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Belarus is ready to act as bridge between East and West, Alexander Lukashenko says
From: BelTA and the Office of the President
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| The President at the EurAsEC summit meeting last week |
Alexander Lukashenko stressed Belarus has been pursuing the single policy together with Russia. This is a brotherly country, strategic partner and ally. At the same time Belarus has been developing good relations with Europe. “We pride ourselves on the good relations we have with Russia, and that our relations with Europe are developing. We will fulfill our role as a link, the bridge between East and West,” the President said.
As for the global financial and economic crisis, Alexander Lukashenko said that last year Belarus was not affected hard and could raise its GDP by 10%.
The global declining demand for products has affected Belarus which is export-oriented. We have made some gains, however, thanks to lower prices. “We have been economical. We knew the turmoil was coming. We got prepared for the worst long before. Therefore the prime cost of our products was lower, and we were able to sell high-quality products at lower prices. Today the demand is lower. People do buy products but at much cheaper prices. Who can offer such goods? We, Belarusians. Of course, we have seen a decline in demand. So far, in most cases, we have managed to sell the products,” the Head of State said.
According to Alexander Lukashenko, the financial crisis would not have hit Belarus if not for the panic on the world financial markets: “We did not build up any pyramids, did not take part in those exchange speculative operations. We were criticized, but we did not throw our money into Wall Street or any other exchange. We have been raising our companies, if needed, sold them. We have kept our GDP-forming companies and have been developing the real production sector. That, no doubt, saved us. If not for this panic on the financial markets, the financial crisis would not have hit us at all”.
Alexander Lukashenko: liberal laws should not encourage corrupt practices
Liberalisation and optimisation of criminal and criminal procedural legislation should not affect the quality of judicial proceedings and should not create favourable conditions for corrupt practices. The statement was made by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at a government session dedicated to the improvement of criminal and criminal procedural legislation on February 6.
Alexander Lukashenko remarked, proposals for the liberalisation and optimisation of criminal and criminal procedural legislation taking into account law application practices had been voiced at sessions involving justice and law enforcement officers the previous year. “When we enforced the new legislation, we agreed that we will monitor the situation and will regularly revise these issues, as they are very important and sensitive ones for our citizens,” underscored the President.
The Prosecutor-General's Office has worked out a relevant bill, however, the President remarked, interested state agencies are in disagreement about some provisions of the bill. In particular, the proposal of the Prosecutor General about the possibility of hearing some criminal cases without the public prosecutor. “An objective question: will it affect the quality of legal proceedings as a whole and will the reliable protection of interests of citizens and the state be ensured?” asked Alexander Lukashenko. “Was our justice system worse before the norms are adopted? Were interests of citizens and the state poorly protected?”
The President of Belarus demanded that when decisions on these issues are made, all those involved should be guided only by the statehood approach.
The head of state also remarked that another juridical novelty, the so-called “plea bargain”, had caused arguments. A person is sentenced to paying out a certain money compensation for the first grave crime. The legal instrument is used abroad, but has not been used in Belarus.
“The idea is worth considering. However, it is important to determine what crime categories may be entitled to using this instrument. On the one hand, the principle of unavoidable punishment must not be diminished, on the other hand, conditions for corrupt practices among those in charge of remission decisions must not be created,” added Alexander Lukashenko.
True and objective information about Belarus advantageous for Europe
International standards relating to mass media are not violated in Belarus, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko told the Euronews TV channel in an interview.
The press service of the President of Belarus quoted Alexander Lukashenko as saying that Western reporters should have a more objective view on processes going on inside the country. “No exaggeration, no embellishment. We have as many problems as Europeans do. But the truth should be told. If everything is shown in an objective and truthful manner, it will be beneficial for Europe, too,” noted the head of state.
Belarusian laws, including mass media regulations, were developed on the basis of European ones. This is why, Alexander Lukashenko made clear, he does not see any problems with mass media freedom in Belarus, democracy of elections and activities of the opposition. The head of state also said that Belarus is engaged in a dialogue with the European Union, including talks about these matters. The President remarked he is not in favour of prohibitive measures.
“We have never banned anything. We have a transparent and clear-cut legislation developed using European standards: France, Germany, the UK. We haven’t invented anything. We borrowed the best things from them, including the Constitution. When we were criticised, we showed where these Constitution norms came from. Why do we have to be criticised for that?! If we were criticised for cutting down to size some street hooligans, we showed to the nation the footage, which Euronews broadcasts among others, in Belarus, France, Germany, other countries. How do they differ? This is why no standards regarding mass media, European standards, are violated here,” said the head of state.
Speaking about printed media distributions problems faced by the opposition, Alexander Lukashenko remarked: “The opposition would like us to print and publish their newspapers and now they even want us to write articles criticising us for these newspapers. But such things are impossible in any country! This is our opposition for you…”
“I believe that nothing should be forbidden. It is our big advantage over the opposition. Let people read. They know the President. They have made up their minds after 13 years. People make comparisons and the rating of the newspaper, which goes beyond just criticising the President and treats him in an obscene manner,” he added.
