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Alexander Lukashenko Attends National Harvesting Festival and Fair “Dazynki-2007”
From: The office of the president
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Diplomas and valuable gifts were given to the winners of the republican grain and pulse crops harvesting competition.
The best agricultural workers were presented computers, home theatres, refrigerators and cash bonuses. The awarding ceremony was held by Ivan Bambiza, the Vice-Premier of the Republic of Belarus and the chairman of the organizational committee of the festival.
A festive procession of more than 600 representatives of the regions, greeted by Rechitsa residents and guests, moved along the streets of the town before the opening ceremony.
National Harvesting competition
Belarus has announced the winners of the national harvesting competition among the regions, BelTA has learnt from the plant-growing department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Foodstuffs.
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The Grodno oblast winners are the Ostrovets and Grodno regions with the grain yield of 60.4 and 173 thousand tonnes respectively. The Grodno region is a many-time winner of the national harvest festival Dazhynki. This year the region is ready to compete for the title of the best region in Belarus again.
The Mogilev and Krichev regions of Mogilev oblast harvested 122.3 and 40 thousand tonnes of grain respectively.
The Rechitsa region of Gomel oblast cropped 94.5 thousand tonnes of grain. The Vetka region showed 36.4 thousand tonnes.
The highest indices in Vitebsk oblast were in the Orsha and Vitebsk regions – 110.7 and 67.9 thousand tonnes of grain.
The Baranovichi and Brest regions are the winners in the Brest oblast. The two regions harvested 95.1 and 65.7 thousand tonnes of grain respectively.
The regions that won the national competition will be awarded Br30 million worth of prizes, their representatives will receive honorary diplomas.
Presidential decrees:
By his Decrees, the President of the Republic of Belarus has established two merit badges: Merited Communications Worker of Belarus of the Ministry of Communications and Informatisation and For Distinction of the State Customs Committee.
The merit badge Merited Communications Worker of Belarus will be conferred upon the professionals of the Ministry of Communications and Informatisation and the organisations subordinate to it who have worked in the respective organisations for at least 10 years in recognition of their professional achievements.
The merit badge of the State Customs Committee For Distinction has two classes and has been established to replace the badge For Distinction which had no classes. The move has been caused by the necessity to differentiate the awardees according to the degree of their personal professional input into the activity of the customs bodies. This award will be conferred upon customs professionals in recognition of their considerable personal contribution in developing the institution of customs, for securing economic interests of the country, exemplary fulfilment of their professional duties, great expertise, significant professional achievements. This merit badge will also be presented to citizens for helping the customs bodies in fulfilling their mission.
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| At the national harvesting festival and fair for rural toilers “Dazynki-2007.” |
The document has been issued with a view of safeguarding the constitutional housing rights of orphaned children and the children left without parental care, and for improving legal regulation of some issues related to registering of the citizens who are in need of improving their housing conditions to let them obtain housing.
Also by his Decree, the President of the Republic of Belarus has approved the draft Memorandum of Mutual Understanding between the Republic of Belarus and the United Nations Organisation with respect to issues relating to control over drags trafficking and crime prevention as the basis for further talks.
The Minister of Internal Affairs of Belarus, Vladimir Naumov, has been authorised to hold talks and sign the memorandum.
Finally, also on September 20, the President of the Republic of Belarus signed into action Decree No 439 which introduces amendments and additions to Decree No 565 of November 29, 2005 “On Some Measures for Regulating the Housing Relations.”
The document has been issued with a view of safeguarding the constitutional housing rights of orphaned children and the children left without parental care, and for improving legal regulation of some issues related to registering of the citizens who are in need of improving their housing conditions to let them obtain housing.
Rybakou breaks world weightlifting record; wins three golds
From: Guardien
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| Andrei Rybakou of Belarus broke his own world record in the men's 85kg category as he took gold at the world weightlifting championships. |
Rybakov beat his own world mark by 1-kg to take the snatch title for a second successive year and also lifted 206-kg to take the clean and jerk gold and the overall crown.
The 25-year-old, who won the silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, shifted the record weight with relative ease and let out an ecstatic roar as he thrust the bar above his head.
His lift in the snatch was 15-kg heavier than silver medallist Aslambek Ediev of Russia.
Rybakov attempted 209-kg in his final lift in the clean and jerk but the extra weight proved too much.
His 206-kg effort was enough to beat Colombia's Oliver Ruiz by 1-kg, giving him a combined 393-kg overall, 15-kg ahead of runner-up Ediev.
Rybakov's world record was the first in six days of competition at the world championships which finish on Wednesday.
Qui Hongmei took two golds for the second year running in the women's 58-kg to take China's tally to 15 in the event.
The clean and jerk world record holder also picked up silver in the snatch (103-kg) and won the clean and jerk (135-kg) to secure the overall gold with 238-kg.
World number two Marina Shainova of Russia lifted 105-kg to claim snatch gold.
Anastasia Novikova of Belarus won a silver medal at the World Weightlifting Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Novikova lifted 94 kilograms in the snatch and 119 kilograms in the clean and jerk for a total of 213 kilograms in women's 53 kilogram class.
Lukashenko accuses Gazprom of overcharging Belarus
From: Interfax
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"Gazprom earns decent dough, as they say, here and makes profit at our expense," Lukashenko told reporters.
"Next year they want to raise the price for us by another 15 to 20 percent," he said. "I don't know what we have done wrong to get this punishment from the Russian leadership."
"Some monopolists have been blinded by this green light, and all they can see is money," the president said.
