

The FIDE World Chess Championship will take place in the Hotel Potrero de los Funes Complex, in the Province of San Luis, Argentina, from September 27 to October 16, 2005

San Luis 1: Anand and Topalov win with black
The hot favourite for this world championship, Vishy Anand, started off with a bang, beating Judit Polgar with the black pieces in a beautiful game. Peter Leko was close to victory, but then blew it against Veselin Topalov. Rustam Kasimzhanov almost made it three black wins against Morozevich. Nigel Short reports from San Luis.



The first round of the world championship started with two black victories. Anand beat Judit Polgar in convincing style, Peter Leko blundered in a very promising position to drop the full point against Veseling Topalov, and Rustam Kasimdzhanov missed a golden opportunity to make it a third black victory. Svidler and Adams drew in 24 moves.

Results from round 1: Wednesday, September 28th

Peter Leko 0-1 Veselin Topalov
A. Morozevich ½-½ R. Kasimdzhanov
Peter Svidler ½-½ Michael Adams
Judit Polgar 0-1 Vishy Anand

Click HERE for full coverage