Alexander Lukashenko also believes that Europe is not interested in the essence of the opposition. “They should come and ask where these gentlemen emerged from and what kind of opposition it is if it has been struggling and failing to win at least a single parliament seat for more than ten years in the centre of Europe even, frankly speaking, with the support of the authorities?! This is why nobody strangles the opposition here. I used to joke even: may god give such opposition like the one we have in Belarus to any European leader and he will remain the president, the prime minister for ever or his party will always win elections with such opposition,” said the Belarusian leader.
Alexander Lukashenko: liberal laws should not encourage corrupt practices
From: BelTA
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Alexander Lukashenko remarked, proposals for the liberalisation and optimisation of criminal and criminal procedural legislation taking into account law application practices had been voiced at sessions involving justice and law enforcement officers the previous year. “When we enforced the new legislation, we agreed that we will monitor the situation and will regularly revise these issues, as they are very important and sensitive ones for our citizens,” underscored the President.
The Prosecutor-General's Office has worked out a relevant bill, however, the President remarked, interested state agencies are in disagreement about some provisions of the bill. In particular, the proposal of the Prosecutor General about the possibility of hearing some criminal cases without the public prosecutor. “An objective question: will it affect the quality of legal proceedings as a whole and will the reliable protection of interests of citizens and the state be ensured?” asked Alexander Lukashenko. “Was our justice system worse before the norms are adopted? Were interests of citizens and the state poorly protected?”
The President of Belarus demanded that when decisions on these issues are made, all those involved should be guided only by the statehood approach.
The head of state also remarked that another juridical novelty, the so-called “plea bargain”, had caused arguments. A person is sentenced to paying out a certain money compensation for the first grave crime. The legal instrument is used abroad, but has not been used in Belarus.
“The idea is worth considering. However, it is important to determine what crime categories may be entitled to using this instrument. On the one hand, the principle of unavoidable punishment must not be diminished, on the other hand, conditions for corrupt practices among those in charge of remission decisions must not be created,” added Alexander Lukashenko.
Belarus President against mitigation of punishment for officials breaking laws
corruption or grave economic crimes. The punishment should be toughened,” the President underlined.
According to the Belarusian head of state, the proposal to decriminalize the official misconduct and non-feasance if no grounds of partiality were revealed needs some weighty arguments.
Alexander Lukashenko also noted that the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Bank state that the existing laws of the Criminal Code impede the introduction of new technologies, other ambitious innovations and attraction of investment because the heads of enterprises do not have a right to take risks while making managerial decisions.
“Let’s embark on liberalization if necessary, but do not justify all the failures saying that top-managers are afraid to take the wrong decisions while introducing innovations at their enterprises. Such people should not keep their jobs. We should avoid excesses which might limit their freedom of action, but we should never lift the responsibility for what they do,” Alexander Lukashenko added.
Belarus Premier expects domestic prices to go down
From: BelTA
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“In the present conditions prices in Belarus should be falling,” said Sergei Sidorsky. He reminded that a “falling” gas price had been granted to Belarus. “It is an advantage of the Belarusian economy and we should make use of it,” underscored the Premier.
Sergei Sidorsky reminded, over the last six months the government has been pursuing a clear policy regarding the gas price. “Back in April and then in August we said that the import gas price will be around $140. The negotiations were a success: before the new year began, all issues had been settled. We got gas at $140-150. The price is even a falling one. We are the only country to enjoy such a price,” said the Prime Minister. In view of the fact the civil engineering industry was supposed to make its plans and now the government has the right to expect producers to deliver, including construction companies.
The Architecture and Construction Ministry should revise the operation of its industries and sub-industries, coordinate them and work out a strategy for the domestic and foreign markets. “We should show people that prices for material assets are declining worldwide and in Belarus they will fall, too,” said the Prime Minister.
United air defence system agreement confirms military integration of Belarus, Russia
From: BelTA
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The signing vividly demonstrated the high level of integration of Belarus and Russia in the military sphere, their readiness to jointly defend the Union State, counter modern challenges and threats, first of all, world terrorism. The signing became an important step in ensuring air space coverage in the Eastern Europe collective security region.
BelTA reported earlier, Moscow hosted a session of the Supreme State Council of the Union State on February 3. At the session the presidents of Belarus and Russia approved the joint budget for 2009 and signed the agreement on the joint defence of the external air space border of the Union State and on setting up the united regional air defence system of Belarus and Russia.
The document reads, the united air defence system is meant to handle air defence tasks in the region and is a component of the united air defence system of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Implementing the agreement, the sides will determine military administration bodies, command posts, commands and military units assigned to be part of the united air defence system of Belarus and Russia. A draft protocol to the agreement is supposed to be worked out and submitted for consideration of the Supreme State Council in the near future.