"Gazprom is making the same incomes and profits by selling gas to Belarus as in Germany. In other words, they are selling gas to us the same way as to Germany," he said.
But "we won't go under," he added.
He was asked whether he expected a replay in 2007 of last year's scenario in which Belarus and Gazprom signed a gas export agreement for 2007 minutes before midnight on December 31.
"Anything is possible, all will depend on how negotiations go. But we will try to sign the contract before the Kremlin clock chimes," he answered.
The Belarusian government "will link the issue of gas price to the issue of transit of hydrocarbons through Belarus," he said.
He also argued that Russia's energy policy meant that proposals to set up a common energy market in the Commonwealth of Independent States were senseless.
"We do stand for a common energy market based on civilized principles, but if states possessing advantages [rich in energy] want to see other states as being of secondary importance, such a market would be useless," he said.
"We wouldn't be able to solve that problem even within the framework of our union with Russia," Lukashenko said. "It's big politics, the existence of dependence," he said.
"I have suggested to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin that Belarus produce 10 to 15 billion cubic meters of gas in Russia, but we haven't been able to come to an agreement on that either," Lukashenko said
A reminder, according to the 2007 agreement Gazprom is set to supply 21.7 billion cubic meters of gas to Belarus.
In January-August 2007 Belarus meets 14 out of 19 socioeconomic development targets
From: BelTA
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In the period under review the GDP growth rate totalled 108.5% as against the same period last year, with this year’s target as high as 108-109%. In January-July the GDP energy intensity shrank by 12.2% (the 2007 forecast — 6-7%).
Over the six months the industrial output increased by 7.7% on the same period 2006, with this year’s forecast standing at 7.5-8.5%. Consumer goods output swelled by 6.9% (with this year’s target as high as 8.5-9.5%), with the output of non-foods up by 12.9% (the annual target — 8-9%). The foods output grew by 0.6% as against same period last year (the annual growth target — 9-10%).
In January-July 2007 labour efficiency across the national economy increased by 8.3% on the corresponding period of last year, with this year’s forecast as high as 7-8.6%.
The agricultural output over the six months swelled by 6.3%, with this year’s forecast as high as 6-7.5%. The cattle breeding output grew by 4.2%, crop growing went up by 24.7%.
In the period under review the capital investments in economic development increased by 17.7% in comparison with January-August 2006 (this year’s forecast — 14.5-17%). Fixed-capital investments in manufacturing facilities increased by 14.5%, with their share in the total investments as high as 44.1%.
The industry accounted for 65.1% of the total fixed-capital investments, an increase of 16.8% on January-August 2006.
Housing construction accounted for 18.8% of the total investments or 124% as against same time 2006. Belarusian construction companies commissioned 2,716,000 square meters of housing, including 1,252,000 square meters in rural and small urban communities. The volume of commissioned housing increased by 11.6% in comparison with same time last year.
In January-July 2007 the foreign trade in balance of payments terms increased by 22% up on January-July 2006 in current prices (this year’s forecast — 110.8-112%), with export up by 18.6% (13.2-14.5%), import up by 25.2% (8.5-9.5%).
Over the first five months of the year the foreign trade deficit in balance of payments terms totalled $1,224.7, (this year’s surplus is expected to hit $500-600 million). The deficit of foreign merchandise trade totalled $1,756.100, the surplus of foreign trade in services — $531.4 million.
Russia accounted for 36.4% of Belarus’ export, other CIS states — 9.2%, the European Union — 43.8%, other countries — 10.6%. Russia accounted for 58.7% of Belarus’ import, other CIS states — 6.6%, the European Union — 22.3%, other countries — 12.4%.
The economic growth contributed to outstripping growth of real money incomes of individuals in January-July 2007 — 16.4% up, with this year’s forecast as high as 7.5-8.5%. This July real cash income swelled by 12.7% in comparison with July 2006.
In January-July accrued monthly salaries of Belarusians swelled by 18.6% up on the year to a total of Br670,400 or an equivalent of $312.3.
As of end August 2007, the registered unemployment stood at 1.1% of the economically active population (this year’s forecast — 1.5-1.8%). The economically active population totaled 4,412.100 people, which corresponded to this year’s forecast of 4.3-4.4 million people.
Retail sales of products and services kept growing. Retail trade, including public catering, swelled by 16.5% up on the corresponding period of last year, with this year’s forecast as high as 9.5-10.5%.
In January-July 2007 chargeable services sold to individuals increased by 11.2% up on the same period of 2006, with this year’s forecast as high as 9-10%.
Consumer price index amounted to 104.4% in January-July 2007, 110.5% per month on the average, which corresponds to this year’s target — 100.5-100.6% per month on the average.
In January-July 2007 the return on sold products and services totalled 12.2%, return on sales — 7.1%. In the industry the return on sold products and services totalled 13.1%, return on sales — 9.5%.
Thus, in the period under review Belarus reported upward trends in the production and investment activities of its key industries.
Nonetheless, according to the Economy Ministry, the national economy failed to reach the targeted decrease in imported goods and services, to ensure a foreign trade surplus, to reach the targeted consumer goods output, and decreased the production of consumer foods.
Minsk to host 14th international film festival Listapad on November 17-24
From: BelTA
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According to him, this year, movies from 33 countries worldwide will be presented at the festival. As of today, the contest programme includes 19 movies. Film directors from 24 countries including Great Britain, Denmark, France and the USA will demonstrate their works in the non-competitive programme.
Famous filmmakers from Russia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, Sweden and other countries are expected to participate in Listapad 2007.
