The BEING HAD Times

Notice to the readership...

2010-06-21T01:31:00.002+03:00

Dear readers:

Due to inconsistent internet access as well as some rather serious health issues, I have stopped producing Being Had Times and adding stories to the Polish Police and Administrative Corruption pages. I am not sure if this will be a permanent change or if I shall restart at a later date, but as of the current moment, I am not preparing any new numbers.

At the end of May and stemming from complications from having Diabetes, an infected foot turned gangrenous and I was hospitalized and procedures were begun to amputate the foot. Since that time, I transferred to Columbia Presbyterian hospital in New York where the surgery was successfully completed. Currently I am in a rehab center in Brooklyn and am waiting to be fit with a prosthetic limb. If all goes well, I should be back in Pinsk for the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year.

I have played with the idea of writing some blogs about my situation and location, but as of the moment, it has been very hard finding the energy to do so. Instead I have been putting what energies I have into the completion of a new screen play (Paradise) and working on the outline and first draft of a book about the last seven years living in Belarus. I’ll see what happens about doing some blogging, but for the moment, unless things radically stabilize, I am suspending the Newspaper and Polish Page. Perhaps soon we’ll get started again.

For those who have written asking what has happened as well as for those who knew about my situation and sent good wishes, I thank you for your concern.

Yours,

Adam Goodman

Dacha farms, Economic liberalization, Customs Union, Gazprom, Bakiyev wanted, Venezuela, Opposition; News, Sport, Culture and Polish scandal...

2010-05-23T08:51:00.000+03:00

From the Top...

#511

Belarus President puts focus on private household plots

From: BelTA

More attention should be paid to developing private household plots, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko told a government session held on 18 May to discuss the development of private household plots.

The head of state pointed out that the problem is of considerable economic, social and political importance. At least one third of the nation is engaged in personal subsidiary economy. Those are not only rural Belarusians but also people who live in towns and suburbs of major cities. The President remarked that they make an essential contribution to ensuring the national food security. Using slightly more than 11% of the farmland, the personal subsidiary economy provides around 30% of the gross output of the agricultural industry. Personal subsidiary economy provides environmentally sound products for those involved and supplies food to the market. The personal subsidiary economy raises the most labor-intensive crops – potatoes (88% of the total yield), vegetables (80%), fruits and berries (over 90%).

Alexander Lukashenko reminded that the personal subsidiary economy contributes to increasing real earnings and wellbeing of rural Belarusians, making an important addition for family budgets. According to the President, such subsidiary husbandry plays an important educational role. People, who are used to labor, catering for animals and gardening since their childhood, are less prone to abuse of alcohol and other negative phenomena, he said.

Alexander Lukashenko remarked that when he visits provinces, he often asks for reports about the state of things in this area, about how the local authorities care for people. The President always urges the local authorities to help people with gathering in crops, arranging purchases of their products, allocating lands and pastures. The matter has been repeatedly discussed by the national government, specific instructions have been given to the government and oblast governors, and a special program has been designed to develop private household plots in 2006-2010.

It is time to sum up the results of the program and the earlier issued instructions. “However, it is clearly obvious that there is nothing to boast about. In the last decade the output has been falling year after year, the cattle population is declining. The number of private household plots is declining, too. Since 2000 their number has dropped by 175,000 or 14%. The tendency is registered in all the oblasts of the country,” said the head of state.

Alexander Lukashenko said he cannot fully agree with those that attribute the decline to the objective reduction of the number of rural Belarusians, aging peasants, the unwillingness of young Belarusians to get involved in private household plots. The President said he is inclined to believe that the indifferent and devil-may-care attitudes of the local authorities to the people, who are engaged in the personal subsidiary economy, are the cause, considering the number of complaints about the lack of opportunities to raise cattle, lack of proper organization of milk purchases and other products. “People are ready to labor, spend their time on useful business but rural hard-working people, their farmsteads and the state as a whole suffer from our disgusting attitude,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

There are regions where executives understand the importance of the problem and support people but no concrete and effective measures are taken in most regions. “Virtually everything is allowed to run free. ‘They may live or may not, we cannot be held responsible for private farms.’ It won’t do!” said Alexander Lukashenko.

The President told participants of the session that the matter should be viewed more broadly. In his opinion, it is necessary to look at it as the handling of people’s complaints. He added that in the near future it will be discussed at a president-chaired session soon. The preparations have begun: in all regions the situation is monitored to reveal the real picture and to enable taking effective measures to address the existing problems.

Alexander Lukashenko said he expects participants of the session to come up with an objective evaluation of the situation as well as answers to whether it is necessary to continue developing private household plots, in what form they should exist and what should be done for it.

Other Belarusian News...

Belarusian Economy Ministry presents further economy liberalization plan

From: BelTA

The Belarusian Economy Ministry has forwarded an action plan for the further liberalization of the national economy to the Belarus President Administration. The information was released by Deputy Economy Minister Anatoly Filonov at a seminar held for Belarusian parliamentarians on 21 May to discuss the support for and development of small and medium businesses.

The plan envisages improving mechanisms used to privatize state property, reducing the number of licensable activities from 53 to 38. In addition, the price regulation by the government may be curtailed. The Economy Ministry also forwarded proposals regarding Directive No 4.

Anatoly Filonov also said that the share of small and medium businesses in the GDP is supposed to reach 30% by 2015 (11.4% in 2009) thanks to the liberalization measures.

According to the Tax Ministry, at present there are over 80,600 registered small businesses in Belarus. The number has increased by 14.5% since 2009 and by 2.5% since early 2010. In 2009 small businesses provided jobs to 20.4% economically active people. In 2009 small businesses accounted for 9.1% of the overall industrial output (8.4% in 2008).

Prime ministers of Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan begin second round of talks in Saint Petersburg

From: BelTA

The second round of talks of the prime ministers of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan has begun in Saint Petersburg, BelTA has learned.

Before it the first round of talks of the three countries had taken place.

The agenda of the session of the supreme body of the Customs Union includes 15 items. Among them are the progress in fulfilling the action plan for forming the single economic space, the enforcement of the international treaties that make up the legal foundation of the Customs Union. There are plans to consider the unification of trade regulations of the Customs Union member-states as well as the agreements that regulate the collection and distribution of customs duties on imports.

Putin: Customs Union formation will require compromises from its members

The formation of the Customs Union will require compromises from its member-states, Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin said in a session of the EurAsEC Interstate Council, the supreme body of the Customs Union, on 21 May.

“We are satisfied with the process of the Customs Union development. The Union is taking its purely economic shape, becoming a new geopolitical reality,” the Russian Premier stressed.

The formation of the single economic territory is a key point in the further integration. According to Vladimir Putin, these processes are profitable for all the parties, create favorable conditions for a rapid economic growth.

“The Customs Union has made a very good start. All its mechanisms operate properly, though such a large-scale project cannot be implemented within a short period of time. Fortunately we are able to find contact points and take the decisions which accommodate each side,” he said. The regulation of the Customs Union legal base is underway. The process will need compromises, the Russian Premier stressed. All in all, 18 draft documents are to be prepared. Eight of them have already been approved by the Customs Union Commission, with three more in the pipeline.

The Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky stated that “the work of the experts of the Customs Union Commission makes it favorable for addressing today’s moot issues.” “It is important that today we are aiming at the single customs tariffs, the single customs territory, and there is a wish to make these positions as close as it is possible and work without restrictions,” the Belarusian PM said.

According to Sergei Sidorsky, the Vice Premiers of the countries have similar opinions on many issues and “work out their suggestions what enables the chairpersons to work smoothly and adopt well-thought decisions”.

Belarus urges prompt Customs Union full-scale functioning

Belarus insists to prompt all the decisions necessary to make the Customs Union fully functional, BelTA learnt from a source in the Belarusian government delegation which is taking part in a session of the supreme body of the Customs Union in St Petersburg.

“It is imperative for the Customs Union member-states to take all the decisions necessary to complete the formation of the single customs territory by 1 July 2010 and start the full-format operation of the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia,” said the source while commenting on Belarus’ position ahead of the forthcoming negotiations.

Russia insists on export oil duties what bars a full abolition of restrictions in the mutual trade, the source said and added that the issue of establishing the single trade regime with third countries remains unsettled today.

“Only 8 out of 17 international agreements necessary for the Customs Union functioning have been prepared for signing at the session,” the representative of the Belarusian delegation stated.

In his words, the sides need to sign, ratify and enact a new wording of the EurAsEC Court Status by 1 July 2010. “The status might be signed at the session. But possible difficulties with its ratification in five states can hamper its introduction into effect on the arranged date,” the Belarusian representative said and noted that “a possibility of the temporary introduction of the document into effect is being considered as well”.

The sides have agreed to transfer all types of the state control to the Customs Union border. “At the same time the Russian side has some problems with transferring its transport control. The work is underway to settle the issue,” the source said.

Moreover, “taking into account quite a long delay in presenting the draft agreements on the information system of the foreign and mutual trade in the Customs Union by the Russian side, the timely interstate procedures on them were impossible in Belarus”, the representative of the Belarusian delegation stressed.

Global Fund to grant $25m to Belarus to fight TB and HIV

From: BelTA

The Global Fund will provide Belarus with two grants to the tune of almost $25 million to treat multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and HIV in 2010-2013, BelTA has learnt.

The agreement on providing the grant by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was signed in Minsk on 21 May. Taking part in the ceremony of signing the grant agreement were Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Potupchik and UN/UNDP Representative in Belarus Antonius Broek.

The first grant is estimated at $17 million. It will be allocated to treat people suffering from MDR-TB, purchase laboratory equipment and upgrade TB dispensaries. About 2,600 patients will receive the necessary treatment.

The second grant is estimated at $7.5 million. It will be spent on preventing and treating HIV infection, enhancing the capacity of the national healthcare, raising awareness and removing the stigma attached to HIV+ people.

Vice-Premier of Belarus Vladimir Potupchik praised the efforts of the Global Fund to prevent the spread of the HIV infection and tuberculosis. “The state has adopted a system-based approach to improve the prevention and treatment of these diseases and has increased the relevant financing. We realize that only the concerted effort of international organizations, donors and national bodies and agencies will be able to improve the situation.” Vladimir Potupchik expressed deep confidence that the new grants will materialize a whole range of measures to curb the spread of TB and HIV, make treatment more efficient and improve the quality of life of the patients and their relatives.

UN/UNDP Representative in Belarus Antonius Broek noted that these are the largest grants in healthcare provided to Belarus by international organizations. He expressed hope that they will help stop the spread of TB and HIV.

The new TB grant is the second biggest grant provided to Belarus by the Global Fund. It is aimed to enhance Belarus’ capacity to fight TB. The first grant was presented in October 2007. In the time period between 2007 and 2015 Belarus will receive about $35-38 million for TB treatment.

In 2004 -2015, the Global Fund will allocate a total of $64 million to fight HIV/Aids in Belarus.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was created in 2002. Global Fund financing is enabling countries to strengthen health systems by, for example, making improvements to infrastructure and providing training to those who deliver services. 67% of the projects are financed by UNDP.

Economics...

Grodno Azot, Achema Group on their way towards creating international cluster

From: BelTA

The Grodno-based chemical company Grodno Azot and the Lithuanian concern Achema Group made the first step towards creating an international cluster as they signed a protocol of cooperation in Grodno on 21 May.

Bronislovas Lubys, President of the Confederation of Industrialists of Lithuania, President and Director General of Achema Group concern, told media that apart from Grodno Azot and Achema Group the cluster will include a research institute and a design organization. “We’ve just started out,” said Bronislovas Lubys. He said that the creation of the cluster involves making certain investments, including investments from the Lithuanian side.

The protocol of the session of the Belarus-Lithuania Business Cooperation Council was signed in Grodno on 21 May along with a declaration and a memorandum after the VI Belarusian-Lithuanian Economic Forum, the protocol of the 15th session of the Belarusian-Lithuanian Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation.

Part of Belarusian petrochemical concern Belneftekhim, Grodno Azot is a major producer of mineral fertilizers and caprolactam. The enterprise was founded in 1963, it was corporatized as an open joint-stock company in 2002. Grodno Azot specializes in liquid technical grade ammonia, nitrogen fertilizers (carbamide, carbamide-ammoniac mixture, ammonia sulphate), technical methanol, caprolactam, biodiesel fuel, liquid carbon dioxide. The company exports 40% of the make.

Achema Group was founded in 2001. It owns over 30 enterprises engaged in various businesses in Lithuania and abroad, including enterprises manufacturing nitrogen fertilizers, the Klaipeda stevedoring company Klasco, a co-generation plant, two hydropower plants. Power engineering is the second most important area for the company. Achema Group is one of Lithuania’s largest electricity consumers as well as a manufacturer of electricity and heating energy.

Belarus ready to transit Ukrainian energy to Lithuania

Belarus is ready to launch the transit of Ukrainian electric energy to Lithuania as soon as Ukraine submits a pricing proposal, First Deputy Director General – Chief Engineer of Belenergo Alexander Sivak said in Grodno at the 15th session of Belarus-Lithuania commission for trade and economic cooperation, BelTA has learnt.

According to Alexander Sivak, Belarus, Lithuania and Ukraine have worked out an electric power trading scheme and prepared all the necessary paperwork. “Now the matter depends on Ukraine. As soon as we receive a pricing proposal from Ukraine, we can launch electric power transit,” he said.

Alexander Sivak noted that at present Belarus’ transmission capacity is 4 billion kWh of electric energy. Belarus imports 2.5 billion kWh of electric power from Ukraine; therefore, the transit capacity of the country is 1.5 billion kWh.

From the Foriegn Press...

Russia's Putin says customs union delayed

From: Reuters

Russia's planned customs union with neighbouring Belarus and Kazakhstan will not fully come into effect from July as planned, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told Mir TV in an interview on Saturday.

The customs union was envisaged as a first step on the way for the three former Soviet republics and allies of Moscow to create a free trade area, or single economic space, by 2012.

From July 1, they were meant to adopt a common external tariff and start redistributing the duties they collect.

"This is correct. It cannot come into full force," Putin told an interviewer who asked him whether the project would take full effect in July, after talks on it failed on Friday during a meeting in St Petersburg.

A Russian source had earlier told Reuters that finalising the union could be delayed beyond July.

Russia had pursued the project with fresh interest after putting talks to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on the back burner after more than a decade of wrangling.

But Moscow has recently renewed interest in the WTO talks and said earlier this year it would no longer insist on joining the WTO in a joint bid with Kazakhstan and Belarus, suggesting the customs union might not have the same priority as before.

Putin gave no sign Russia would abandon its bid to create the common economic space with neighbours, saying he wanted to speed the process up, despite the hitch with the customs union.

"I have proposed today to accelerate solving the problems linked to a creation of a single economic space," Putin said, according to a transcript of the interview published ahead of the broadcast on the government website.

Instead of negotiating all the required documents by the end of next year, Putin said he wanted the whole process finished by the end of this year.

Now oil duties are holding the union back as Russia has refused to abolish export duties on oil it sells to Belarus, something analysts say Minsk had wanted and had seen as the key reason to join the pact.

Russia has also accused Belarus of not paying enough for gas deliveries and amassing debts while Belarus wants to pay less for oil and gas if Moscow is serious about developing closer ties with Minsk.

"They unilaterally pay us the 2008 price. They underpay us. There debt is accumulated. But this is still a problem between economic entities (corporations) and I hope the problem will be solved at that level," Putin said.

Gazprom Says Belarus Breaches Gas Accord as Premiers Meet Today

From: Bloomberg

OAO Gazprom, Russia’s natural-gas export monopoly, said Belarus is refusing to pay agreed prices for fuel supplies, as Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart meet for economic talks today.

Belarus owes $192 million for gas so far this year, Sergei Kupriyanov, a Gazprom spokesman, said today. He said the debt expanded by $55 million to that level after Beltransgaz, the state pipeline operator half-owned by Gazprom, underpaid today.

Beltransgaz spokesman Vladimir Chekov didn’t answer his office or mobile phones when called by Bloomberg.

Putin said in March that Belarus will receive $4.2 billion in Russian subsidies this year through lower-than-market gas prices and tax-free oil deliveries. Gazprom also paid $625 million this year for 12.5% of Beltransgaz, whose pipelines carry about a fifth of Russia’s Europe-bound gas exports.

“Beltransgaz decided to pay for supplies not at the contract price, but at a price it determined by itself,” Kupriyanov said. At the current rate, the debt may reach $500 million to $600 million this year, he said. “The unfolding situation concerns us greatly.”

Gazprom will charge Belarus an average of $171.50 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas this year, Interfax reported March 26, citing the Russian gas exporter.

Putin is meeting with Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky and counterparts in the Eurasian Economic Union, which also includes the former Soviet republics in Central Asia.

Belarus receives extradition request for ousted Kyrgyz president

From: Xinua

The Belarussian prosecutor general's office has received a formal extradition request for Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the ousted Kyrgyzstan president, officials said Friday.

Kyrgyz interim authorities allege Bakiyev was involved in the shooting of civilians during deadly protests in the country that led to his ouster.

Belarus also received an 18-page attachment to the extradition request, a prosecutor general's office spokesman told RIA Novosti, without elaborating.

So far no official statement on a possible decision concerning the extradition request has been made.

Bakiyev fled to Belarus after he was ousted during violent protests last month.

The April 7-8 clashes between police and civilians in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek killed more then 80 people. More than 1,500 others were injured.

Another 80,000-ton shipment of Venezuelan crude to arrive in Belarus in June

From: Navany

Another 80,000-ton shipment of Venezuelan crude oil will arrive in Belarus in June, Maria Elena Rojas, of the Venezuelan embassy in Minsk, told reporters in Homyel on Thursday during the Homyel Economic Forum, as quoted by BelaPAN.

Under a contract signed in Caracas on March 17, up to four million tons of oil is to be supplied to Belarus before the end of the year.

The first 80,000-ton shipment was brought by a tanker to Ukraine’s Odessa seaport on April 25 and then the oil was delivered to the Mazyr oil refinery by rail.

The embassy officer noted that Venezuela was taking part in the Homyel Economy Forum for the first time. “Apart from cooperation in the oil sphere, we could be interested in cooperation in the construction sector and, in particular, in the establishment of a joint construction company,” she said.

From the Opposition...

Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu: “I’m frightened by repressive machine of destruction”

From: Charter '97

Poet Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, the leader of “Say the Truth!” civil campaign, answered questions of charter97.org after his release from prison in Akrestsin Street.

“The events of May 18 are outrage. The mass searches in offices and apartments of activists of “Say the Truth!” campaign, arrests, questionings over a ridiculous far-fetched article, seizure of computers and printed materials. They were evidently looking for “enemy’s money”, but unable to find it, they seized everything related to the campaign. The militia and secret services were most interested in who our partners are and who organize the campaign,” Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu said.

The poet notes that the texts he had written over the last years were seized during the search. “They’ve taken everything I wrote. It will take a long time to read this. I appeal to the militia through charter97.org: Read faster, please. I have a lot of unfinished works. It’s really funny. If I had had any serious documents, I wouldn’t have kept them on computers, I am not a fool. The main thing that made the authorities angry is that the campaign was effective. We didn’t relate our activity to any person. There were lots of rumours about us, people said we worked for Lukashenka, or for Milinkevich. The authorities were convinced we were preparing for the presidential elections. But our campaign will continue its activity regardless presidential elections,” Nyaklyaeu said.

The campaign leader notes regarding the computers seized from him and “Say the Truth!” activists: “I don’t know why they need so many computers. Charter97.org has 8 eight computers 8, but we lost 18. Maybe they took them to their summer houses, to saunas. What are they looking for? Perhaps they want to find a text in my computer that may “insult” Lukashenka,” the poet said.

What to initiating a criminal case under article 250 of the Criminal Code, Nyaklyaeu, a suspect in the case, noted: “in spite of explanations of an investigator, I haven’t understood yet what this article means. How could I violate it if I don’t produce any goods? Well, it would be OK if I had produced jeans and sew famous labels to them. I don’t understand.”

“Psychology of the authorities is based on a “take away” principle. If they see something that doesn’t belong to them, they take it. I saw about thirty young people during three days in prison. Young people are drug addicts, those who are older are alcoholics. What the young had to go through! They had bruises, they couldn’t move normally. They were beaten and tortured, they admitted both what they had and hadn’t committed. I was frightened not by actions of certain sergeants, but by how the machine works. This is a machine of destruction. This is repressive machine!” Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu said.

Ales Bialiatski: ‘We must take every measure possible to stop the escalation of tension and hysteria created by the authorities ahead of the presidential election’

From: Viasna

Earlier this year the Human Rights Center ‘Viasna’ predicted the intensification of the wave of repressions ahead of the presidential election in Belarus. But then the human rights defenders could not have foreseen whether the authorities would use criminal prosecution or repressions would have a hidden character. In what direction is the situation developing? Ales Bialiatski, head of the HRC ‘Viasna’, vice-president of the International Federation of Human Rights, gives his assessment of the events of the recent weeks.

The human rights activist noted that the sad forecast about possible deterioration of Belarus’ human rights situation in 2010 appeared to be true. Above all, this is due to two political campaigns: the local council elections are over and the country is gradually moving towards the presidential election. The difficult human rights situation in the country has become even more complicated and human rights activists say that there are grounds to argue that the harassment of the active groups of the Belarusian civil society have become a routine. Ales Bialiatski identified several areas of the repressive actions of the authorities.

The raid on independent journalists and media

- One of the groups is active journalists working for independent media. And by some strange coincidence, all these journalists are women - chief editor of the ‘Narodnaya Volia’ newspaper Sviatlana Kalinkina, deputy editor of the ‘Narodnaya Volia’ Maryna Koktysh, a journalist of ‘Novaya Gazeta’ Iryna Khalip and editor of the charter97.org web-site Natalia Radzina. There is some symbolism in this: the president, the prime minister, the police chief, the KGB head, and the prosecutor general - all men – have been engaged in an insidious struggle against the female journalists who bravely and fiercely protect the right to receive and disseminate information. In order to put pressure on them, the so-called ‘hunting case’ was formally used. The journalists have been repeatedly called in for interrogations as witnesses, but it all just looks like what usually happens to the accused - searches, seizures of office equipment, moral and psychological pressure. Oddly enough, the person who argues that they slandered him is a general, former head of the KGB. And as you know, there are no ‘former’ KGB agents. For the human rights defenders it is clear that the case was cooked up, the main objective of the authorities being, with his hands the security forces, to defeat the three extremely popular sources of information in Belarus – the sites ‘Charter-97’, ‘Belarusian Partisan’ and the newspaper Narodnaya Volia’.

No doubt, the persecution of independent journalists causes great concern of human right defenders, we see in this another step by the authorities, aimed at limiting the spread of information. And it is a clear signal to all independent journalists - at any moment they could find themselves facing compromising materials and they can be first declared as witnesses and later as defendants, in case the authorities want it. Such a perspective is very justifiable for these journalists. Therefore, I urge the Belarusian society as much as possible to join in their defense.

Another part of the authorities’ campaign of pressure on freedom of speech is the adoption of the newly announced Internet Regulatory Act. Now we are all waiting for decisions by the Council of Ministers, which is to clear up the situation - what was meant by passing such a dim decree? Will this decision really make the Internet more secure and protect users from Internet-related crimes, or, as I strongly suspect, there are many pitfalls that could hinder the access of Belarusian citizens to independent information that is provided by hundreds of pro-democratic sites - human rights , youth, education, regional ones. It is very likely that it could first of all affect the sites, which are most popular, consistent and uncompromising with respect to the authorities’ attitude to human rights and democracy in Belarus.

The use of Article 369-1 of the Criminal Code, which provides liability for discrediting the Republic of Belarus, has already started. For example, one of the leading entrepreneurs, head of the Brest branch of the ‘Perspektyva’ public association, was warned of possible prosecution under the Article for 'biased comments in the media’, including foreign Internet resources. The list of these media sites includes racyja.by, perspektiva.org, charter97.org, euromost.org, svaboda.org, zapraudu.info. This is a real pressure on people. There is a risk that before, during and after the presidential election the criminal article shall be applied to civil activists and journalists.

Repressions against civil activists

- 18 May, 2010 will go down in the history of Belarus as the day of ‘cleansing’ the civil initiative ‘Havary Praudu’ (‘Speak the Truth’). It's disgusting that the authorities are struggling with purely peaceful civil initiatives, with arrests, searches, seizures and interrogations, again inventing some mythical claims. It is even more disgusting that one of our best writers Uladzimir Niakliayeu was detained. The man, who would have been protected and honoured by any other civilized country, was put in jail... Lukashenka, who has repeatedly disregarded the Belarusian language and Belarusian writers in his statements, who in my opinion knows very little of what culture and literature are, once again tried to declare that this country does not have any other prophets except him.

In addition, we are witnessing the case against a Vitsebsk activist Siarhei Kavalenka, who was sentenced to three years' probation. The restriction of freedom, the potential danger that hangs over his head, makes Kavalenka a politically repressed. Knowing his strong public stance, a sincere response to the truth, I am afraid that he can at any moment become a real prisoner. The authorities have tried to create a trap for Kavalenka, but in political terms, they have created a trap for themselves.

In the future, the list of persons convicted and imprisoned on political grounds in the country (to date we have six such people - Artsiom Dubski, Taras Surhan, Mikalai Autukhovich, Uladzimir Asipenka, Aliaksandr Laryn, Mikhail Kazlou) can be extended.

Recently, the prosecuting authorities initiated a criminal case against a political activist Ales Zarembiuk from the town of Masty (Hrodna region). The active young man who has created political competition in the area and launched a number of local civil initiatives, which were widely supported by local residents, was compromised and charged with fraud. This case is within a clearly political context. Ales Zarembiuk is not a new man in the socio-political activities. He has been active in youth organizations, then a member of a political party, then he was elected member of a district council, run in the recent local elections. And it was during the election when a new wave of persecution against him began.

It is impossible not to mention what happened in Navapolatsk – the search and seizure of office equipment in the office of the local human rights activist Dzmitry Salauyou, at the office, where the National organization Human Rights Center ‘Viasna’ tried to register twice last year. Salauyou observed the elections to local councils in Navapolatsk. The search was allegedly associated with the claims that some of the young people, who attended the office, made neo-Nazi inscriptions in the city. No doubt, the authorities’ aim is to halt the only independent place where civil and political activists held various political and cultural events. The same office was searched back in 2006. And now it is searched again, with the new presidential election near at hand.

All these attacks - on journalists, activists of regional public organizations and political parties in Minsk, Brest, Vitsebsk, Masty, Navapolatsk and many others - form a single picture of so to say the initial stage of the election campaign. I am afraid that we will face dozens more similar cases of forced termination of any public activity by the authorities. The cases may be extremely absurd, as it happened on 17 May with a group of anti-fascists who gathered in the building of the ‘History Workshop’ at 25 Sukhaya Street in Minsk. The screening of a documentary ended up in several detentions, including that of a Belgium national.

We see that the government have begun a pre-planned and well-prepared campaign of suppressing of civil activities ahead of the presidential election. And this is just the beginning. We must now, with the help of the international community, take every measure possible to stop the escalation of tension and hysteria created by the authorities ahead of the presidential election.

Issues of principle to the European community are not solved

- The litmus test in Belarus’ relations with the European community is the issue of the death penalty. On the one hand, it does not have such a significant effect on the relationship between the civil society and the authorities of the country, as the electoral laws do, but, at the same time, it has a great moral and symbolic dimension. The death penalty is part of an ideological set of the Belarusian authorities. That’s what has been happening after the 1996 referendum, where the issue was challenged. But we still remember the meaning of the referendum: the death penalty was then a ‘trailer car’, which actually veiled more important issues - reform of the Constitution, which led to the unlimited power concentrated in one hand. Maybe because of this it is so ‘dear’ for President’s heart. The ideological aspect of the death penalty still remains, along with the green-red flag, all the Komsomol-BRSM-pioneers and other post-Soviet insignia, a symbol of ‘cruelty and justice’ of power. This is precisely what the problem is about- over its political context the matter became extremely significant for the Belarusian authorities.

Due to the fact that for a year already the Belarusian human rights defenders have been actively campaigned against the death penalty, the problem itself has become more real and personalized: we have seen specific people behind it - sentenced to death and executed, and their relatives. The problem has become more understandable to the public. And the role of the government in this situation has become clearly disadvantageous. The severe defender of peace and order has become a revengeful hangman with a gun in his hand.

The issue of the death penalty has come to the forefront of Belarus’ relations with the Council of Europe. For our cynics, sitting in the government and operating in financial or post-Soviet political categories for ‘domestic consumption’, a Special Guest status or membership in the Council of Europe has never been so important. But in the end, they realized that the international reputation of the state, its membership in various international political clubs, is also money. But which will win – is not known yet.

The relations between the Belarusian government and the civil society have been carefully and thoroughly monitored by the EU structures. Today the European Union gives considerably more attention to its relations with Belarus, even in comparison with the previous elections. European officials, who have been engaged in the Belarusian issues for years, understand what is happening here. Therefore, the human rights situation, the death penalty, the civil liberties, which are so actively suppressed in Belarus, are not conducive to better relations with the EU.

The situation requires the activity of the civil society

- Today, every subject of the Belarusian civil society, without exception, journalists, human rights defenders, civil, political and trade union activists, should be active in pursuing their rights. Despite the malignance, obstinacy and insidiousness of the Belarusian authorities, we can achieve some progress. A harsh struggle is underway and the main objective of the executive authorities is to paralyze the Belarusian society and remain in power even for a long time. Despite the repressions, the Belarusian society must overcome the difficult situation, through its activity and self-sacrificingness. And this affects us all.

Russia...

U.S. lifts sanctions on Russian arms exporter

From: Reuters

The United States has been trying to win Russia's support for a U.N. Security Council resolution to expand sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. Russia approved a draft resolution that Washington circulated at the United Nations on Thursday.

State Department spokesman Andy Laine said Russia's view on Iran "has evolved over time" and noted the country's support for the draft resolution.

"We felt confident ... that we could lift these sanctions," he said.