Russia-Belarus military-technical cooperation is effective, Alexander Surikov says
Russia and Belarus cooperate very effectively in the military and technical area, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Belarus Alexander Surikov told a press conference in Minsk on February 6, BelTA reports.
“This work was crowned by the signing of an agreement to create the Belarus-Russia joint regional air defense system at the session of the Supreme State Council of the Union State on February 3 and an agreement on the CSTO regional force,” the Ambassador said.
The diplomat also noted that Belarus and Russia have similar approaches and positive dynamics to the issues of disarmament and nonproliferation on the international arena.
Gas price for Belarus to average $150 per 1,000 cubic metres in 2009
From: BelTA
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According to the diplomat, in Q1 the price will be within $200 per 1,000 cubic metres or “a bit higher”. Then, it will be changing depending on the prices for black oil, gasoil and other oil products. Everything will depend on oil and oil products prices. The price fluctuations within the period until April 1, 2009 will be fixed and then the average gas price will be calculated,” Alexander Surikov said.
According to the Russian ambassador, the average price for Russian gas will be roughly the same as the price stipulated in Belarus’ budget ($140 per 1,000 cubic metres).
Russia will continue lending to Belarus’ banks in 2009, Alexander Surikov says
Russian banks are planning to continue providing loans to Belarusian banks in 2009, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Belarus Alexander Surikov told a press conference on February 6, BelTA informs.
That will become possible due to cooperation agreements signed between the government of Belarus and several Russian banks (Sberbank, Vnesheconombank). According to the Ambassador, “under these documents our banks are entitled to open credit lines for Belarusian banks”. The Belarusian banks, in turn, will be able to give loans to their clients, the Ambassador said.
According to him, the issues related to banks have been included into a plan of joint actions of Belarus and Russia to mitigate the consequences of the global financial crisis.
Russian finance system unprepared for single-step regional currency start
The share market and the banking system of Russia should grow much stronger for the sake of establishing the Russian ruble as a regional reserve currency, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Belarus Alexander Surikov told reporters in Minsk on February 6.
“Establishing the Russian ruble as a reserve and regional one will take quite a considerable time in Russia,” said the Ambassador. “I am afraid it will take more than one five-year period. In addition, major economy growth is required, which also needs a lot of time”. So far Russia is one of the world’s top ten economies, however, it lags far behind the USA and the European Union in the total GDP and the GDP per capita.
As far as the switchover of the foreign trade between Belarus and Russia to Russian rubles is concerned, it is the initial aspect of the work meant to make the Russian ruble a regional reserve currency, said Alexander Surikov.
Belarus’ external public debt at $3.7bn in early 2009
At the beginning of 2009 Belarus’ external public debt stood at $3.7 billion, or 6.5% of the GDP. The figure is within the economically safe range, Belarusian Finance Minister Andrei Kharkovets told a session of the Finance Ministry board on February 6.
According to the Minister, in order to improve the quality of management of foreign liabilities in Belarus it is necessary to work out a strategy of government borrowing for 2009-2012 and determine the annual admissible borrowing volumes.
With limited domestic resources, it is necessary to channel efforts into finding external ones, believes Andrei Kharkovets.
In 2008 the Finance Ministry attracted $1.5 billion in foreign loans in line with plans.
Belarus’ consolidated budget surplus at Br1.8 trillion in 2008
In 2008, the surplus of the Belarusian consolidated budget (including special-purpose budget fund and social security fund) totalled Br1.8 trillion, BelTA learnt from Finance Minister Andrei Kharkovets.
Revenues of the consolidated budget reached almost Br66 trillion, expenditures Br64 trillion.
Revenues of the national budget reached Br49 trillion in 2008 (105.6% of the annual plan), expenditures Br48 trillion (96.4%). The proceeds from income and profit tax made up Br3.5 trillion, value added tax Br8 trillion, excise duties Br3.7 trillion, foreign trade tax Br10.6 trillion in 2008.
The expenses on social security and culture amounted to Br17.7 trillion. Expenses on the branches of the national economy totalled Br14.4 trillion. A total of Br676.7 billion was channeled into the programme to mitigate the Chernobyl consequences in 2008. Expenditures on the national investment programme came to almost Br1.9 trillion.
Russia loan not linked to Abkhazia, S.Ossetia recognition - Belarus
From: Ria Novosti
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Media reports have suggested Belarus could recognize the regions in exchange for a loan and discounted energy prices. Belarus has asked Russia for 100 billion rubles ($2.7 billion), in addition to an agreed $2 billion stabilization loan, and to switch to payment in rubles in bilateral trade.
Russia recognized the rebel republics on August 26, 2008, two weeks after the end of a five-day war that began when Georgian forces attacked South Ossetia in a bid to bring it back under central control. Both the U.S. and Europe condemned Russia's move.