Movie theater Oktyabr will become the main festival ground. The traditional Week of Russian Movies, the Days of Movies of participants of Listapad, gala-concert “For gifted Belarus!”, a number of other events will be held within the framework of Listapad 2007.
Belarus-Georgia relations not “friendship against Russia” - Lukashenko
From: Itar-Tass
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| Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili |
Only “people with a warped imagination” could “view this an attempt by Minsk and Tbilisi to build some line against Russia”, Lukashenko said in an interview with the press on Saturday.
“Russian diplomats meet with their Georgian colleagues very often, and we do not view that as friendship against Belarus,” he said.
“We are a sovereign independent state and have every right to build our foreign policy as we see fit. But we have never built it against someone, especially Russia,” the president said.
Lukashenko intends to restore relations with Georgia and to bring them to a higher level. “We are determined to restore and expand our relations, and bring them to a higher level compared with Soviet times,” he said while meeting with Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili earlier this week.
Lukashenko said Belarus was “firmly inclined to good relations with Georgian comrades” and thanked the Georgian guest for his initiative to visit Minsk.
“We had various stages of relations, and in Soviet times Georgians were close friends to us, but all sorts of things happened after the break-up of the Soviet Union,” the president said.
He expressed satisfaction with the fact that an opportunity presented itself “to draw the line under the period of chaos and muddle and to determine our bilateral relations.”
“I have formed a very good relationship with your president,” Lukashenko said. He remarked that the visit of the Georgian interior minister must have certainly been coordinated with the Georgian president.
The opening of the Georgian embassy in Minsk and the upcoming opening of the Belarusian embassy in Georgia shortly are the signs that the two countries have determined their line in bilateral relations, Lukashenko said
Merabishvili said he hoped for a higher level of relations with Belarus.
“We hope that in two or three years our relations will be more intensive and they will yield concrete results,” he said.
The Georgian minister said he had been instructed by President Mikhail Saakashvili to promote cooperation with Belarusian colleagues.
Merabishvili made a positive assessment of cooperation with Belarus in certain areas. In his words, 90 percent of agricultural equipment is bought in Belarus. “Georgian farmers are pleased with the quality and service of Belarusian tractors,” he said.
The minister also said air service between the two countries was developing at the proper level.
Lukashenko stressed that trade turnover between the countries was still quite low. “It’s just funny. Our potential is much higher. Trade turnover should reach 100 million U.S. dollars shortly,” the Belarusian president said.
Lukashenko said it was necessary to restore relations. “It’s improper to look at each other through a gap in the fence,” he added.
Geopolitical Diary: Belarus' Problem with Polish Priests
From: Stratford
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What makes this interesting is the strategic position of Belarus. Belarus is the buffer between Russia and Poland. Buffer overstates it. Though there recently have been some tensions between Russia and Belarus, Belarus is as close to an unreformed Soviet republic as still exists. More than any of the former Soviet republics, it would appear eager to welcome back the Soviet Union. In general Russia has, until recently, kept Belarus at arm's length precisely for this reason. Russian President Vladimir Putin had his own problems with Russians nostalgic for the "good old days" and did not need the addition of an unreconstructed Belarus added to the mix.
However, as we already have discussed, the Russians have recently become much more assertive, and the internal disposition of Belarus is less of a barrier to good relations. Indeed, in order for Russia to regain its sphere of influence, Belarus plays a critical strategic role. Russia must have Belarus in its camp if it is to use the window of opportunity available to it to redefine its relations with the Baltics. In particular, Russia proper has no border with Lithuania. For that, it needs Belarus.
Russia sees Poland as a critical problem. The Poles have been deeply involved in Ukraine before and after the Orange Revolution, and have been particularly vocal in their support of the Baltics against Russian pressure. In addition, the Poles have been eager to host the U.S. anti-missile shield.
Belarus and Russia both remember the role of the Catholic Church, working with the labor union Solidarity, in overthrowing the Polish communist government. For both countries, the disintegration of the Soviet empire started in Poland and was driven by the Catholic Church. The Vatican and Russia have had relatively good relations since the fall of the Soviet Union, but that does not mean much in this climate. Neither Minsk nor Moscow trusts the Catholic Church, or in particular, Polish priests.
Therefore, the decision to begin their expulsion -- even if only over the course of a few years -- is designed not only to get rid of what might be troublesome priests, but also to make certain the Polish population of Belarus, small though it might be, does not become a center of Polish nationalism in Belarus. Perhaps more important, it is a signal to Poland that it will be blocked if it tries to engage Belarus in any way. In addition, it plays to mutual Russian Orthodox sentiment, which ties together nationalists in both Belarus and Russia.
In and of itself, this is a small matter. But in the current context of relations in the region, small matters point to more serious issues. There is increasing tension between Poland and Russia. If Russia wants to regain its sphere of influence in the former Soviet Union, it will have to deal with the Baltics, which are now part of NATO. It cannot do that without aligning with Belarus or without blocking Polish influence. Russia must intimidate Poland as well. The Poles have an element of comfort so long as Belarus is genuinely separate from Russia. It is their buffer zone on the northern European plain.
Therefore, any sign of tension between Poland and Belarus -- particularly coupled with closer alignment between Belarus and Russia -- matters. Normally, the expulsion of foreigners, priests or not, would not register. But now, the expulsion of Polish priests from Belarus does matter, particularly when the Russian Orthodox Church is involved. It points to closer collaboration with Russia and growing tension with Poland. And that can matter a great deal over the coming months.
