Lukashenka makes his own party, Chinese aid with security, Ukraine urged to join union, Listopada Film Festival, Milenkovich

NOTE: According to Belta and the ministry of statistics and analysis, In October 2005 the average wage of employees in the Republic of Belarus made Br501,517 ($233.26). In September 2005 it was Br485,230 ($225.69).

From the top

ELECTIONS 2006 LUKASHENKA IS LIKELY TO RUN HIS OWN PARTY

From Partnerstva

Lukashenka: You just have to know what it takes to get the job done

A constituent meeting of the new public movement “Belaya Rus” is to take place November 28. Delegates’ lists are prepared and approved by ideological departments of rayon executive committees. It looks like a new organization is expected to nominate Aliaxander Lukashenka for presidential election in summer 2006.

There are several scenarios of Lukashenka’s nomination. First, it may be done at the Belarusian National meeting at the beginning of the next year but its delegates are 50% from state officials and it comes that statesmen nominate Lukashenka for presidency.

Another scenario is his nomination by Belarusian trade unions as the country’s mass organization. However trade unions is a structure that does not have a strong political position because not long ago they nominated Gancharyk (the united opposition candidate at the last presidential election) and who knows how would it look if they decided to nominate the acting president?

It seems that experts chose the third variant a new mass public organization that will express its wish to see Lukashenka the president for one more term. This organization will include veteran and youth state organizations, pro-governmental public organizations members and so on.

THE FILM FESTIVAL “LISTAPAD-2005” BEGINS IN MINSK

Still from ЛИСТОПАД or “Falling Leaves” USSR, 1966- When a young engineer takes a job in a wine factory, he is warned not to become too closely involved with the other workers. He converses with a flirtatious young woman and gets beaten up by a thug who admires her. The young man warns his boss that a new vat of wine is not good enough to be bottled. Under pressure to meet the product quota, the boss has it bottled anyway. The engineer fails to convince the bureaucracy that the swill is unfit for human consumption. An ironic twist finds the engineer and some workers being served the wine in a local tavern.

President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has extended congratulations to the participants of the 12th Minsk International Film Festival 'Listapad-2005' on the opening of this cultural forum.

“Over the past years, this remarkable film festival has evolved into one of the main cultural events of Belarus and has earned great international prestige,” the message of felicitation says.

The twelfth “Listapad” is taking place in the year of the 60th anniversary of the Great Victory. That is why the festival programmes include the films about the Great Patriotic War, including the films shot by the Belarusian directors, the Head of State pointed out.

Alexander Lukashenko expressed the confidence that this year’s film forum would contribute to further strengthening of friendship and cultural cooperation, to mutual spiritual enrichment of the peoples of various countries.

The President wished the participants of the cinema festival creative discoveries, materialization of interesting artistic plans and initiatives, joyful meetings with true art, happiness and good moods.

LUKASHENKO: 90 PERCENT OF VOTERS WILL SUPPORT ME IN 2006 ELECTIONS

From the Kyiv Post

Lukashenko: So-called democratic forces view Belarusian youth as cannon-fodder

MINSK, Belarus (AP) - Authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko said Nov. 17 he was convinced that 90 percent of voters would support him in next year's presidential elections.

Speaking before university students in eastern Belarus, Lukashenko said "closed sociological experiments" showed that the overwhelming majority of citizens would support him, though less so in the capital, Minsk. He also again vowed to prevent a mass uprising similar to those which erupted following elections in other Soviet republics.

"Today, the so-called democratic forces in Belarus and abroad view the youth as cannon-fodder, cheap materials for building a 'colored' revolution and seizing power," he said, referring to the Rose and Orange revolutions that brought opposition leaders to power in Georgia and Ukraine.

"It's frightening to think what kind of future would await Belarusian society," he said.

Lukashenko also accused the European Union and the United States of using the rhetoric of "globalization" to try and enslave Belarus.