Earlier this month, a senior Kremlin official said Russia expected the United States to lift bans on trade with four Russian companies if Moscow backed new sanctions against Iran. Russia has long criticized sanctions against entities accused of selling technology that could help Iran, Syria or North Korea develop weapons of mass destruction or missile systems.

The U.S. State Department said it lifted sanctions imposed in 1999 against the Dmitri Mendeleyev University of Chemical Technology and the Moscow Aviation Institute. Sanctions imposed in 2008 against Russian state arms trader Rosoboronexport also were terminated.

The department also removed sanctions set in 1999 against Tula Instrument Design Bureau. The United States has said it imposed sanctions against the firm for arms sales to Iran and Syria.

The department made public the decision in notices issued on Friday.

Iran rejects Western allegations its nuclear program is a quest to develop atomic weapons and has ignored U.N. resolutions ordering it to halt its enrichment program.

Bangladesh, Russia sign nuclear power deal

From: AP

Bangladesh and Russia are finalizing a deal on the first nuclear power plants in the energy-starved South Asian nation, an official said.

An official in the government's Atomic Energy Commission told The Associated Press on Saturday that talks on nuclear cooperation were progressing.

"We will require signing a few more agreements with Russia to go for the final implementation," he said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

He said under the agreement, the two countries would design, construct and operate nuclear power plants while Russia would train Bangladeshi officials and engineers. Transfer of technologies and maintenance of the plants are part of the agreement, he said.

The official said the agreements could be finalized when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visits Russia later this year.

The government in April approved a draft for the deal with Russia.

Bangladesh wants to set up a nuclear plant at Rooppur, 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of the capital, Dhaka, to meet its growing power need.

Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh say power shortages are hampering production in factories because gas-fired, decades-old power plants are failing to generate adequate electricity.

Bangladesh, a nation of 150 million people, has a daily shortfall of about 2,000 megawatts. The government says gas production has decreased in recent years.

The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank say Bangladesh's economy, which has grown more than 5 percent in recent years, will suffer if more electricity is not generated to feed industries and support irrigation schemes.

The country also is looking at options to switch to coal-fired power plants. It has six coal fields with about 3.3 billion tons of estimated reserves.

Former Miss Russia Anna Malova busted for forging prescription for Vicodin

From: NY Daily News

A former Miss Russia was busted for forging a prescription for Vicodin pills on a form that was filched from her Manhattan shrink, authorities said.

Anna Malova, a leggy blond beauty who held the pageant crown in 1998, was collared Tuesday moments after a West Village pharmacy filled her phony prescription for 85 pills.

The state Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement was wise to her alleged scam and was waiting for her - and a local TV crew that had been tipped off had its cameras rolling for the one-time starlet.

Malova proved to be ever the fashionista - even in handcuffs.

When she was pinched, she was wearing a black fur-lined coat and skinny jeans and was toting a Burberry plaid umbrella.

"I don't know what happened," Malova pleaded to the TV news crew's camera.

Malova wound up on the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement's radar after her upper West Side shrink, Catharine Fedeli, reported that several prescription forms were missing from her pad following an appointment with Malova in late February.

The state narcotics cops told pharmacies in Malova's neighborhood to keep an eye out for the hot prescription forms.

And then early last month, a pharmacist from the pharmacy where Malova was busted Tuesday told cops she had used a similar prescription to obtain pain pills.

Malova, who lives near the pharmacy where she was busted, was actually a physician in Russia, though she does not have a medical license in New York.

From the Polish Scandal Files...

Brazil arrests Polish pedophile priest

From: Press TV

In the latest episode of a sexual abuse scandal surrounding the Roman Catholic Church, Brazil has put a Polish Catholic priest on trial.

Alexandre Abrahao Teixeira who is overseeing the case described the priest, identified only by his initials as MMS, as "a person compulsively attached to sex with adolescents," AFP reported on Saturday.

His home was like "a sort of erotic dungeon where these youths were thrown into orgies," said the judge.

According to Teixeira the priest used his spiritual authority to force teenagers into having sex with him.

If convicted, the priest who ran a church in the west of Rio de Janeiro will face 10 years imprisonment.

The emergence of pedophile priests has sent tremors across the Roman Catholic Church in recent years. Even Pope Benedict XVI has been implicated in the scandal.

He has been accused of trying to cover up such abuses when he was an Archbishop.

Non-crew in cockpit when Kaczynski died

From: Nine msn.com

Non-crew members were in the cockpit of the plane of Polish president Lech Kaczynski before its fatal crash in Russia in April, a top aviation official said.

"It has been established that in the cockpit there were individuals who were not members of the crew," said Tatyana Anodina, head of the inter-state air committee for the ex-Soviet Union which is investigating the crash.

"The voice of one of them has been identified exactly, the voice of the other, or the others, will require additional information from the Polish side," she added.

Ninety-six people, including Kaczynski, his wife and scores of senior Polish officials were killed in the crash on April 10 outside the western Russian city of Smolensk.

Teams punished after anti-Semitic banners at football match

From: THE NEWS

Two football clubs from the south-east city of Rzeszow have been penalized and two people detained after an anti-Semitic banner was held aloft by fans during a local second division derby in southern Poland on May 8.

The banner was spotted among fans of Resovia Rzeszow during a match against local rivals Stal Rzeszow.

The fans chanted the “Arian horde is coming” and displayed a huge banner showing a caricatured hook-nosed Jew with a stripped blue and white yarmulke under the slogan: “Death to the Crooked Noses.”

Colours of the banner corresponded with the flag of Israel, costumes of Auschwitz camp prisoners but also the colour’s of the opposing Stal team’s strip.

Police from Rzeszow has already detained two 18-year-old Resovia fans responsible for putting up the anti-Semitic banner. They will be charged for violence against people of a different nationality, ethnic background, race, political views or faith, for which they may face up to five years in prison.

“The charges are serious because the banner calls for death,” says a prosecutor Ewa Lotczyk. Twenty more football fans, who held the banner during the match, are expected to be detained in relation to the case.

Lock out

The Polish Football Association (PZPN) has also punished the two rival football clubs from Rzeszow. In the coming month Resovia and Stal will play matches behind locked doors with no crowd and the latter will also have to pay a 2,500 zloty fine (627 euro) as it was the host of the match.

Polish Football Association (PZPN) representatives, who were present at the stadium, failed to react to the offensive banners at the time, however.

“It’s a scandal!” Resovia’s chairman and former Justice Minister Aleksander Bentkowski told the PAP news agency.

Police have already opened an investigation into the case.

The Anti-Defamation League has called on Andrzej Rusko, president of the Polish football league, to penalize the Resovia team.

“This sickening display of crude anti-Semitism is an alarming manifestation of a continuing problem in Polish society, where our opinion surveys and other polls have found disturbing levels of anti-Semitic sentiment,” said Abraham Foxman, ADL's national director, quoted by the JTA agnecy.

Foxman pointed out only 700 of Rzeszow’s 15,000 Jews survived the Holocaust.

“We call on the league’s president to sanction Resovia Rzeszow and to apply the anti-racism practices of the European football authority, UEFA,” Foxman demanded, adding that “an equally important measure of society is how authorities react to such incidents.”

Worked like a horse

From: NPE

A woman has been freed from torment after being subjected to 15 years of beatings and being forced to pull a plough across farm fields.

Since the age of 19, Irena Buzniak (now 34), was treated as a donkey by her husband and the rest of his immediate family in the small southern town of Limanowa.

It was only a few months ago that Irena decided enough was enough and she finally found the courage to flee her torture in order to find help from the authorities.

Such was the extent of her ordeal, that she has been forced to seek help from doctors in a psychiatric hospital.
Due to her brave decision to face her problems head-on, her previous family (including her husband) that kept her in a constant state of torment will now be brought to justice.

As well as being forced to carry the plough through the fields, she was kept locked up in a garage and was beaten and taunted with threats that she should be killed, in order to prevent her from begging for help.

Her husband Antoni (42), his two brothers Kazimierz (45) and Jozef (39) and their mother, Emilia (81) now face up to 10 years behind bars for their part in the wicked ordeal.

“I honestly believe the punishment that all of them will hopefully be given will be fully deserved,” says Irena.

“The past 15 years of my life have been completely horrific and they are 15 years that I would like to forget,” she said with tears in her eyes.

Less than a year on from her ordeal, Irena is now living safely with her parents and her eight-year old daughter on subsidised government funding.

Sport...

Belarus beat Denmark at 2010 IIHF World Championship

From: BelTA

Belarus beat Denmark in their last game at the 2010 IIHF World Championship in Germany on 17 May.

The final score was 2-1. Stas and Stefanovich scored for Belarus.

A reminder, Belarus failed to beat Germany in regulation time on 16 May and thus lost all their chances to advance into the quarterfinals.

Denmark scored a goal on the 1st minute already, but Belarus leveled the score in the second period after Andrei Stas netted the puck assisted by Alexei Ugarov. Then Belarus had several powerplay opportunities, but Denmark succeeded in killing off the penalties up to the end of the third period when Mikhail Grabovski assisted Mikhail Stefanovich, who scored a winner.

Denmark rushed forward to come back into the game. With 87 seconds remaining Belarus were left down to three men on ice when Mikhalev and Salei were suspended for fighting. Denmark pulled off their goaltender to get a six-on-three powerplay, but Belarus managed to deny all Danish shots.

Slovakia led by ex-Belarus headcoach Glen Hanlon lose to Finland (2-5) in the other Group E game on 17 May.

The current standings in Group E are as follows: Russia – 12 points, Finland - 9, Denmark – 6, Belarus – 5, Germany – 4, Slovakia – 3. Both Belarus and Denmark played five matches, while other teams played four. Russia, Finland, and Denmark secured their places in the quarterfinals. Germany and Slovakia will compete for the place in the quarterfinals in a game on 18 May.
Sweden, Switzerland, and Canada qualified for the quarterfinals for Group F. Either Czech Republic or Norway will be the last Group F representative in the play-offs

After failing to reach the play-offs Belarus, was ranked 10th at the championship.

Cultural Scene...

Belarus retrieves books taken out to Germany during WW2

From: BelTA

The books on biology and botany taken out from Belarus to Germany during the Second World War were handed over to Belarusian Ambassador to Germany Andrei Giro in an official ceremony, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry.

A collection of 501 copies of scientific literature was found in a library of the Botanic Gardens of the Free University of Berlin. The books were published from 1824 to 1940 in Latin, German, French, Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian and belonged to the Agricultural Academy in the town of Gorky. The collection was taken out to Germany in 1943.

On behalf of Belarus Andrei Giro thanked the administration of the Botanic Gardens for the gratuitous transfer of the books. He emphasized an important symbolic meaning of this gesture that will contribute to the further reconciliation of the peoples of Belarus and Germany.

Minsk to host international puppetry festival 24-30 May

The 6th Belarusian international puppetry theater festival will be held in Minsk on 24-30 May, BelTA learnt from the Belarusian State Puppet Theater.

Partaking in the festival will be theaters from Russia, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Slovenia and Belgium. All Belarusian puppet theaters will demonstrate their latest premieres.

Both little art amateurs and sophisticated theater goers will have a chance to see the original plays from different countries. The fun-packed programme includes well-known productions A cunning fox and a silly wolf (Riga, Latvia), Sleeping Beauty (Tallinn, Estonia), Cinderella. Extracts of Her Diary and Thumbelina (Ljubljana, Slovenia). Belarusian puppet theaters will entertain both kids and adults with their shows Little Mermaid (Brest), Kvetachka-Vyaselka (Vitebsk), Living Water (Gomel), Poison (Mogilev), Konek-Gorbunok (Molodechno) and Why do People Grow Old? (Minsk).

Adults will be able to enjoy Facade (Bialystok, Poland), Yevgeny Onegin (Kemerovo, Russia), Antigona (Poltava, Ukraine) and many more.

The performances will be shown at the Belarusian State Puppet Theater, the Yanka Kupala Academic Theater, the Maksim Gorky Academic Theater and New Theater.

Endnote...

Gazprom threatens to cut off gas for Belarus

From: CHARTER '97

Moscow and Minsk can fall out over gas again. Belarus does not pay the contract price, but 50$ per 1000 cubic metres.

On Monday Gazprom stated that Beltransgaz owes $137 million to for deliveries in the first three months of this year. And yesterday it turned out that the concern threatens by limitations to Belarus in case the debt not paid. It has been stated by a source close to Gazprom, and a Russian official taking part in discussions on the matter. Letters with warnings have been sent to Beltransgaz and the government of Belarus, said one of the sources: there is no direct threat there, but Gazprom reminds that sanctions under the contract could be used for debts, and among others deliveries could be limited, Vedomosti newspaper (Russia) writes.

The debt has accumulated because Belarus pays $150 for 1000 cubic metres, say the both interlocutors from the Russian side. Though the price of the first quarter is $169.22 according to the formula in the contract. The fact is that in 2010 Belarus wanted to pay for gas $150, which had been stated many times in late 2009, the official explains: the country has a hard economic situation, a serious trade balance deficit, and the presidential election comes in early 2011.

Sergei Kupriyanov, Gazprom spokesperson, confirmed only that the Beltransgaz debt had been caused by not paying according to the formula. A representative of the Belarusian government denied comments, it was impossible to get comments from Beltransgaz as well.

Belarus and Gazprom had many disputes over prices. Last time in 2009 the situation was very much like today's. In the first quarter the contract price for Beltransgaz was $210.32 per 1000 cubic metres, and the forecast for the entire year about $150. That is why Belarus decided not to spend spare money in the beginning of the year and paid "average annual" $150 from the beginning. By mid 2009 the debt reached $244 mln. And Alexei Miller, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gazprom, warned that under the contract the concern could go to court or curtail deliveries. However, matters didn't come to that. By the fourth quarter the price for Beltransgaz reduced to $121.98, a little debt remained, but Belarus paid it.

It would not be possible to repean that, a source close to "Gazprom" states: the forecasted average price for Belarus in 2010 is $185-187. Considering the plan of purchases (about 21 billion cubic metres) it makes $3.9 billion, and at the price paid by Belarus today -- $3.15 billion.

The Russian official claims there are no negotiations on reducing the price, though Belarussian officials keep asking about that.

Moscow recalls the Belarusian gas debt very often, when there are other disputable questions between the countries. For instance, last summer Russia limited access of Belarusian milk goods to the market, and Belarus threatened to tighten the control regime for goods travelling by the main Russian-Belarusian main lines, and Gazprom stated that a gas debt exists (though it had been accumulating for a few months). The conflict was solved over a month.

It is not said by Russian officials whether there are any points at issues now as well. But there is disagreement relating the Customs Union, notes Alexei Portansky from the Trade Policies Institute of the HSE (Higher School of Economics State University), for instance as far as oil duties and import duties for passenge cars are concerned.

National currency stable, Belarus-Russia, Visa facilitation, Rights of embryos, Pharmaceuticals, Vietnam, Opposition; News, Sport and Polish scandal

2010-05-16T20:49:00.000+03:00

From the Top...

#510

Belarus’ national currency will remain stable, Piotr Prokopovich says

From: BelTA

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko met with chairman of the board of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus Piotr Prokopovich to receive his report, BelTA learnt from the Belarusian president’s press service.

The head of state was reported that in January-April all major parameters of the monetary policy were met in full. The financial markets have been stabilized.

According to Piotr Prokopovich, it is very important that the national currency rate remains stable this year. Since the beginning of the year it has remained unchanged against the basket of three foreign currencies, though there have been euro vs US dollar fluctuations inside the basket.

In Q1 the export increased by 29% from the same period last year. The country earned $455 million more than in Q1 2009.

As a result, the gold and foreign currency reserves increased to a total of $6 billion 515 million as of 1 May. This is almost $550 million more than as of 1 January this year. This tendency boosts the confidence in the stability of the national currency as it is based on improving economic performance.

Piotr Prokopovich informed the president that the economy gets lending in full volume. As of 1 May, the credit debt in the real production sector reached Br71 trillion, up 32% from 1 May 2009.

It is important that today the banking system has opportunities to increase lending. For the first time in 18 months we have in fact reached the sufficient level of the liquidity of the banking system, Piotr Prokopovich said.

The banks have started fulfilling the recommendations of the National Bank regarding the cutting down of the interest rates, Piotr Prokopovich noted. The interest rates on the new loans in March were 1.1% less as compared with February. The head of the National Bank expressed hope that the target to reduce the rates to 15% in June will be met. Thus, the work on reaching the pre-crisis interest rates, the rate of refinancing +3%, will be completed.

This year the rate of refinancing has been cut down three times to 12%, which is in sync with the major guidelines of the monetary policy.

According to Piotr Prokopovich, the payment system operates smoothly, without failures and violations. Payments are executed in real time; the volume of payments was up 13% than last year. This attests to the economic recovery in the country.

Thus, the parameters have been met across all major areas of the activity of the National Bank.

The head of state demanded that all parameters of the monetary policy should be met in H1 and during the year.

Other Belarusian News...

Belarus, Russia can benefit from settling their differences

From: BelTA

It is in the common interest of Belarus and Russia to settle their differences and find mutually beneficial solutions to all problems soon, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko as he met with Oleg Bogomolov, Governor of the Kurgan Oblast of the Russian Federation, on 11 May.

The Belarusian head of state congratulated the Russian guests on the 65th anniversary of the Victory and remarked that “it is thanks to the unity of the Belarusian, Russian, Ukrainian and other nations that the victory became possible”. In his opinion the lesson of history is topical today when joint efforts are required for overcoming negative consequences of the global economic crisis. Because Belarus and Russia and their economies are linked together by thousands of ties.

Alexander Lukashenko said that Russia has been and will be Belarus’ key strategic partner and ally. “Yes, not everything is okay in our relations. Sometimes petty pragmatism and short-lived profits eclipse sound sense and long-term prospects. This is why it is in our common interest to settle our differences soon, finding mutually beneficial solutions to all problems,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

The President remarked that this year Russia’s economy inclines towards stabilization thanks to industrial output growth. “It encourages us because we are linked by tight manufacturing cooperation ties. It will spur our mutual trade and will allow keeping jobs”.

The head of state underlined that in 2010 Belarus aims to increase the industrial output by 10-11%. In his words, performance reports in the first months of the year inspire optimism and hope that the task will be fulfilled.

Belarus in favor of mutually beneficial equal relations with Russia

Belarus is in favor of building mutually beneficial equal relations with Russia, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko as he met with Oleg Bogomolov, Governor of the Kurgan Oblast of the Russian Federation, on 11 May.

“We would like Russia not to brush us aside or throw us into the backyard,” said the Belarus President. He once again mentioned the problem with customs duties on the Russian oil Belarus buys. “Why do we get the customs duty while Kazakhstan doesn’t? Can you explain to me in what way we are worse? Why are they trying to make gas prices higher than those in Germany? What for?” asked Alexander Lukashenko. “I don’t understand why Russia gives unyielding oil to Russia-owned Mozyr Oil Refinery. Although the refinery does not take it,” added the President.

In this situation Belarus started searching for other markets of this commodity and has found oil in Venezuela. Belarus started processing it at Mozyr Oil Refinery. “It once again invoked Russia’s lack of understanding and indignation,” said the Belarusian head of state.

Alexander Lukashenko mentioned Russia’s participation in privatizing Belarusian enterprises, including petrochemical ones. “If you want to privatize them, let’s negotiate. Today we are market-minded people. We often hear Putin say that market economy is based on market principles. Let’s negotiate the cost. No, they will not negotiate, they would like the enterprises for the net assets value,” Alexander Lukashenko quoted the Russian side.

The President reminded about Russia’s imposing restrictions on supplies of Belarusian products.

Apart from that, there are two Russian military bases in Vileika and Baranovichi. Belarus charges Russia nothing for them. “Moreover, the Belarusian army is Russia’s stronghold on the western border,” stressed the President. He also reminded about the Belarusian-Russian agreement signed to deploy a united air defense system.

He remarked that Russia does not have the relations it has with Belarus with any other country. In his words, Russia cannot lose Belarus. “If it happens, Russia will never find allies either in the post-Soviet space or in the entire world,” said the President.

Alexander Lukashenko also said that he does not like using the word “partner” in Belarusian-Russian relations. “We are the same people. We are brothers. Partners are Americans and Europeans,” remarked the head of state.

Visa facilitation can boost Belarus-EU cooperation, expert says

From: BelTA

Rationality is vital in understanding the problems in the EU-Belarus relations, head of the Bridge international project, director of the European Institute for Ethnic, Regional and Sociological Studies of the University of Maribor (Slovenia) Prof. Silvo Devetak said at an international seminar in Gomel as part of the Bridge project (Enhancement of Mutual Understanding and Cooperation between the EU and Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine), BelTA has learnt.

In his words, visa facilitation is necessary to establish close cooperation between Belarus and the European Union. The fact that Belarus is not a full-fledged member of the European community is still a big obstacle for developing further bilateral cooperation, the professor believes. Sometimes sharp criticism of Belarus provided by some mass media only harms the people of Belarus and the European countries.

“We should look forward, and necessary doors will soon open for the benefit of the European nations,” the head of the Bridge project said. The analysis of the geopolitical situation and integration processes within the European Neighborhood Policy and the European Partnership, comments and recommendations on possible projects and cooperation areas between Belarus and the European Union will be presented to the European Commission after the project is competed in 2012. The document will be available to all member-states of the project, Silvo Devetak stressed.

Partaking in the seminar at the Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperation in Gomel were representatives of the Foreign Ministry of Belarus, the EU Office in Belarus, the Gomel oblast executive committee, the Gomel Office of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, heads of the leading research institutes and establishments of Belarus, Slovenia and others.

The Bridge international project has been developed and coordinated by the European Institute for Ethnic, Regional and Sociological Studies (ISCOMET) of the town of Maribor, Slovenia. The partners of the project are the universities of Belarus (the Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperation), Slovenia, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Romania, Italy and Germany. The four-year project is financed by the European Commission and comprises an array of seminars, conferences, training courses for civilians and public servants in every participating state. The Belarusian Trade and Economic University has hosted the seminar for the second time. The previous one took place in October 2009. Such seminars have been recently conducted in Chisinau and Odessa. A similar meeting will be soon held in Moscow.

Belarus to formalize rights of embryos and surrogate mothers

From: BelTA

Belarusian MPs are set to formalize the rights of embryos and surrogate mothers in a new bill on assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and legal safeguards of citizens, BelTA learnt from Deputy Chairperson of the House of Representatives’ Standing Commission for Healthcare, Physical Culture, Family and Youth Affairs Svetlana Shilova.

“The existing ART laws are fragmented, controversial and incomplete,” the MP said. Although such notions as ART or sterilization are mentioned in the law on healthcare, nothing is said about the rights of embryos, surrogate mothers and biological parents, there are no such notions, as sperm or egg donors. More than that, sometimes the problems related to the ART spill over into courts. For example, women sue sperm donors to get alimony payments, and men are adjudicated at fault.

This situation prompted the MPs to initiate a bill on assisted reproductive technologies and legal safeguards of citizens. “This document should spell out a legal and ethical status of an embryo, a legal and ethical status of artificial insemination, legitimacy of cryo-preservation of embryos, eggs, sperm cells, the period of their preservation and use by recipients, the rights and responsibilities of sperm and egg donors, legal and ethical nature of surrogacy,” Svetlana Shilova said.

The developers of the bill are to give answers to the following questions: how and for how long embryos should be preserved and what to do with them afterwards, how many embryos should be engrafted into a patient, whether or not to allow single women to undergo in vitro fertilization and until what age the procedure can be performed.

Svetlana Shilova noted that at present a woman of any age can come to a Belarusian ART center and say, “I want a baby!” In the west, though, in vitro fertilization is only performed on women under 40. Western doctors came to the conclusion that it is better to engraft one or in exceptional cases two embryos, the engrafting of three embryos is considered inefficient.

When asked if the bill will allow for in vitro fertilization free of charge, Svetlana Shilova said that it is not economically feasible. “It is a sophisticated and expensive procedure,” she said. The Belarusian healthcare system has more urgent and important issues to spend money on. Moreover, the procedure has become more available: today it costs $1,500, just up $500 compared with 15 years ago, though the salaries back then were15-20 times smaller. There are four in vitro fertilization centers in Belarus, two state-run centers (in Minsk and Gomel) and two commercial ones.

The bill will be drafted by members of he House of Representatives, Healthcare Ministry, in vitro fertilization experts. The draft law will take into consideration the experience and expertise of foreign states. After all, such laws have been introduced in many countries across the globe and almost in all the CIS member states.

The bill will be submitted to the House of Representatives in November-December 2010.

Economics...

Alexander Lukashenko: Belarus should increase pharmaceutical exports

From: BelTA

It is necessary to considerably reduce Belarus’ dependence on pharmaceutical imports and increase the exports of Belarusian medicines, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said at the government session held on 14 May to discuss the development of the domestic pharmaceutical industry.

A wise balance of imports and domestic products should be maintained, said the head of state.

“We have to teach our pharmaceutical industry and medicine to not only rapidly respond to epidemic threats but also to forestall panic, prevent prices for medications from skyrocketing, satisfy the nation’s demand for medications,” remarked Alexander Lukashenko. The advisability of the approach is determined by interests of Belarusian citizens, the need to protect their health and reduce the spending on medications. It is also necessitated by state interests: the need to save foreign currency, to spend the budget rationally, to support national producers, Alexander Lukashenko added.

The head of state reminded that the capacity of the Belarusian medications market is in excess of $600 million per annum. At present imported medications occupy almost 80% of the market “while in developed countries the ratio of 50 to 50 is considered as the optimal combination,” the President pointed out.

The state of affairs regarding the promotion of Belarusian medications onto foreign markets is even worse. It is a shame that the export of the entire national pharmaceutical industry is as low as $70-75 million, said Alexander Lukashenko. “It is also not appropriate to cover things up by the output growth rate of 110-111% while the share of domestic medications on the home market is under 20%. It is a trifle taking into account capabilities of Belbiopharm concern and vigorous consumer demand for such products”.

The President remarked that the prevalence of imported medications threatens the economy and the national security (there is a risk that there may be shortages of necessary medications for Belarusians).

Alexander Lukashenko gave an instruction to develop the production of drug substances in Belarus (at present only 49 out of 618 substances used by the Belarusian pharmaceutical industry are domestically produced).

Belarus-made pharmaceuticals should account for at least 50% of the Belarusian pharmaceutical market. Belarusian drugs should not become more expensive, while their quality should remain high, the head of state underlined.

The President gave an instruction to elaborate a pharmaceutical security strategy for Belarus to avoid heavy reliance on drug imports during epidemics and pandemics.

Alexander Lukashenko demanded to build up pharmaceutical exports. Belarus’ exports of medicines to Russia amount to about $40 million, while the Russian pharmaceutical market is estimated at $15 billion. This opens great opportunities for Belarusian exporters.

Apart from that, the President gave an instruction to thoroughly study the training of highly qualified pharmacologists in Belarus to improve the situation with human resources in the pharmaceutical industry.

The head of state also commissioned the State Control Committee with a task to carefully examine the procurement of foreign medicines and equipment. The relevant report should be submitted to the head of state by late May.

From the Foriegn Press...

Belarus is not only EU's neighbor but also friend, diplomat says

From: Navany

Belarus is not only the European Union's neighbor but also friend, Jose Manuel Pinto Teixeira, head of the European Commission's Delegation to Ukraine and Belarus, said at a reception in Minsk on May 13.

The diplomat noted that the EU had decided to restore relations with Minsk in the fall of 2008 and proposed a toast to Belarus, the Belarusian president and cooperation between Belarus and the EU.

Valery Varanetski, Belarus' deputy minister of foreign affairs, for his part, said that "much has yet to be done for the development of cooperation," pointing to the need to develop the legal framework governing bilateral relations, step up economic contacts, simplify visa rules and speed up the "process of harmonization in the spheres of mutual interest."

The launch of the Eastern Partnership program by the 27-nation bloc testifies to the growing role of its neighbors, he said in the Belarusian-language speech.

"The EU is one of the main trade, economic and investment partners of Belarus, its importance cannot be exaggerated," Mr. Varanetski said, describing Belarus as a "responsible and reliable partner of the EU" in the spheres of border control, energy security and environmental protection.

Leaders of Belarus, Vietnam want bilateral trade to rise to $1 billion

From: Navany

Vietnamese leader Nguyen Minh Triet said on Friday that he and Alyaksandr Lukashenka want bilateral annual trade to rise to $1 billion, as quoted by BelaPAN.

The politician made the remark while meeting with Barys Batura, chairman of the Council of the Republic, in Minsk.

Trade between Belarus and Vietnam amounted to $114.7 million last year.

Economic relations between Belarus and Vietnam are "modest" at present and the two countries are ready to contribute to the development of bilateral investment cooperation and help each other promote its goods in their regions, the Vietnamese president said.

Mr. Batura noted close political contacts between the two countries and their cooperation in the international arena. Vietnam is a priority partner among Southeast Asian countries for Belarus, he stressed.

"We have a high interstate level of cooperation, which is evidenced by your visit. I am certain that [your] talks with the Belarusian president, meeting with government officials will become an important stage of consistent cooperation between the countries. We are ready to discuss any issues," Mr. Batura said.

Belarus police break up gay pride march

From: Reuters

Belarussian police on Saturday broke up a gay and lesbian pride demonstration by about 20 participants who defied an official ban to gather on a side street in central Minsk and march with bright rainbow flags.

Some carried handwritten signs saying, "Today they ban gays, tomorrow they will ban you," in a short-lived protest that was the first of its kind organized by the Russian and Belarussian Slavic Pride rights group in the capital.

Police wearing black berets and armed with batons moved in after the protesters advanced about 300 meters down the street. They tore away the flags and hauled off the marchers, some of whom had traveled from Russia for the event.

"The police reaction was completely disproportionate to the threat which they thought the protesters posed," Russian activist Nikolai Alekseev told Reuters.

"There were 20 people there, behaving peacefully, there were no scuffles and there was no basis for such a rough operation by the authorities."

Between 5 and 10 of the parade participants were arrested, a Reuters reporter present at the event observed.

Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko is under Western pressure to enact political reforms and encourage broader civil rights in his country, which has seen ties with traditional ally Russian worsen recently.