"We would not tolerate pressure either from Europe or Russia in this issue," Alexander Lukashenko said in a Euronews interview published late on Thursday. "There is a parliament, it will discuss the issue and make a proposal. This is not linked to the loan."
A Belarusian lawmaker said earlier Abkhazia and South Ossetia had approached Minsk with recognition requests. Lukashenko earlier said he would back parliament if it voted to recognize the republics. Both South Ossetia and Abkhazia broke away from Georgia after armed conflicts in the early 1990s.
Belarus's long-serving leader, dubbed by Washington "Europe's last dictator," has moved to improve ties with the EU, which criticized his human rights and democratic records. In October, the EU suspended for six months travel restrictions and other sanctions against Belarus's leadership, including Lukashenko.
"There is no doubt, we are interested in [strong] relations with the European Union," Lukashenko told Euronews.
He said Belarus's trade with the EU in January-November 2008 reached $22 billion and highlighted other spheres of mutual interest such as energy transit, drug trafficking, and illegal migrants. The country's commodity turnover with Russia in the period was $35 billion.
Kazakhstan says Customs Union with Russia, Belarus due in 2009
From: Ria Novosti
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Nursultan Nazarbayev told his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev during their meeting in Moscow that relations between the two countries "are at a high level and we [Kazakhstan] are devoted to integration."
"We are currently stepping up work on the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus. We are doing everything possible to make it happen this year," Nazarbayev said.
In October 2007, Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan signed a package of agreements comprising the legal basis of the Customs Union, including the formation of a commission, a common customs zone and the order of membership.
The creation of the Customs Union is being carried out within the framework of the EurAsEC organization, which gathered for a summit on Wednesday in Moscow.
EurAsEC, established in 2000, is an international economic organization comprising Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. Three other former Soviet republics, Armenia, Moldova, and Ukraine have observer status.
Nord Stream unattractive, Belarus says
From: UPI
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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said in an interview with the Euronews television channel that Nord Stream was not tenable and was causing problems in the region.
"That is an unprofitable project," he said. The planned route for Nord Stream runs from Russia through the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea to Germany.
Many of the littoral states and local communities have expressed reservations about the potential environmental impact of the project.
Construction for the gas pipeline is complicated also by unexploded ordnance from World War II that is strewn across the Baltic Sea floor.
Lukashenko said his country offered the shortest and most convenient route for Russian energy transit to Europe, saying Europe could get an additional 950 billion cubic feet of gas per year if Belarus were utilized as a transit country.
He called for resumption of plans for a second leg of the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline. Yamal-Europe connects gas fields in Western Siberia. Plans for a second leg were abandoned in 2007 in favor of Nord Stream.
Russia to build nuclear plant in Belarus
From: AP
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Alexander Surikov says the $5 billion project will be on "maximally beneficial credit terms" for Belarus and will be built by the Russian state monopoly, Atomstroiexport.
Critics say the plant will increase Minsk's dependence on Moscow.
Environmentalists are angry that it's being built near the border of Lithuania on a nature reserve that is a popular vacation spot.
The plant is expected to be fully operational by 2020, when it should supply a third of the energy needs for the country's 10 million people.
Belarus is heavily dependent on Russia for cheap oil and gas supplies.
Only a small part of confiscated property is returned to For Freedom’ movement
From: Viasna
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Bear in mind that the property at the apartment rented by Kavalets was attached by the court marshal of Pershamaiski district of Minsk on 18 November 2008. It was allegedly done for execution of the verdict according to which the property was to be confiscated from the defendant who lived in the apartment before Kavalets. Among the confiscated items there were electrical appliances, furniture, clocks, a luster, computers, office supplies and a telephone.
Mr. Kavalets appealed against the unlawful confiscation of property to Pershamaiski district court. He presented to the court an excerpt from the report about the arrest of the defendant’s property, where it was stated that there was no property liable to arrest in the apartment. The court also paid no attention to the fact that the apartment had been rented since 2000.
Judge Revinskaya ruled that only nine items were to be returned to the plaintiff, including a computer, several office supplies, electric furnace and a water cooler.
‘All this case and confiscation of property is a political order. I am an aide of the head of the For Freedom movement Alexander Milinkevich and think that such actions of the authorities are pressurization for my active civil and political position. The authorities are trying to impede our activities anyhow,’ commented Aliaksei Kavalets.
‘We are indignant at such a verdict, because the confiscated items were donated to For Freedom movement by our adherents. At present the organization has a state registration and acts absolutely legally. It contradicts to any logic and common sense,’ added Alexander Milinkevich.
BNR Rada: The only salvation for Belarusian nation is to get rid of Lukashenka’s regime
From: Charter '97
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In particular, it is written in the statement that agreements on creation of the integrated regional air defence system of Belarus and Russia and of the collective rapid reaction force in the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization endanger sovereignty and independence of Belarus.
