September 23, 2005

Bomb blast in the center of Vitsebsk: 50 hurt
11:30, 23/09/2005

From Charter '97

This is the second time in 10 days that the “Beer Can” bomber has struck.

50 people were injured in Vitsebsk from a blast of a bomb in the center of the city. The wounded were hospitalized with missile wounds and crania-cerebral traumas. According to Interior Ministry department, four of the injured are placed to the hospital in grave condition. Meanwhile doctor think that the number of injured can grow.

The accident has taken place in the center of Vitsebsk by the caf? “Eridan”, where young people usually gather. An improvised explosive device disguised as a beer tin packed with pieces of metal, has exploded.

An operational headquarters of Interior Ministry officers and the KGB (State Security Committee) has been created. Experts are to check all the versions of the incident, to determine the type of the bomb. Power of the bomb is not reported.

An analogous explosion took place in Vitsebsk on September 14 at a bus stop. A metal can packed with metal nails went off. Two persons were wounded; a criminal action related to the article “Malicious hooliganism” has been initiated.

Law-enforcers do not exclude that these both blasts have been made by the same criminals.

The Prosecutor’s office brought up a criminal case “murder attempt”, Interfax was told by police colonel Valyantsin Patapovich, who is in Vitsebsk at the scene now.

The autumn fair has been cancelled in the city in connection with the accident, deputy head of the Vitsebsk regional executive committee Pyotr Yuzhyk said. “Concerts and a hockey match are to take place, but security measures are to be tightened”. He addressed citizens with an appeal to help in the investigation and inform everything that is known about the blast. Anonymity and an award are guaranteed.

NEWS FROM THE TOP

From the desk of the president…

The next national programme “Youth of Belarus” is now being developed, this programme covers the years 2006-2010. The State has assumed the care along the following lines: first, to provide education for the youth; second, to ensure employment; third, to raise healthy young generation; fourth, to render help to young families; fifth, to protect our young people against crime, drunkenness, drug addiction and to protect our girls against slavery in western and oriental harems; sixth, to make everything possible for patriotic education of our citizens.

And more from the presidents desk.

Alexander Lukashenko Extends Congratulations to King of Saudi Arabia

President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has extended congratulations to King of Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud and Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud on the National Day.

The Head of the Belarusian State expressed the confidence that our countries have significant prospects for the development of bilateral relations.

From Charter '97

Lukashenka Opposes Belarus’ Joining the EU
16:28, 23/09/2005

The European Union: Who needs 'em?

Alyaksandr Lukashenka believes that it’s right that Belarus has not been trying to join the EU. He told that today, addressing the 39th congress of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union, BelTA informs. As said by him, as soon as the new Eastern European nations joined the EU, “the processes started that were not understandable for the people. If we have joined this European process, we would have the same situation the Baltic and other states have now”.

As the head of state underlined, today basic human rights are violated in Europe, in particular, freedom of movement. For instance, the Poles, according to Lukashenka, are not allowed to work in such countries as Germany and France.

“They have become second-class people,” the head of state said.

He has also emphasized that high standards of the quality of goods is required from the goods produced by the new member states. Besides, these countries are viewed as a market for Westren goods, and competing manufacturers are liquidated.

“That’s what we had if we had rushed to Europe 10 years ago,” Lukashenka said.

“We are not expected there,” the president is sure. “Ukraine wanted to Europe as well. Are they granted admission? But they have a pro-European government”.

He explained that Ukrainian leader Viktor Yushchenko is not changing the slogan “to Europe”, but “clearly understands that they are not needed there”.

In this connection Alyaksandr Lukashenka addressed the members of the organization with the call “Let’s look for our happiness in our land”.

Sport

Davis Cup: Canada holds lead over Belarus
TORONTO (CP) - Canada scored a key victory to take a 2-1 lead in its Davis Cup World Group tennis playoff against Belarus on Saturday. But it didn't come without some controversy.

Daniel Nestor of Toronto and Frederic Niemeyer of Deauville, Que., defeated Max Mirnyi and Vladimir Voltchkov 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (6) to pull ahead in the best-of-five tie, leaving the Belarusians needing to win both singles matches Sunday in order to regain their spot in the prestigious World Group next year.
Full Text


CHESS

The FIDE Classical Chess World Championship is set to take place in San Luis, Argentina, from September 27 to October 16 this year.

Topalov: 'I haven’t a clue, anyone can win'

FROM CHESS BASE

The FIDE Classical Chess World Championship will take place in Argentina in October this year. To promote the event the organisers are interviewing each of the eight participants, asking them identical questions. This time it is Bulgarian Super-GM Veselin Topalov, number three in the world rankings, and one of the hot favourites to win.
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