Homosexuality was decriminalized in the early 1990s; but as in Russia there is little official tolerance of any public show and gay bars and other meeting places tend to be cautiously discreet.

Rights group Amnesty International issued a statement before the protest urging Minsk authorities to allow it to take place.

"The Belarusian authorities must demonstrate greater commitment to their human rights obligations, which clearly require the authorization of such events," said John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International's expert on discrimination in Europe.

"The authorities' refusal constitutes a blatant disregard for equality and the full respect of human rights in Belarus."

Belarus to Sell Up to $2 Billion in Bonds This Year and 2011

From: Businessweek

Belarus plans to sell as much as $2 billion of bonds over this year and next to boost foreign investment in the economy.

President Alexander Lukashenko authorized the government to offer bonds with maturity of at least five years outside Belarus, according to a decree posted on Belarus’ national legal Web Site today. External state debt will increase by $1.5 billion to $11 billion as of the end of this year, the decree said.

Belarus, a country of 10 million people with an economy the size of Sudan’s, received $3.5 billion of International Monetary Fund bailout loans last year. The country invited bids from banks to manage its debut sale of international bonds next year, Pavel Ladik, an aide to Finance Minister Andrei Kharkovets, said in a phone interview Nov. 13.

From the Opposition...

Kyrgyz press disclosed business ties of Lukashenka and Bakiyev

From: Charter '97

Deliveries of sugar from Belarus to Kyrgyzstan gave millions of revenues to Belarusian and Kyrgyz governments and their entourage, the press states.

In view of recent developments related to Kyrgyzstan, one of peculiar reasons for friendly sheltering of Kurmanbek Bakiyev in Belarus could be noted, writes a Kyrgyz publication "Case number..." (a link to this information has been douns by a blogger lipkovich.livejournal.com).

Thus, in 2009- 2010 almost all sugar import (about 80,000 tons annually) to Kyrgyzstan were made from Belarus.

From the Kyrgyz side sugar import was controlled by the Bakiyevs family and an adventurous deputy of the parliament Sergei Ibragimov, through imposed quotas on sugar import.

In Belarus, as noted by "Case number...", sugar export is totally controlled by the state, which also symbolises control over every business which brings millions of benefits to one person or his friends.

In this connection concrete preconditions of "hospitality" of the Belarusian ruler and offering an asylum to the ousted Bakiyev are outlined.

It would be appropriate to recall a quote from the saga about mafia: "It's nothing personal, it's strictly business" and suppose there is not only ideological brotherhood between Lukashenka and Bakiyev in their struggle for totalitarian regimes, but to a much extend struggle for lost profits from sugar business, the Kyrgyz source notes.

We remind that Kurmanbek Bakiyev stays in Blearus since April 19. The decision to offer him political asylum was adopted by Alyaksandr Lukashenka personally. It caused protest of the new government of Kyrgyzstan and the families of the killed protesters, at whom Bakiyev ordered to open fire. Pickets are held near the Embassy of Belarus in Bishkek constantly. The new government of Kyrgyzstan demands to extradite Bakiyev to his country, however the Belarusian authorities refuse to do that.

It is known that Bakiyev with one of his inofficial wives and children lives in Lukashenka's residence in Drazdy or in Berezensky natural reserve.

Siarhei Kavalenka sentenced to 3 years of conditional imprisonment

From: Viasna

The Kastrychnitski District Court of Vitsebsk issued a verdict on the criminal case against Siarhei Kavalenka, a Vitsebsk activist of the Conservative-Christian Party Belarusian Popular Front. On 13 May the state accuser, Zmitser Rudakou, asked to punish Kavalenka with three years of personal restraint.

However, as it became known from the court verdict, he was sentenced to 3 years of conditional imprisonment, and will also have to pay compensations to policemen Ivanou and Palityka (1 mln rubles (about $335) to each) and Maksimau – 1,5 mln rubles (about $503) and 1,222,000 rubles (about $410) to the Harsviatlo enterprise, for allegedly damaged illumination on the New Year tree, and 62,000 rubles (about $21) – to Zelianbud.

Judge Yauhen Burnou tried to end the trial on 13 May. However, he agreed to postpone the trial to 14 May because of the bad state of health of the defendant. The emergency doctors who were called to the court hall diagnosed Mr. Kavalenka with a high blood pressure and gave him the necessary injections.

Bear in mind that Siarhei Kavalenka was detained at about 1.p.m. on 7 January on the Peramohi Square in Vitsebsk after hanging out a white-red-white flag on the top of the 40-meter New Year tree. On 10 January the Vitsebsk prosecutor sanctioned Kavalenka’s placement to the pre-trial prison for two months. However, on 13 May he was suddenly released under undertaking not to leave.

Human rights defenders stated about the political motivation of the case from the very beginning of the legal proceedings, and took efforts to get Mr. Kavalenka released from custody. Before the beginning of the trial, the Human Rights Center Viasna issued an official statement concerning the political persecution of Siarhei Kavalenka.

Russia...

Protest at Russian mine blast site, 28 arrested

From: AP

Twenty-eight people were arrested when Russian authorities cracked down on a protest in a Siberian coal-mining town where at least 66 people died in explosions last weekend, officials said Saturday.

Media reports said more than 20 people had been injured late Friday evening after police clashed with the protesters, who had blocked a railroad in the disaster-struck town of Mezhdurechensk.

"Negotiations with regional government officials and police led to nothing. Soon afterwards, riot police began removing people from the railway. Rocks and bottles were thrown at the police," Russia's investigative committee said in a statement.

"Twenty-eight participants in the protest were taken to the Mezhdurechensk police station," the statement said.

The investigators' statement said that at least six police officers had been injured in the clashes in Mezhdurechensk, located in Russia's coal-rich Kemerovo region.

Earlier, Russian news agencies quoted Kemerovo police chief Alexander Yelin as saying that 22 people had been injured in the clashes, including 17 police officers and five protesters.

Russia's private Ren-TV television channel showed dozens of riot police with shields approaching the protesters in the night, while some young men threw rocks in response. It also showed a woman with a bloody face.

The liberal Echo of Moscow radio station reported that 200 people, including women and children, had blocked the railroad on Friday to demand better working conditions for coal miners after last weekend's tragedy.

At least 66 people were killed and 24 people remain missing following a pair of methane gas blasts on May 8 in the Raspadskaya coal mine, Russia's largest undergound coal mine, located in Mezhdurechensk.

The tragedy drew attention to complaints from Russia's coal miners that they work in dangerous condition for little pay.

"It is the fault of the authorities that they pushed people onto the rails," Ivan Mokhnachuk, head of Russia's independent coal-miners union, told Echo of Moscow on Saturday.

"When people are kept in the dark, when their questions are not answered, when they are left alone, when every day there are dozens of funerals and the authorities do not want to talk, a situation arises where people are displeased," he added.

State television mentioned nothing about the protests in Mezhdurechensk, which is located in the Kemerovo region of southern Siberia.

Russia's state-owned RZD railroad company announced that movement along the railway in Kemerovo had been restored, without explaining why it had halted in the first place.

Around 20 trains were delayed because of the protest, the investigative committee said.

Russian parliament to begin looking at new START treaty in 3 weeks

From: RIA Novosti

The new Russian-U.S. START treaty will be submitted to the Russian parliament for ratification in approximately three weeks, a top Russian senator said on Friday.

The new START treaty, signed on April 8 in Prague, replaces the 1991 pact that expired in December. The deal is expected to bring Moscow and Washington to a new level of cooperation in the field of nuclear disarmament and arms control.

"We [Russia] are also beginning work on the new START treaty ratification and the document will be submitted with the parliament in approximately three weeks," said Mikhail Margelov, who heads the Russian upper house's international relations committee.

The United States has already submitted the document for ratification with the Senate, and U.S. President Barack Obama discussed this with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday.

Margelov added that he would meet with U.S. Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense James Miller in the upper house of the Russian parliament on May 27 to discuss the ratification of the document.

He added that his committee would hold an extended session on June 21 concerning the simultaneous ratification of the new agreement by Russia and the United States.

The U.S. and Russian presidents earlier agreed that the two sides' ratification processes should be concurrent.

Experts believe that U.S. ratification could be delayed by Republican lawmakers who want to press the administration to commit to modernizing the U.S. nuclear forces while the reductions are underway.

The new treaty on strategic arms cuts stipulates that the number of nuclear warheads be reduced to 1,550 on each side over seven years, while the number of delivery vehicles, both deployed and non-deployed, must not exceed 800.

The pact must be approved by both houses of the Russian parliament and by the U.S. Senate to come into force.

Exclusive: Jailed billionaire hits out from cell

From: CNN

Russia's most famous prisoner, and once its richest citizen, says the latest corruption charges against him are designed to prevent his release from jail.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky, head of the giant Yukos oil company, has been jailed since his arrest, as his private jet was about to take off, in 2003. He was charged with fraud and tax evasion and subsequently sentenced to nine years behind bars. A Moscow court later reduced the sentence to eight years.

At the time of his arrest Khodorkovsky had been funding opposition political parties and considered running for public office himself.

He claims his trial was part of a Kremlin campaign to destroy him and take the company he built from privatization deals of the 1990s. The Kremlin has denied this.

Yukos, once the country's biggest oil producer, eventually went bankrupt in 2006 as a result of a $27.5 billion back-tax bill. A Russian court also ordered Khodorkovsky and his partner to pay about $600 million in back taxes.

But in March last year, when Khodorkovsky and his business partner Platon Lebedev, who was also arrested in 2003 and sentenced to eight years, had only two years left on their sentences, they went on trial on new charges of embezzlement and money laundering.

If convicted, they face up to an additional 22 years in prison

In an exclusive interview with CNN, Khodorkovsky maintained his innocence, insisting it is the charges that are fraudulent.

CNN was denied access to the former tycoon but managed to get written questions to him in his jail cell and he was able to respond.

Why have these new charges been brought against you? Do you suspect political motives?

The new charges have been brought to prevent my release from prison. They are undoubtedly politically-motivated since they have no merit whatsoever. To date, the prosecutors have failed to explain where they got the idea that all the oil produced by Yukos had been stolen. And that is exactly what I have been accused of.

Are you simply defending yourself and your former business, or is there a bigger principle at stake?

It was a painful experience for me to see my perfectly functional company laid to waste. However it is all history now. It is common knowledge today that things like a ban on businesses to finance independent opposition [parties], widespread illegal takeovers of property in Russia, and a manifold increase in corruption-motivated arrests of businessmen (their businesses are then seized), all began with the Yukos case.

Since Yukos was first seized, the cost of corruption in the [Russian] economy has grown from $30 billion to $240-300 billion. My trial is both a landmark and a symbol for this country.

Has your time in prison served any positive purpose?

At a certain point in my life I realized that I personally needed to do something to help build civil society in this country. However it was difficult for me to break free from what was a comfortable business routine, both psychologically and in terms of the public's perception of me. In that particular sense, prison has given me a chance to stop and rethink my values.

To what extent has this become a personal battle between you and Vladimir Putin?

Clearly, Putin finds me more than disagreeable. It's difficult for me to say to what extent my persecution and prosecution are based on political calculations, self-interest, or emotion. As for me, my career in business has taught me to keep my emotions under control.

What does your legal situation say about the rule of law in Russia?

There is not one serious-minded individual in Russia right now who would tell you that this trial is lawful. There is talk of whether such methods of achieving political goals are acceptable, and whether the goals are appropriate in the first place.

That the motives are political is no longer -- and hasn't been for a long time -- a subject for discussion. The legally sophisticated part of [Russian] society has also reached a consensus that charges against me are knowingly absurd. Therefore even answering a question about rule of law would be redundant.

From the Polish Scandal Files...

Lepper leaps back into limelight

From: NPE

Andrzej Lepper found himself back in the running for the job of president of Poland after the election committee reversed a decision barring the controversial politician from the race owing to his criminal record.

The National Election Committee (NEC), which is overseeing the organisation of the presidential election, ruled that Mr Lepper was free to take part in the vote, due to take place on July 4. This overturned its ruling made just 24 hours earlier which had ordered the politician’s removal from the list of candidates because of a slander conviction dating back to 2005.

Explaining the move, an apologetic Stefan Jaworski, the committee’s president, said that as Mr Lepper was waiting for his appeal against the conviction to be heard he was free to take part in the election. The NEC, he added, had been unaware of Mr Lepper’s appeal owing to incomplete records.

The about-face got an enthusiastic reception from Mr Lepper, a former farmer and deputy prime minister who leads the Self Defence party.

“I have no claim against the NEC,” said the Self Defence leader at a press conference in Warsaw. “I forgive the NEC for what it did yesterday.”

In his opinion, “the error was due to the fact that there are inaccuracies in the National Criminal Register”, and so he had no just reason to admonish the NEC.

The fiasco prompted the justice ministry to order improvements in the vetting procedures and to make sure the ministry’s database contained the latest information.

But although Mr Lepper can now rejoin the tussle for the country’s top job, the saga could return the glare of public attention to a past punctuated by clashes with the forces of law and order.

In February, the ex-farmer received a 27-month prison sentence after a court found him guilty of soliciting sexual favours from a party employee. Mr Lepper has also lodged an appeal against that conviction, which allowed him to enter the election race.

He has also faced numerous criminal charges in the past, including assault and criminal damage.

With his past back on the agenda, Mr Lepper’s already slim chances of having any significant impact on the election appear to be evaporating. Despite managing to come third in the last presidential election with a respectable 15 per cent, opinion polls now rate his popularity in single figures.

Polish police detain 5 football fans for unfurling large anti-Semitic banner at match

From: Canadien Press

Polish police said Friday that they have detained five football fans suspected of displaying large anti-Semitic banners at a match in southern Poland last weekend, while the country's soccer federation penalized the soccer club.

The banners were unfurled by fans of Resovia Rzeszow during a match Saturday against local rival Stala Rzeszow. One depicted a caricatured man with a large hooked nose wearing a striped yarmulke, a Jewish skullcap, in the blue-and-white colours of the opposing team. Those are also the colours of the Israeli flag and the skullcap's pattern evoked the striped prison garb worn by some prisoners at Auschwitz.

A second large banner read: "Death to the Hooked Noses."

Polish media reported that ahead of the game, fans marched through the city with a banner that said "The Aryan hordes are coming."

Police say in a statement that they detained five Rzeszow residents and charged two of them under a law banning public incitement against ethnic or religious groups.

Poland's football federation also banned Resovia Rzeszow fans from attending the team's games through the end of the season.

The Anti-Defamation League, a U.S. group that fights anti-Semitism, said it welcomed both the arrests and the punitive measure taken by the football federation.

Earlier in the week, the group condemned the incident, saying it was especially troubling given that only 700 of the 15,000 Jews who lived in Rzeszow before World War II survived the death camps that Nazi Germany set up on Polish soil.

"Jews were starved and executed in Rzeszow's ghetto, which was later transformed into a concentration camp for the region," the group said. "Some were sent to nearby death camps, while others were shot in the forest. Calling for death to Jews on the same spot cannot go unpunished."

POLICE WARNED ABOUT POLISH PRANKSTERS

From: Daily Star

POLICE have been warned about posing for photos with Polish pranksters.

The move comes after two officers were fooled at Buckingham Palace.

They had their picture taken with a group of Poles, one of them clutching a handwritten sign bearing the initials CHWDP, which stands for the Polish for: “A dick up the police’s ass.”

Now the Metropolitan Police have issued warning notices showing the photo in London stations, above.

It reads: “In case some nice Polish tourists ask for you to pose with them, internet research has revealed that CHWDP is common graffiti in Poland.

“It is short for: ‘Penis up the bottom of the police.’ Don’t get caught out!”

A Met Police source said: “Now we know about this we won’t be falling for it.”

Big Brother Hospital

From: NPE

Security cameras in Warsaw’s Wolski hospital are broadcasting images of treatment areas in breach of privacy laws and patients’ rights, it was revealed this week. Hospital administrators are adamant that the cameras are there for the security of patients and staff and see no problem. “Patients are observed to ensure their safety. They are areas where the hospital can’t guarantee constant supervision by nurses,” Jolanta Borowiecka-Tenus, the hospital’s Deputy Director explained to reporters.

However not all patients are happy with the situation, and neither is the Patient Ombudsman. “This is a blatant breach of patient rights, breaking the right to privacy and dignity. CCTV can be installed, but in public areas, not where treatment is given.” Krystyna Barbara Kozlowska told reporters, adding that the practices could see the hospital fined up to PLN 500,000

SPORT...

Russia beats Belarus to stay unbeaten at worlds, Norway thumps France

From: BelTA

Defending champion Russia beat Belarus 3-1 to sweep its three group matches at the world ice hockey championship.

Alex Ovechkin scored his third goal of the tournament Thursday, and Sergei Mozyakin and Artyom Anisimov added goals as Russia took a 3-0 after 35 minutes. Goalie Semyon Varlamov saved 19 shots in his first action for Russia.

"It's positive and we've got the job done in the three first games," Russia forward Sergei Federov said. "There's no time to relax, we will face a lot of good teams and we have to concentrate on doing our things much better every day."

Alexei Kalyuzhny scored in the final period for Belarus.

Slovakia secured second place in Group A with a 5-1 win over Kazakhstan. Ivan Ciernik, playing in his Cologne Sharks home arena, scored twice for Slovakia.

In Group C, Sweden lost 2-1 to the Czech Republic, but won the group. Combined with Norway's 5-1 over France, the result gave Sweden, the Czechs and Norway spots in the second round.

Sweden took first place in the group with the best goal differential in head-to-head games, and the Czechs were second.

France lost all three games and will face the United States, Italy and Kazakhstan against relegation.

Endnote...

How welcome are Poles in Northern Ireland?

From: BBC

Before the EU was expanded less than 30 Polish people lived in NI

It has been six years since Northern Ireland experienced an influx of Polish migrant workers under EU expansion.

But how many of those are beginning to put down firm roots? BBC News Online's Emily Thomas explores the integration of Polish immigrants in Northern Ireland.

The view that all Polish people in Northern Ireland are temporary migrant workers is beginning to fade.

As Polish Cultural Week draws to a close, Belfast has for the fourth year running been exposed to all things Polish, from decorative paper cutting to traditional folk music.

The festival does more than display Poland's cultural offerings. The scale of the 11-day event reflects the presence of Northern Ireland's large Polish migrant population.

And the recent recruitment of the first Polish police officer, due to begin work in Newry, Co Down, indicates genuine integration of Polish migrants is increasingly taking place.

This is quite a progression from 2008 when it was revealed that no Polish people were accepted into the PSNI, following a recruitment drive in 2006 that attracted applications from 968 Poles.

Poles apart?

Dr Marta Kempny, of Queen's University, has studied Polish immigration to NI extensively.

She says immigrants find the place "very accommodating", and feel they receive great help from the local institutions and public sector.

But some evidence suggests the situation isn't always so rosy.

Race hate crimes have grown steadily in the past 10 years.

When police started recording racially motivated crime in 1996 there were just 41 incidents, but in the past year 712 racist crimes were committed, and 1,038 racist incidents reported.

A freedom of information request in 2009 revealed that 28% of racist crimes were committed against Polish people.

And in July 2008 an Equality Commission survey found negative views towards minority groups were considerably more prevalent than three years earlier.

These tensions have been shown through a number of racially motivated incidents.

Tensions

In April, a Polish family's shop in Ballymoney was defaced with racist graffiti. Shortly afterwards the family said they would continue to trade - but would remove the sign saying 'Polish shop'.

In the same month the High Court in Belfast heard that there was a "racist motive" to the murder in Newry in 2009 of a Polish man, who had been kicked in the head and had his throat stamped on.

And in June 2009 it was claimed that 40 immigrants left their homes in Belfast amid tensions following riots involving NI and Polish football fans.

Maciej Bator, director of the Polish Association of Northern Ireland, emphasises that it is "just a minority" of people "who think NI is just for the British and Irish" and explains the rise in hate incidents as partly to do with increased awareness amongst Polish immigrants.

"After six years Polish people understand the mechanisms of defence: how they can get in touch with the PSNI and what a hate crime is, and they have the confidence to report crimes," he said.

He said the situation for immigrants is complicated by the "different rules" in "different communities", and says Polish people need "to learn the rules of both".

Dr Kempny acknowledges that discrimination is still an issue, but says it occurs "mostly at work places of individuals, who are often exploited and abused by their employers".

She says the "problem of ethnic hatred and prejudice" has been "gradually decreasing" since 2004, as locals have become more used to newcomers.

A "religious factor" still plays an important role in integration between the Polish and Northern Irish, she said, as "Polish people are considered as predominantly Catholics by the Northern Irish community".

"In my research I came across certain situations in which individuals who rented accommodations in the Protestant areas of Belfast, the Village in particular, have experienced incidents of hate crime", she added.

Dr Kempny emphasises that the process of integration has only just started, with the population becoming stable and people settling to have families and intending to stay permanently.

"More time is needed for some individuals to learn intercultural awareness and tolerance," she said.

Influx

And it's undeniable that Polish people and locals in NI faced a steep learning curve.

The rise in numbers of immigrants to NI over the past six years has been sudden and dramatic.

Before 2004 there were no more than 30 Polish people living in NI, according to Mr Bator.

Since then, the decline in paramilitary violence, the joining of Poland to the EU and the rise of unemployment in Poland led to an influx of Polish immigrants, with the Polish community now estimated to be around 35,000.

This amounts to less than 2% of the population, but a significant proportion of the migrant population; almost 60% of migrants to NI from the new EU states are Polish.

'Suspicious'

Official figures indicate that the immigration rate may now be slowing, partly due to the economic downturn and increased opportunities in Poland.

In fact, Poland is now experiencing its own influx of immigration, explored in Borders, a photographic exhibition for Polish Cultural Week, showing members of different ethnic groups wearing Polish national costumes.

Festival co-ordinator Ewa Grosman hopes that the festival will show the Northern Irish how much Polish culture has to offer.

"The week shows that Polish people in the community bring their own culture that is rich and worth exploring", she said.

Mr Bator says that Northern Irish people are already very curious about Polish culture, with many visiting Krakow.

"The Northern Irish are a bit suspicious at the beginning," he says, "but when you find a way to reach them they are very friendly and welcoming."

Victory Day, CIS, EU, Russia, Korea, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Kazulin, NATO; News Sport, Culture and Polish scandal

2010-05-09T17:18:00.000+03:00

From the Top...

#509

Alexander Lukashenko: Victory Day is momentous for Belarusians

From: BelTA

The Victory Day is momentous for the Belarusian people, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said at the parade of the Minsk garrison troops dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War on 9 May.

“The dedication and courage of those who survived the most terrible ordeals and won the cruelest war of the last century will always live in people’s memory. The meaning of the Victory for the whole humankind is timeless. It became a symbol of the triumph of life over death, freedom over slavery, humanism over racism; it embodies the fair retribution for aggression and violence, it served as a strong condemnation of wild ambitions and ideas of world domination,” the Belarusian head of state said.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that no other country suffered from the war as much as Belarus did. Because of barbarous genocide, Belarus lost one third of its population. Almost the entire infrastructure was destroyed leaving ashes of burnt villages and ruins of once flourishing towns.

Belarus President urges to stop revision of WW2

It is necessary to stop the revision of the history and the perversion of the truth about WW2, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said at the parade of the Minsk garrison troops dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War on 9 May.

“Many countries took part in the fight against the aggressor. However, the historic truth is that the key role in the anti-fascist struggle belongs to the Soviet Union. It was the Soviet Union that reversed the course of the Second World War, determined the outcome of the war, shaped the future of our Motherland and many other states and people, and in fact the whole world,” the President of Belarus said.

Unfortunately, the head of state continued, more and more people try to pervert the truth and downgrade the importance of the Great Heroic Deed of our soldiers and partisans, besmirch patriots who fought for the liberation of their country. “The worst of it is that such efforts are becoming a political trend. Today we need to do our utmost to stop the revision of the history,” Alexander Lukashenko added.

“The year 1941 witnessed not only the clash of the states and huge military powers. It was a global struggle between different political systems, opposing moral and spiritual values. We won this battle. All the people committed themselves to the defense of their Fatherland. This was the reason why the war entered the history as the Great Patriotic War,” the Belarusian President said.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, the most important aspect of the Victory is a strong fraternity of the Soviet people of various nationalities. The day of 9 May is a common holiday for Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, all the members of the Commonwealth of Independent States. “Today during the parade in Minsk, Moscow and Kyiv, the military of the fraternal Slavonic nations stand shoulder to shoulder. The memory of the heroic deeds is sacred. However, to avoid the tragic mistakes, we need to draw the right conclusions from the past,” the Belarusian leader said.

“We urge all the countries of the world not to disregard new challenges and dangerous trends that threaten our security,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

Presidents of Belarus, Russia, Ukraine unveil monument to Cities of Military Glory in Moscow

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko together with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts Dmitry Medvedev and Viktor Yanukovych took part in a ceremony to unveil a monument to the cities that have been awarded the honorary title of the Russian Federation, City of Military Glory. The ceremony took place in the Alexander Gardens of Moscow on 8 May.

The new monument continues the Alley of the Hero Cities at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Speaking at the ceremony, Alexander Lukashenko called this event very symbolic. “This is a continuation of the glorious traditions in the sacred place in memory of the Great Victory,” the Belarusian President said.

The Belarusian head of state stated that the presidents of the three countries are resolute to preserve the memory of the heroic deeds during the Great Patriotic War. “The fact that we are together today is a testament to it,” he added. Alexander Lukashenko stressed that Belarus holds sacred the memory of those years. “After the Soviet Union collapse we have always marked this day at the highest level. I want to assure all Russians, Ukrainians and my counterparts from Russia and Ukraine that you can always count on the Belarusians. Together, we are invincible,” the Belarusian President said.

Addressing the veterans from Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, who were present at the ceremony, Alexander Lukashenko said: “I have the one and only command for you. Please live as long as possible. Congratulations on the Great Victory!"

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called the opening of the monument one of the landmark events. “This is the symbol of our common Victory,” he said and added that the Cities of Military Glory are as important as the cities that were awarded the title of hero cities in the Soviet years. “This embodies the unity and friendship between our countries and nations,” the Russian President said.

Belarus will always honor heroic deeds of Soviet people, Alexander Lukashenko says

Belarus will always honor the unfading heroic deeds of the Soviet people, said Alexander Lukashenko at the Minsk military parade dedicated to the 65th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, BelTA informs.

“We are deeply thankful to you, dear veterans. You may be confident that Belarus will always honor the unfading heroic deeds of the Soviet people,” said Alexander Lukashenko addressing the veterans.

The President noted that all plans of the Government are aimed at the only objective – to create conditions for decent life of Belarusian people. “We need no help from the outside; we create our well-being by ourselves. Only by hard everyday labor we can make our native country a strong and prosperous state,” stressed the Belarusian President.

“We should have faith in ourselves and consolidate our nation and society. This is the only way to the victory. This is the manifestation of high morale of the unconquerable and self-respecting nation. Hopefulness and consolidation is the key to success. This motto of the generation of winners will always be up to date,” Alexander Lukashenko believes.

Alexander Lukashenko wished everybody good health, peace, happiness and well-being.

Other Belarusian News...

CIS leaders urge to interact actively to strengthen global security and stability

From: BelTA

The CIS leaders urge to interact actively to strengthen the security and stability in the world, says the address by the Heads of State of the Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States to the Peoples of the Member States of the Commonwealth and to the International Community in Connection with the 65th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

On 9 May 2010, the peoples of the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. In what was the most aggressive and ruthless of wars, the multiethnic people of the Soviet Union and their Armed Forces defended the freedom and independence of their Fatherland, liberated many countries from fascist enslavement, reads the address.

On the frontline and in the rear, our peoples showed selflessness and mass heroism, patriotism and internationalism and unheard-of perseverance, without which the victory would not have been possible. History knows no greater perseverance. Nor does it know greater determination to win.

”The greatness of the exploit performed by our peoples has not been overshadowed by time. The more time passes, the clearer we realize the historic significance of the mission of the Victory soldiers who defended the right to future. This is why, addressing the peoples of the member states of the Commonwealth and the world community today, we are saying "thank you" to the veterans. We urge to pay homage to the heroes-victors not only by word but also by deed, to give care to the participants of the war and toilers of the rear on an every-day basis, give them attention and create decent living conditions,” says the address.

For our people, the 9th of May, the Victory Day, remains a day of celebration of justice, day of pride and nationwide mourning for millions of victims of that infinitely ferocious and horrendous war. We hold sacred and dear the names of those who died the death of the brave in the years of the Great Patriotic War. We owe an unplayable debt of gratitude to those who, at the cost of their lives, defended the Fatherland and our freedom.
We will not forget the heroism of soldiers and toilers of the rear who saved the world from fascism.

The heads of state urge to commemorate those who died for freedom and independence of their Motherland, to make sure military cemeteries, memorial compounds, monuments, obelisks and graves of guerrilla fighters and prisoners of Nazi camps are taken good care of; to intensify the search for the remains of the soldiers and civilians who died at the hands of Nazi invaders during the Great Patriotic War.

“We have never divided the Victory into ours and someone else’s. We have always paid homage to the courage of those who resisted Nazism. We do remember the contribution made by our allies in the anti-Hitlerite coalition to the Victory, their help to us,” reads the address. But the biggest and, ultimately, decisive events unfolded on the Soviet-German front. Our countries lost tens of millions of people during the war. Among the fallen on battlefields were people of all ethnicities.

“Considering that the peoples of our country have made the decisive contribution to the Victory, we are urging to cultivate in the younger generation the feeling of pride for the common heroic history and for the great exploit performed in the fight against fascism. Reaffirming our commitment to the universally recognized principles and norms of international law, the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act, we are urging to interact actively to strengthen security and stability in the world, enhance efforts to fight international terrorism and extremism, promote peaceful settlement of the existing and prevention of possible conflicts,” reads the address.

EU willing to promote relations with Belarus in many areas

From: BelTA

The European Union would like to develop relations with Belarus in the largest number of areas possible, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Belarus Rosemary Thomas told a press conference held on 5 May to highlight the forthcoming European Film Festival in Minsk.