European Commission officer downplays effects of Belarus withdrawal from Generalized System of Preferences
From: Naveny
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| Trading with Europeans |
The officer, who asked not to be identified, told a group of Belarusian reporters in Brussels on Thursday that the European Commission estimated the country’s annual losses from the suspension of the trade benefits at ˆ12 million, which she noted was significantly lower than some media outlets and economists in Belarus suggested.
She said that the European Commission had calculated possible losses one more time after receiving reports that the some Belarusian economists and media outlets estimated them at ˆ300 million.
The officer stressed that the ˆ12 million accounted only for 0.4 percent of Belarusian exports, suggesting that the imposition of the mini trade sanctions was more a political move aimed at encouraging the Belarusian authorities to make positive steps and start respecting trade unions' rights.
The European Union scrapped the import-duty reductions for Belarus as punishment for Minsk's failure to respect independent trade unions' rights and fulfill recommendations by the International Labor Organization.
Ball is in Minsk’s court to improve Belarus-EU relations, EU official says
From: Naveny
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He said that the EU aims to have closer relations with Belarus, and that Belarus is a very important country for the future of Europe.
Mr. Tapiola noted that the EU is interested in cooperating with Belarus in the energy sector, transportation and other fields. He said that normal relations with Belarus would only become possible if the EU saw real steps toward democratization, such as the release of political prisoners, the reestablishment of freedom of the press, and fair elections.
According to Mr. Tapiola, the EU saw some positive changes in April and May, when the Belarusian authorities released some political prisoners and gave their consent to opening the European Commission’s delegation in Minsk. That consent does not lead to changes in the EU’s policies regarding Belarus and provides new opportunities for dialogue, he said.
Mr. Tapiola denied that the EU tries to isolate Belarus and dismissed the Belarusian government’s accusation that the EU provides support for some opposition leaders. He said that the EU supports the idea of democracy and the opposition’s right to exist, not specific individuals.
Record 7,5-mln-t grain harvest gathered in Belarus
From: Itar Tass
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"The god has saved us this year," he said. It was not easy, but a record harvest has been gathered. More grain than ever before in Belarus's history has been threshed, the president said at the Belarussian agrarian festival fair on Saturday.
Lukashenko described the achievement as a feat of agrarian workers.
The good results confirm that the agrarian sector development policy is right, he noted.
Foreign advisers' recommendations not to invest funds in the agrarian sector, but to use them to buy grain abroad were not followed. What would the country have if the advice had been heeded? In such case, Belarus would be confronted with problems more difficult than the energy ones, as the grain prices on world markets doubled as compared to last January, the president noted.
This year's total grain harvest in Belarus is a quarter more than last year and more than the harvest of 2004 (7,16 million tonnes) that was the best in seven years.
Kishinev opens Second Festival of Belarusians of Moldova
From: BelTA
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The solemn opening of the forum was attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Moldova Vasily Sakovich, spokesman for the Moldavian parliament Marian Lupu, co-chairperson of the Belarusian Women’s Union Antonina Morova, co-chairperson of the friendship society “Moldova-Belarus” People’s Artist of the Republic of Moldova Margareta Ivanus.
Vasily Sakovich underlined that such events have become possible owing to the cooperation between the ethnic Belarusians and cultural and art figures of Moldova. The festival helps remember the Belarusian history, culture and ancient Belarusian enlighteners – Kirill of Turov, Euphrosyne of Polotsk, Francisk Skorina, Symon Budny. Vasil Tyapinsky and others.
Spokesman for the Moldavian parliament Marian Lupu expressed confidence that friendly relations between Belarus and Moldova based on mutual respect and trust will contribute to the development of all-round cooperation for the benefit of the people of the two countries.
The festival concert included famous artistic groups of Belarus, Belarusian amateur ensembles, artists and cultural figures of Moldova.
The forum was organized by the embassy of Belarus to Moldova jointly with the Coordination Council of Belarusian Societies in Moldova under the Culture Ministry of Belarus and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Moldova. The Festival will last till September 23.
In a related story, The Belarusian Women’s Union /BWU/ and the Women’s Union of Moldova /WUM/ intend to sign a cooperation agreement. Such initiative was put forward by BWU co-chair Antonina Morova at a roundtable meeting held in Kishinev within the framework of the 2nd Festival of the Belarusians of Moldova “Belarus is my Motherhood”.
Antonina Morova has underlined that intensification of the cooperation between women of Belarus and Moldova and the exchange of experience in the family and children field will help the sides more efficiently address social problems.
Antonina Morova informed participants of the roundtable meeting about the BWU work and its main areas of activity and shared Belarus’ experience of resolving such problems as orphanage, family violence, trade in women and gender equity. A special emphasis was placed on the measures taken by the Government to increase a birth rate, to strengthen family, to support young families and to provide more support to mothers. “The Belarusian Government renders substantial assistance to young women,” said Antonina Morova.
Attending the roundtable meeting was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Moldova Vasily Sakovich, Minister of Social Security, Family and Child of Moldova Galina Balmosh, director general of the Inter-Ethnical Relations Bureau of Moldova Olga Goncharova, officials of the Union of Women of Moldova, chair of the friendship society “Moldova-Belarus” and Honoured Artist of Moldova Margareta Ivanush, chair of the republican veteran’s council of Moldova Alla Mironik, members of the Belarusian delegation taking part in the 2nd Festival of the Belarusians of Moldova “Belarus is my Motherhood”.
The Moldavian side praised the social policy pursued in Belarus and social security measures and expressed readiness to study Belarus’ experience in this field.