“Agreeing on the common air defence system with Russia and creation of the collective rapid reaction force with Russia and other non-democratic regimes attach Belarus in the orbit of the Kremlin’s militaristic interests. Recognition of the Russian ruble as the so-called “reserve currency” is another Lukashenka’s capitulation to the Kremlin, an attempt to pay for 15 years of his incompetent governance with another part of the country’s sovereignty,” the statement reads.
“These agreements have been adopted against the background of further expansion of Russia in virtually all spheres of life in Belarus, total destruction of national values. For a few years citizens of Russia have absolutely equal rights for buying immovable property in Belarus, though citizens of other countries (including ethnic Belarusians) are deprived of such a possibility. At the same time, the number of schools with Belarusian language of instruction is declining, the Belarusian language has almost disappeared at state-run TV and radio, discrimination against Belarusians has become massive,” the address signed by the chairperson of the BNR Rada Ivonka Survilla reads.
Besides, the BNR Rada has stated that the Russian state’s expansion is growing, which is to their mind is a preparation for a new referendum at which the independence of Belarus would be liquidated.
“Weakening of the national identification, turning the nation into the Russificated “population” could be preparation for a new “referendum”, at which the independence of the Belarusian state would be destroyed “by the will of the people”,” the leadership of the Rada believes.
In this connection the BNR Rada believes that “the only solution for the Belarusian nation is rapid liberation from today’s Lukashenka’s regime and its helpers through free, just and transparent elections, held under control of Western institutions”.
The Council of the Belarusian People’s Republic is the superior executive body of the BNR, announced on March 25, 1918. Since January 5, 1919 it works in exile.
Criticized, Putin Says Europe Has Rights Abuses of Its Own
From: NYTimes
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With that, Mr. Putin told the official, the president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, that the “hockey puck” was back in Europe’s zone on the issue of human rights abuses.
Even as Russia and Europe work toward better understandings on trade and energy, European Union officials say lapses in the rule of law and democratic norms remain major stumbling blocks to improving relations.
At a joint news conference with Mr. Putin late on Friday, Mr. Barroso said he had raised the issue of contract murders during a meeting that day with the Russian president, Dmitri A. Medvedev. At that point, Mr. Putin interjected his comments about Europe’s human rights problems.
Two recent deaths have drawn wide attention. Stanislav Y. Markelov, 34, a human rights lawyer, and Anastasia Baburova, 25, a reporter, were shot dead by a man with a silencer-equipped pistol on a busy Moscow street last month. The gunman escaped.
Ms. Baburova, a freelance journalist for the newspaper Novaya Gazeta, was its fourth reporter to be killed in a contract-style attack or under mysterious circumstances in recent years.
In November, Mikhail Beketov, a journalist for a suburban Moscow newspaper who was campaigning against what he called local corruption, was beaten into a coma and has yet to recover. In recent months, two former Chechen officials have been killed in Moscow, and last month in Vienna, a former bodyguard of the Chechen president was killed after filing a complaint against him with the European Court of Human Rights.
Mr. Putin’s response to Mr. Barroso stood in sharp contrast to a gesture last week by Mr. Medvedev, who met with the editor of Novaya Gazeta and expressed his “deepest sorrow” over the reporter’s death.
At the news conference on Friday, Mr. Barroso said: “In public opinion there is some concern regarding some recent events that happened in Russia. Namely, the murder of some journalists and some rights activists.”
Mr. Putin said Russia was willing to discuss human rights abuses, but wanted Europe to admit its own shortcomings. He said Russia was “not satisfied” with the treatment of Russian-speaking minorities in new member states of the European Union. He added: “We know about the rights of migrants in Europe, and how they are violated. So please, Mr. Barroso, here is the answering hockey puck from the government of the Russian Federation.”
Russia says it is ready for more arms cuts
From: AP
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Russia is believed to have fewer warheads than the U.S. and has indicated it wants a binding deal on further reductions, but Lavrov's remarks were the clearest statement in the issue since Obama took office last month.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, has called on the Obama administration to abandon policies set by his predecessor George W. Bush, including plans for a missile shield based in former Soviet satellite states and the expansion of NATO into Georgia and Ukraine. Lavrov said Russia had long pressed the Bush administration in vain for a clear response to proposals for replacing the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, when it expires in December.
On Thursday, a spokesman for U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said a replacement treaty for START would be put on a fast track, and that the Obama administration was committed to cuts but had not decided how deep.
"We are ready to go further on the path of reductions and limitations," Lavrov said, adding only the caveat that Russia's overarching goal is to ensure its security.
START limited the United States and Russia to 6,000 nuclear warheads each. In 2002, Bush and Vladimir Putin, then president of Russia, agreed on a treaty that set a target of 1,700 to 2,000 deployed strategic warheads on each side by 2012.
Lavrov made no mention of specific numbers in the brief remarks. Asked about media reports claiming a reduction of up to 80 percent could be in the works, he said he had not heard them and that nothing had been confirmed officially.