The diplomat believes that it is culture that connects all the countries of Europe together. Culture is a good foundation for developing relations in other areas. Rosemary Thomas also said that cultural cooperation with Belarus is important. In her words, the European Film Festival is exactly the way to step up Belarus-EU cultural cooperation.

Among the organizers of the European cinema art festival are the UK embassy in Minsk on behalf of the EU's presiding country Spain, embassies of European Union countries in Belarus, the European Union representation.

The festival will begin on 10 May, the next day after the Europe Day, which is marked on 9 May by many European countries. The Europe Day is supposed to stand for peace and unity in Europe. In the European Union the Europe Day is also known as Schumann Day after the historic declaration by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, who is regarded as one of the European Union founders.

At the festival visitors will be able to watch seventeen films from sixteen countries: Belarus, Bulgaria, the UK, Hungary, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Finland, France, Czechia, Sweden and Estonia. The festival will be opened by the Belarusian movie Reka Zhizni (river of life) at the movie theater Pobeda in Minsk on 10 May.

The festival will take place in movie theaters of Minsk, Mogilev, and Bobruisk and will last till 4 June. Visiting the movie theaters in Minsk will be free of charge. In Mogilev and Bobruisk it will be possible to book a certain number of free tickets in advance.

The festival will feature movies of various genres from fairy tales to historic dramas. The financial support for the festival has been provided by the European Union representation in Minsk and 15 embassies of European Union countries. The festival will be held with assistance of the Belarusian Culture Ministry.

Belarus moves to 7th position as Russia’s trade partner

From: BelTA

According to the Federal Customs Service of Russia, Belarus has fallen from the 5th to the 7th position in the list of Russia’s main trading partners in Q1 2010.

According to the statistical data provided by Russia’s Federal Customs Service, in January-March the bilateral trade made up $5.656,6 million, up 17.4% compared with the same period a year before. Belarus’ export to Russia outpaced the import. Belarus exported products worth $2.027,1 billion to Russia (up 48.9%), the import rose 5% to reach $3.629,5 billion.

Despite the trade growth, Belarus’ share in Russia’s foreign trade edged down by 4.3%. In 2009, Belarus accounted for 5% in Russia’s foreign trade, 5.3% in Q1 2009. The drop is attributed to a more rapid trade growth with other countries.

In 2009, Belarus was fifth largest trading partner of Russia after Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and China. In Q1 2010, the trade between Russia and Germany made up $11.050,6 billion (up 50.4%), the Netherlands $13.265,8 billion (up 87.9%), China $11.953,6 billion (up 57.9%), Italy $8.745,5 billion (up 40.6%). Apart from that, in January-March Belarus was outstripped by Ukraine and Turkey as Russia’s major trading partners. Russia-Ukraine trade amounted to $7.202,2 billion, up 103.2%, and the trade with Turkey made up $5.876,7 billion, up 31.6%.

At the same time, Belarus posts a bigger trade volume with Russia than such economically developed countries as the US, Canada, Japan, France and the UK.

Belarusian-Korean center for scientific and technical cooperation to be set up in Minsk

From: BelTA

A Belarusian-Korean center for scientific and technical cooperation is supposed to be set up in Minsk, BelTA learned from Yuri Alekseyev, Director General of the BNTU’s hi-tech park Polytechnic.

Soon scientists of the two countries will discuss the terms of the project. Korean specialists are expected to visit Minsk the next week to consider the possibility of setting up the center, said the source. The new institution will contribute to the fulfillment of new Belarusian-Korean joint research, promotion of Belarusian products onto the Korean market, establishment of new business ties between Belarusian research centers and Korean companies, establishment of new science-intensive enterprises. The center will be able to offer consulting services to juridical and natural persons during the signing of contracts for the sake of creating joint innovation institutions and enterprises.

The hi-tech park Polytechnic already hosts centers for scientific and technical cooperation with Venezuelan, Kazakh, and Syrian scientists. It is also home to the Belarusian center for scientific and technical cooperation with Chinese provinces. “Cooperation with China provinces develops most dynamically,” remarked Yuri Alekseyev. “For instance, in the near future we plan to implement a major research project to assess heat losses of buildings. The results will benefit the two countries”.

The hi-tech park Polytechnic of the Belarusian National Technical University was created in 1992. It offers development and the launch of batch production of new technologies, materials and equipment. In addition, it helps small innovation companies to promote their products.

Economics...

Mogilevkhimvolokno affected by higher export duties on oil products

From: BelTA

Russia’s increase in export duties on oil products exported to Belarus has negatively affected the performance of the Mogilev-based chemical company Mogilevkhimvolokno, BelTA learned from Marina Kostyuchenko, Press Secretary of the Belarusian petrochemical concern Belneftekhim.

She remarked that Mogilevkhimvolokno uses paraxylene as the primary material used in its manufacturing processes. Paraxylene makes up 64% of the prime cost of Mogilevkhimvolokno products. The cost of paraxylene has increased by 20-25% following Russia’s introduction of export duties on oil products in January 2010. To compensate for at least part of the increased costs, the company had to correspondingly raise prices for products made using paraxylene. The company is now on the lookout for alternative ways to acquire paraxylene.

According to Marina Kostyuchenko, Mogilevkhimvolokno was designed and built as the basic platform to manufacture polyester threads and yarns for the USSR’s entire industry. It was supposed to get basic raw materials (paraxylene and mono ethylene glycol) from Russian oil refineries. The scheme has existed for 40 years already. Mogilevkhimvolokno is a reliable business and strategic partner. The fact is confirmed by long-term contracts signed with the Russian companies Gazprom Neft (a five-year contract), SIBUR (a three-year contract) and Nizhnekamskneftekhim (a three-year contract). The entire time Mogilevkhimvolokno has focused on supplying its products to Russian partners as a priority.

Paraxylene is used in Russian automobile and light industries, road construction, roofing materials production, by the Emergencies Ministry. In Q1 2010 Mogilevkhimvolokno’s exports to Russia rose by 20%. Marina Kostyuchenko remarked that Russian customers are concerned by the growing import of Asian analogues of their products, which may fill the market and oust Russian manufacturers, making them to give workers the sack.

Mogilevkhimvolokno is a major European producer of polyester yarns and fibers and the only CIS large manufacturer of dimethyl terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate. The company was established in 1968 and reincorporated as a joint stock venture in 2002. It comprises four plants and one major manufacturing facility. The product lineup includes over 100 titles. The company employs over 10,000 people.

Belarus, IMF to discuss cooperation prospects in Minsk on 12-25 May

An IMF staff mission will start working in Minsk on 12 May, BelTA learnt from the IMF Office in Belarus.

The IMF mission led by Chris Jarvis will stay in Minsk till 25 May.

The IMF mission and the Belarusian authorities are set to discuss Belarus’ social and economic development, monetary and tax policy, prospects and forms of the further cooperation.

A reminder, in an interview with Reuters President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus will continue cooperation with the IMF.

According to the estimates of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus, the Stand-By Arrangement concluded between Belarus and the IMF in January 2009, played a key role in stabilizing the economic situation in the country in 2009-early 2010. The program helped maintain stability on the foreign currency market, boost the financial system and encourage investors and businessmen.

The total financial resources provided under the Stand-By Arrangement are estimated at about $3.5 billion.

Belarus’ international reserve assets up 6.7% in January-April

In January-April 2010 Belarus’ international reserve assets calculated using the IMF methods were up 6.7% to $6032.5 million, BelTA learnt from the information department of the National Bank.

In line with the methods used by the International Monetary Fund, Belarus’ international reserves are defined as marketable foreign assets, which consist of monetary gold, the country’s special drawing rights in the IMF, the country’s reserve position in the IMF and foreign currency reserves. The reserve assets can be promptly used for money market interventions in order to stabilize the exchange rate of the national currency, to finance the import of goods and services by the government, for paying and servicing the foreign national debt and for other purposes.

In January-April 2010 Belarus’ international reserve assets calculated using national methods increased by 8.8% (by $524.1 million) to $6502.6 million.

As of 1 May hard currency accounted for the larger part of the international reserve assets of Belarus ($3357.8 million, or 51.6%) along with precious metals and gems ($1227 million, or 18.9%). In January-April the hard currency assets went up by 32.7%, the volume of precious metals and gems was up by 8%. Other assets amounted to $1917.8 million, or 29.5%. In January-April they decreased by 17%.

BelTA reported earlier that the NBRB expects the country’s gold and foreign currency reserves to increase by $0.5-1.83 billion in 2010. This is envisaged in the draft monetary policy guidelines of Belarus.

From the Foriegn Press...

Foreign veterans to attend Victory parade on Red Square

From: RIA Novosti

Over 200 veterans from 24 foreign countries have arrived in Moscow to attend World War Two Victory Day celebrations on Sunday.

Victory Day marks the final surrender by Nazi Germany to the U.S.S.R. in WWII, often referred to as the Great Patriotic War in Russia and other states in the former Soviet Union.

Belarus and Ukraine sent the largest delegations of veterans to Moscow. Other delegations arrived from other ex-Soviet states and former Soviet allies in the WWII - the United States, France and Great Britain.

This year's parade Moscow's Red Square involves over 10,000 personnel, 150 tracked and wheeled military vehicles, as well as 127 aircraft and helicopters.

U.S., British, Polish and French troops are taking part in the parade for the first time in history.

After the parade, the foreign veterans will lay flowers to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexandrovsky Gardens near the Kremlin and attend a number of festive events in the Russian capital.

CSTO adopts documents on Kyrgyzstan, nuclear disarmament

From: Xinua

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) adopted two documents on Kyrgyzstan and the newly signed treaty on strategic arms reduction (START) respectively at the informal summit held near Moscow on Saturday.

The post-Soviet security bloc urged "the earliest possible peaceful return of public and political life into the boundaries of law" in Kyrgyzstan, said one statement as quoted by news agencies.

Except Kyrgyzstan, leaders from all the other six CSTO members including Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan attended the summit and voiced concern over the situation in the Central Asian state that witnessed the ouster of its president and the formation of an interim government early April.

Regarding these incidents as Kyrgyz internal affairs, CSTO leaders said in the statement that hopefully without use of violence the Kyrgyz people could normalize the domestic situation, restore law and order, as well as legitimize the state authority as soon as possible.

Another document adopted at the informal summit welcomed the signing of the START between Russia and the United States on April 8 in Czech capital of Prague.

"The CSTO member states regard this agreement as an important element of the international security architecture, reflecting the substantial contribution made by Russia and the United States to nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation," the statement said.

The statement meanwhile called on all members of the nuclear club to join the Russian-U.S. efforts and contribute to the disarmament process.

The CSTO leaders were visiting Moscow to attend the 65th anniversary of Victory Day.

Iran launches wire, car production units in Belarus

From: Tehran Times

Iran inaugurated a large copper wire factory and the second phase of Samand car assembly line in Beluarus on Saturday.

Iranian Industries and Mines Minister Ali-Akbar Mehrabian and Belarusian Minister of Industry Alexander Radovic attended the inauguration ceremonies, the Mehr News Agency reported.

The copper wire factory was established at the cost of $8 million by Iran's private sector. The unit is projected to produce 34,000 tons of copper wire per year. The factory’s raw materials will be exported from Iran to Belarus.

Currently the two countries’ trade value stands at $3.250 billion.

In May 2009, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko met with Vice-Governor of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Reza Raei, to enhance an oil production project in the Jofeir field, located in Southwestern Iran near the border with Iraq.

Subsequently, the Central Bank of Iran agreed to lend $212m to Belarusneft for the project

Two Belarusian Rights Activists Arrested

From: RFE/RL

wo human rights activists were detained by police in the western Belarusian town of Berastse on May 7, RFE/RL's Belarus Service reports.

Police arrested Roman Kislyak and Andrey Sharenda as they distributed texts of the "International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance" not far from the local prosecutor's office in Berastse.

The action by the rights defenders was to mark the 11th anniversary of the disappearance of former Belarusian Interior Minister Yury Zaharanka.

Several prominent individuals disappeared in Belarus in 1999 and 2000, including former Deputy Parliament Speaker Viktar Hanchar, businessman Anatol Krasousky, journalist Dzmitry Zavadzsky, and Zaharanka.

All of them are presumed dead. Their relatives believe the Belarusian secret services are behind the abductions and possible killings.

Sharenda has been arrested and jailed in recent years for such things as taking part in unsanctioned gatherings and putting the opposition's national flag on a
university building.

From the Opposition...

Natallya Radzina: People fed up with lies

From: Charter '97

It’s difficult for me to describe the 16 years that Belarus has suffered under the dictatorship of Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

Half my life. People have been killed, abducted, arrested, intimidated, jailed and blackmailed by the regime throughout these years.

We don’t have independent TV channels, or radio stations. Most of the free newspapers have been closed. TV journalist Zmitser Zavadski, who had at one time been a Lukashenka’s personal cameraman, was abducted and killed. Journalist Veranika Charkasova, who investigated ties between the Belarusian regime and the regime of Saddam Hussein, was murdered. Some of my colleagues were sentenced to restriction of liberty for criticizing Lukashenka in their articles. Pavel Mazheika, Viktor Ivashkevich, and Mikalai Markevich served two years of compulsory labour for this. This is a Soviet-style form of punishment — one has to live in a prison-like guarded facility, which is situated far from home as a rule, and do low-paid work, for example tree cutting.

Until recently, the internet was the only source of true information. But now the dictatorship has decided to deprive the Belarusians of an opportunity to learn the truth about the events in the country.

Two criminal cases have been opened against the Belarusian opposition’s most popular internet-resource charter97.org (which I work for). In March our office was raided and eight computers were seized. I was beaten by a masked police man. They didn’t introduce themselves; they just burst into my apartment and hit me in the face.

I am called in for interrogation all the time. It’s annoying and hinders my work. This is the aim of the authorities. Two criminal cases have been initiated against charter97.org, in connection with articles about the corruption among high officials, who had allegedly defamed a KGB regional head, and readers’ comments on the articles on our website.

I believe the attack on charter97.org is related to the upcoming presidential elections, scheduled for early 2011. The authorities are afraid of the growing popularity of independent internet resources. The people, tired of lies of the official media, are looking for the truth.

Our website was attacked just after an interview with Andrei Sannikov, the European Belarus civil campaign leader, had been published, where he announced his decision to run for presidency. It’s no coincidence that Andrei Sannikov’s wife journalist Iryna Khalip is also a witness in the criminal case over “libel” against A KGB officer.

Lukashenka has a great fear of the upcoming presidential elections, the greatest fear he has ever had. He knows he lost the people’s support long ago, and realises what a dangerous exercise rigging election results for 17 years is. This fear means he could do anything.

Lukashenka’s decree on the Internet comes into force on 1 July. Under the decree, all opposition internet resources can be closed and journalists arrested.

Anything may happen to me and my fellow journalists. We need the solidarity of journalists, human rights activists, politicians, and people all over the world. The silence of the European Union, which doesn’t react to the outrageous situation in Belarus, insults us and all those who stand for European values.

Belarus doesn’t have oil and gas, but 10 million people live there. London has almost the same population. Imagine the same things are happening to you and your families, while the world stands idly by and says “at least people aren’t being killed in the streets.” Maybe Europe wants us to be murdered?

Kazulin to be tried for using obscene language near Supreme Court

From: Viasna

Well-known politician Aliaksandr Kazulin, detained yesterday near the Supreme Court, will stand trial for alleged usage of obscene language there. The trial is scheduled for 11 a.m. on 12 May at the Leninski District Court of Minsk.

Bear in mind, that yesterday Kazulin and many other people came to the Supreme Court to hear the verdict on the criminal case against Mikalai Autukhovich, Uladzimir Asipenka, Mikhail Kazlou and Aliaksandr Laryn, and express solidarity with the political prisoners. Mr. Kazulin was a presidential candidate in 2006, and spent 2,5 years behind bars on politically motivated charges.

Aliaksandr Kazulin: ‘We are charged with violation of public order, shouting, expressing dissatisfaction with the court verdict and ‘used obscene expressions’. It is stated that when the police made a remark about it, we started using even more obscene language.’

According to the politician, he was detained on the way home, at the crossing of the Lenin and Marx streets. The detention was deliberate, as Kazulin was pulled out of a group of people who walked near him. The riot police silently pulled the politician in a paddy wagon, without answering the demands to explain the reasons for the detention.

Mr. Kazulin says that the policemen didn’t beat him. ‘I wasn’t beaten, but the youngsters who were pulled there after me, were. Yaramionak suffered quite a bit. They stopped the beating only when I rushed towards him. Before this, he was thrown down on the floor and kicked in the ribs.’

Russia...

NATO troops take part in Moscow Victory Day parade

From: DW

Russian military jets fly in formation over Red Square on Sunday

Foreign troops from four NATO member states marched on Moscow's Red Square for the first time on Sunday as part of a parade marking the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Around 1,000 troops from Britain, France, Poland and the United States took part in the military parade, alongside some 10,000 members of the Russian army and soldiers from ex-Soviet countries Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine.

"Sixty-five years ago, Nazism was defeated and a machine that was exterminating whole peoples was halted," Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in his speech. "There was one choice – either victory or to become slaves. The war made us a strong nation."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Moscow on Saturday to take part in the commemoration, joining Medvedev, Chinese President Hu Jintao and around two dozen other world leaders at the military parade.

Anger as NATO prepares to join Red Square parade

In a related Reuters story, Foreign leaders including President Hu Jintao of China and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will watch as over 11,000 troops from World War Two victors Russia, the United States, Britain and France parade to the sound of a huge military band.

Russia's Communists, still the country's biggest opposition party, pledged to hold a protest march in central Moscow after the parade. They will chant slogans against NATO forces for marching over a hallowed square which is also home to the embalmed body of their revolutionary hero, Vladimir Lenin.

"Foreign troops have never appeared on Red Square. It's a violation of tradition," said Sergei Obukhov, a member of the party's Central Committee.

"The presence of foreign troops with weapons in their hands is...an unnecessary reminder that we lost the Cold War."

Obama, unable to come to Moscow because of a scheduling clash, praised the invitation to NATO troops.

"President Medvedev has shown remarkable leadership in honoring the sacrifices of those who came before us, and in speaking so candidly about the Soviet Union's suppression of elementary rights and freedoms," he said in a statement.

Victory Day is one of Russia's most important public holidays and Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said that this year's commemorations would be among the biggest ever, with over 102,000 troops marching in cities across this vast country.

But contemporary concerns have also intruded. French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi canceled their attendance at the last minute, citing the need to deal with the crisis surrounding the euro currency.

Continuing a tradition begun by Stalin, Soviet and then Russian troops have marched in Red Square every year on May 9 to mark the capitulation of Nazi forces in Berlin.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin revived two years ago a Soviet-era tradition of parading tanks, missiles and military vehicles across the square and flying helicopters, fighters and bombers low overhead.

While Medvedev greeted war veterans on Saturday, accompanied by Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovich and Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko, Putin hosted a special meeting and dinner at his country retreat outside Moscow for China's Hu.

The Kremlin, which is eager to shore up its influence and tighten ties two decades after the Soviet breakup, is using this year's parade to stress bonds among the former republics, many of whose leaders will attend.

Among the weaponry on show this year will be Russia's latest S-400 air Defense system, which claims to be capable of shooting down up to six missiles or aircraft simultaneously at a distance of up to 400 km (250 miles).

China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates are said to be interested in buying the system.

British military personnel marching in the the largest-ever post-Soviet military parade

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi pulled out of the event to instead concentrate on the European financial crisis.

In an interview with the Russian Itar-Tass news agency, Merkel said the invitation to the victory celebration was a great honor.

She said the gesture showed that Russia and Germany had learned from history and could live in peace and friendship.

In 2005, Gerhard Schroeder became the first German chancellor to be invited to the Red Square victory celebration.

Protests planned

Angela Merkel is the second German chancellor to be invited to the Victory Day commemorations

Russia's Communists, the country's biggest opposition party, were planning to hold a protest march in central Moscow after the parade.

They were angry that NATO troops had been given permission to march on the square, home to the embalmed body of their revolutionary hero, Vladimir Lenin.

"Foreign troops have never appeared on Red Square. It's a violation of tradition," said Sergei Obukhov, a member of the party's Central Committee.

"The presence of foreign troops with weapons in their hands is...an unnecessary reminder that we lost the Cold War."

Mine explosion

The celebrations were overshadowed by two methane gas explosions at a coal mine in the Siberian region of Kemerova, which hours earlier killed at least 12 people, injured dozens and trapped more than 80 miners and rescuers.

The first explosion occurred late Saturday night, with the second following a few hours later as a rescue operation was underway. Renewed rescue operations continue, but the high concentration of methane gas poses a risk of further explosions.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin described the situation as "difficult" and "tragic" and urged authorities to do everything possible to rescue those still trapped underground.

Russia promises Poland to declassify Katyn files

From: AP

President Dmitry Medvedev on Saturday promised Poland that Russia would declassify secret files on the Katyn massacre of thousands of Polish officers by Soviet forces in World War II.

Medvedev made the vow to acting Polish president Bronislaw Komorowski, in the latest symbol of entente between the countries since the death of Polish president Lech Kaczynski in a plane crash in Russia last month.

"Work on the Katyn case will be continued on my direct order, including the declassification of materials," Medvedev said, according to Russian news agencies.

He also handed over to the Polish side 67 volumes of evidence from Russia's Katyn enquiry.

For decades, Moscow blamed the Katyn massacre on Nazi Germany, until Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev finally admitted in 1990 that the Polish officers had been executed by Stalin's NKVD secret police.

Parliament speaker Komorowski, who is acting head of state until a new president is chosen in elections, is in Moscow to take part in celebrations Sunday for the 65th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany.

"The crime of Katyn, the lie of Katyn is a stumbling block (in relations) between our countries," said Komorowski.

"The truth of Katyn is a shared experience, a Polish and a Russian one. It should be a basis for developing relations between our countries," he added.

While Russia last month published archive material relating to the massacre on the Internet in a hugely symbolic gesture, key material is still believed to be locked away as top secret.

In 2004, Russian military prosecutors closed a long-running probe into Katyn and classified their files from the investigation, a move that strained ties between Warsaw and Moscow.

About 22,000 Polish officers were executed by the NKVD at Katyn, in western Russia, and a number of other sites in present-day Russia, Ukraine and Belarus in April and May 1940.

One of the documents posted online is a memorandum from Lavrenty Beria, the head of the NKVD, to Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin proposing the thousands of Polish prisoners be shot. The document is personally signed by Stalin.

Ironically, Kaczynski was heading to Katyn for a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the massacre when his plane crashed in April, killing all 96 people aboard.

The crash prompted an unprecedented outpouring of grief in Russia and signs of a reconciliation between the two countries which have had often prickly relations since the collapse of Communism.

But there has been criticism in Poland over the pace of the inquiry into the Smolensk air crash and the opposition, led by Kaczynski's twin brother, said on Thursday it wanted Warsaw to take over the probe.

Medvedev assured Komorowski that the investigation would go "right to the end" and vowed that all its findings would be made public.

"The conclusions must be published and made known to the widest circles of the public," he said.

Russian investigators have said the pilots failed to follow instructions from Russian air traffic controllers warning about thick fog and telling the crew to land at another airport.

However one month after the disaster, investigators have yet to announce final conclusions about the cause.

"To find out absolutely all the details is an absolute imperative," a senior Russian diplomatic source said ahead of the talks.

Post-Soviet security bloc urges further disarmament efforts

From:

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) on Saturday called on all 'nuclear club' members to join the Russian-U.S. efforts and contribute to the disarmament process.

The post-Soviet security bloc, which held an informal summit near Moscow, adopted a joint statement welcoming the signing of the Russian-U.S. strategic arms reduction treaty.

"The CSTO member states regard this agreement as an important element of the international security architecture, reflecting the substantial contribution made by Russia and the United States to nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation," the statement said.

The Russian-U.S. arms pact, signed on April 8, stipulates that the number of nuclear warheads is to be reduced to 1,550 on each side over seven years, while the number of delivery vehicles, both deployed and non-deployed, must not exceed 800.

The CSTO summit opened at the Russian president's Gorki residence just outside Moscow.

It was attended by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon, Uzbek Prime Minister Shavkat Mirzieyev and CSTO General Secretary Nikolai Bordyuzha.

The meeting is expected to discuss current international issues, in particular the situation in Kyrgyzstan.

The CSTO is a security grouping comprising the former Soviet republics of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.

Kyrgyzstan did not participate in the summit. Russian presidential aide Sergei Prikhodko said on Friday the reason was that the country had not formed its constitutional government.

The CSTO pledged humanitarian aid to Kyrgyzstan.

It adopted a joint statement, stating its readiness to provide assistance to Kyrgyzstan and promote "constructive cooperation with other countries and international organizations along these lines."

The Kyrgyz opposition took power in the former Central Asian Soviet republic in early April after anti-government protests in several cities turned violent, particularly in the capital, Bishkek.

The country's ex-president Kurmanbek Bakiyev was deposed and fled the capital taking refuge in Belarus.

From the Polish Scandal Files...

Polish banks trapped in their own monopoly

From: Polish Market

Ciech

You will be forgiven for having missed the headline, but epic news was out just recently. News of herculean efforts that in ancient times would have forced the chroniclers to sit down with their pens to save the saga for the ages. In the current age, I've been handling the paeons, putting it up blow by blow on my service, capped with a recent six-part feature in April.

So here it is: The Polish chemical group Ciech signed a debt restructuring deal with its numerous creditors. After some 18 months of negotiations.
Underwhelmed? You shouldn't be.

Polish banks face huge problems when the time comes to restructure the debts of a troubled corporate client. Ciech is only the latest in a long line of tragi-comic examples. Troubles usually involve having too many banks around the table - seventeen in the case of Ciech.

Polish banks have a stranglehold monopoly on corporate finance as Poland does not yet have a corporate bond market that can attract serious financial investors. But the banks are too small to handle the financing of major firms alone. The result - any number of large-cap firms have loans at nearly every major bank in town.

To wit: the combined assets of Poland's commercial banks, now at nearly PLN 1 trillion, constitute a mere 17% of the group assets of Deutsche Bank. Poland's largest bank, the state-controlled PKO BP, has just 15% of that total. And prior to the financial crisis, more and more banks were working overtime to muscle their way in.

Tough market. Unless you were a large-cap borrower, that is. A financial director at any respected large firm could bicker down interest rates and often secure funding without even putting up fixed assets as collateral. When worse comes to worse - and it did - any number of banks find themselves negotiating debt restructuring without much collateral to back up their demands for repayment.

Find seventeen different banks around the table and you likely get seventeen different approaches to the client. Perhaps thirty-four, once you count in those foreign parents.

One bank throws the deal quickly to the collection team, a pretty "get-serious" approach. Another bank might go easy. Clients naturally begin to play one bank off another. Alternatively, one bank might have collateral and another might not, meaning one can play hard ball, the other can't. One bank might have the liquidity to rattle on with tough talks, one might be in a position of preferring fast cash. First versus last in, collateral, capital and liquidity strength and the attitude of the parent bank all shape behavior.

Why struggle in such talks for 18 months when a bankruptcy filing would do?, you might ask. Not Poland, where bankruptcy courts move slowly, are subject to numerous appeals and give creditors little sway over the actions of the receiver. The average bankruptcy runs three years and bears costs at up to 20% of the estate, the World Bank's and EBRD's 2010 report "Doing Business in Poland" states. Creditors recover an average of 30 cents on the dollar. The OECD average is a 1.7 year procedure bearing costs at 8.4% of the estate and with a recovery rate of 68.6%. Bankruptcy filings are reserved for only those cases in which a bank fears that a third party might cart away assets.

And those are just the standard barriers.

Ciech went the extra mile to make matters interesting. Ciech had taken some of the market's worst headlines in the FX options scandal that had given Poland its own form of toxic asset. Before Ciech could talk out a broader deal, the firm had to sit down with its banks to avoid a crushing margin call on FX options gone bad. Bankers started the game with a load of mistrust to the firm. When they saw that all their banker colleagues around town had sold speculative FX options to Ciech, they also lacked a lot of trust for one another.

Police track Polish man to mother’s house and bring him back to Britain

From: Telegraph and Argus

West Yorkshire Police today warned criminals there is no hiding place after a third Polish national was locked up for attacking a fellow countryman.

Remigiusz Klata, 26, was jailed for eight and a half years at Bradford Crown Court after he was brought back to the UK.

Detectives teamed up with the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and Interpol to bring him to justice.

Klata and his two accomplices inflicted grievous bodily harm on Artur Wojtowicz at his flat in Bankfoot, Bradford, in 2007.

He suffered stab wounds to his shoulder and hand and stamping injuries that left a shoe imprint on his back.

Rafal Krajewski, 31, of Manningham Lane, Manningham, was jailed for nine years last August after he was tried in his absence when he jumped bail and went back to Poland. He later handed himself in at Milton Keynes.

Grzegorz Holubowicz, 29, of Parsonage Road, Tyersal, was given a seven-year prison sentence after standing trial.

Klata, of Seaton Street, Barkerend, fled the country after pleading guilty in June 2008.

He was arrested on January 20 at his parents’ home in Poland and extradited to the UK. Klata’s barrister, Nick Askins, said he went back to Poland because of the death of his grandfather and did not return because he knew he was in trouble.

The Judge, Recorder Jonathan Sandiford, branded the assault a pre-planned “ordeal of injury and humiliation.” Klata played a leading role, holding a knife to Mr Wojtowicz’s throat and lunging at him with the weapon.

The judge commended West Yorkshire Police officers Detective Constable Julia Tiplady, Detective Constable Neil Sharpe and case worker Johanna Bolt for their work on “a difficult and, at times, distressing case.”

He praised officers for surmounting the language barrier and for their persistence in seeing all three men were brought to justice.

A Polish police officer is the last person he should expect to harm him

From: NPE

A Warsaw resident was awarded PLN 80,000 this week for injuries suffered when a police anti-terrorist squad raided his flat, only to discover later they had the wrong address. The mix-up occurred in February 2008 when masked officers burst into the home of 28-year-old Piotr D. shouting, “On the floor!” before throwing the IT consultant to the ground.