Biometric visas introduced at Brittish embassy in Belarus
From: BelTA
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The British Government is introducing biometric data collection as part of a world-wide biometric identification process, designed to protect an individual's identity, facilitate future entry to the UK, combat visa fraud and abuse of the UK's immigration and asylum systems.
The introduction of biometric visas is part of a five-year immigration and asylum strategy of the British Government. According to Nigel Gould-Davies, the Charge d’Affaires a.i. of Britain to Belarus, biometric visas will help create a more effective border regime safeguarding the United Kingdom and those who visit it.
The biometric data collection will not only prevent ID fraud but also facilitate a person’s identification during following applications to the British Embassy.
Finger scans will be collected from each applicant by using an electronic scanner. No ink, liquid or chemical will be used. After that a digital photograph will be taken. The entire process will take no more than five minutes to complete. The data will be sent to the UK and stored in a special database within the next ten years. The database will accumulate information about a person’s previous visits to the UK and about offenders of the country’s laws.
All the data will be classified. According to the British party, the information will not be misused and foreign governments will have no access to it. The finger scanner meets all the international security standards.
All the visa applicants will have to apply in person at the British Embassy in Minsk and provide their finger scans and a digital photograph in support of their application.
Every year about 12,000 visa applications are received in the British Embassy in Minsk. The British party has already introduced biometric visas in 64 countries. The procedure does not affect the number of UK visas granted.
The introduction of the biometric data collection by the British Embassy to Belarus on September 27 will not affect visa fees. Nor will it delay the visa application procedure.
Finger scanning will be mandatory for all the visa applicants. Exceptions will be made for children under 5 and some officials traveling to Great Britain on business trips. Children under 5 will have to appear in the Embassy to have their photos taken.
The Charge d’Affaires a.i. noted that all the EU countries planned to introduce biometric visas.
Russia's Arctic Claim Backed By Rocks, Officials Say
From: Ntional Geographic
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| The 1,200-mile-long (2,000-kilometer-long) Lomonosov Ridge runs along the seabed from Siberia to North America, as seen in this map of the Arctic Circle. Rock samples from the ridge suggest that it might be part of a continental shelf, a fact that Russian officials say backs their claim that the potentially oil-rich Arctic seabed is part of Russia. |
The Russians contend that the Lomonosov Ridge, an undersea structure running across the Arctic Ocean beneath the pole, is a geological extension of the Russian region of Siberia.
Under international law, Russia could lay claim to the potentially oil-rich seabed under the Arctic ice if it can prove that the ridge is part of the country's continental shelf.
In a statement released yesterday, Russia's Ministry of Natural Resources said that a preliminary analysis "confirms the fact that the structure of the Lomonosov Ridge crust matches world analogs of continental crust."
In other words, the rock is of a type found on continental shelves rather than in normal mid-ocean seabeds.
More Rocks Needed
Russian divers took the samples last month during a mini-sub mission that went beneath the ice and planted the Russian flag at the bottom of the Arctic Ocean.
The flag planting itself did nothing to establish a claim under international law.
Ted McDorman, a professor of law at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, said that it's therefore not surprising the Russians took rock samples at the same time.
McDorman noted that even if the Russians prove that the Lomonosov Ridge's rocks are continental in nature, it doesn't necessarily mean that the ridge is part of Russia.
"It might be Canadian or Danish," he said. Or it might not be part of any country.
Resolving that question will involve studying the entire length of the ridge rather than a single location, he said.
"The U.S. view is that even if [the ridge] is continental, there's a significant detachment from the mainland," he said.
Furthermore, some Russian scientists appear to believe that the announcement was premature.
Boris Morgunov, an advisor to the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, told Echo Moscow radio that the only way to fully verify the claim is to drill into the ridge to take core samples, according to the Norwegian-based news service Barents Observer.com.
But many Russian officials do believe they will eventually be able to back up their assertion and begin oil exploration in the region.
"With a high degree of likelihood, Russia will be able to increase its continental shelf by 1.2 million square kilometers [460,000 square miles] with potential hydrocarbon reserves of not less than 9,000 to 10,000 billion tonnes of conventional fuel beyond the 200-mile [322 kilometer] economic zone in the Arctic Ocean," Viktor Posyolov, an official with Russia's Agency for Management of Mineral Resources, told the Russian news agency Tass.
Russia-shaped luxury island to be built in Black Sea
From: AFP
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| This computer generated hand out image shows a plan of a luxury island which will built in the Black Sea, outside the Russian resort of Sochi. Russian developers outlined plans 21 September 2007 for a 350-hectare artificial island in the shape of Russia to be built off the Black Sea coast near the future Olympic venue Sochi. |
Federation Island is expected to house around 25,000 people in apartments and villas and is to be completed in time for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, said its designer, Dutch architect Erick van Egeraat.
It will have two marinas, three religious centres, roads, parkland and artificial rivers, the latter designed to mimic some of the major rivers of Russia.
"Building something in existing houses, within existing agreements is harder than building something new," van Egeraat said as he outlined the project on the sidelines of a weekend economic forum.
The project will cost around 6.2 billion dollars (4.4 billion euros) and is to be located along the coastline near to where many Olympic complexes are also planned.
Construction is due to start next year and developers M-Industry, based in Saint Petersburg, said the project had all the funding in place.
An official from the Krasnodar regional administration where Sochi is located, Yury Rysin, described it as "a unique project for our country."
"It's a great idea that will hopefully be built," he said.
The Russian state has undertaken to spend billions of dollars (euros) in upgrading the region's ageing Soviet-era infrastructure, including new roads and telecommunications.