The American nuclear stockpile is believed to contain about 2,300 warheads, and the Russian stockpile even lower. When the 2002 treaty was signed, many analysts said the number of Russian nuclear weapons could fall far below the target it set.
Amid increasingly sour ties with the United States under Bush, Russia poured a portion of its windfall oil revenues into its nuclear arsenal in order to keep up with its Cold War foe. Putin and his successor, Dmitry Medvedev, have boasted about Russia's arsenal and assured Russians they will be safe for decades to come.
But with Soviet-built missiles nearing the end of their service life and uncertainty about new missiles being tested, Russia has indicated it wants strict limits and an ironclad verification regime. The Kremlin has said it was frustrated by the Bush administration's aversion to binding deals and hopes for a change under Obama.
Rivalry Deepens Ukraine Economic Woe
From: WSJ
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The move by pro-Russian factions to undermine Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko came as she and her onetime ally, President Viktor Yushchenko, have seen their images dented by personal rivalry.
With the approach of presidential elections in the next year, each has turned to blaming the other for a botched response to the economic crisis. Millions of layoffs are expected in Ukraine's heavy industries in the coming months, and unemployment is expected to hit levels unseen since the fall of the Soviet Union.
The disarray threatens Western hopes that this nation -- geographically slightly smaller than the state of Texas -- on Russia's border could become a beachhead for democratic values in the former Soviet Union.
Diplomats say Mr. Yushchenko and Ms. Tymoshenko have all but given up governing, and their rivalry is jeopardizing Ukraine's ability to meet criteria of the International Monetary Fund, which extended to Ukraine a $16.5 billion rescue package last year.
In parliament, Ms. Tymoshenko stuck by her budget's forecast for growth in the economy, despite analyst projections that it could shrink by as much as 10% this year. "It is simply too easy to become reconciled to a fall," she said. "I believe Ukraine is strong, with resources and reserves, and if the proper actions are taken at this difficult time, we can achieve this indicator as planned."
Ukraine has been hit hard by the economic crisis and the collapse in prices of metals and fertilizers, its main exports. Ukraine's industrial production fell by 26% in December from a year earlier and its currency has lost a third of its value since the summer.
Moscow has been using the economic crisis to strengthen its hand in the region, and last month forced Ukraine to agree to sharply higher prices for natural gas after a standoff in which it cut off shipments. The increased cost to Ukraine's gas-hungry industries is expected to pummel the economy further.
Mr. Yushchenko and Ms. Tymoshenko have often feuded since the so-called Orange Revolution that swept them to power in 2004, and the approach of presidential elections has worsened matters.
Mr. Yuschenko's administration has labeled Ms. Tymoshenko a populist and spendthrift who is misleading the country with budgets and promises she can't fulfill.
Ms. Tymoshenko in turn accused the president of spreading "a mix of untruths, panic and hysteria." She has been trying to fire the head of Ukraine's central bank, an appointee of Mr. Yushchenko, accusing him of favoritism and corruption.
The leaders managed to cobble together enough legislation to secure the help of the IMF, but Ukrainian debt trades at default levels amid fears government spending is out of control.
An IMF mission has been in Kiev for the past two weeks to determine whether to release the second tranche of its loan. IMF officials have made no statements on the government's plans.
Mr. Yushchenko's approval ratings have crept to the low single digits in recent months. Ms. Tymoshenko's ratings, though higher, are also softening amid signs voters want new faces.
Former parliament speaker Arseny Yatsenyuk, 34 years old, saw his ratings rise after he was sacked by parliament in November, and has been taking support from both Mr. Yushchenko and Ms. Tymoshenko.
The fracture of the government has also benefited a figure who has been mostly locked out of power in recent years -- Viktor Yanukovych, the pro-Russian candidate in the 2004 vote that sparked the Orange Revolution.
Mr. Yanukovych, who pushed for the no-confidence vote, has predicted that this year marks Ukraine's "last Orange winter."
Leased Polish helicopters do not meet safety standards
From: Todays Zaman
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Atilgan, who served as a pilot and an aerial fleet commander in the Turkish Air Force for many years, claimed that the health and forestry ministries' helicopter and plane tenders were prone to corruption and that the helicopters leased rarely meet international flight safety regulations and standards.
Stating that helicopters leased by the Health Ministry from Poland for use in aerial ambulance services were not rented at a reasonable price even though they were claimed to be so, Atilgan said the 12 firefighting helicopters leased by the Environment and Forestry Ministry failed to meet the Transportation Ministry's requirement that such aircraft should not be more than 10 years old.
Atilgan also holds that an investigation should be launched into the lease tenders considering that the helicopters leased by both ministries were the same brand. Atilgan believes that the mistake made in these transactions is an irregularity rather than corruption. Emphasizing that it was a mistake for the ministries to negotiate these deals despite having no knowledge of aviation, Atilgan notes that the tenders and subsequent deals should be concluded by experts and competent commissions.