As a result of the incident Piotr D. is unable to play sport and claims to have mental scars as well. He was demanding PLN 200,000 in compensation but Bialystok Police Headquarters, who ordered the arrest, refused to pay. Bialystok Police admit the mistake, but say it was the anti-terror squad, who come under the jurisdiction of the Central Police Headquarters in Warsaw, who should pay.

Delivering her verdict, judge Hanna Jaworska said, “Citizens should have faith that a police officer is the last person he should expect to harm him.”

Outrage at Smolensk scavangers

From: NWE

The country was rocked this week by the news that less than a month after the tragic air disaster at Smolensk, people are making their way up to the site in order to scavenge around and find personal belongings once owned by the victims of the crash.

As ordinary citizens make their way up to the swamp ground to pray and pay their last respects to those who died in the airplane accident, many are taking the opportunity to stage their own personal ‘treasure hunt’, hoping to take away their own personal souvenirs from the crash that has caused deep shock amongst the nation.

While there have been calls from the Polish government to secure the area, it seems that little has been done by the Russian side to uphold the requests.

“As we arrived, there were already a line of parked cars on the road ahead of us,” says Mrs Wieslaw, who went to visit the site. “Not only that, but Polish trucks and several cars with Russian number plates too.”

And it appears that for those wishing to make a bit of an effort, the searching around in the mud and dirt has already paid off dividends.

Amongst some of the items that have been reported to have been found is a 36th Special Air Transport emblem from one of the onboard seats, fragments of the aircraft and other assorted cables and wires.

According to one searcher, Rafal Dzieciolowskiego, a member of his group was able to track down the passport belonging to Gabriela Zych, the Chairman of the Kalisz Katyn Families Association.

“We had to clean up the document first as it was covered in dirt, but it was still completely intact,” he says.

“But the worst thing we came across was a large piece of flesh,” continues Dzieciolowskiego. “It was slightly bigger than a human hand and caked in mud. It was monstrous and the smell left us with little doubt as to what we had found. The only thing to do was move to a dry patch of ground and bury it with dignity.”

While there have not yet been reports of people profiting from goods and items found at the site via the black market, one group told of how they were approached by a Russian man who was willing to pay for what they had found.

“On one occasion, we were approached by a Russian man offering us as much as PLN 500 for a piece of the plane, however we had already decided that we were not looking to profit from the trip and refused to discuss this matter with him.”

Sport...

Belarus’ team to be rewarded for every win at IIHF World Championship

From: BelTA

One of the children’s hockey schools in Belarus will be getting Br25 million as Belarus’ national team scores a win or clinches a draw at the IIHF World Championship in Germany, BelTA learnt from the press service of the president’s sports club.

The Br25 million certificates will be awarded to the scorers and to the goalkeepers in case of the draw. These hockey players will decide which children’s school will get the money after the worlds. The money should be used to buy the equipment, upgrade the facilities or organize sports events, the president’s sports club said.

The president’s sports club wished good luck to the Belarusian team and the coaches. In a message to the team, the chairman of the club, Dmitry Lukashenko, said that the successful performance of the team at the IIHF World Championships will further popularize the sport in the country and promote the children’s hockey. “You are the example for thousands of young hockey players who are your most loyal fans,” Dmitry Lukashenko said.

Belarus is in Group A in the Preliminary Round. Belarus is scheduled to play Kazakhstan on 9 May, Slovakia on 11 May and Russia on 13 May. The top three teams from each group advance to the Qualification Round while the fourth-placed team in each group moves to the Relegation Round.

Belarus beaten by Czechs in Prague

Belarus’ hockey team lost to Czech Republic in Prague in a friendly game on 6 May.

The final score was 2-5, Demagin and Stefanovich scored for Belarus. The match was the last of Belarus’ friendlies before the 2010 IIHF World Championship.

A reminder, Belarus lost two games against Latvia in Riga on 29 and 30 April.

Belarus’ headcoach Eduard Zankovets has announced the squad for the World Championship.

Goaltenders: Mezin, Koval (both - Dinamo Minsk), Shabanov (Yunost).

Defenders: Salei (Colorado Avalanche, NHL), Denisov, Makritsky (both - Dinamo Minsk), Ryadinsky (Yunost), Kostyuchenok (Spartak Moscow), Stasenko (Amur), Kolosov (Grand Rapids, United States), Gotovets (Shattuck-St. Mary's School, United States).

Forwards: Kulakov, Meleshko, Mikhalev, Stas, Chupris, Kovyrshin (all six - Dinamo Minsk), Zakharov, Senkevich (both – Yunost Minsk), Demagin (Neftekhimik), Kalyuzhny (Dynamo Moscow), Ugarov (MVD), Grabovsky (Toronto Maple Leafs), Stefanovich (Quebec Remparts, Canada).

Belarus’ coaches also count on the Kostitsyn brothers (Montreal Canadiens), provided Canadiens quit the Stanley Cup.

Ruslan Salei was named Belarus’ captain during the championship.

The 2010 IIHF World Championship will take place on 7-23 May in Germany. Belarus will play Kazakhstan (on 9 May), Slovakia (11 May) and Russia (13 May) at the preliminary group stage. The best three teams from each group will advance into the second round, while the fourth team will play in the relegation tournament.

Cultural Scene...

Portuguese designers to debut at Fashion Mill 2010 Festival in Minsk

From: BelTA

Sasha Varlamov

Designers from Portugal will make a debut appearance at the 19th international fashion and photo festival, Fashion Mill 2010, which is held in Minsk on 6-8 May. The Portuguese collections will be shown on 8 May, Belarusian fashion designer Sasha Varlamov told BelTA.

All in all, 207 collections by Belarusian designers will be demonstrated as part of the competition program. Twelve experts from Russia, Lithuania, Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, Portugal, Czechia, Belgium, Italy and France will pick up 10 best women’s collections, 5 men’s, 5 teenagers’ and 5 children’s collections.

“The main distinguishing feature of the Fashion Mill festival is that we do not have a jury panel. It is impossible to choose the one and only collection out of 207. Every designer has his own vision on the fashion trends. Thus we give the beginners a chance to find their audience and earn the recognition of the peers,” Sasha Varlamov said.

The semifinal of the international contest of young designers of the Russian Silhouette charity fund will be held on 6-7 May. Director of the fund Tatiana Titkova will choose the two best collections which will represent Belarus at the finals in Moscow in September 2011.

The festival will conclude with the show of the best collections made by Belarusian designers, an award ceremony and a show of guest collections. The concluding chord will be the True Fashion Parade featuring 32 Belarusians pop singers, theater and cinema celebrities, television personalities and athletes. The project has been organized by the youth fashion center of the Belarusian State University.

“This project is interesting as ordinary people whose parameters do not fit in the 90-60-90 standard will do the runway. The main goal for the designers was to highlight the individuality of every person, to find an approach to each participant. We will know how well the designers have coped with the task by watching the reaction of the audience,” Sasha Varlamov said.

Endnote...

Backgrounder: Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War

From: Xinua

Russian soldiers attend a wreath laying ceremony of Russian and of former Soviet states representatives in Germany, at the eve of the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, in Berlin, Friday, May 7, 2010. Several hundreds of people attend the ceremony at the largest Soviet military memorial outside the former Soviet Union at the district Treptow. Around 7,000 Soviet soldiers were killed in the fight to take Berlin in 1945, and were buried at the memorial. With the capitulation of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945, WW II ended in Europe.

The Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War (1941-45) refers to the war against Nazi Germany and its European allies during World War II.

The war broke out on June 22, 1941, when Germany, tearing up the mutual non-aggression pact between the two countries, launched a blitz offensive against the Soviet Union.

Before long, Nazi German troops and those from Finland, Romania, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia and Croatia occupied the entire territory of Lithuania and most of Latvia, and much of Belarus and Ukraine.

In October 1941, Germany started a ferocious attack on Moscow in hopes of quickly winning the war before winter.

However, the Soviet Red Army put up a heroic and active defense, annihilating large numbers of Nazi German forces, and it won the battle January 1942.

On November 19, 1942, the Soviet forces launched a counteroffensive against the German troops in Stalingrad. On Feb. 2, 1943, the Red Army wiped out the last of the German main forces trapped and under siege in Stalingrad. The Nazi defeat in the Stalingrad Battle threw Germany's offensive on the Soviet Union into disarray, marking a turning point in the war against Nazi Germany.

Following up their victory at Stalingrad, the Soviet army liberated most of Ukraine and virtually all of Russia and eastern Belarus during 1943.

In August 1943, the Germans were defeated in a battle at Russia's Kursk, thus being rendered incapable of launching any strategic attack since then.

In 1944, the Soviets launched an all-out offensive, liberating the rest of Belarus and Ukraine, most of the Baltic States and eastern Poland from Germany.

By August 1944, Soviet troops had crossed into Germany. In mid-April 1945, the Soviet army launched its final assault on Germany and laid siege to Berlin on April 21.

On May 2, 1945, Soviet troops took Berlin. On May 8, Nazi Germany surrendered unconditionally.

President interviewed, Relations with Russia, Victory Day amnesty, Car imports, Milinkevich; News, Sport, Culture and Polish scandal...

2010-05-05T06:39:00.000+03:00

From the Top...

#508

Belarus ready for pragmatic relations with Russia

From: BelTA

Alexander Lukashenko partakes in Labor Day celebrations in Gorky Park

Belarus is ready for pragmatic relations with Russia, the press service of the Belarusian head of state quoted Alexander Lukashenko as saying in an interview with Reuters on 4 May.

“In relations with the Russian Federation we have made a giant stride towards each other. But recently the Russian leadership has decided to build absolutely pragmatic relations with Belarus. We are ready for it,” said the President of Belarus. Alexander Lukashenko made it clear that “pragmatism must not destroy everything that has been accumulated up till now”.

“If after checking their bookkeeping the Russians have estimated that they create too many benefits for the Belarusian nation, I would say the calculations are incorrect. It is lopsided unilateral pragmatism,” said the head of state.

Belarus named reliable partner for the West

Belarus has earned its reputation of a reliable partner for the West, the press service of the Belarusian head of state quoted Alexander Lukashenko as saying in an interview with Reuters on 4 May.

“International financial institutions are willing to cooperate with us because they know that once we promise something, we will do our best to make it happen,” said Alexander Lukashenko. The President reminded that Belarus has developed very fruitful relations with the West recently as far as business and finance are concerned. Belarus’ contacts with the IMF, the World Bank, and the EBRD are developing. “It means a lot has been done,” he stressed.

The head of state also pointed out political contacts at all levels, including the presidential one. “Recently we have done a lot to build normal, good neighborly relations with our Western partners,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarusian head of state added: “If we consider cooperation as a whole, I wouldn’t say that everything we’d expected has been done and that the West has made advances for us”.

Lukashenko in favor of presidential elections in early 2011

It would be more advisable to hold presidential elections in Belarus in early 2011, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko told Reuters in an interview on 4 May.

The press service of the Belarusian head of state quoted Alexander Lukashenko as saying: “I cannot tell you the specific date yet, we just haven’t thought about it. But I am more inclined towards holding the elections at the beginning of next year,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

Other Belarusian News...

Belarus’ economic achievements, election reforms praised

From: BelTA

Belarus has made progress on the path of economic development and in reforming the electoral legislation, Benedict de Cerjat, the Warsaw-based Ambassador of Switzerland to Poland and Belarus said as he met with Vladimir Andreichenko, chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus.

The diplomat said there are several reasons why he has traveled Belarus. First of all, he has brought the invitation to Vladimir Andreichenko to attend the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament which will be held in Geneva in July 2010. According to the diplomat, he has also brought the invitation for the chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly Boris Batura, which he will hand over during their upcoming meeting. “I hope someone of you or you both will find an opportunity to attend this event as this is a good opportunity to exchange the experience,” the Ambassador said.

Another goal of the visit is to attend the events to mark the closing down of the bilateral humanitarian and technical cooperation program which has been running for nine years. Benedict de Cerjat said that the program has been designed to mitigate the Chernobyl impact in the affected territories. “On the one hand, I am sorry that such a good program is closing down. Yet, it means that the goals we have set have been achieved. While visiting the affected regions I made sure that the undertaken measures proved effective and that the life in those regions is getting better,” he said

Benedict de Cerjat stressed that he had an opportunity to witness the economic growth of Belarus for the past decade. When speaking about the bilateral cooperation between Belarus and Switzerland, he said that certain indicators show that the cooperation has been gaining momentum in economy, trade, tourism, investment. The diplomat expressed confidence that in some sectors there is a great potential for Belarus to gain more exposure in Switzerland. “We have laid a good basis for further cooperation,” he said.

The Ambassador noted Switzerland’s interest in the development of the political situation in Belarus. According to the diplomat, he eagerly watched the developments in the electoral legislation and said that Belarus has made progress in this area and needs to move forward.

Belarus parliament to read Victory Day amnesty bill on 6 May

From: BelTA

The amnesty bill timed to the 65th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 will be given the first reading in the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus on 6 May, BelTA learned from Viktor Guminsky, Chairman of the National Security Commission of the House of Representatives.

“We will read the bill in the form the president brought it in. We will consider all the remarks and proposals in the second reading, if there are any and if they are well-reasoned,” said the MP.

BelTA reported earlier that in view of the oncoming 65th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko brought in a bill to grant amnesty on the occasion of the anniversary to the House of Representatives of the National Assembly.

According to preliminary estimations of the Interior Ministry, the bill may pardon around 2,230 people in closed-type correctional institutions, around 900 people in open-type correctional institutions, with the term of punishment reduced for 9,300 people.

In particular, the bill provides for pardoning the underage, expectant mothers, women and lonely men with underage children, the disabled, pension age persons, people with active tuberculosis, HIV infected people, war veterans, rescue workers who took part in alleviating Chernobyl catastrophe consequences, people who were injured in the line of duty, people who have committed minor crimes.

Prisoners who cannot be pardoned will have their prison term reduced by one year.

The amnesty is not applicable to second offenders, those who have been pardoned earlier, those who have not repaired the damage of their crimes, people who are guilty of breaking prison rules, people who are sentenced to life imprisonment, murderers, rapists, robbers, criminal masterminds, corruption criminals, drunk driving convicts, terrorists, gangsters and other categories.

Wartime photos in Moscow House to highlight Great Victory

A photo exhibition dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Great Victory will open at the Moscow House in Minsk on 5 May, Mass Media Advisor of the Moscow House Svetlana Panteleyeva told BelTA.

The exhibition will feature around 40 documentary photos that were shot during the time of war. The photos tell the story of the war-troubled years, the first victory parade in Moscow and veterans of the Great Patriotic War.

Svetlana Panteleyeva remarked that direct participants of those events, winners had been invited to attend the opening ceremony as guests of honor. They will be offered the legendary movie “V boi idut odni stariki” in color.

The exhibition will stay open till 26 May. It is organized by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Belarus, the Moscow government and Rossotrudnichestvo (Russia’s federal agency for affairs of the Commonwealth of Independent States, compatriots abroad and for international humanitarian cooperation).

Army parade in Minsk on satellite TV

Due to the significance of the date and in view of the interest of partners in the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) Belarusian Teleradiocompany will broadcast the army parade dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War via satellite using the EBU network, the press service of Belarusian Teleradiocompany told BelTA.

For the first time Russian and Ukrainian troops will take part in the Belarusian parade. For the first time advanced military hardware will be demonstrated. 21 aircraft and 10 helicopters will participate in the air phase of the parade.

In line with the relevant agreement between Belarusian Teleradiocompany and the national television company of Ukraine a short version of the parade in Minsk on the Victory Day will be broadcast in Ukraine as part of a TV “marathon” meant to highlight the international celebration of the victory anniversary.

The Minsk parade broadcast will be available to at least 75 TV companies in 56 countries of Europe, North Africa and Middle East via satellite.

Meat and Dairy Industry-2010 exhibition opens in Minsk

From: BelTA

An international trade show, Meat and Dairy Industry-2010, opens in Minsk on 4 May, BelTA learnt from the exhibition’s organizing committee.

The forum will highlight trends and technologies of manufacturing and sales of meat and dairy products. It will also help establish business ties between foreign and Belarusian manufacturers. The exhibition will focus on the quality of products and modern types of packaging and labeling. The quality improvement of meat and dairy products will hit the agenda of workshops on certification and standardization that will be held as part of the forum.

The exhibition will display a wide range of meat and dairy products by leading Belarusian manufacturers, baby food, meat and milk processing equipment, food ingredients and ferments.

The trade show is organized by the Belexpo National Exhibition Center. The project is implemented under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Trade Ministry of Belarus, the Minsk City Council, and the Belarus Union of Dairy Producers. The forum is scheduled to end on 7 May.

Minsk to host Chemistry, Oil and Gas 2010 Exhibition

The 13th Chemistry, Oil and Gas International Exhibition will be held in Minsk on 28 May, BelTA learned from the organizing committee of the exhibition.

The main goal of the forum is to inform specialists about the market situation, present up-to-date developments. The exhibition is a good place to hold negotiations and conclude contracts.

The exposition will feature the up-to-date technologies and equipment for chemical industry, oil and gas equipment, new technologies to produce, process, transport and store oil, oil products and gas. The Khimmarket Salon will present various chemical goods including cleaning substances, threads and fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, sanitary products, perfumes, plastics, polymer films, fertilizers, varnishes, paints and other products.

In 2008 some 68 companies from 5 countries attended the Chemistry, Oil and Gas Exhibition in Minsk.

The exhibition is organized by the Expoforum Company, the Technology and Communications Company under the auspices of the Belneftekhim Concern, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the Belarus Chemical Society, the Mendeleyev Union of Chemical Societies of the CIS member states.

Economics...

Belarus reluctant to change its car import duties

From: BelTA

Belarus would like to see the effective car duties for natural persons remain in place in the Customs Union, First Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Belarus Vladimir Goshin told reporters in Brest.

“The Code of the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan is to come into force on 1 July. The sides are now working on 16 international agreements and 14 resolutions of the Customs Union Commission which should address all the nuances which have not been reflected in the code including the import of goods by natural persons,” Vladimir Goshin said.

The final decision on the duties will be adopted by experts of the three countries who are now working on the documents. Vladimir Goshin stressed that Belarus would like the car import duties for natural persons, which are currently in effect in the country, to remain in place.

Vladimir Goshin did not rule out that in case the low duties remain in place, restrictions will be introduced for Belarusians on alienation of transport vehicles. “We are aware full well that in exchange for the duties we will have to undertake some restrictions. It is possible that the provision limiting the right of alienation of a transport vehicle within two or three years under the rates effective today will be enforced again,” Vladimir Goshin said.

Minsk to host international rural tourism workshop

An international workshop on rural tourism will be held in Minsk on 6-7 May, BelTA learnt from chairperson of the Country Escape public association Valeria Klitsunova.

The workshop is organized by EG Baltic 21, the expert group for sustainable development of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and the Country Escape public association. Taking part in the workshop will be representatives of the local authorities, NGOs, small and medium-sized businesses, and media of Belarus and Ukraine.

The workshop will highlight three main topics: development of the business-enabling mechanisms and their availability, trainings for those willing to develop and promote rural tourism, and marketing and branding of eco-destinations.

Since 2007, EG Baltic 21 is in search of avenues of cooperation between its members and Belarus and Ukraine. Both countries have an observer status in the Council of the Baltic Sea States. As part of the Baltic Sea drainage basin, the two countries should be involved in the sustainable development of the region. The rural tourism has been defined as one of the most promising avenues of cooperation between EG Baltic 21 and Belarus and Ukraine.

Both Belarus and Ukraine have acknowledged the positive effect of rural tourism on the local communities, economies and people’s well-being. “We should move to a new level and create opportunities for the sustainable development of rural tourism for every person, who is ready to work in this area. At the same time we should provide people with information about the protection of local ecosystems,” Valeria Klitsunova said.

From the Foriegn Press...

INTERVIEW - Belarus president says West rejected better ties

From: Reuters

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko (L) sits prior to the interview with a Reuters correspondent in Minsk, May 4, 2010.

Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko lashed out at the West in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, saying he has received little in return for his efforts to improve relations with the European Union and United States.

"I cannot even talk about all the steps that I have taken that are very sensitive for us -- and the West cast me aside," said Lukashenko, who is under Western pressure for political reform and broader civil rights in Belarus.

"I have come to understand that there is a huge number of irresponsible politicians in the West," he said.

In a wide-ranging interview, Lukashenko accused long-time ally Russia of tightening the screws on Belarus by scrapping preferential oil pricing, but stopped short of threatening to torpedo a nascent customs union over the dispute.

He criticised both Moscow and the West for engaging with the leaders who took power in Kyrgyzstan after a violent upheaval last month, and vowed not to hand over ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who has taken refuge in Belarus.

"Russia and the West create a terrible precedent when they support an illegal government that came to power through bloodshed," he said. He warned that any appeal for Bakiyev's extradition would be "hopeless".

Moscow's embrace of Kyrgyzstan's interim government has sent a potentially alarming signal to Lukashenko, who has relied on Russian economic and political support during his 16-year rule over his landlocked, energy-poor nation of nearly 10 million.

Long shunned by the EU and the United States, which accuse him of maintaining power through unfair elections and the harsh suppression of dissent, Lukashenko has sought to improve ties with the West as Moscow has decreased its backing.

But he expressed deep dissatisfaction with the West during the interview and made clear Western leaders should not demand more political reforms unless they are prepared to reciprocate by lifting sanctions and showing more respect.

'UNREALISED HOPES'

"There have been some good moves, but this is a process of unrealised hopes, both in the West and on our side. We expected more from the West," he said. "What we will not tolerate is for somebody to order us around -- nobody can shove us from behind."

"We will take exactly as many steps as the West is ready to take," Lukashenko said.

After his government released inmates seen in the West as political prisoners and made some concessions on European demands for electoral reforms, the EU suspended travel sanctions it imposed after Lukashenko's re-election in a 2006 vote that was not recognised by the West.

But it has not lifted the sanctions altogether or returned preferential trade conditions also denied as punishment.

Lukashenko said Western governments will not be satisfied until he is no longer president. But he strongly suggested he would seek another term in a presidential vote early next year.

He said he had not decided whether to run, but added the Belarusian people expect him to do so and that "there are no factors now that would force me to refuse to participate".

"The West doesn't like our course and doesn't like the current president -- that's all there is to it. Let's be honest," Lukashenko said. "But the president is elected by the people, not by the West. The sooner the West understands that, the faster we will build normal relations."

Amid disputes with the Kremlin over oil supplies and Kyrgyzstan, Lukashenko said that "maybe in Russia somebody would like to see a different president here."

Lukashenko, who pushed though legislation in 2004 that removed presidential term limits, warned both East and West not to hope for a repeat of the Kyrgyz scenario in Belarus.

"No matter how the situation develops here, nobody will have the slightest possibility of ousting those in power here."

Lukashenko indicated that Russia's insistence on charging Belarus duties on oil could jeopardise the customs union it is developing with Belarus and Kazakhstan -- the most concrete step by ex-Soviet republics to create a strong economic alliance. But he spoke cautiously and stopped short of a threat to withdraw.

"This union will hardly have prospects if we veer away from our agreements or violate fundamental principles. But I think that everything lies ahead of us. We have just started creating this union," he said.

"To leave it without even entering it would hardly be right. Let's see how the atmosphere develops. I am certain that if everything is fine others will join us, too."

Excerpts of Lukashenko's interview with Reuters

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko spoke to Reuters on Tuesday in an interview in which he strongly criticised the West and said he would not extradite Kyrgyzstan's toppled President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.
Following are key excerpts from the interview, conducted at Lukashenko's offices in the capital Minsk:

Q: Are you satisfied with the way relations with the West have developed over the past year?

A: We have done quite a lot recently to build normal relations with our Western partners. ... In terms of business we have quite good relations, and along the lines of financial and credit institutions we have very good relations.

But on the whole, I would not say that we have done everything that was expected and that the West has met us halfway. ... I understand the West perfectly well, but I don't understand why they, democrats by nature, should lie. Everyone is waiting for next year's presidential elections. At this stage it's clear to me that the West has halted all movement and is waiting for the elections. This surprises me a little- - the situation in Belarus is absolutely predictable. If someone thinks that he can turn the conntry upside down and create conditions for some sort of revolution, he is just a charlatan.

There have been some good moves, but this is a process of unrealised hopes, both on the Western side and on our side. We expected more from the West. What we will not tolerate for someone to order us around -- nobody can shove us from behind.

All we want is complete clarity. If this Belarus is unacceptable for you, say so. But to hang us on a hook and promise something -- we cannot accept that. If Europe is ready and wants to cooperate on all fronts, you are welcome. Our country is open.

We will take exactly as many steps as the West is ready to take. I cannot even talk about all the steps that I have taken that are very sensitive for us -- and the West cast me aside. ... It cost us dearly, and I have come to understand that there is a huge number of irresponsible politicians in the West; they forget what they said yesterday.

Don't demand steps from us. We are taking very many steps, hundreds, maybe thousands a year. ... But the West wants some other steps: 'Give away your enterprises for free, break the constitutional system of Belarus.'

I was thinking, why not create a political system like in Britain -- a monarchy, with a king or a queen, just like in Britain. But would you applaud that? You would again shout: 'Dictatorship.'

At a minimum there should be a normal dialogue on diplomatic channels. As for the economy: the generalised system of preferences -- why have we been excluded from this?

...

The West doesn't like our course and doesn't like the current president -- that's all there is to it. Let's be honest. But the president is elected by the people, not by the West. The sooner the West understands that, the faster we will build normal relations.

...

God forbid that we should act the way the United States does. We do not want that. We don't want to be an empire. We don't want to have vital interests in every corner of the planet. When you have vital interests in North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, Belarus -- when you stand with your legs splayed so far apart, you're a monster. I don't want to have that kind of state.

Q: What are your plans for cooperation with international financial institutions this year? Will Belarus seek a new IMF loan?

A: We are very grateful to the IMF and other financial institutions for their support at this difficult time for our economy. We will remember this forever. Now we are not asking the IMF for (new) loans. The IMF, the World Bank announced that Belarus has emerged from recession, and we do not have problems today with our budget. So we are not asking the IMF for additional credits.

Q: What plans do you have this year for privatisation?

A: We do not rule out that an investor could come to any enterprise, up to and including the pipeline system. Even the military-industrial complex is no exception.

Q: Could you agree to privatisation of the Belarus Potash Plant?

A: I do not rule it out. If the share price is good, we will see what kind of a stake to sell. But Belarus will retain a controlling stake for now.

Q: How would you evaluate current relations with Russia and their future prospects in light of the recent dispute over the conditions for oil supplies?

A: We have taken a giant step toward each other. But recently the Russian leadership has wanted to build absolutely pragmatic relations with Belarus. We are ready for that, but this pragmatism should not destroy everything we have achieved so far.

If Russians are determined like accountants that they are doing too much for the Belarusian people, that is slanted pragmatism. Unilateral pragmatism, introducing duties on oil and oil products for one member of the Customs Union, Belarus, and not for another, Kazakhstan, smells like corruption at a minimum.

Q: Does this jeopardise the Customs Union?

A: There are classical principles for building a union of any kind. ... Why should we, in creating the Customs Union, proceed from different principles? A classical principle is the absence of any trade barrier. Here they have decided to make an exception. That shows that we do not have equal relations. This union will hardly have prospects if we veer away from our agreements or violate fundamental principles. But I think that everything lies ahead of us. We have just started creating this union. ...To leave it without even entering it would hardly be right. Let's see how the atmosphere develops. I am certain that if everything is fine others will join us, too.

Q: Are you continuing to seek oil supplies from Venezuela?

A: The process is underway. This year, Venezuela will supply 4-5 million tonnes. We cannot take any more; next year we plan to refine up to 10 million tonnes. ... We are starting to develop a field in Iran ... If Russia is going to apply protective duties, we will look for oil where it is comfortable for us.

Q: Kyrgyzstan's interim government says it plans to demand ousted President Bakiyev's extradition. Will you consider this?

A: They have 1,000 problems, do they need a 1,001st problem? If the current president of Kyrgyzstan appears there, it will be such a problem. The interim government of Kyrgyzstan should bow to the ground and thank me for removing the 1,001st problem for Kyrgyzstan. The situation there is under very little control as it is.

Nobody has officially appealed to me (with an extradition request). But I want to immediately declare officially: Such an appeal would be hopeless and humiliating for the interim government. The president of Kyrgyzstan is under the protection of the Belarusian state and its president. ...

As for Russia, I think that for the Russian Federation the fact that I have taken in Bakiyev is a joy and means one less headache.

Q: Do you believe Russia was involved in the vents in Kyrgyzstan, and is there a chance that it could seek something similar in other countries, such as Belarus?

A: Nobody could do such a thing in Belarus. Belarus is a completely different country. Here it is impossible. It would only hurt those who try. ...

I do not have evidence of whether Russia was behind the events in Kyrgyzstan, but the statements of Russian politicians cause concern. ... Russia and the West create a terrible precedent when they support an illegal government that came to power through bloodshed.

Q: Have you decided on a date for the next residential elections, and on whether you will run? What hopes do you have for this vote?

A: No date has been set, but I am inclined toward holding them near the beginning of next year. ...

I have not yet decided whether I will run, but there are no factors now that would force me to refuse to participate.

Q: Do you harbour hopes that one of your children could eventually succeed you as president?

A: My children have had their fill of my presidency, so I doubt they would want this. I have no such plans, and the presidency is not inherited in this country.

Q: Do you believe it is possible there will be interference from the West or from the East in the election in order to remove you from the presidency?

A: Maybe in Russia somebody would like to see a different president here. But for Russia Lukashenko is bad only in that he does not sit under the Kremlin's thumb, does not bow and ask for favours. ... I am not very comfortable for them, but I don't think they will look for anyone else here. ...

No matter how the situation develops here, nobody will be have the slightest possibility of ousting those in power here.

Q: You are said to be nostalgic for the Soviet Union.

A: Only an idiot would not regret the collapse of the Soviet Union. Well, maybe Americans would not regret the collapse of the Soviet Union, because the United States does not have a competitor, there is no force that can counter it. ... There is no restraining factor, which the Soviet Union was.