Property prices in Sochi have already risen by up to 40 percent since the city won the right earlier this year to host the Winter Olympics, while the region is attracting interest from international developers and hoteliers.
Russia charges Chechen in Politkovskaya murder
From: Reuters
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Prosecutors charged Shamil Burayev, former head of the administration of the Achkhoi-Martan region in Chechnya, his lawyer told the agency. He was detained earlier this month.
"Burayev has been charged for assisting in the murder," Interfax quoted his lawyer, Pyotr Kasakov, as saying. "The charges are part of the Politkovskaya murder case."
Kasakov said prosecutors believe Burayev found out Politkovskaya's address and passed it on to other people involved in the murder. Burayev says he is innocent.
Burayev was a former candidate for Chechnya's presidency and was head of the Achkhoi-Martan region from 1995 until his sacking by the region's then-president, Akhmad Kadyrov, in 2003, Russian media have reported.
Politkovskaya, an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was shot dead in her apartment building last October.
Her murder provoked international condemnation and Putin's critics accused Moscow of failing to protect freedom of speech.
Politkovskaya was active in exposing abuses by security forces in Chechnya and prosecutors said her murder was probably linked to her reporting.
Prosecutor-General Yuri Chaika said last month that Politkovskaya was killed by an organised crime group that included serving and former law enforcement officers.
Corruption charges for 34 club officials at Arka Gdynia
From: IHT
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"It is Poland's first indictment against a criminal group active inside Polish soccer," Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro said Friday, adding that the charges were "well documented."
Across Poland, some 100 soccer officials and players, including two members of the national soccer federation, have faced charges in the match-fixing case that began in May 2005.
Arka Gdynia, in the Baltic city of Gdynia, was demoted in the course of the investigation, and the club's president and team coach are among the 34 facing charges.
"Through hierarchy and club rules, a criminal group introduced corruption there," Ziobro said.
Poland bans OSCE poll observers
From: BBC
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The foreign ministry in Warsaw said Poland did not need observers because it was a well-established democracy.
The OSCE, which often sends monitors to cover polls in its member states, voiced surprise at Poland's move.
However, there are no fears that the 21 October elections will be rigged, our correspondent in Warsaw says.
The early elections were called by Polish President Lech Kaczynski after the parliament voted to dissolve itself earlier in September.
The ruling conservative coalition collapsed last month amid corruption allegations against the leader of a junior partner.
'Faux pas'
"The OSCE asked Poland to admit observers for the election but Poland rejected the proposal, underlining that Poland is a democracy," Polish Foreign ministry spokesman Robert Szaniawski said.
"It's a standard procedure that it is the country that invites OSCE observers for elections, so in this case OSCE made a faux pas," he added.
A spokeswoman for the OSCE poll monitoring group described the situation as "unusual".
"A monitoring mission has nothing to do with what we think of the state of democratic practices in a country," Urdur Gunnarsdottir was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
Poland is one of the 56 members of the OSCE, whose election monitoring headquarters are based in Warsaw.
As well as monitoring elections in undemocratic countries, the OSCE sends teams to nations likes France and the United States, the BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw says.
Although Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski has been accused of abusing the state's power, nobody seriously believes that his government is preparing to rig the polls, our correspondent says.
He adds that the government's refusal to co-operate has been widely criticised in Poland.
Some Western diplomats also say Russia could use Warsaw's example as an excuse to prevent observers from attending its elections later this year.
Militia Arrests a 13-Year Old Girl
From: TOL
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Militiamen refused to call the girls parents, and mother of Darja was allowed to see the daughter only after she warned that the press will learn about arrests in Stalin spirit.
Militiamen wanted to take fingerprints of the girls and it was because of Darja’s mother resistance they failed.
Annals of Neo-Soviet Duplicity
From: Publius Pundit
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First, America proposed installing a ballistic missile defense system in Eastern Europe. In response, Russia opposed the installation and proposed locating the system in Azerbaijan -- a region heavily within the Russian sphere of influence. This implies that Russia is interested in helping the U.S. and NATO allies assure their strategic security against their enemies and that it is suggesting it can be trusted over the long term not to undermine such a base.
Second, as Vladimir Socor of the Jamestown Foundation's Eurasia Daily Monitor writes:
- Russia abstained in the UN Security Council's September 20 vote to prolong the mandate of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, a NATO-led operation. This is the first time since 2001 that Russia withheld its approval from an allied operation (U.S.-led Enduring Freedom and NATO's ISAF) in Afghanistan. Concurrently, Moscow indicated again that it tolerates the U.S.-led air base in Kyrgyzstan -- that supports operations in Afghanistan -- conditionally and temporarily. Moscow's abstention in the Security Council has no significant consequences on the practical level. Symbolically, however, it hits at what the United States and NATO define as a core interest and top operational priority. Politically, it signifies yet another warning that Russia is prepared to challenge U.S. and NATO interests and hinder their policies almost anywhere in Eurasia to the maximum feasible extent.
Isn't that interesting? It hardly seems that Russia's actions in the Security Council verify its ability to stand behind its Azerbaijan proposal. Given that, the U.S. and NATO would have be be raving lunatics to give serious consideration to Russia's proposal and, thankfully, it seems they have no such intentions. In actuality, we ought to be quite insulted that the malignant little troll who presides over the Kremlin thought we might be stupid enough to fall for a gambit like this.
Idiot’s Guide to Polish Elections II
From: The Beatroot
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The caption says: Poland is a women, and with nothing to hide.