"By all accounts, it's clear that the haters of the Slavic people now want to subordinate the Belarusians and enslave them for the civilized Europeans," he said. "Under the guise of globalization, we are losing our rights to an independent path of development and, this means, taking away the future of our descendants and our people."

COMMUNISTS FROM 72 COUNTRIES CALL FOR STOPPING INTERFERENCE WITH INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF BELARUS

FROM BELTA

Communism? Yea, it’s still around.

Communists from 72 countries demand to stop interfering with the internal affairs of Belarus. As a BelTA correspondent was told by first secretary of the Communist Party Tatiana Golubeva, a relevant application was adopted November 20 in Athens at the international meeting of communist and working parties.

“The Nato member-states continue to strengthen pressure upon the Republic of Belarus to change the leadership of the country and create a regular puppet regime. For these purposes the USA and their allies use methods similar to those in Yugoslavia and Iraq. The matter concerns economic blackmail and international sanctions, political and international pressure and then armed intervention. The Western countries use similar methods against Cuba, Venezuela, Korea and other countries who fight for their independence and national sovereignty”.

The forum’s participants condemned the attempts of the Nato member-states to impose on Belarus a model of the economic and social development, Tatiana Golubeva stated. Communists demanded to stop the foreign interference with the internal affairs of Belarus and give this country an opportunity to choose its own way of development.

KAZAKH PRESIDENT URGES UKRAINE TO JOIN EX-SOVIET ECONOMIC BLOC

From Kyiv Post

Nazarbayev: A (new) Union could become "strong and authoritative and become advantageous for us all."

(AP) - Kazakhstan's president urged Ukraine on Nov. 18 to join a loose economic union between four former Soviet republics, insisting it would not infringe on national sovereignty.
"Independence for Kazakhstan is issue No. 1, and we aren't planning to make any concessions just as you aren't," Nursultan Nazarbayev said during a speech in Ukraine's parliament as he wrapped up a two-day visit. "But this (union) represents a normal degree of integration."

Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine agreed more than two years ago to create the Common Economic Space, envisioning common tax, customs and transport tariff systems, but its implementation has stalled.

Ukraine is worried that joining this group might hurt its chances at EU membership, which this ex-Soviet republic has made a long-term goal. Critics of the project have also expressed concerns that Russia would use the group to bully its neighbors.
Nazarbayev insisted that the union made sense, saying it could become "strong and authoritative and become advantageous for us all." He called for the first stage - the creation of a free-trade zone - to move forward.

"It is not in any way aimed at limiting the political sovereignty of any of the participant states," he told lawmakers. During an earlier meeting with Parliament Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn, Nazarbayev also insisted that union would not hinder cooperation with the EU.

The Kazakh leader's visit has been dominated by talks on energy cooperation. Kazakhstan is looking for new ways to transport its oil to Europe, and Ukraine is eager to find new customers for its pipelines and reduce its dependence on Russia for supplies.

Nazarbayev, whose Central Asian nation plans to triple oil extraction by 2015, wants to tap into Ukraine's largely idle Odessa-Brody pipeline, extending it in order to transport oil through Poland and into the Baltic countries.

Ukraine built the 667-kilometer (413-mile) pipeline linking the Black Sea port of Odessa with Brody on the Ukrainian-Polish border in 2001. But it has remained largely idle amid bickering over whether to accept oil from Russia or from other Caspian Sea countries. Nazarbayev also expressed interest in extending the Odessa-Brody line 52 kilometers (32 miles) to the nearby Black Sea port of Pivdenniy.
President Viktor Yushchenko planned talks with Nazarbayev later Nov. 18, and officials said the pipelines and a more expansive bilateral agreement would top the agenda.

Nazarbayev, who has ruled Kazakhstan for 16 years, is seeking another presidential term in December elections.

The Kazakh opposition, which has accused the government of corruption and antidemocratic behavior, was emboldened by last year's Orange Revolution in Ukraine, which erupted after a fraud-marred presidential vote and helped usher then-opposition leader Yushchenko to power.

"We must strive toward democratic values," Nazarbayev said, adding however that "economic reforms must come first, then political reforms."