Energy Rift Widens Between Moscow, Minsk

From: Moscow Times

Transneft said Tuesday that it was steaming ahead on a pipeline circumventing Belarus, days after Minsk received a shipment of Venezuelan crude, widening the rift in energy trade between the countries.

Transneft chief Nikolai Tokarev, speaking at a meeting with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, reiterated that the company would complete the Baltic Pipeline System-2 ahead of schedule.

“We are not seeing any big, serious problems at the moment,” Tokarev said about the progress on the pipeline. “Work is moving considerably ahead of schedule.”

Having laid 70 percent of the pipes to date, Transneft plans to start operating the route at the end of next year, earlier than the original deadline of September 2012, Tokarev said.

By emphasizing the pipeline project, which would cause Belarus to lose much of its oil transit flows — and fees — when the pipeline starts operating, Moscow may well have sent a fresh warning to Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been trying to pull his country away from its dependence on Moscow.

In the latest development that likely irritated Moscow, the first shipment of crude arrived in Belarus from Venezuela on Sunday, signaling that Belarus was intent on testing this alternative to Russian deliveries. Departing from Venezuela on April 2, the cargo traveled by tanker to Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odessa before heading north to the Mozyr refinery by train.

Vladimir Zubkov, chief of the Belarussian Oil Company, said Monday that the government would determine the profitability of such supplies by the end of next week. Nevertheless, he said deliveries could grow to 10 million tons next year from 4 million tons projected for this year.

Belarus imported 21.5 million tons of crude from Russia last year.

Lukashenko agreed to partner with Venezuela in March after Russia refused to give as steep a discount on its crude sales to Belarus as Lukashenko demanded. He and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych agreed last week to study whether Ukraine could provide its pipelines for carrying the oil, a cheaper option than rail transportation.

Also last week, Belarussian Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky met his Lithuanian counterpart Andrius Kubilius in an effort to arrange imports through the Baltic port of Klaipeda, a route that would involve railways. After the talks, Kubilius said only that the arrangement was technically feasible and he appreciated the need to diversify supplies.

The deal to buy Venezuelan crude is not commercially viable, serving exclusively as a political gesture meant for a potential tradeoff with Moscow, said Rustam Tankayev, director of the analytical company InfoTEK-Terminal.

"These shipments have no future," he said. "They are just an absurd and childish demonstration of independence."

Russia may potentially divert some of its exports from Ukraine to fill the Baltic Pipeline System-2, in addition to rerouting some of the 80 million tons of crude that now traverse Belarus. Or it may pick Belarus as the sole victim of its new oil transit plans.

S&P Affirms Belarus' Rating, Negative Outlook

From: NASDAQ

Standard & Poor's Corp. affirmed Belarus' sovereign credit rating with a negative outlook Tuesday, saying the country's external position had continued to weaken in 2009.

"The ratings on Belarus are constrained by our view of its weak and deteriorating external liquidity, owing to very high current account deficits and repeated price shocks on still-subsidized energy imports from Russia," said S&P credit analyst Kai Stukenbrock.

Furthermore, Belarus' ratings are constrained by the economy's structural rigidities, which impede faster improvements in its external competitiveness, the agency said.

S&P affirmed Belarus' B+ foreign currency and BB local currency long-term sovereign issuer credit ratings.

The rating agency said it expects the country's current-account deficit to narrow gradually in 2010 to 11% of GDP, after widening to 13.1% of GDP last year.

Led since 1994 by Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus has a Soviet-style, centrally controlled economy with strong ties to Russia.

During the economic crisis, it was forced to seek financial aid from the International Monetary Fund, which in turn called for changes in the exchange rate regime, a step-up in structural reforms and the pursuit of a balanced budget.

As of December 2009, total disbursement under the $3.52 billion program totaled $2.88 billion.

Belarusian Court Acquits Conscientous Objector

From: RFE/RL

A Minsk court has acquitted a Belarusian man who refused mandatory military service on religious grounds, RFE/RL's Belarus Service reports.

Yan Mihailau, 21, said that his membership in the Jewish Messianic movement means he cannot serve in the army, but is ready to serve an alternative civil service if Belarusian authorities offer him one.

In mid-December, Mihailau was sentenced to three months in jail for avoiding military service. He had almost finished his jail term when a Minsk Oblast court overruled the verdict against him and sent the case for further investigation.

On March 10, Mihailau was freed from jail and asked not to leave the city until the additional investigation of his case was finished.

Mihailau told RFE/RL that today's court decision is a good sign for other young men in Belarus who cannot perform military service because of their religious beliefs.

Mikhal Pashkevich, coordinator of the For Alternative Civil Service campaign, told RFE/RL that Mihailau's acquittal is an important precedent that provides hope that Belarus will adopt a law on alternative civil service in the near future.

He said at least 25 men are scheduled to be tried soon in Minsk for evading military service.

From the Opposition...

Alyaksandr Milinkevich: Attempt number two

From: Charter '97

Alyaksandr Milinkevich, the For Freedom movement leader, has announced today he will run for presidency.

The leader of the For Freedom movement invites journalists, public figures, and politicians to Europe Hotel to announce his decision to take part in the 2011 presidential elections. The politician read out points of his political programme titled “Let’s Make Belarus True Europe”, Radio Svaboda reports.

From a political point of view, the programme is center right, from an economic one it proposes a liberal approach. In Particular, Milinkevich stands for restoration of the 1994 Constitution, Belarus’s joining the European Union, an opportunity of selling lands, refusal to build a nuclear power plant, and promotion energy saving technologies.

What to the foreign policy, Milinkevich calls to development of good-neighbour policy and preparation for Belarus’s joining the European Union. He also said Belarus should be a neutral state.

Alyaksandr Milinkevich proposed his strategy: either the authorities hold fair elections, or people take to streets in protest. He reminded the authorities the events in Romania and the Czech Republic. Milinkevich also said he counted on support of the party activists, member of the Belarusian People’s Bloc, NGOs, and civil society, especially the youth, which he expects to join his campaign.

Alyaksandr Lukashenka mentioned Lukashenka only one time in his speech. He noted he had come to power on the tide of anti-corruption struggle, but now the corruption reigns in society. To a question about Zyanon Paznyak he answered he would like Paznyak to return to Belarus.

Public statement by Human Rights Center ‘Viasna’ concerning search at Zmitser Salauyou’s office in Navapolatsk

From: Viasna

On 30 April the police searched the private office of the human rights defender Zmitser Salauyou in Navapolatsk. The search was sanctioned by the town procurator, Anatol Ausiuk, and V.Karenski, Chair of the operative crime detection activities section of the investigation department of the Navapolatsk Town Police Department, within the frames of the criminal case instigated under Article 341 of the Criminal Code – ‘Defilement of buildings and destruction of property’ on the fact of inscriptions with swastikas on walls of different houses of the town. Computer system units, CDs, many printed editions and white-red-flags were confiscated as a result of the search.

Numerous cultural events take place at Zmitser Salauyou’s office, including the Belarusian dictation, meetings with well-known artists and writers, etc. Zmitser Salauyou is a human rights defender and civil activist who is quite popular in Navapolatsk. He meets with people who need his assistance as a result of violation of their rights by the authorities. His office is the only independent from the authorities place in Navapolatsk where democratically minded people can gather. That’s why the authorities treat the very fact of its existence quite nervously. In 2006 office appliances, printed editions and human rights documents were confiscated as a result of a similar search. Nothing has been returned so far.

The office has also been repeatedly subject to attacks of neo-Nazis. The walls of the building were painted with swastikas and a roller blind on a window was damaged. In 2008-2009 the human rights defender thrice addressed the procuracy with the demand to instigate a criminal case against the neo-Nazis who also painted swastikas and anti-Semitic slogans on other houses of Navapolatsk. As a result he received refusals where it was stated that actions of unidentified persons couldn’t be qualified as a crime.

The Council of the Human Rights Center Viasna directly associates the search at the office of the human rights defender Zmitser Salauyou with his active public position. In particular, recently he has participated in the monitoring of the local council elections. Instead of detaining the neo-Nazis who act in Navapolatsk and Polatsk, the authorities use every possibility to exercise pressure on the human rights defender and hinder his human rights, civil and cultural activities.

We state our decisive protest in connection with the actions of the authorities seeking to limit the activities of the human rights defender Zmitser Salauyou and call on them to stop the unjustified pressurization of the human rights defender, immediately return to him the confiscated property and start looking for the real criminals!

Russia...

Russia in ‘No Rush’ for Gazprom Tie-Up With Ukraine’s Naftogaz

From: Business Week

Russia is in no hurry to merge state- controlled OAO Gazprom with Ukraine’s NAK Naftogaz Ukrainy, as Prime Minister Vladimir Putin seeks tighter political and economic integration with the neighboring country.

“There’s no room for rushing,” Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said today in a telephone interview. “All details will be discussed jointly during negotiations if Ukraine is prepared for such talks.”

Putin proposed “unifying” the state energy companies after meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Mykola Azarov in Sochi on April 30, only three days after Russia agreed to give Ukraine as much as $45 billion in gas supply subsidies. Russia is waiting for Ukraine’s response, Peskov said.

Russia has sought some control over Ukraine’s Soviet-era gas pipelines, which carry 80 percent of its Europe-bound gas exports. Gazprom, the world’s biggest gas producer, cut supplies to Ukraine, twice reducing flows to Europe in the past four years because of pricing disputes.

It’s too early to say how the two state companies may be unified, Peskov said. Russia may consider a share swap, which could value all of Naftogaz at “3, 4, 5, 10 percent of Gazprom,” or some other stake, given that talks haven’t started, he said.

Ukraine Gas Infrastructure

“We don’t believe that anything like a full merger is on the horizon,” Oleg Maximov, Valery Nesterov and Alex Fak, analysts at Moscow-based Troika Dialog, said in a note today. “Gazprom is clearly very interested in getting hold of Ukrainian gas infrastructure instead of sinking billions into uneconomic bypasses, such as South Stream.”

A takeover of Naftogaz by Gazprom, Russia’s gas export monopoly, is unlikely given the potential political backlash against Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and the difficulty valuing Ukraine’s state-held, debt-laden energy company, said Chris Weafer, chief strategist at UralSib Financial Corp.

An acquisition would be negative for Gazprom, said Lev Snykov and Svetlana Grizan of VTB Capital. “The market could perceive it as a well-off company saving a sinking one, which would obviously be detrimental for Gazprom sentiment.”

A venture involving asset swaps could reduce supply risks to Europe by creating a greater economic, rather than political, basis for the relationship, Weafer said.

The proposal won’t affect plans to build the South Stream gas pipeline to Europe, bypassing the neighboring country, Peskov said. Gazprom and Eni SpA’s gas pipeline project, slated to reach central and southern Europe via the Black Sea and Balkans, seeks to diversify supply routes beyond Ukraine.

“Right now we only have a proposal,” Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov said by telephone today. “Work on South Stream is going ahead in full.”

Gazprom supplies about a quarter of Europe’s gas, and seeks to boost that to 32 percent in 2020.

Russia seeks 'flexibility' from Iran on nuclear fuel swap deal

From: RIA Novosti

Moscow is counting on Iran to show "additional flexibility" regarding a proposed nuclear fuel exchange, a Russian deputy foreign minister said on Tuesday.

"Thus far, the parties' approaches on how to exchange nuclear materials, on what basis, when and in what amounts have not been brought to a common position," Sergei Ryabkov said.

"Nevertheless, we continue working and count on additional flexibility on the part of Iran, among others," he added.

He also said talks between the group of six international mediators on Iran's nuclear issue - Russia, the United States, China, Britain, France and Germany - were making very slow progress, but Moscow still hoped that a common line would eventually be worked out.

"I would not exaggerate the differences... I am cautiously optimistic," he said.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said earlier in the day his country was ready to play a "constructive and positive" role in breaking the stalemate over the nuclear fuel swap deal.

The UN-sponsored deal to supply nuclear fuel for a research reactor in Tehran proposes Iran ship out low-enriched uranium to be processed into higher-grade nuclear fuel and then returned to Iran.

However, the deal stalled over Iran's insistence that it would accept nothing less than a simultaneous exchange inside the Islamic republic, saying it had not received guarantees the fuel would actually be delivered.

Ahmadinejad's offer came in talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in New York on Monday on the sidelines of the 2010 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Concerning Iran's cooperation with Europe, Ahmadinejad said Iran was ready to cooperate with the European Union on a wide range of issues.

Gulf Oil Spill To Benefit Russia

From: Eurasia Review

The explosion at the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico has already been dubbed "Big Oil's Chernobyl," although it is still difficult to estimate the true scale of the disaster or the impact it will have on the local environment and the global economy.

The resulting oil spill is spreading rapidly, and is about to reach the southern coast of the United States, a region whose economy is almost entirely based on tourism. This could cause more than 150,000 people - fishermen, employees at hotels and restaurants - to lose their jobs.

British Petroleum, which owns the rig and is now to blame for the 700 metric tons of oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico every day, will suffer huge losses as well. In addition to losing a $350 million drill rig, the company's stock plummeted 12%, pushing its market value down by $23 billion. On top of that, the company may be facing $4.6 billion worth of lawsuits. However, what worries international economists is not the future of the British company, but repercussions of the Deepwater disaster on the global market for black gold.

The market was quick to react; speculators immediately took advantage to try to increase oil prices. On May 3, the OPEC oil basket closed at $84.36 per barrel, up $0.23, while light sweet crude oil futures rose $0.04, to $86.19. Still, economists do not believe that there will be any serious impact apart from short-time speculative price increases and continued high oil prices.

The accident has not damaged the infrastructure of the global oil market. The well being drilled at Deepwater Horizon was a test well, and so its loss will not effect the overall commercial production of black gold. Oil production in the region has not stopped, and only a few gas rigs had to suspend operations. The oil spill may only disrupt onshore oil refineries in the southern USA, which relies on oil unloaded along the Gulf coast.

And yet, the Mexico Gulf accident may have far-reaching consequences, as it may jeopardize the U.S. energy program President Barack Obama presented in March.

The program contains plans to resume nuclear power plant construction and to channel substantial investment into the exploration and development of alternative energy sources, in particular into increasing shale gas production. The program also lifted the 20-year moratorium on development of offshore oilfields, which contain an estimated 1.6 trillion cubic meters of natural gas and 14.5 billion barrels of oil. The moratorium was introduced for environmental reasons.

The new energy program was expected to reduce the American economy's dependence on energy imports, on the one hand, and to generate additional cash to cover the budget deficit, on the other. The deficit for 2011 is projected to reach 10.6% of U.S. GDP.

The country's new energy policy came as an unwelcome surprise for the global oil and gas exporters, because America alone used to consume between 20% and 25% of oil and gas produced internationally. The decline in U.S. imports could have triggered major changes on the global hydrocarbon market, hitting commodity-based economies the hardest. Suffice it to recall how analysts were worried about U.S. companies' successes in shale gas production. True, shale gas is too expensive for commercial production now, and its output is meager, so it cannot revolutionize global gas prices - but only for the time being. But even now, it must be taken into account as a pricing factor.

And now this unexpected good fortune - an oil rig disaster threatens to thwart one of the key policies of the U.S. energy program. The U.S. government already said it would ban offshore drilling until the reasons behind the disaster are investigated.

Again, it is hard to assess the potential consequences of this decision, as we do not know how the situation in the Gulf of Mexico will develop, how soon the Americans will be able to cope with the consequences of the disaster and how long the new moratorium on offshore drilling will last. But one thing is for certain - an energy revolution which could have been triggered by the U.S. new energy program will at least be delayed.

From the Polish Scandal Files...

Interview: 'The Only Politically Acceptable Explanation Is To Blame Polish Pilots'

From: RFE/RL

Parliament speaker and acting president, Bronislaw Komorowski

Twenty-two candidates are planning to participate in Polish presidential elections following the April 10 plane crash in Russia that killed President Lech Kaczynski and dozens of members of the country's top military, political, and church elite. The candidates include the president's twin brother Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the former prime minister.

As the country reels from anger and shock over the crash, Poles are also facing the possibility of a shift toward warmer relations with Moscow once the country is under new leadership. Evidence of such a thaw could be seen in today's decision by Moscow to release a batch of previously sealed files related to the 1940 Katyn massacre.

RFE/RL Georgian Service correspondent Nino Gelashvili talked to political expert Przemyslaw Zurawski vel Grajewski of the Natolin European Center in Warsaw and the University of Lodz about the emerging political situation in Poland.

RFE/RL: April 10 must have been a very emotional day. What were you most worried about upon hearing about the crash?

Zurawski vel Grajewski: Well, political stability is not the best word, but perhaps the political "balance" in Poland. Because even though there were politicians from all political camps who died in the crash, it was still the presidential camp -- connected to the Law and Justice Party -- that suffered the largest number of casualties. And this was the main party of opposition to the government's Civic Platform Party. Try to imagine 80 politicians from the U.S. Republican Party dying in a plane crash. That was the scale of the impact on the Polish political scene.

RFE/RL: How important was Lech Kaczynski in determining your country's domestic and foreign policy?

Zurawski vel Grajewski: He was a public enemy of the government. So Poland is deeply divided now. This has been the situation for the past two years. The president was the official head of the minority camp. I stress the word "official" since the real operational head was his twin brother. And the president was the target of very cruel and, in my opinion, unjust attacks during his presidency.

On the other hand, his supporters think that he was the symbol of a policy based on the dignity of Poland -- Poland as a real independent country that has its own point of view and that respects the point of view of smaller neighbors from the region, and not only that of great powers from the West. So for his camp, and for me as well, he was the symbol of an independent position -- the subject, not the object, of Central and Eastern Europe in relations with France and Germany, as well as Russia.

RFE/RL: Current polls show the Civic Platform candidate Bronislaw Komorowski, the parliament speaker and acting president, with a strong lead over Jaroslaw Kaczynski. But those polls were conducted before Kaczynski formally declared his candidacy. The elections are in mid-June. Is it possible to predict an outcome for the vote at this point?

Zurawski vel Grajewski: Every public poll that has been conducted in Poland since 1989 has proved to be wrong. They never guess the real result. I have no idea what the reality is right now. What I can say is that Komorowski was heavily criticized publicly for the speeches he gave during the period of mourning [following the crash]. They were very official and delivered without real sorrow. It was obvious that they weren't sincere.

But I don't think we can build any prognosis on that simple statement because a president is something more than a man who delivers speeches at funerals. There are two months ahead, and a lot depends on the results of the investigation of the origins of the crash.

RFE/RL: Are you hopeful the real cause of the crash will be uncovered?

Zurawski vel Grajewski: By the Russians? Of course, no. Whether the Polish services are able to do that, since the crash took place on Russian territory, I don't know. What I can say is that the only politically acceptable explanation is to blame Polish pilots. Because any other explanation would be cause for a huge scandal.

It could have been a mistake by the Russian air-traffic controllers, or the crash of a Russian-produced and Russian-repaired plane, or a deliberate action by the Russians -- all three of these scenarios would cause a huge international scandal. So the only acceptable political explanation is to blame the Poles. I think this will be the result of the Russian investigation.

Many people think Poland's relationship with Russia is going to change. Some say they will grow warmer, some say colder. Both of those views are now colored by the events of April 10. Do you see any potential for ties to improve?

Zurawski vel Grajewski: There's an expectation among a large part of the Polish population that ties will improve. In my opinion, it's very naive, but that's the way it is and that's part of our political reality. It's based on emotions. Ordinary Russians showed sympathy for our tragedy. On the other hand, we have to remember that there are real, tangible contradictions of interests between Poland and Russia. I mean contradictions in the energy dimension, contradictions as far as the future enlargement of NATO to include Georgia and Ukraine.

A lot depends on the Americans. If they maintain this "reset" policy with Russia, there will be no external power to support us. If we are too weak to oppose Russian interests, that could help reduce tensions. But the real reason for the reduction would be the fact that Russia was winning the game, not because the contradictions would disappear. Very few people speak publicly about this contradiction of political interests. The ones who could died in the crash.

RFE/RL: Do you think the Polish people care about the stance their future leader will take on Russia? Will it be an important election issue?

Zurawski vel Grajewski: Yes, I think it will. But Poland is deeply divided on that. I mean, there are a lot of people who think that we are too small and too weak to act independently. We currently have no American support, and of course no support from the EU, which is governed by the pro-Russian Germany and France. So we can do nothing -- that's one point of view.

The other point of view -- represented by a minority, by the late president's camp -- is that we have no other choice but to defend our own interests in cooperation with our smaller partners in the region. But I think this political camp is on the retreat. It has suffered the worst casualties.

I'm afraid that this naive point of view of relying on Western support will prevail and that we will try to "reset" our relations with Russia as well. And I'm afraid that Russia will play the way it played in 2006, with the Hungarians and the Czechs on one side and Poland on the other. At that time, the Czechs and Hungarians were good guys, and we were bad. Now, I think, we'll be chosen to be the good guys while the Baltic states will be the bad guys. And Poland won't be able to support Georgia as a state. The Polish state is paralyzed now. It will take a year, maybe two. ...It's a dangerous situation for all of us.

Drunk driving offences up

From: The News

Over 2,000 drivers were caught drunk behind the wheel over the long May weekend in Poland, with 35 killed and 500 injured.

Police say the casualty rate could grow further as many were leaving it till Tuesday to make the journey home after visiting friends and family over the May1 to May 3 weekend.

The number caught drunk driving increased significantly compared to last year, said press spokeswoman at Police HQ in Warsaw, Grazyna Puchalska.

“Many [caught] were not those who got behind the wheel immediately after drinking, but those who drank the evening before,” she said, reminding the alcohol stays in the body and can be detected hours after drinking.

Such a mug

From: NPE

A 46 year-old mugger finally met his comeuppance when he bumped into an OAP from whom he had stolen a handbag several weeks ago.

The 70 year-old lady from Warsaw recognised the thief and tried to detain him by holding his jacket and hollering for help.

The mugger managed to escaped, but with the help of her sister, aged 67, she patrolled the area and called for police assistance when he reappeared with another man.

Eventually the thief and the other man, who was wanted for avoiding a 10-month prison sentence, were arrested.

Up in smoke

From: NPE

Four hundred cannabis plants have been seized by customs officials in the small village near Ozarow Mazowiecki, central Poland.

Officers estimate a street value of around PLN 300,000 and three Vietnamese men have been arrested in connection with the haul.

Two of those in custody, were reportedly are illegal immigrants, having forged Bulgarian ID documents, according to Border Guard Section Agnieszka Golias.

Sport...

Alexander Hleb set for England return as Aston Villa, Man City and Sunderland eye up move for former Arsenal star

From: Daily Mail

Former Arsenal star Alexander Hleb is considering a return to England to end his Barcelona nightmare.

Manchester City, Aston Villa and Sunderland head a host of clubs across Europe tracking the attacking midfielder.

Hleb, 28, is currently on loan at Stuttgart following a dismal first season with Barcelona after his £11.8m move from the Gunners in the summer of 2008.

His future at the Nou Camp looks bleak and while Hleb has not given up on his Barca future, a return the Premier League now looks on the cards.

The Belarusian spent a mixed three seasons at Arsenal but has previously expressed his regret over leaving the Gunners.

Now he could be set for a return to England and his agent, Uli Ferber, has revealed interest from Premier League clubs.

Ferber said: 'For now, he is looking forward to going back to Barcelona but he has good memories of England from his time at Arsenal.

'He likes English football and there has been interest from Premier League clubs.'

Cultural Scene...

Belarus Mass Media International Exhibition opens in Minsk

From: BelTA

The 14th Belarus Mass Media International Exhibition has opened in Minsk, BelTA has learnt.

The exhibition is held in the Belarus National Exhibition Center Belexpo on 4-7 May. The forum is timed to the 65th anniversary of the Great Victory. On 5 May, the round table, Great Patriotic War in National Consciousness of Belarusian People. Historical Truth as Earnest of Future Development, will be held within the framework of the forum.

Attending the mass media forum are more than 600 exhibitors from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, China, Cuba, India, Iran, Belarusian diaspora’s mass media from Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and other countries, the MIR TV and Radio Station, Belarus-Russia Union State’s mass media. Russian regions are among the most active participants of the exhibition. The Moscow, Smolensk, Bryansk and Nizhny Novgorod Oblasts will be represented by delegations of journalists, representatives of news agencies and publishing houses.

The international specialized salon, Content and Telecommunications, will be held within the framework of the exhibition for the first time. It will display new developments and technologies in the field of cable, mobile and IP-television.

The business program of the forum includes various roundtables, seminars and press-assembles to discuss legal and economic activity of mass media, professional development, practices exchange.

A number of forum’s events will be held with the participation of representatives of the Belarusian diaspora abroad. On 4 May, the round table, Dialogue of Diasporas: Diaspora and Mass Media, will be held.

The forum also includes the round tables to discuss international and inter-confessional relations, the intercultural dialogue in Belarus and the cooperation with the Belarusian natives abroad.

The program of the first day of the forum includes the presentation of the Journalist Magazine and the Minsk-News Agency.

On May 5, an award ceremony of the winners of the 6th National Mass Media Contest will be held within the framework of the exhibition.

Endnote...

Lukashenka’s six-year old son has iPhone

From: Charter '97

Six-year old Kolya Lukashenka was noticed holding an expensive iPhone during a walk with his father in Gorky Park.

Alyaksandr Lukashenka and his youngest son Nikalai took a walk in Gorky Park in Minsk after visiting a hockey training game in “Yunost” indoor ice rink.

As Electroname.com reports, the fact that the boy had a white iPhone in his hands didn’t go unnoticed in the Belarusian Internet. It is unknown what cell phone Nikalai’s father uses.

Lukashenka wears watch 52 times more expensive than Obama wears

In a related story, Journalists managed to take picture of the watch of the Belarusian ruler during his recent visit to Lithuania.

Lj-user toxaby posted photos of Belarusian ruler’s watch in his blog.

As blogger malishevsky writes, Lukashenka wears Swiss watch Patek Philippe Calatrava 5120j on his right hand. The watch costs almost 17,000 dollars, or 11,000 euros.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Moscow mayor Yury Luzhkov have the same “low-end” Patek Philippe watches.

Two months ago, blogger drugoi drew attention to the watches the United States President Barack Obama wears. Obama has a Jorg Gray 6500 Chronograph (the website says it is a presidential watch company) that costs... 325 dollars. We haven’t lost zeros. As www.charter97.org calculated, US president’s watch is almost 52 times cheaper than Lukashenka’s one!

Yanukovych in Minsk, Manufactures in Belarus, German interest, Taxes, Kyrgyz-type turmoil, Elections; News, Sport, Culture and Polish scandal...

2010-05-03T02:09:00.000+03:00

From the Top...

#507

Nothing behind Lukashenko-Yanukovych meeting

From: BelTA

There is nothing behind the meeting of the presidents of Belarus and Ukraine, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko as he met with President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych in Minsk on 29 April.

“Someone gets all tense about our relations. We are not going to be friends against someone. Belarus is not going to get involved into geopolitical problems. It is not in our interests and I think not in Ukraine’s,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarusian head of state remarked that Belarus and Ukraine have to model their economies to make them no different from Europe, to allow people to live well. “I am confident you have the same goal to reach,” the President of Belarus told his Ukrainian counterpart.

Alexander Lukashenko reminded that back in Kyiv the heads of state agreed to meet soon in order to discuss what experts had worked on, to disregard what is no longer topical and to talk over the matters that need to be addressed soon for the sake of interests of the two countries and the nations. He added that some kind of a roadmap for Belarus-Ukraine relations will have to be developed. “They say that the present meeting was organized too fast, there is no agenda,” said the Belarusian head of state. “Our specialists had been working hard in all areas: the heads of the administrations of the presidents and the governments”.

Alexander Lukashenko believes that the presidents will have time to meet more than once. For instance, the next meeting may be held at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border to table transboundary and interregional cooperation of the two countries.

“I think in the near future the possibility of organizing such a meeting will be worked on. The meeting will reveal our true intent regarding each other,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

Mutual respect and consideration of each other’s interests can solve any problems

It is possible to resolve any problems if there is mutual respect and consideration of each other’s partners' interests, and the meeting between the Presidents of Belarus and Ukraine has proved it, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko following the talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovych on 29 April.

Alexander Lukashenko said that the two presidents held a very detailed and sincere exchange of opinion on almost every issue of the bilateral agenda. He also noted that the people of Belarus and Ukraine have been waiting for serious progress in the bilateral relations in past years.

The two presidents outlined the avenues of cooperation that will bring the Belarusian-Ukrainian relations onto a new level. The sides succeeded in reaching agreements on such issues as close interaction in power engineering, transport, industrial cooperation, regional cooperation, cross-border trade, and cultural interaction.

"We have found mutually acceptable options to solve our financial problems. We will finish the negotiations over the borders in the nearest future. On the whole, we can say that we have formed an ambitious program of action. I am confident that the implementation of the concluded agreements will largely contribute to the strengthening of sovereignty and independence of our countries and enhance the role of our region in Europe,” summarized Alexander Lukashenko.

According to Viktor Yanukovych, the two presidents have discussed a number of problems of current importance together with the issues that remained unsolved in the recent decades. The Ukrainian President believes that the two countries have to create a legal framework in the customs issues and establish cross-border trade.

Speaking on the 65th Anniversary of the Victory over Nazis, Viktor Yanukovych said that Belarus, Ukraine and Russia are planning to hold a number of joint events. In particular, the three countries will improve the social security of the war veterans. Alexander Lukashenko noted that he and Viktor Yanukovych will travel to Moscow on 8 May ‘to pay tribute to those people, who marched through Red Square and demonstrated our unity since the hard 1941 and henceforth.’ Apart from that the military men of the three countries will partake in parades in Minsk, Kyiv, and Moscow. “The three countries will also hold other joint events including those in the border areas, ‘in order to demonstrate that although we have borders, these are the borders of peace and good between the closest nations,” said the Belarusian President.

Other Belarusian News...

Minsk companies-importers should create their own manufactures in Belarus

From: BelTA

Minsk-based companies-importers should develop their own manufactures or start exporting goods, acting mayor of Minsk Nikolai Ladutko said at a session of the mayor’s office. The session summed up the social and economic development of the capital city in Q1 this year. Taking part in the session were chiefs of the companies-importers.