Nice! It's got them huge amounts of...er...coverage in the press - although not much of it has been about their politics.
The Women’s Party is one of the newest political parties in Poland, set up in January this year. It’s leader is writer Manuele Gretkowska (first on the right, front row).
Supporters include singers Kayah, Anna Maria Jopek and Maryla Rodowicz.
They are trying to position themselves beyond left or right (though conservatives would think of them as being…er…nakedly leftwing wing).
They want to concentrate on equality issues and the rights of children, etc.
They are for more sexual education in schools, and better childcare facilities, etc.
In fact, it seems like pretty standard feminism from the 1970s in Britain.
Which shows they think Poland is a little behind the times as far as gender issues are concerned.
And they would be correct.
But how well will they do in the elections on October 21? Well, it doesn’t look too good for them at the moment. They need five percent to get any seats in parliament, and none of the opinion polls I have seen gives them that – more like two percent.
A Feminist Initiative party was set up in Sweden a couple of years ago to contest the elections there last year – and they got just 0.69 percent.
So ‘identity politics’ is probably not a good road to go down if you want to do well in elections in Poland – or anywhere else for that matter.
But if they get people to debate matters like the lack of affordable collective childcare, and other obstacles to women improving their lot, then more power to them, I say.
And I am very pleased that it is the Women’s Party who decided to declare that they have ‘Nothing to hide” rather than say Law and Justice or Civic Platform.
But the danger is that if the researchers for the Women’s Party find that they have had a ‘bounce’ in the opinion polls since unveiling their election campaign poster, other politicians might just be tempted to do the same!
I mean, what if heads of state decided to get them all off for photo oppotunities at international summits?
Mirnyi and Voltchkov keep Belarus hopes alive
From: Davis cup.com
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After beating Voltchkov in the second rubber, all eyes turned to see if Luis Hornawould play in the potentially deciding doubles. But Horna preferred to rest and get recharged for his Sunday rubber with Max Mirnyi, allowing Matias Silva to make his first appearance in this tie, partnering Ivan Miranda.
Belarus fielded Mirnyi and Voltchkov, and even though their No. 2 player seemed to be tired after the match with Horna, they were left out of options and were in need of their two most experienced players for the doubles match.
In an even first set, with both teams studying each other, a single break by Belarus allowed the Europeans to take the lead. The second set showed equal balance until a dubious ball made Silva lose his cool and openly complain to the umpire, igniting the Peruvian fans. With Miranda serving at 3-2, 40-15, a ball hit by Voltchkov apparently touched Mirnyi’s body before crossing the net. The umpire did not think so, and Silva’s tantrum took some minutes to settle. Unfortunately for him, he lost his focus enough to make Peru lose that game, and his own serve in the following game.
From then on the Belarus team found what Mirnyi would later call “the weakest link” in the Peruvian chain, putting heavy pressure on Silva, who lost his serve three more times before the end of the match. Miranda’s smaller frame did not help him much at the net, and Belarus rolled comfortably to the victory that will keep the tie alive until Sunday.
“We had to find the weakest link in their structure,” admitted Mirnyi afterwards.
“(Miranda) is a much better player, so we had to focus on pressing Silva and it worked. This is a team competition, three days of play, so nothing is decided until the last match is played, and I hope that it will be us.”
Voltchkov minimized the fact that he played five hours in his singles rubber and almost three more on the doubles. “Miranda has only played one less hour than me; I’m feeling mentally fine, and I hope I will have enough rest until tomorrow.”
The Peruvian team was not really disappointed at the end of the match. Considering Mirnyi’s doubles pedigree, and the fact that they had an unexpected 2-0 lead after the first rubbers, they decided to field a team that had less chances of victory than Horna-Miranda would have had, but allowed more rest for Horna, who will play the first Sunday rubber with Mirnyi. The success of such a strategy will be seen tomorrow.
Belarus’ trio claim silver at World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships
From: BelTA
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The Belarusian trio of Inna Zhukova, Svetlana, Rudalova and Liubov Cherkashina got 168.775 points in twelve exercises, BelTA learnt from the Ministry of Sports and Tourism. Russians won the championships (183.050) and bronze went to Azerbaijan (163.750). Ukrainians left the game on the first day of the competitions because of a serious injury of Natalya Godunko.
Inna Zhukova takes fifth, Liubov Cherkashina – tenth, and Svetlana Rudalova – 16th position in all-round. The weekend will welcome team competitions. The Belarusian team will consist of Alina Tumilovich, Dina Gaitukevich, Vera Davidovich, Alesya Babushkina, Glafira Martinovich and Ksenia Sankovich.
Belarus provides good opportunities for training professional swimmers, Alexander Lukashenko believes
From: BelTA
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In 2006 in pursuance of the presidential instruction construction of a new water sports compound was launched on the place of an out-door pool built back in 1965, BelTA learnt in the presidential press service.
The new facility includes swimming and jumping pools and three specialized gyms.
There are 154 swimming pools in Belarus, seven of them are 50 meters deep. The Minsk water sports compound is the only training facility which has a jumping pool and a 50-meter pool. The facility meets Olympic standards and is used as a training ground for the Belarusian national team.
The head of state examined the Minsk water sports compound, swimming and jumping pools, special training gyms. The eight-lane swimming pool is fitted with an electric indicator board and systems for holding international water polo competitions. The swimming pool is accessible for handicapped people. A panoramic elevator takes athletes to the jump-board. The compound is designed to train sportsmen for the whole variety of water sports competitions of the international level.