BELARUSIAN AUTHORITIES TRY TO CONTROL INTERNET

From Viasna

Beltelekam has the state monopoly on internet

According to the rules of computer clubs, all users who come there to use the web, must leave their passport data and addresses in the registers. Besides, the clubs must be equipped with the software that will record all the steps of the users. That’s how the state tries to control internet.

Andrei Abozau, member of Third Way organization who is a witness in the criminal case brought on the case of appearance of the anti-presidential cartoons on the web, explained:

-- The state tries to control internet, influence it and limit the access to it. It’s worth mentioning the blockade of the sites of oppositional organizations during the presidential campaign of 2001. It is unacceptable for a democratic country. We have the state monopoly on internet – all providers have to receive the access to it through Beltelekam channel.

In internet-clubs users rarely can visit the web-sites of oppositional organizations and the youth student structures, alternative to the pro-governmental BRSM. In the computer classes of the universities students are completely deprived of such possibility.

In 2001 the article “Crime against informational security” appeared in the Criminal Code of Belarus. It provides criminal responsibility for unsanctioned access to internet, destruction of information and waste of sites. However, no one has been ever punished for such crimes.

BELARUS BOUGHT JAMMERS FOR INTERNET IN CHINA

From Charter ‘97

Beware of China’s Great Red Firewall; operates the most extensive, technologically sophisticated, and broad-reaching system of Internet filtering in the world

An influential Polish newspaper “Gazeta Wyborcza” informed last Friday that Belarus plans or have already bought recital equipment for filtering internet-traffic. It is informed that the new system of Internet censorship could be used by the Belarusian authorities this spring, before the presidential elections that are to take place on 2006. China is the world’s leader for development and use of internet-filters.

According to www.bybanner.com, a research by OpenNet Initiative (ONI) shows that China operates the most extensive, technologically sophisticated, and broad-reaching system of Internet filtering in the world. It is called China’s Great Red Firewall internationally. Thousands of state officials and volunteers are involved in the global surveillance over the internet-activities of Chinese citizens. Filtering of the content is carried out both with the use pf software and hardware.

Information about oppositional parties and anti-communistic statements cannot be found in internet by the Chinese. Chinese citizens seeking access to Web sites containing content related to Taiwanese and Tibetan independence, Falun Gong, the Dalai Lama, the Tiananmen Square incident, opposition political parties, or a variety of anti-Communist movements will frequently find themselves blocked.

The methods of the ONI research include attempts to operate information outside the reach of the Chinese authorities and inside the country as well.

“China has the perfect and the most effective system of surveillance and censorship in Internet,” the researchers conclude

TWO DELEGATIONS OF CHINESE DEFENCE MINISTRY TO VISIT BELARUS

From Charter ‘97

Belarus and China are cooperating in areas of defense

Two delegations of the Defence ministry of China are to visit Belarus this week, the Interfax agency was informed by the Defence Ministry of Belarus. As said by the officials, on November 24-29 a delegation of medical support of the Armed Forces and a department of moral and psychological support are to visit Belarus. This delegation is to be headed by deputy head of the medical support of the People’s Liberation Army of China, Major-General Zhang Wanling.

During the visit his meeting with the head of logistic area department of the Defence Ministry of Belarus Major General Ivan Chykala, the officials informed.

The Defence Ministry reports that the members of the Chinese delegation are planning to visit the Belarusian State Medical University, the 432nd Main Clinical Military Hospital, the Republican Clinical Psychiatric hospital, memorial complexes Khatyn’, “Stalin’s Lone”, Brest Fortress; the Military Academy of Belarus.

The same source added that on November 25-28 a delegation of the People’s Liberation Army of China headed by Colonel General Li Jiang Youan is to visit Belarus.

The official visit of the Belarusian delegation headed by Alyaksandr Lukashenka to China is most likely to take place on December 4-7, 2005. By order of the head of the presidential administration V.Shejman, from November 23 to December 7 representatives of the Security Service and the head of Lukashenka’s press service are seconded to China. Besides, the head of the state protocol service and the head of Asia and Africa department of the Foreign Ministry are sent to China for preparation of the Belarus’ state delegation visit.