According to Nikolai Ladutko, the issue of increasing sales on foreign markets is getting to the forefront today. Importers need to develop the manufactures in the capital city, in the Minsk free economic zone and start exports. “We are not saying ‘no’ to you business. We are saying ‘yes’. But we would like you to get involved in export operations,” Nikolai Ladutko said. He instructed the chiefs of the privately-owned companies-importers to develop business plans on creating manufacturers inside the country.

In January-February this year more than 6,600 economic entities were involved in import in Minsk. Of them more than 5,800 do not have any departmental subordination. They imported goods to the tune of $764 million. The Minsk total import came to $1 billion.

There are 150 large importers in Minsk. The Minsk City hall recommends them to start exporting or to create their own manufactures. Certain results have been already achieved. In 2010 over 10 import-substituting manufactures will come on stream. The plans on the table are to start producing children’s and women’s hygiene products, metal constructions, housewares and so one. According to preliminary estimates, this will reduce import by $55 million a year.

In January-February Minsk had a trade deficit of 563.2 million, down $32.3 million as compared to the same months a year ago. Minsk is set to get a trade surplus by the end of 2012.

Platzeck’s visit proves German interest in Belarus

From: BelTA

The visit of the German delegation led by Minister-President of Brandenburg Matthias Platzeck to Belarus has proved big potential for the bilateral cooperation, mutually beneficial projects with the use of German investment and technologies, mutual interest in the cooperation and industrial relations, Andrei Savinykh, Head of the Information Office, Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, told a briefing on 29 April.

Matthias Platzeck visited Minsk together with a group of German businessmen interested in the implementation of various projects in Belarus. His previous visits to Belarus were in 2007 and 2009.

This time Matthias Platzeck met with Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky, Head of the Presidential Administration Vladimir Makei, Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov, Chairman of the Minsk oblast executive committee Leonid Krupets. The sides considered cooperation prospects for the use of renewable energy, energy saving, transport, logistics, education, enhancement of qualifications of the managerial staff.

The heads of government of Belarus and Brandenburg signed joint declarations on the development of cooperation in the area of renewables, logistics and economic cooperation. The German delegation was interested in developing contacts with the authorities of the Minsk oblast. After visiting the oblast the German delegation offered to work out a programme of long-term contacts between the Minsk oblast and Brandenburg.

The delegation of German businessmen agreed to analyze promising projects with the Belarusian partners.

Matthias Platzeck attended the international scientific and practical conference, Workshop of the Future – Bridge of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Power, arranged by the Minsk-based Johannes Rau International Centre for Education and Exchange and a roundtable, New Management Structures of the XXI Century. Brandenburg Land Experience, organized by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

Economics...

Belarus' tax administration to be further streamlined in 2011

From: BelTA

In 2011 Belarus will continue the work on simplifying its tax administration, Deputy Economy Minister of Belarus Andrei Tur told media on 30 April.

In his words, Belarus aims to make it into the list of top thirty countries with the best doing business conditions in the near future. The country’s tax system was heavily criticized by the experts during the previous years. According to Andrei Tur, this year Belarus is expected to make a serious progress in the tax system reform. He reminded the Special Part of the Tax Code has taken effect this year. “We were able to reduce tax burden by 1.9% during this period that would be taken into the rating. Tax payments were cut on 23 positions. The simplification of the tax administration is underway. I think we will make more headway in the issue this year,” he stressed.

Andrei Tur added that the work on improving the tax system of Belarus will be continued in 2011.

French Vanderbilt to stage flax cultivation experiment in Belarus

The French company Vanderbilt has started a flax cultivation experiment in Belarus, Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister of Belarus Vasily Pavlovsky told a press conference on 30 April.

The Agriculture and Food Ministry had requested the French company to stage an experiment to compare the company’s flax cultivation technology with Belarus’. Six fields were available and two 10-hectare fields with increased acidity were chosen. They are located near Dubrovno and Lida. The two fields will also be used to cultivate flax using the Belarusian technology. “We will compare the two methods to find out which one is more effective and why,” said Vasily Pavlovsky.

The French company has been permitted to use crop protection agents, which are not registered in Belarus, as well as mineral fertilizers and its own equipment.

The Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister added that Belarusian scientists recommend sowing flax on fields with 5.5-5.8 pH acidity. In France acidity can be as high as 6.5-7 pH. “All the varieties which are used in France, Belgium, Holland are more adapted to increased soil acidity. This is why last year and this year Belarus will sow some fields with foreign flax seeds,” remarked Vasily Pavlovsky.

Belarus’ dairy export impressive

Belarus has become a major exporter of dairy products, Agriculture and Food Minister Semyon Shapiro told media in Vilnius on 30 April.

According to the official, Belarus now accounts for 11% of the world’s butter export, 5.7% of the world’s cheese export while the country accounts for only 1% of the global milk output. Semyon Shapiro explained that many countries are satisfied with manufacturing the amount of dairy products, which is sufficient for their domestic demand. Australia, New Zealand, Brazil Argentina and Belarus are major exporters of dairy products.

Asked about prospects of promoting Belarusian dairy products into the European Union, Semyon Shapiro said that several veterinary and customs matters have to be addressed before that happens. “In the future we will have to balance the relations in customs duties, to work out equal terms of the access of commodities to our markets,” said Semyon Shapiro. He added that in Belarus only products of the Verkhnedvinsk dairy factory are certified for compliance with European standards. But it is just the beginning. A complex of things will have to be dealt with before Belarusian products are shipped to Europe.

The Belarusian Agriculture and Food Minister was supposed to take part in the international expo AgroBalt 2010 that opened in the Lithuanian capital city on 29 April.

From the Foriegn Press...

Opportunities are opening up for Belarus and Ukraine to change geopolitical situation in the region, Lukashenka says

From: naviny

Opportunities are opening up for Belarus and Ukraine to change the geopolitical situation in the region, Alyaksandr Lukashenka told reporters in Minsk on April 29 following his talks with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, which lasted more than six hours, BelaPAN reports.

Belarus and Ukraine should become major players in their region, Mr. Lukashenka stressed.

"I'm confident that opportunities are now emerging for us to change the geopolitical situation and make geography serve our nations," he said. "This is confirmed by the fact that, in the eyes of the European Union and Russia, Belarus and Ukraine are attaining a significance that allows us to play a more self-sufficient role in the geopolitics of Europe."

To take advantage of these opportunities, Belarus and Ukraine should establish themselves as really self-sufficient partners that coordinate their activities, Mr. Lukashenka said.

According to the Belarusian leader, his talks with Mr. Yanukovych were meant to give "a most powerful impetus to improving the whole architecture of bilateral relations."

Belarus leader warns against Kyrgyz-type turmoil

From: washington post.com

Belarussian leader Alexander Lukashenko warned citizens Tuesday to be on guard against Kyrgyz-style turmoil, suggesting outside forces were bent on pushing him from power as a 2011 presidential election approaches.

"We have a crucial campaign ahead of us, an arduous campaign," local news agencies quoted Lukashenko as telling villagers on a visit to eastern Belarus. He said that if he sought another term, as is expected, "it will get even harder."

"You must not relax, in order not to permit what is happening in some republics, what recently happened in Kyrgyzstan," he said. "This is what we don't need. If somebody is applauding and rejoicing, it's not the Kyrgyz people."

Lukashenko was referring to an April 7 uprising that ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and killed at least 85 people in the Central Asian nation.

The authoritarian leader's statement may be seen as a tough warning to Belarus's vocal but fragmented opposition, which staged street protests after Lukashenko' re-election in a 2006 vote judged to be neither free nor fair by the West.

The next presidential election is due in February 2011. Lukashenko, in power in the former Soviet republic since 1994, oversaw constitutional amendments in 2005 that removed limits on the number of terms he can serve.

KYRGYZ SYNDROME?

The 55-year-old leader, who once pledged to build a "union state" with giant neighbor Russia but has since fallen out with Moscow, has rapped its prompt recognition of the interim government that claimed power in Kyrgyzstan after the revolt.

In an apparent effort to annoy Russia, Lukashenko allowed Bakiyev to come to Belarus last week and vent his criticism of Moscow, which he says may have played a role in his overthrow.

Lukashenko, who calls Russia's policy toward Kyrgyzstan "shortsighted," threatened last weekend to snub a May summit of the Moscow-dominated CSTO security pact of ex-Soviet states unless its agenda included Kyrgyzstan's "bloody coup d'etat."

The outspoken leader, whose ties with former ally Russia have soured after a series of trade wars and rows over prices for Russian oil and gas, hinted that Moscow, like his critics in the West, may be keen to see him go.

"You see, someone -- both in the East and the West -- does not like the current president. Naturally, they are itching to sneak in here," Lukashenko told rural residents. "I don't worry about this much, I'm just telling you: you should not relax."

'Weary' Lukashenko has no fear of losing presidency

From: ria novosti

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday he is weary of work and would feel "no fear" if his successor were to be found, the Belta news agency said.

Presidential polls are set for February 6, 2011 in Belarus. Lukashenko has been in office since 1994 in the former Soviet republic.

"Frankly speaking, I have already had my fill of work. If you find a new president, I will feel no fear. Anyway, he has to be found sooner or later. If you find him - fine," Belta quoted Lukashenko as saying in a speech in southeast Belarus's Gomel Region.

"You see, somebody doesn't like the current president, both in the West and in the East. ... They itch to step in here. I don't mind this, but I am just telling you - do not lose your grip," Lukashenko said.

On the subject of the recent developments in Kyrgyzstan, Lukashenko said the Belarus people should be careful not to allow a similar scenario to unfold in Belarus.

Cuba to Take Part in Belarus Media Exhibition

From: Cuba Headlines

Cuba is going to take part in the Belarus 14th Mass Media International Specialized Exhibition which takes place every year in this capital, the First Deputy Minister of Information announced.

Cuba is going to take part in the Belarus 14th Mass Media International Specialized Exhibition which takes place every year in this capital, the First Deputy Minister of Information announced.

Cuba is to participate with a stand of 968.75 square feet in this event, which will have a total of 80 halls of national media, of Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, China, Iran and India.

The hall of the Cuban press will exhibit newspapers and printed magazines and will promote some Internet media versions in different languages.

The celebration of the 65th anniversary of the fall of fascism will be the theme of the event.

Cuban stand will homage to the journalist work of the Cuban Revolution Leader Fidel Castro and will distribute leaflets written in Russian of one part of his Reflections.

Cuba will also present documentaries related to the U.S blockade to the Island and the struggle for the liberation of Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labanino, Rene Gonzalez, Gerardo Hernandez, and Fernando Gonzalez.

The films will show also the achievements of the Island in these 50 years of Revolution.

The event will be useful for the press media to exhibit their technological advances in the sector including the development of cable operators and the network of satellite channels, of which there are a hundred in Belarus.

From the Opposition...

PACE freezes contacts with Belarusian regime

From: Charter '97

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe freezes high-level contacts with Belarus due to violation of democratic standards.

The resolution was adopted by a majority of votes at a PACE session in Strasbourg on April 29.

The resolution was adopted with 58 out of 67 votes in favour, 6 against and 3 abstentions, BelaPAN reports.

“Get lost!” Christos Pourgourides, rapporteur on Belarus of the Assembly’s Legal Affairs Committee, commented on the position of Belarusian authorities towards the Council of Europe and PACE.

As ucpb.org website reports, another Cyprian PACE member: “Lukashenka doesn’t care about our resolutions. He is sure will kneel to him. We should put an end to this. We shouldn’t have any contacts with the Belarusian authorities.”

The resolution notes a “lack of progress” towards Council of Europe. In particular, the document says that two executions were carried out in Belarus “in conditions of total secrecy” at a time when the United Nations Human Rights Committee had requested a stay in the executions pending its examination of their cases. The resolution also mentions the facts of violations of the rights of the Polish minority in Belarus and absence of international observers at the local council “elections”.

The resolution regrets “lack of political will on the part of the Belarusian authorities to embrace Council of Europe values” and calls to continue the dialogue with Belarus.

In view of the recent executions, the Assembly has adopted a decision to “put on hold its activities involving high-level contacts between the Assembly and the Belarusian parliament and/or governmental authorities”, the PACE resolution says, Interfax informs.

It became known yesterday that the PACE president cancelled his visit to Belarus.

On April 29, leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka had a meeting with Mevl?t Cavusoglu, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

“We have discussed a range of issues,” Anatol Lyabedzka told ucpb.org website after the meeting. “I presented our vision of the roadmap on Belarus’ accession to the Council of Europe and PACE, and the monitoring of the recent electoral campaign carried out as part of the Tell the Truth campaign. I tried to conduct a concrete dialogue and focused on the facts of harassment of independent journalists, the situation with the Union of Poles, and a tendency to control the Internet. But the main question is what should be done. Now much depends on the political will of the Assembly. We are ready to discuss an issue on the roadmap with the Assembly and representatives of the Belarusian authorities.”

The PACE President noted he had to cancel his visit to Minsk due to the recent actions of the Belarusian authorities.”

The United Nations Human Rights Committee earlier deplored the executions of two people, whose cases are currently pending before the Committee. The Council of Europe, Amnesty International, and Belarusian human rights activists have also condemned the actions of the Belarusian authorities.

Belarus is the only country in Europe where the death penalty wasn’t abolished. In June 2009, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution on restoring special guest status in PACE for Belarus on a condition of imposing moratorium on death penalty. The European Union also calls on imposing moratorium. This is one of the conditions for lifting visa sanctions on Belarusian officials extended by the EU until October 2010.

HR activist’s office searched

From: Viasna

According to the Navapolatsk human rights activist Zmitser Salauyou, his office is currently being searched by the police. The search was sanctioned by the town’s prosecutor’s office and is said to be linked to a criminal case initiated by the local police under Article 341 of the Criminal Code – ‘desecration of buildings and damage to property’ – following a number of inscriptions made on some of the town’s buildings.

No other details are yet available.

According to the latest information, the police seized a PC, DVDs, numerous printed materials and flags.

Lawbreakers go to Chysts Council

As it was reported before, on 25 April 4 candidates running for the Chysts Village Council (Maladechna district, Minsk region) – Siarhei Miroshnikau, Halina Kurylovich, Alena Ulchyts and Stanislau Bazhko – appeared to be members of various local election commissions.

However, under par. 20 of Art. 68 of the Electoral Code, ‘the authority of the person, nominated for a local council, who is member of the Central, constituency, territorial or divisional election commission, is considered invalid from the moment of his or her registration as a candidate.’

The violation was appealed at 15.20, 25 April, i.e. 7 hours after the beginning of voting. The appeal lodged with Maladechna District Prosecutor’s Office, claimed that the official had blatantly violated the electoral legislation and demanded to declare the elections at the polling stations invalid, as well as to cancel the registration of the candidates.

Ms. Lidzia Yarmoshyna, chair of the Central Election Commission, later announced that Siarhei Miroshnikau, Halina Kurylovich, Alena Ulchyts and Stanislau Bazhko had been removed from the election commission, and thus were unable to take part in the vote counting.

At the same time, the lawbreakers were elected deputies of the Chysts Village Council.

‘Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections’

Russia...

Russia Wants Right to Prosecute Parents Who Abuse Adopted Russian Kids

From: ABC

In a meeting between Russian and U.S. officials on a new pact for adoptions of Russian children, Russia demanded greater monitoring of the children and the right to prosecute American parents who abuse those children.

Many adoptions are in limbo after a Tennessee woman sent her adopted 7-year-old son back to Moscow alone with a note in his pocket saying she didn't want to parent the boy anymore. A Pennsylvania couple was also charged this week with homicide in the death of another 7-year-old boy who had been adopted in Russia.

"We just need to have some safety guarantees for our kids which we send to adoption to the United States of America because right now without an agreement we don't have any possibility to check our children to know about their future and to make sure that everything is OK with our children," Pavel Astakhov, Kremlin's ombudsman for children's rights, told ABC News

A State Department delegation described its discussion with Russian counterparts over a new agreement to govern adoptions of Russian children by Americans as "fruitful," but ongoing. The State Department wouldn't comment on Russia's request to pursue legal action against Americans beyond calling it "a complicated legal problem."

"We agree that we want to do what's best for children and we have formed a working group," Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Michael Kirby told reporters outside the Foreign Ministry on Thursday. He said that the talks will resume on May 12.

Astakhov said he expected an agreement very quickly, but warned that without one adoptions to the United States could grind to a halt.

"I think our parliament is ready to cancel it all, and make an amendment in family court and to prohibit foreign adoptions," Astakhov told ABC News. "I don't want it so, but it can be."

Though the U.S. is a signatory to the Hague Adoption Convention, the two countries don't have a bilateral legal agreement in place. Russia is the third largest source of adoptions for Americans after Ethiopia and China, with some 1,600 children adopted from Russia last year, according to the State Department.

Adoptions Slow Down But Continue Despite Suspension

Russia demanded this agreement and announced a suspension of adoptions to the U.S. after a Tennessee mother sent her 7-year-old adopted Russian son back to Moscow on a plane alone. Torry Hansen pinned a note to Artyom Savelyev – whom she renamed Justin Hansen – saying she no longer wished to parent the child, calling him "psychopathic."

President Dmitry Medvedev called Hansen's actions a "monstrous deed" in an interview with ABC News and on April 15 the Foreign Ministry announced a suspension of adoptions.

Adoptions continue despite the alleged suspension, largely due to the fact that the Ministry of Education and Science, not the Foreign Ministry, is in charge of adoptions. Many courts in Russia's regions continue to process applications and award children to families, while others await instructions from Moscow on how to proceed.

About 3,500 children are waiting to be adopted by American families, according to the Joint Council on International Children's Services. It's unclear how many cases have been affected, U.S. officials will only say there's been a slow down.

Lorraine and Pierce Fenelon arrived in Moscow from Boston as tensions flared between the U.S. and Russia and talk of a suspension began. It threw their plans to adopt 15 month-old Natasha into jeopardy after a 14 month process involving mountains of paperwork. Their last court appearance in Moscow was meant to be the final step.

"I was inconsolable," said Lorraine. "I couldn't even speak, I was just beyond upset."

Barbara and Rick Durig were preparing to leave their Minneapolis suburb for southern Russia to pick up three sisters aged 17, 11 and 9 when the Hansen scandal broke.

"I was just sick, absolutely sick," Rick said. "I listened on the news and I heard the headline and I could not believe what I was hearing. This was a mere two days after we had gotten our court date and we had gotten our firm travel date."

Despite the suspension, both the Durigs' and Fenelons' adoptions were completed.

Agreement Could Take Time

"The judge was amazing, not one word of reproach about Americans adopting Russians, not one hint that this was going on," said Lorraine Fenelon.

However, U.S. embassy consular officials in Moscow commented to the Fenelons that there was a marked decrease in the adoptions paperwork they are currently processing.

The Fenelons received Natasha's U.S. passport on Thursday and will head to Boston on Saturday. The Durigs are spending 10 days near the girls' orphanage, they will then bring them to Moscow to complete the paperwork and return home on May 15.

Artyom Savelyev, who turned 8 since arriving back to Russia, has been transferred from the hospital to where he has been staying and is being prepared to be placed with a foster family. Astakhov, the ombudsman, says Artyom has made friends and "feels fine."

American officials warn that drafting a new agreement could take some time, but Astakhov hopes it will be sooner rather than later.

"We'll continue our conversation, our negotiations on this issue and I hope and I really think we will do this agreement very quickly," he said.

Russia Opens Its Files on the Katyn Massacre

From: Time

In a move that takes it one step closer to easing its long-running tensions with Poland, Russia on Wednesday, April 28, posted online for the first time its files on the Soviet Union's World War II massacre of thousands of Polish officers in the Katyn forest.

The documents — which were once classified — were opened to the public in 1992 but have mainly been read only by researchers and historians. Now, for the first time, anyone with a computer can see the files that prove Soviet dictator Josef Stalin and his aides were responsible for the killings of 22,000 Polish officers in the forest in western Russia. "Let people see [the files]. Let them know who made the decision to kill the Polish officers," said Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, who ordered that the files be published online. "It's all there in the documents. All signatures are there. All the faces are known."

The mass murder of thousands of Polish prisoners of war and intellectuals at Katyn in April 1940 — just months after Nazi Germany and Stalin carved up Poland — is an enduring symbol for Poles of their suffering under totalitarian Soviet rule. For 50 years, the Soviet Union blamed the massacre on Nazi German forces, until Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev acknowledged Moscow's responsibility in 1990. On April 7, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk for the first time jointly observed its 70th anniversary.

It was while flying into Russia a few days later to attend a separate memorial ceremony that Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife and 94 others were killed in a plane crash, a tragedy that sparked the warming of relations between the two countries. Poles were impressed by how Moscow handled the aftermath of the crash, as Medvedev braved the travel chaos caused by volcanic ash to attend Kaczynski's funeral in Krakow and told Poles he hoped the sad event could bring the two nations closer.

But the Katyn massacre remains a source of tension, with speculation persisting in some circles in Russia that the killings were in fact committed by the Nazi German troops who uncovered the first mass grave in the forest in 1943. For its part, Poland has long felt that Russia shied away from accepting full responsibility for the killings. Russia hopes that by making the files freely available to the general public, it will finally put the issue to rest. "Given that historians have already had access to the files, [the documents] do not shed new light on what happened at Katyn," says Slawomir Debski, analyst at the Polish International Affairs Institute. "But it's proof that Russia wants to cut speculations that the documents were falsified."

By the end of Wednesday, 2 million people had viewed the files at www.rusarchives.ru, the website of Russia's federal archive service, Rosarkhiv. "This is a positive decision," Pawel Zalewski, Polish MEP and former chief of the Foreign Affairs Committee, told the daily Gazeta Wyborcza. "Russian people will be able to see the documents for themselves. [In the past,] the actions of the Russian authorities have not been so straightforward."

But in Warsaw, Prime Minister Tusk was more cautiously optimistic, saying he welcomed the gesture but would await Russia's next step. There are still many more documents on the Katyn massacre that remain classified, despite Polish appeals for the archives to be opened. They include materials from an investigation into the killings by Russian military prosecutors that was dropped in 2004. Those documents are believed to bear the names of the soldiers who carried out the executions.

Russia still won't reveal the reasons behind dropping the investigation. It also refuses to recognize the killings as war crimes or acts of genocide. The human-rights group Memorial, which focuses on crimes of the Soviet period, welcomed the posting of some of the Katyn files on the government website but said more action is needed. "There is no reason for euphoria," said Nikita Pietrov, a historian and Memorial leader, according to Polish news agency PAP. "Everybody is waiting for the actions of the prosecutors, not of the state archives." Medvedev promised that more documents would be released but did not specify which ones.

For now, Poles and Russians will have to get what closure they can from the documents that Russia has put online. Those include the March 1940 letter written by Lavrenty Beria, then head of the secret police, and signed by Stalin and three other members of the Politburo, in which Beria recommends the execution of Polish prisoners of war. And there are the minutes of the Politburo meeting on March 5, 1940, at which Beria's proposal was approved. Perhaps most chilling of all is the note from the head of the Soviet secret police in 1959 to Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev — advising that the Katyn files be destroyed.

Russia's Medvedev orders full investigation into prison death

From: ria novosti

Russian President Dimitry Medvedev ordered a full investigation into the death of the director of a real estate company, who died of acute heart failure in a pre-trial detention centre on Apil 30, the Kremlin's press service said.

Vera Trifonova, a 53-year-old resident of Khimki near Moscow, had been in pre-trial detention since December on fraud charges. It was reported that she had diabetes and chronic kidney failure.

Medvedev asked Investigative Committee Chairman Alexander Bastrikin to present all information about the incident, and if it is proven to be the fault of the investigating authorities, to submit proposals on how those responsible should be punished.

In November 2009, Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer at hedge fund Hermitage Capital died in the same prison while awaiting trial on tax evasion charges. The Russian Prosecutor General's office said that he died of a heart attack but supporters say Magnitsky was denied access to medical treatment.

Following the death of Magnitsky, which caused uproar in Russia, Medvedev pushed through a law to allow people suspected of economic crimes to be released on bail to prevent jail being used to pressure businessmen.

From the Polish Scandal Files...

Child porn gang detained

From: NPE

Ninety four people have been detained around the country suspected of obtaining and distributing child pornography.

The sting, codenamed ‘Operation Mermaid’, saw officers raid 84 separate houses and flats and bring in 94 people for questioning. In addition to this, 14 hard drives, 123 computers, thousands of DVDs and CDs, as well as a number of mobile phones and pen drives, have been seized.

According to an official statement from the National Police Headquarters, “So far 10 of those detained have been charged with possessing or distributing underage pornography.”

“Some of the suspects said that they had downloaded porn files by mistake, not being aware of their exact content. However, officers have managed to establish that they did so repeatedly,” said police spokesman, Mariusz Sokolowski.

“But some people do obtain this type of content by mistake or out of curiosity, not realizing that it is in fact a crime,” he added.

He continued, “Those who find themselves accidently in possession of such photos, contact the police as soon as possible.”

‘Operation Mermaid’ is the fourth major operation of its kind to have been carried out in the last two years. Last year over 1,000 people were kept in custody suspected of possessing underage porn, resulting in 300 being charged. This year alone has seen 120 people arrested in January and an extra 64 detained under suspicion of distribution.

The suspects face up to five years for possession, and eight years for distribution of the illegal images.

Prosecutors asked a Warsaw court to sentence 22-year-old to fifteen years in prison

From: NPE

Prosecutors asked a Warsaw court to sentence 22-year-old Tomasz K. to fifteen years in prison for the attempted murder of a taxi driver in Nowy Dwor Mazowiecki last June. His defence requested a lighter sentence on grounds of diminished responsibility.

The incident occurred when Tomasz K. completed a three-day drinking binge penniless outside a club in Nowy Dwor. He called the taxi with no intention of paying for the trip, but claimed he intended to settle the matter amicably.

But in a darkened area near Czosnow he wrapped a steel wire around the driver’s neck and began to throttle him. The driver had a small pen-knife attached to his keyring and succeeded in cutting the wire, at which point his attacker fled.

Tomasz K.’s defence argued that, “The accused acted in an irrational and unpremeditated fashion.” They also argued that his psychiatric problems meant he was emotionally unstable, lacked empathy and was liable to react violently in threatening situations.

However, the experts called by the court pointed out that, “In this situation there was no threat. His act bears all the hallmarks of a premeditated crime.”

Killer bear scare in the Tatras

From: The News

National park rangers are hunting an aggressive brown bear, roaming the Polish-Slovak border, after it attacked two men and a horse.

The Slovak authorities issued an order to shoot the animal. Rangers from Poland’s Tatra National Park don’t want to resort to such a drastic move. They will try to trap the unruly bear, instead.

“When it enters the trap-cage we have prepared, we will put it to sleep for a while, carry out genetic tests, determine its sex, age and weight, fit it with a radio collar, wake it up and release it,” says Pawel Skawinski, director of the Tatra National Park.

Thanks to the radio collar, the rangers will know the exact whereabouts of the bear at any time and will close certain parts of the park for the protection of tourists. In extreme situations, they will deter the animal with rubber bullets.

Director Skawinski says the bear is aggressive either because it is wounded, was fed by people and is no longer afraid of humans or simply that it has the nature of a killer, but this happens very rarely.

The “killer bear”, as local people have dubbed it, first attacked on April 22, injuring a Slovak lumberjack. Another Slovak man suffered a serious attack five days later and is fighting for life in hospital in Slovakia. Then, the bear crossed the border and attacked a cart horse standing in harness. It stood in front of the horse on its hind legs, and relented only when lumberjacks scared it with their saws.

Since the bear has no radio collar, its movements cannot be traced. Tourists entering the Tatra National Park are warned against a possible attack.

Sport...

Vinitskaya of Belarus won the 2010 Pittsburgh Marathon

From: Belta

Alena Vinitskaya, 36, of Belarus, claimed the women's crown at 2:42:33, more than 3 minutes ahead of runner-up Phebe Ko.

The marathon's finish line was moved when police cordoned off several downtown blocks following the discovery of a pipe bomb hidden in a small microwave oven on the sidewalk at 11th Street and Penn Avenue, the Post-Gazette said.

Police said a robot guided by bomb squad members disabled the device, and the all-clear was given shortly before 11 a.m. EDT.

The newspaper said rumors that the marathon had been canceled circulated through race checkpoints but police moved to spread word the event was still on.

Azarenka into Porsche Tennis Grand Prix second round

Belarusian tennis player Victoria Azarenka (No9 in the WTA rankings) advanced into the second round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany. Azarenka outscored Italia’s Flavia Pennetta (6-1, 6-4) in the opener on 28 April.

Azarenka will face Russia’s Anna Lapushchenkova, who beat another Belarusian Olga Govortsova in the first round.

Olga Govortsova paired with Poland’s Alicija Rosolska beat German duo of Mona Barthel and Carmen Klaschka (5-7, 6-4, 10-8) in the first round of women’s doubles.

In the second round the Belarusian-Polish duo will play another German pair of Julia Goerges and Jasmin Woehr, who beat Belarusian-Latvian duo of Tatiana Poutchek and Liga Dekmeijere in the first round. Tatiana Poutchek had previously quit the singles tournament after losing to Romania’s Alexandra Dulgheru (2-6, 2-6).

Total prize money of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is $700,000. The tournament is scheduled to end on 2 May.

Amatar Brest recognized Europe’s best amateur football club

Amatar Brest has been recognized the best amateur football club of Europe at the session of the UEFA Executive committee in Tel-Aviv, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Belarusian Football Federation.

Founded in 1991, the Amatar amateur football club is one of the most active sport NGOs in Belarus. The club advocates athletic activities and popularizes healthy way of life among the young. The club organizes amateur football, mini-football, futsal, and beach-foot tournaments. This year a mini-football festival will be held under the aegis of Amatar during the national Week of Football. Taking part in the festival will about fifty amateur teams from the Brest region.

The national Week of Football will be held in Belarus on17-23 May. Taking part in it will be amateur teams of different ages. The Week of Football will be finished by the Belarus Cup final game between BATE Borisov and Torpedo Zhodino at the Dinamo stadium in Minsk.