During the visit Alexander Lukashenko talked to coaches and athletes of the national swimming team of Belarus. The President said he expected them to deliver during the coming Beijing Olympic Games. “You have a very good training facility. After track-and-field athletics swimming is the highest medal-yielding sport. Therefore I expect the highest results from you,” the Belarusian leader said.
According to the President, Belarus provides excellent opportunities to train professional swimmers.
Speaking about the development of the sports infrastructure in Belarus, the President urged rich people to invest in the sports industry. With the support from the state rich people of Belarus could help developing sports in the country, particularly, water sports which development is especially costly, the President said.
Alexander Lukashenko also demanded that by 2010 the Minsk Stadium Dynamo should be reconstructed. He said that the stadium was a very important sports facility and could not be demolished. It should be reconstructed in the shortest possible time. “This will be a big national stadium,” the President noted. By the end of the year, a project of the Dynamo reconstruction should be submitted for consideration of the President.
Tatiana Poutchek upsets at Sunfeast
From: IHT
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| Tatiana Poutchek |
Poutchek dominated the game and took 89 minutes to beat her fancied rival.
She will now take on the winner of another first round match between Alberta Brianti of Italy and Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden.
Earlier, Poutchek broke the Russian's serve in the fourth game and then held her own to win the first set comfortably 6-3.
The fifth seed began poorly by losing the first game in the second set. However, Kudryavtseva kept her hopes alive by drawing level in the fourth game. Poutchek broke her opponent's serve in the 7th and 9th games to win the second set by an identical margin.
One year of Aliaksandar Kazulin’s life
From: Charter '97
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Kazulin’s family and friends, in their turn, consider the verdict groundless and illegal.
“This time has been very hard both for Kazulin himself and for his family and co-workers,” the politician’s wife Iryna Kazulina said in an interview to “Polish Radio”.
-- This year has been lasting very slowly for me. It seems that the life before the sentence ended so long ago. I think from time to time that more than a year has passed ever since, and we are still alive, our grandson is growing up. Our elder daughter works, the younger became a 5th year student of Belarusian State University, but she will have problems with recruitment. A print shop refused to edit visit cards for my elder daughter because of her surname - Kazulina. You can imagine how much fear there is in the people. In the rest, our lives are going, we’re writing letters. I called the colony the other day and they said we would have a long-term date in November, and my husband’s birthday is on November 25 - perhaps, we will be allowed to meet on that day. And a short-term can be arranged only in the next January, because he was deprived of the right to meet with his famMinsk Municipal Court sentenced ex-candidate for the presidential post Aliaksandar Kazulin to 5,5 years of imprisonment in a Vitsiebsk colony on 19 September 2006. One year has passed since then. Kazulin’s friends and family have attempted to impeach the verdict but never succeeded. The Belarusian justice believes that Kazulin is guilty of hooliganism and organization of street riots which is proved with a range of evidences, hence the case was closed.
Kazulin’s family and friends, in their turn, consider the verdict groundless and illegal.
“This time has been very hard both for Kazulin himself and for his family and co-workers,” the politician’s wife Iryna Kazulina said in an interview to “Polish Radio”.
-- This year has been lasting very slowly for me. It seems that the life before the sentence ended so long ago. I think from time to time that more than a year has passed ever since, and we are still alive, our grandson is growing up. Our elder daughter works, the younger became a 5th year student of Belarusian State University, but she will have problems with recruitment. A print shop refused to edit visit cards for my elder daughter because of her surname - Kazulina. You can imagine how much fear there is in the people. In the rest, our lives are going, we’re writing letters. I called the colony the other day and they said we would have a long-term date in November, and my husband’s birthday is on November 25 - perhaps, we will be allowed to meet on that day. And a short-term can be arranged only in the next January, because he was deprived of the right to meet with his family.
- You must receive certain information from the colony. How is Mr. Kazulin doing and why was he deprived of this right?
- I think that was the preparation for the amnesty which is being discussed broadly now. And again they say Kazulin can be amnestied. But I see it very well that he’s not likely to be included there, as he has just received the third warning which they can refer to, and refuse to give him any amnesty remissions. And the reason was ridiculous: he lay down on the bed during the lunch time and was at once deprived of the right to see his family, which was the third warning.
-- Your elder daughter met with the European Union states Ambassadors the other day. What is the diplomats’ attitude towards the situation around Mr. Kazulin?
- They support us and invite to meetings from time to time to get the recent information. But unfortunately we don’t hear so much from Aliaksandar, since he doesn’t write letter very often. And it is very difficult to find out something from the colony’s administration: their usual reply is that everything is fine. I know that Ambassadors apply for visits to the colony, but nobody has been allowed so far.
ily.
- You must receive certain information from the colony. How is Mr. Kazulin doing and why was he deprived of this right?
- I think that was the preparation for the amnesty which is being discussed broadly now. And again they say Kazulin can be amnestied. But I see it very well that he’s not likely to be included there, as he has just received the third warning which they can refer to, and refuse to give him any amnesty remissions. And the reason was ridiculous: he lay down on the bed during the lunch time and was at once deprived of the right to see his family, which was the third warning.
-- Your elder daughter met with the European Union states Ambassadors the other day. What is the diplomats’ attitude towards the situation around Mr. Kazulin?
- They support us and invite to meetings from time to time to get the recent information. But unfortunately we don’t hear so much from Aliaksandar, since he doesn’t write letter very often. And it is very difficult to find out something from the colony’s administration: their usual reply is that everything is fine. I know that Ambassadors apply for visits to the colony, but nobody has been allowed so far.