MILINKEVICH’S HEADQUARTERS PLANS SET FOUNDATION FOR REPRESSED AID

Charter ‘97

Milinkevich: set a foundation for support of opposition activists was something that was absent during the presidential elections in 2001

The representatives of the headquarters of the democratic candidate for presidency Alyaksandr Milinkevich plant to set a foundation for support of opposition activists who had experienced political repressions. A. Milinkevich told about that at a press-conference in Minsk. “It is something that was absent during the presidential elections in 2001,” the leader of the united opposition noted.

As said by him, the services of lawyers and fines to opposition activists during the impending campaign are to be covered by this foundation.

Besides, it is planned to pay compensations to activists dismissed from job for political activities.

A.Milinkevich also informed that the headquarters of the united opposition is carrying out negotiations about granting a possibility to continue education abroad for Belarusian students evicted from universities for their political activism.

The best solution would be that these students could continue education in the universities of the neighbouring countries, the leader of the united opposition says, the BelaPAN informs.

Narodnaya Volya Can Be Printed in Belarus

From Partnerstva

The Narodnaya Volya is back in bisiness

Minsk city economic court sustained a claim of the Narodnaya Volya newspaper to the “Chyrvonaya Zorka” printing-office and demanded restore publishing of the newspaper in this printing-house.

As we have informed, on October 1 the “Chyrvonaya Zorka” unilaterally has broken the contract for printing the “Narodnaya Volya”.

Today hearing of the case on the suit by the “Narodnaya Volya” to the “Minskgarsajuzdruk”, “Minablsajuzdruk” and “Belsajuzdruk” enterprises are to take place in the Minsk economic court. Since October 1 these state enterprises have unilaterally broken the contracts for distribution of the newspaper. The hearing of the suit to “Minablsajuzdruk” is rescheduled to November 21 because of the illness of the defendant representative. The sitting of the court in the case of “Minskgarsajuzdruk”, and “Belsajuzdruk” is taking place at the present time.

DAY OF BELARUSIAN AND UNION STATE MASS MEDIA TO HIGHLIGHT EXHIBITION “PRESS-2006” IN MOSCOW

Belta

Moscow to host Belarusian press festival

A day of the Belarusian and Union State mass media will highlight the XIII international exhibition “Press-2006” which is due in Moscow on November 23. This year Belarus is given the status of a distinguished guest.

The organization committee of the exhibition told BelTA that the day of the Belarusian and Union State mass media is organized by the information ministry of Belarus. The exhibition will present a national booth “Mass media of the Republic of Belarus” which will be further on covered in the leading TV channels, electronic and printed mass media. There will be a press-club focusing on the topic “Belarus and Russia on the Path of Creation. Potential of Information Cooperation in Developing Economic, Social and Cultural Relations”. The day will end up with presentation of the Union State mass media.

All in all there will be 10 thousand journalists, polygraphists, representatives of the printed mass media, PR-services and ad-agencies from all regions of Russia and the CIS. More than a thousand newspapers, journals and electronic mass media will be presented at the exhibition.

Sport

HLEB VOTED THE BEST PLAYER

(Reuters)

Alexander Hleb: The best of the best

MINSK - Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb has been voted Belarus's Player of the Year in a nation-wide poll of the country's soccer experts conducted by the sports daily Pressbol.

Hleb received 200 first-place votes out of 303 respondents, the newspaper said on Monday.

It was the third top award for the 24-year-old playmaker, who joined the premier league club from Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart for 15 million euros (10.2 million pounds) in June.

He also won in 2002 and 2003 and finished second behind Dynamo Moscow midfielder Maxim Romashchenko last year.

Krylya Sovietov Samara midfielder Denis Kovba was a distant second with 20 first-place votes while Sampdoria striker Vitaly Kutuzov finished third and Romashchenko fourth