New evidence in the Polish football corruption affair
From: Polskie Radio
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The prosecutor’s office has found new evidence in the case thanks to the investigation work done by Przeglad Sportowy, who revealed the lists of calls made by the suspects from Arka Gdynia, a team promoted to Premiere League, the top division of Polish football for the season 2008- 2009. The materials show how extensive the criminal network was.
Ryszard F., nicknamed ‘Fryzjer’ (Hairdresser), the former football activist, currently on trial, as well as a head of the referees Marian D. and a member of the Polish Football Association board Henryk Klocek used to convince referees to accept bribes given by the heads of Arka Gdynia, Jacek M. and the team leader Wieslaw K.
A detailed analysis of the gathered data has proved that those involved were aware of the risk they were taking – they changed their mobile phone cards regularly to hamper the actions of the police.
Przeglad Sportowy has described in detail all the corruption methods applied by the culprits – which included phone calls made by many of them during one of the fixed matches, after which Wieslaw K. is accused of having bribed a referee to the tune of 5,000 zlotys (1200 euro).
The investigation on corruption in Polish football has been underway since May 2005.
Lithuania taking down Polish street signs
From: The News
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| Polish street sign |
Last Friday, the Supreme Administrative Court decided that street signs are to be written only in Lithuanian.
“The decision of the court is final and absolute. We are required to bow to the decision of the court,” stated the secretary of the Vilnius regional council, Renata Cytacka.
In the Wednesday edition of the Lietuvos Rytas, Jurgis Jurkeviczius, spokesperson for the government, told the paper that “if they do not remove the street signs in Polish from the Okreg Wilenska district, they will face court issues.” The Okreg Wilenski district is the equivalent of the Polish burrough.
The head of the district, Jonas Vasilauskas, does not see any problem with signs posted on private houses.
“Some will treat this as a violation of private property,” Vasilauskas told the paper.
Taking down the Polish-language signs in the district – where 60 percent of the residents are Polish – was an action initiated by Jurgis Jurkeviczius in December 2007. Since then, the affair has been in Lithuanian courts.
In accordance with the European Charter for Local Governments, which Lithuania signed and ratified, minority populations residing in Lithuania have the right to post signs in the minority language. That is the one aspect of the charter that is in conflict with Lithuanian regulations regarding their language.
Belarussian rivalry heats up Leafs-Canadiens match
From: National Post
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| Officials separate Toronto Maple Leafs' Mikhail Grabovski (L) and Montreal Canadiens' Sergei Kostitsyn during the third period of their NHL game in Montreal on Jan. 8. |
It was during last month's All-Star Skills Competition when the word "rivalry" took on a new meaning.
There was Evgeni Malkin reaching into a bag of props to offer a fishing hat, oversized sunglasses and a squirt of Gatorade to supposed enemy Alex Ovechkin during the Breakaway Challenge. Afterwards, the two hugged and smiled for the cameras.
For the two bitter rivals, who had physically battled each other on the ice and verbally sparred away from the rink, the public display of camaraderie was unexpected. But so was the fact that the two Russians had disliked each other in the first place.
Therein lies the problem with feuds. It is easy for them to escalate to the point where no one remembers why they even began. And sometimes a small gesture is all that is needed to bury the hatchet.
Unlike Malkin and Ovechkin, who are embroiled in a healthy competition to be the NHL's best player, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mikhail Grabovski says he has no idea why fellow Belarussians --and former friends and teammates --Sergei and Andrei Kostitsyn hate him.
Grabovski did not steal either brother's girlfriend. Nor does he owe the two Montreal forwards any money. But for whatever reason, sparks fly whenever they are all on the ice -- or talking about one another off it.
"You would like me to explain what is going on between Kostitsyn and Grabovski. Believe me, this is over nothing," said Grabovski's agent, Gary Greenstin.
"I think it will be good for them to shake hands and make a joke from everything. But that's probably not going to happen."
Indeed, Grabovski is likely to be greeted with a fist than a handshake from his former teammates when Montreal hosts Toronto tonight in what has been hyped as "The Battle of the Belarussians."
Of course, trying to pin down where exactly this battle began is a mystery.
Grabovski, who was born in Potsdam, Germany, and grew up in Minsk, has played with both Kostitsyns at various stages of his life. The three have been teammates at international events, in the minors and with the Canadiens.
But when Grabovski was traded to Toronto from Montreal last summer, their relationship changed.
Nothing of substance happened when the team's played each other in their first meeting of the season. But Grabovski and Sergei Kostitsyn combined for almost 70 minutes in penalties in the next two games.
Grabovski is partly to blame for instigating the bad blood. In a 6-3 win on Nov. 3, he scored a goal and an assist, butt-ended goaltender Carey Price in the midsection and repeatedly taunted his former teammates by pointing up at the scoreboard. When Sergei Kostitsyn received a 10-minute misconduct for taking a run at the Leafs rookie, no one was surprised.
Nor was anyone shocked when the two opponents almost fought each other in a rematch two months later.
Grabovski received a three-game suspension in that 6-2 Toronto loss for making contact with a linesman while trying to get at Kostitsyn. As he left the ice, he departed like Richard Nixon leaving the White House, arms raised with his fingers making V symbols to a chorus of boos from the Bell Centre crowd."I cannot stand Grabovski any more," Sergei Kostitsyn said after the game.
"I don't know why he wants to fight with me," Grabovski said then. "If he wants to fight, we'll go in the street and every minute of every day I'll wait for him and we'll fight."
Less than a year ago, Grabovski and Kostitsyns were fighting on the same side.
The three formed a forward line at the 2008 world championship, where they helped Belarus qualify for the 2010 Olympics. Whether they are able to put aside their personal differences for the good of their country, as Malkin and Ovechkin did, is anyone's guess.
"Where this animosity came from, I don't know, because I never witnessed it," said Curt Fraser, who was Belarus head coach at the 2008 world championship. "We needed those guys to be their best, because they were the best players that Belarus had. They played great together."
While Ovechkin and Malkin were born in the same country, their rivalry was born out of wanting to be the best in the world.
Ovechkin was drafted first overall in 2004, while Malkin was second. Last season, Ovechkin finished six points ahead of Malkin to win the league's scoring title. And this year, the race is likely to be decided by the talented Russians.
"I can see why Malkin and Ovechkin would have a rivalry," said Fraser. "Just the competitive level that those two have with wanting to be the best on the ice. But the Kostitsyns and Grabovski are not even near the level of those two. I just don't know why there would be any problems between those three guys."
Sergei Kostitsyn has said that Mikhail Grabovski "talks too much in the Russian newspapers about me and my brother." But it appears that abandoning the Canadiens during a road trip last season turned the former friends into inevitable enemies.
After a game last March, in which Grabovski was a healthy scratch, the forward left the Canadiens and flew to California to talk to his agent about possibility of playing elsewhere.
Greenstin said it was a mistake made by a young player who had been frustrated with not playing. Still, the damage was done. Four months later, everyone agreed that it would be best if Grabovski were traded.
"Yeah, Mikhail's a little over-emotional," Greenstin said. "But I believe the younger Kostitsyn is not so right. He's too emotional. I still believe they are not enemies. This is nothing personal. It is stuff from the ice."
Grabovski was a healthy scratch for Toronto's 5-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday. It was the first time he missed a game all season.
Though he agreed with the decision, he said there was no way he would be missing a chance to seek redemption against the Canadiens.
"It's not about the players. It's about the team in Montreal," Grabovski said this week, downplaying his rivalry with Sergei Kostitsyn. "I'm ready to play a simple game, a regular game."
A simple game may be difficult. But even if the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Grabovski drops the gloves with the similarly sized Sergei Kostitsyn, which several Canadiens down-played as "laughable," Leafs head coach Ron Wilson believes this "sideshow" is already running on its last legs.
"Are the ticket sales down in Montreal? Are television ratings down that we have to go with the Grabovski-Kostitsyn brawl or whatever is going to happen?" Wilson asked.
"That's just a little thing that you guys are having fun with."
Спектакль «Ах, эти свободные бабочки!»
From: Urban.by
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Леонарда Герша
13 февраля 19:00
на сцене Дворца Профсоюзов
(пр. Независимости, 25)
в котором Воздух Свободы Вудстока!
в котором Живая музыка!
в котором занят новый состав актёров:
Сергей Толкач и Александр Пеганов,
Александра Литвинёнок, Иван Потапов Алла Поплавская, Кирилл Захаров
в котором
Режиссёр-постановщик Андрей Савченко.
Художник-постановщик Андрей Меренков.
в котором Он- необычный музыкант, все свои ощущения превращает в музыку. Она - смелая, отчаянная, любит удивлять, хочет стать актрисой. Они знакомятся, открывают друг друга и не боятся оставаться самими собой. Но… Дальнейшие повороты сюжета - прямо на сцене.
Из рецензии:
Если описать спектакль одной фразой - то это пронзительная трогательность. Не мелодраматичность, не сказочная детская наивность, от которой капают слёзы умиления, не Чеховская замысловатая игра на струнах человеческой психологии, а нечто очень простое, почти обыденное, но при этом невероятно красивое и искреннее. Причём каждая деталь: шкаф, разрисованный под “Битлз”, со множеством дверок, живая гитарная музыка, песни Джима Моррисона и Дженис Джоплин, — всё, словно рассказывает нам что-то личное и сокровенное…
Ждём Вас и Ваших друзей, и напоминаем: “Cамый слепой - это тот, кто не хочет видеть”.
An invitation to come for a visit...
From: The Story