Cultural Scene...

Belarus’ State Symphony Orchestra to give concert in Moscow

From: BelTA

The State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Belarus directed by Alexander Anisimov will give a concert in Moscow to mark the 65th anniversary of Victory. The concert will take place in the Hall of Columns of the House of Unions on 30 April, BelTA learnt from the Union State Permanent Committee.

The concert under the Union State to the Veterans of Victory motto will be a gift to the veterans of the Great Patriotic War and all Moscow residents. The event that will be held within the Year of the Belarusian Culture in Russia has been organized by the Culture Ministries of the two countries.

The concert programme is divided into two parts. The first part will consist of the symphonic hit songs of the 1950s-1980s including the works of Dmitry Shostakovich, Georgy Sviridov, Kirill Molchanov, Aram Khachaturyan and other renowned composers. The second part of the concert programme will be dedicated to the 170th birthday of Piotr Tchaikovsky.

Among the soloists will be Belarusian artists, winners of the Glinka Contest, mezzo-soprano Oksana Volkova, young dulcimer player, prize-holder of many international competitions Veronika Praded and concertmaster, violinist Yulia Stefanovich as well as their Russian colleagues – prize-holder of the Piotr Tchaikovsky International Contest Denis Shapovalov (violoncello) and soloist of the Perm Academic Opera and Ballet Theater Irina Krikunova (soprano).

The musicale will be wrapped up by a solemn overture, The Year of 1812, in a combined performance of the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Belarus and the Symphony Orchestra of the Central Music School under the Moscow State Conservatory.

Legendary Scorpions arrive in Minsk

The legendary rock band Scorpions have arrived in Belarus. In the Minsk airport they were welcomed by fans and journalists.

“We are looking forward to our concert at Minsk Arena,” the German guests said. When asked by BelTA whether this trip to Belarus would be the last one, they said they hope to go to Moscow in 2011 and would like to meet with the Belarusian audience again. “We are now on the world tour. Probably we will get back to Belarus,” they said. The musicians are planning to take a tour of the Belarusian capital and to taste Belarusian cuisine.

The concert in Minsk was initially scheduled for 19 April. However, it was canceled over the ash cloud caused by the volcanic eruption in Iceland.

The band will play at Minsk Arena on 29 April and perform songs from their new album, Sting In The Tail, and hits from their extensive back catalogue.

This is the fourth time that the Scorpions have visited Belarus. The last time they met with the Belarusian audience was in November 2008.

Endnote...

Venezuela delivers first batch of crude oil to Belarus

From: Ria Novosti

The first batch of Venezuelan oil arrived at an oil refinery in Belarus on Sunday under agreements reached between the presidents of both countries.

A total of 4,400 metric tons (32,000 barrels) of crude were delivered by railway to the Mozyr refinery in Belarus.

The agreements on the supply of up to 80,000 barrels of crude oil per day to Belarus were reached in March at a meeting between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez in Caracas.

The first tanker loaded with crude oil for Belarus set off from Venezuela on April 2.

Oil is shipped to the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odessa, from which it is delivered to Belarus by rail.

Some experts say the transportation of Venezuelan oil to Belarus is an unprofitable project while the Belarusian government believes the project is advantageous for the ex-Soviet republic.

Belarus has little hydrocarbon resources and depends on fuel supplies from Russia. Early this year the two ex-Soviet neighbors were involved in a dispute over oil supplies, as Moscow demanded Minsk pay full import duties on crude its refines and transits to Europe, dropping considerable subsidies.

President partakes in subbotnik Kyrgyzstan ‘far from normal', Oil duties, Corruption, Jet crash, Elections; News, Sport, Culture and Polish scandal...

2010-04-25T17:26:00.000+03:00

From the Top...

#506

Belarus President partakes in nationwide subbotnik

From: BelTA

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko took part in a nationwide subbotnik on 24 April. The Belarusian head of state placed a time capsule with a message to the descendants inside the symbolic foundation of the new State Great Patriotic War History Museum. The new premises will be located behind the obelisk Minsk – Hero City, the press service of the Belarusian head of state told BelTA.

Once in the Victory Park the President was informed about plans regarding the museum construction as well as the restoration of the surrounding territories. The construction of the State Great Patriotic War History Museum is supposed to complete in 2013. Its area will be close to 15,000 square meters.

According to Minsk’s Chief Architect Viktor Nikitin, the new museum’s design is praised as one of Europe’s and the world’s best. Different parts of the museum will implement different phases and aspects of the Great Patriotic War, taking visitors through the course of events. In addition, the museum’s information system will be able to provide any Belarusian with information about his or her relatives, who died during the war or participated in military operations. The museum’s information system will be connected with Russia’s largest archives.

“Opened literally three months after Minsk’s liberation from the Nazi invaders, the Belarusian State Great Patriotic War History Museum was one of the world’s first educational and scientific institutions meant to preserve the truth about the war and about the people we owe our lives to,” reads the message inside the time capsule. “The museum is supposed to highlight combat deeds of the Belarusians and brotherly nations of the Soviet Union, to raise the youth in the spirit of military valor and fidelity to duty. May the new museum not only embellish the capital city but embody our inextinguishable memory and eternal gratitude to the liberating heroes. May new generations preserve and multiply the traditions of patriotism, courage, and humanity that the victors left to us”.

After that a team led by Alexander Lukashenko worked on arranging a concrete slab of the transformer substation and a platform for a tower crane.

After Alexander Lukashenko got familiar with the suggested design to create a landscape park Belarus that will be located near the exhibition facility BelExpo. In the center of the future park there will be a so-called compact Belarus. The area will be shaped like Belarus’ borders. Territories of the oblasts will be defined by alleys and landscape compositions, which are characteristic for every region of the country. Models of landmarks of Minsk, oblast cities, historical and natural items of interest on a scale 1:25 will be located inside the compact Belarus.

It will take several years to accomplish the project. The planting of a grove dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Great Victory is the first phase. Young Belarusians, who represented the Belarusian Republican Youth Union and various unofficial youth associations, worked on it on 24 April. The head of state helped them with planting trees and making birdhouses.

Alexander Lukashenko urges better sowing quality

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko believes that the pace of the sowing campaign is acceptable but the quality should be improved. The head of state made the relevant statement as he visited the agricultural company Gritskevichi in the Nesvizh Region on 23 April, BelTA has learned.

Agriculture and Food Minister Semyon Shapiro told the President, so far 81% of the area to be under crops has been sowed. The work is complete in the Brest Oblast, is about to complete in the Grodno and Gomel oblasts, with about 10% left to do in the Minsk Oblast. Besides, 44% of the sugar beet area and 15% of the corn area have been sowed. According to the Minister, the sowing campaign goes as planned, there are no serious problems and overall the campaign will end in line with the schedule.

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that it is necessary to draw attention to the quality of sowing work. In particular, it is necessary to reseed the areas that used to be flooded for a while. The head of state also pointed out that winter crops could do with reseeding if necessary. “Fields should be put into order,” said the President.

Belarus President demands order in homestead lands

Top priority attention should be paid to bringing homestead lands into order. The Belarus President made the relevant statement as he visited the agricultural company Gritskevichi in the Nesvizh Region on 23 April, BelTA has learned.

The head of state remarked it is necessary to pay close attention to matters relating to order in homestead lands of rural Belarusians and to help them with sowing in their plots. The local authorities should also pay close attention to aid to the elderly. Rural residents themselves should put more efforts into keeping order in their own lands.

Alexander Lukashenko also said it was necessary to put things in order near dairy farms. In particular, this year all farms are fenced along the perimeter, putting around 20-30 hectares of land out of crop rotation. It is sufficient to fence the territory close to farms and keep it in order.

The President also paid attention to matters of quality and culture in a broad sense – both manufacturing quality and the quality of life of people. Alexander Lukashenko spoke in positive terms about the work in the Nesvizh Region in this regard.

Other Belarusian News...

Situation in Kyrgyzstan recognized as ‘far from normal’

From: BelTA

Politicians across the globe now have to admit that the situation in Kyrgyzstan is far from normal, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko as he met with Kyrgyzstan President Kurmanbek Bakiyev in Minsk on 21 April.

“As far as Kyrgyzstan, the people and the ongoing situation are concerned, you all know my view and it is not subject to some passing considerations. My judgment is based on purely human views. I believe that such things should not happen at all,” Alexander Lukashenko told Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

“While some politicians of several countries used to make cheerful statements before, today they are forced to admit that the situation there is far from normal. Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev said a while ago that ‘we will not cooperate with the new authorities of Kyrgyzstan before they legitimize themselves, hold elections and so on,’” said the Belarus President.

Alexander Lukashenko believes that the elections in Kyrgyzstan cannot be held without the incumbent president of the country. “I don’t know how elections can be held without the incumbent president. It is what surprises me,” said the Belarusian head of state. In his opinion, “if it happens, it will push the situation in Kyrgyzstan more into the dead end”.

“This is why if you need our support, open and honest support, like I promised that Kurmanbek Bakiyev would not arrive in Belarus in secret, he would arrive as the Kyrgyzstan President. We would not hide it and we are not hiding it. This is why you can always count on our support,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarus President also added that Kurmanbek Bakiyev’s family will get any necessary medical aid. “I talked about it yesterday. As far as rehabilitation and help for children is concerned (doctors told me that there are some problems, especially in kids), we will do everything. We will help with medications and the rest, you can rest assured. I am very glad that your family is well. We’ve just had a few words that you have started getting some rest here lately, at least sleeping for 2-3 hours a day,” said the Belarusian head of state.

Bakiyev: US Department of State condemned Kyrgyz opposition at first

The US Department of State initially condemned the Kyrgyz opposition, Kurmanbek Bakiyev told a press conference in Minsk on 23 April.

“They issued a statement immediately condemning the opposition and stated that the coup plotters should be brought to responsibility,” the Kyrgyz head of state said.

“But then there came complete silence on their part. Why? I think the Russian mass media have apparently played an important role here. The situation in Kyrgyzstan was covered in such a biased way that the only opinion you could get was the one created by the Kyrgyz interim government and Russia. In fact it was an information sabotage campaign,” Kurmanbek Bakiyev believes.

Bakiyev insists on bringing peacekeepers to Kyrgyzstan

Kurmanbek Bakiyev insists on bringing peacekeeping forces into Kyrgyzstan. He made the relevant statement at a press conference in Minsk on 23 April.

The Kyrgyz leader stressed that less than nine months have passed since he was reelected president. The presidential elections were highly praised by the OSCE and other international observers. The Kyrgyz leader emphasized there were no objective grounds for what happened on 7 April. The Kyrgyzstan special services knew the opposition was going to hold a rally, “but we have always been calm about such rallies. There was no information that a violent armed assault was being prepared”.

In his words, the events in Kyrgyzstan demonstrated that it was a staged coup. He reminded that bandits arrested the Governor of the town of Talas, took weapons from special forces officers, tied police officers to their cars and took them around the city. “Everything points to the fact that it was not a popular uprising, not a spontaneous protest. Those were well-prepared people,” Kurmanbek Bakiyev said.

Kurmanbek Bakiyev stated that when the protesters started making their way to the presidential residence, the security service used teargas and rubber bullets. It did not help. Security forces opened fire only after several shots were made towards the window of the presidential office. “Once an armored troop carrier failed while moving towards the White House in Bishkek, they restarted it quickly and, having approached the building, opened fire from a heavy-calibre machine gun. I don’t think ordinary people have skills of driving an armored troop carrier and handling a heavy-calibre machine gun,” Kurmanbek Bakiyev said.

Bakiyev refutes corruption allegations

Allegations of corruption and nepotism against Kurmanbek Bakiyev and his family are invalid. Kurmanbek Bakiyev made the relevant statement at a press conference in Minsk on 23 April.

Kurmanbek Bakiyev reminded that his brother, the head of the presidential security service, had assumed duties worthy of a general even before Kurmanbek Bakiyev became the president. “I see nothing wrong with my entrusting the security service to my brother, who earned his rank and a lot of awards back in the Soviet Union days. If I had acted otherwise, it is likely I would not have been alive now,” said Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

“My second brother, the youngest one, was the ambassador to Germany. Before my presidency he was a member of the parliament, the head of the international relations commission. It is quite a high office. I specifically sent him off to be the ambassador to reduce influence inside the country,” said the Kyrgyz leader.

“At last there are a lot of talks about my son Maxim. He is a businessman, it is his mentality, and he has been in business since the secondary school. Yes, he has reached the international business level. I put him in the high office in order to ensure strict control over investment flows, to prevent thieving. The so-called members of the interim government examined what happened to the Russian loan that we had acquired. It turns out that everything is used according to the stated purpose. There is nothing inappropriate, everything is transparent and accurate. My son is rather a trained lawyer to avoid shady dealings, to fail me and himself,” stressed Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

The Kyrgyz leader also refuted accusations of misappropriating $200 million from the public treasury. “What bank could accumulate such a sum and transport it out of Kyrgyzstan within two days in such a chaos? As far as allegations that the money was found in some deposit boxes of mine are concerned, everything should be checked. Unlike the interim government I am not inclined to trust gossip. If illegal money was found with some of my relatives, they are grown-up people and should be held accountable for that,” he said.

Bakiyev says he remains legitimate president until his resignation accepted by parliament

At a press conference in Minsk Kurmanbek Bakiyev said he remains legitimate president until the Kyrgyz parliament accepts his resignation.

“When the president steps down, his resignation letter should be considered at a session of parliament, and after that it comes into force. I am not going to return to Kyrgyzstan as the head of state, but de jure my resignation has not been accepted and I remain the legitimate president,” he said.

According to Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the interim government of Kyrgyzstan was too hasty to dissolve the parliament, the constitutional court, i.e. all legitimate bodies of the country. “I think that the state leaders, first of all those of the CSTO member states, should address the issue and help Kyrgyzstan return to the legal field. Talks are needed to make sure that whatever happens in the country next will be lawful, that the people who will be in power will not be able to claim that all the documents that have been adopted are illegitimate,” the President of Kyrgyzstan said.

He also stressed that active measures should be taken immediately to bring law and order in Kyrgyzstan.

As for the interim government, Kurmanbek Bakiyev does not think anyone of them will come to power. “The people of Kyrgyzstan know them well. I do not think anyone of them will come to power after what has happened,” he said.

Kurmanbek Bakiyev said he is ready to do everything to get the situation in Kyrgyzstan back to normal. “I offer my services as the legitimate president. Use my authority to normalize the situation, to help Kyrgyzstan reinstate law and order. Call a referendum, constitutional reforms, make the country a parliamentary republic,” said Kurmanbek Bakiyev. He also believes that the interim government of Kyrgyzstan needs assistance, and it can be provided by the neighboring countries. “May Russia, Kazakhstan, United Nations, OSCE make their suggestions. But there must be put an end to this debauch,” he said.

Europe, CIS to discuss cooperation at Kyiv forum

From: BelTA

The fourth international forum, Europe-Ukraine, will take place in Kyiv on 26-28 April, BelTA learnt from Chairman of the House of Representatives’ permanent commission for international affairs and relations with the CIS Sergei Maskevich who is to present Belarus at the forum.

Partaking in the forum will be nearly 400 people including parliamentarians from Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, the EU countries, representatives of the government and political structures of Ukraine and the CIS member-states, the USA, the EU.

Sergei Maskevich hopes Belarus’ participation in this international forum will help promote further development of contacts with the European Parliament, expand cooperation with the national parliaments of the EU countries and the Eastern Partnership member-states. He also hopes “to present Belarus’ position in many issues in the international arena”.

The forum will highlight the issues of securing energy and economic stability in Central and Eastern Europe. The participants of the meeting will discuss reforms and the consequences of the global economic crisis, economic cooperation prospects and the implementation of innovation projects in the region. The forum’s seminar will be dedicated to the development of the regional cooperation in Eastern Europe under the aegis of GUAM (Organization for Democracy and Economic Development which includes Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova) and the CIS.

Youth movement Ak-Niet criticized for remarks about Bakiyev, Lukashenko

From: BelTA

Remarks made by the coordinator of Kyrgyzstan’s youth movement Ak-Niet run contrary to international legal and moral norms and cast the country deeper into chaos. The statement was made by Igor Buzovsky, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union, as he commented on the statement made by Ak-Niet members and distributed by several electronic mass media.

“Remarks made by members of the youth movement are unacceptable with regard to President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and incumbent President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Young people of a friendly country should not take the liberty to say things like that,” believes Igor Buzovsky.

He also remarked that those “who have risen to power in Kyrgyzstan now should abide only by the law instead of ambitions, emotions and prompts of ‘well-wishers’. The youth of Kyrgyzstan should understand that they are becoming an instrument used to achieve unseemly goals,” said Igor Buzovsky.

The Belarusian Republican Youth Union calls upon the young people of Kyrgyzstan to preserve sanity, observe laws and keep order, stressed Igor Buzovsky.

Economics...

Russia’s view on oil duties Belarus pays illogical

From: BelTA

If Belarus and Russia are going to create the single economic space and the Customs Union, Russia’s view on the oil duties Belarus has to pay is illogical, BelTA learned from Askhat Kuzbagarov, Head of the Civil Law Chair of the Saint Petersburg University of the Russian Interior Ministry.

In his words, in order to speak about prospects of Belarus’ suit against Russia and its validity, it is necessary to study the treaties the two countries have signed in detail. On the other hand, the Customs Union and other integration formations provide for free trade in commodities and services.

“If some borders are introduced, then you get autonomous subjects instead of a union. Besides, if we agree on one thing and do another thing, it is likely there was cunningness initially. Or the treaties were purely formal. Actions should correspond to the treaties,” the lawyer believes.

BelTA reported earlier that in early 2010 Russia imposed customs duties on the oil products and petrochemical raw stock Belarus buys. Meanwhile, both the countries are parties to several treaties that provide for free trade. Belarus tried to settle the matter through negotiations but eventually had to file a suit with the CIS Economic Court. The latter now acts as the EurAsEC court and will be the Customs Union court as from 1 July. The court decided to entertain the suit on 21 April. In line with the procedure the date of the court hearing should be scheduled within 30 days after the suit is entertained.

Belarus is CIS leader in retail sales growth in 2009

In 2009 Belarus was the CIS leader in terms of retails sales growth, deputy chairperson of the National Statistics Committee of Belarus, told reporters.

In 2009 retail sales in Belarus including public catering rose by 3% to Br55.9 trillion. The contributions of food and nonfood sectors to the retail sales growth were equal, 50% each. Retail sales in Russia shrank by 5.5% in 2009 over 2008, in Ukraine by 16.6%. Retail sales across the CIS countries dropped by 6% on average.

The retail sales growth was due to the increase in the sales of non-food items, Irina Kangro noted. The growth of sales of these goods was 5.8% higher than in 2008.

Deutsche Bank AG may consult Belarus about attracting investments

Head of the Belarus President Administration Vladimir Makei met with a delegation of Deutsche Bank AG in Minsk on 23 April. The delegation was led by Peter Tils, Chief Executive Officer for Central and Eastern Europe, BelTA learned from representatives of the Belarus President Administration.

The meeting touched upon a large number of matters relating to the bank’s cooperation with Belarus, including promising avenues of the bilateral cooperation. The sides discussed the possibility of Deutsche Bank’s providing consultation services to Belarus with a view to attracting investments into strategic branches of the national economy, in particular, oil refining, finance and insurance.

During the talks it was pointed out that the sides enjoy a good level of cooperation in several mutually beneficial areas. The desire for continuing and expanding the bilateral contacts was expressed.

From the Foriegn Press...

Ousted Kyrgyz president says in Minsk that he will not resign

From: Navany

Ousted Kyrgyz leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev on April 21 held a news conference in Minsk to denounce his country’s interim government as a gang of impostors and say that “only death” could remove him from office, BelaPAN reports.

Mr. Bakiyev called on the international community not to recognize Kyrgyzstan’s provisional government led by former Foreign Minister Rosa Otunbayeva.

“I do not recognize my resignation,” he said. “Nine months ago, the people of Kyrgyzstan elected me as president and I swore an oath to serve them. There is no force that could cause me to recant. Only death can stop me."

He said that he was "the legitimately elected president of Kyrgyzstan recognized by the international community.”

Mr. Bakiyev branded the provisional government proclaimed by the country`s opposition as bandits and said that he wanted “every citizen of Kyrgyzstan to understand that by executing the gang`s orders, he will become an outlaw and an accomplice in crimes with the ensuing consequences."

"Punishment for the crime is imminent,” he said.

“I call on the leaders of the international community not to create a precedent by recognizing the gang as a legitimate government,” he said. “I demand that an international independent investigation be carried out and those guilty of deaths, looting and the incitement of ethnic hatred be punished.”

“I am appealing to the political leaders of the CIS,” Mr. Bakiyev said. “Don’t shrink back in the face of crude force. You are responsible for your people.

Mr. Bakiyev said that he would “do everything possible to restore the constitutional rule” in Kyrgyzstan. “Under no circumstances, I will allow the bandits to determine the fate of our people,” he said.

The deposed president also offered his “deep condolences” to relatives and friends of those killed in an uprising against his five-year rule that left 83 people dead.

In his Tuesday annual address to the National Assembly and the Belarusian people, Alyaksandr Lukashenka revealed that the ousted president of Kyrgyzstan had been staying in Minsk with his family members since early Monday morning. “They are currently under the protection of our state and the personal protection of your president,” Mr. Lukashenka said.

Kyrgyzstan`s interim government said that it expected Minsk to surrender Mr. Bakiyev “for his trial for numerous crimes against the Kyrgyz people.”

Mr. Bakiyev fled Kyrgyzstan last week after the bloody uprising. He took refuge in neighboring Kazakhstan and then left Kazakhstan for a destination that had not been clear, after the Belarusian leader had said that Mr. Bakiyev would be welcome in his country.

Ousted Kyrgyz leader says he has no intention to ask for political asylum

Ousted Kyrgyz leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who has taken refuge in Belarus after being overthrown in a violent uprising, said on April 23 that he had no intention to apply for political asylum in a foreign country, as quoted by BelaPAN.

At his news conference in Minsk, he reiterated that he did not recognize his resignation, which he said had been proposed by Russia.

"I do not recognize my resignation because the other party has failed to fulfill its condition," Mr. Bakiyev said.
He said that it was Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin who had insisted that he sign an official letter of resignation in exchange for security guarantees for his supporters in Kyrgyzstan.

“But the condition was not fulfilled,” he said.

Mr. Bakiyev said that Moscow was irritated by the US air base in Kyrgyzstan, and by the Central Asian country’s foreign policy.

He, however, stopped short of accusing Russia of orchestrating the uprising against him. “I can’t say that Russia’s special services were behind it,” he noted. “An international commission should be set up to probe the matter.”

“There is still an opportunity today to restore the rule of law,” Mr. Bakiyev said. “This so-called interim government should establish constitutional order. But what have they done? They have dissolved the parliament and the Constitutional Court. They have dissolved everything.”

He said that he remained the president of Kyrgystan "de jure."

"The thing is that the letter [of resignation] must first be examined by the parliament," he said. "And the parliament must decide whether or not it should accept my resignation."

"One may dissolve the parliament or the court, but one may not revoke the constitution," he stressed.

Mr. Bakiyev suggested sending a UN peacekeeping force to his country to restore order and peace.

"I am not going to return to Kyrgyzstan in the capacity of president,” he added.

Mr. Bakiyev fled Kyrgyzstan last week after the uprising against his five-year rule that left 83 people dead.

In his Tuesday annual address to the National Assembly and the Belarusian people, Alyaksandr Lukashenka revealed that the deposed president of Kyrgyzstan had been staying in Minsk with his family members since early Monday morning. “They are currently under the protection of our state and the personal protection of your president,” Mr. Lukashenka said.

The Russian foreign minister said on Thursday that Moscow did not recognize Mr. Bakiyev as the true president of his country.

Belarus preparing humanitarian aid package for Kyrgyzstan, foreign ministry spokesman says

Belarus will soon send its humanitarian aid to Kyrgyzstan, Andrey Savinykh, spokesman for the foreign ministry, told reporters in Minsk on Thursday.

The shipment will mainly consist of food products, the spokesman said, noting that preparations for delivering the aid were “quite swift.”

The Belarusian foreign ministry is currently in talks with representatives of the Central Asian country on the delivery date and measurers to ensure the safety of the goods, he said.

As for the safety of the staff of the Belarusian embassy in Bishkek, Mr. Savinykh said that the foreign ministry “follows intently” the matter and maintains “regular contacts with the competent agencies of Kyrgyzstan."

He said that gangs of looters may “pose the major threat” to the diplomatic mission.

In his comment on the declared plans of the Collective Security Treaty Organization of which Kyrgyzstan is a member to hold a summit, Mr. Savinykh said that he had no doubt that the summit would take place.

The meeting, initially scheduled for June 17, was postponed, tentatively until Mary 8, he said, adding that the proposed new date was under consideration.

Kyrgyzstan's ousted president vows not to return

From: AP

Kyrgyzstan's ousted president said from exile Friday he does not intend to return to his homeland as its leader, but that his resignation was invalid because officials there are reneging on a promise to protect his family.

Kurmanbek Bakiyev was deposed in an April 7 uprising that left 85 people dead in the Kyrgyz capital. He fled last week to neighboring Kazakhstan and arrived in the Belarusian capital earlier this week, where he is now staying.

Bakiyev said his resignation, signed before he left Kyrgyzstan, was not in force because interim officials reneged on a promise to protect his relatives.

"I don't intend to return to Kyrgyzstan as president," he told reporters in Minsk, but added that "the other side has not fulfilled its conditions. They guaranteed the safety of my family, but my family is being persecuted, therefore I do not recognize my resignation."

While at his stronghold in the south of Kyrgyzstan, where he went in the heat of the uprising in Bishkek, Bakiyev said he was told by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that he would not be blamed for the violence of the revolt but would face justice if he tried to regroup and reclaim power militarily.

"There was the threat to me and my relatives and a threat of civil war," Bakiyev said. "So I submitted my resignation and left."

Bakiyev said one of his brothers has been kidnapped and that authorities are seeking to prosecute other members of his extended family who have remained in Kyrgyzstan. Some other members of Bakiyev's close circle have fled to Kazakhstan, and authorities have voiced hope that Kazakh authorities would hand them over.

Kyrgyzstan's interim government accuses Bakiyev's brother Zhanybek, the chief of the presidential guards, of issuing the order to fire at protesters in Bishkek.

The U.S. and Russia helped broker the agreement for Bakiyev's departure from Kyrgyzstan, which hosts a U.S. military base crucial to operations in Afghanistan. Russia, which also has a base in Kyrgyzstan, is irritated at the American military presence in what it sees as its region of influence.

Bakiyev said Moscow fumed when he reversed plans to close the Manas air base last year after Washington offered to almost triple the rent to about $60 million.

"I closed it unilaterally," Bakiyev said. "But the Americans offered new terms, and then I agreed to resume" the lease, Bakiyev said.

"Although Russia has a similar base, it caused great indignation," he said.

Bakiyev stopped short, however, of accusing Moscow of supporting the revolt.

"I can't say that Russian special services had a hand in it. A commission must be formed to investigate," he said.

Asked how long he planned to remain in Minsk, Bakiyev said he had no plans to form a government in exile, but suggested he felt comfortable as the guest of the country's authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. Earlier this week, Bakiyev told a Russian weekly magazine that he plans to open a toy factory in Minsk.

"For kids to be happy, environmentally friendly toys can help develop children's intellect, bring them joy," Russky Reporter quoted him as saying.

Meanwhile, Felix Kulov, a former prime minister of Kyrgyzstan and a fierce critic of Bakiyev, said in Moscow that the Kyrgyz people had already rejected Bakiyev.

"For our people he is not a president, and he can only have a negative influence on the situation," Kulov told journalists in Moscow. "It's unlikely he'll leave Belarus. Nobody will let him into another country."

Kulov, who endorsed Bakiyev for presidency in 2005, but fell out with him after criticizing his policies, said that Bakiyev's only positive role would be to persuade his brothers to give themselves up to the provisional government.

Interim officials have set presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan for Oct. 10.

Graft against corruption

From: RT

Tours to prisons are to teach Belarusian officials not to take bribes.

On Thursday a group of officials from the Belarusian Ministry of Industry were taken to detention facility ?1 in Minsk. It was not part of their work, neither were they arrested on any charge, but they could not easily escape this visit as it was organized by the General Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutors in Belarus believe that this new practice can help fight corruption.
Word spoken…

Tours to prisons as a method to fight corruption were mentioned for the first time by Belarusian General Prosecutor Grigory Vasilevich last December. Then he said that visits to places of detention for senior officials from those institutions most exposed to corruption can help combat this type of crime, working as a preventive measure. “This will help government officials stand against temptations to make offences for corruption”, Vasilevich added. Among the most corrupt spheres he listed were trade, agriculture, construction, production and the system of state administration.

Then it was thought of as a joke, but later it became known that such tours, indeed, took place in 2010. For example, in March a group of officials from the Belarusian Ministry of Agriculture visited a detention facility on Volodarskogo St. in Minsk, local media reported. People generally new to such places were shown investigative offices, the canteen and, of course, the cells. They were told that some of them were so overcrowded that inmates had to sleep taking turns. However, the head of the facility, Sergey Kravchenko, explained that the aim was not to scare the visitors, but to show them the reality.

In April the visiting group of officials from the Ministry of Industry included not only employees of the Ministry itself, but also senior managers of Belarusian large industrial enterprises.

Earlier this year, Vasilevich said in an interview to one of the national TV channels that this program would not include all officials in Belarus: “We do not talk about excursions for each and every state official. By this time there have been examples when some senior officials visited detention centers and colonies”.
However, it seems that visits to prisons are becoming part of the national educational work in Belarus. “We even bring some students to such institutions, for example, law students, so that they could have idea about this side of life”, said Vasilevsky.
Bird in the hand is worth two in the cell

The Belarusian General Prosecutor’s Office has many other ideas on fighting corruption. For example, Vasilevsky believes there is not enough ‘glasnost’ in fighting corruption in Belarus and offenders must not only offer redress to be released on parole, but also must repent in public. “This way we can gain the psychological effect on potential bribe takers”, he says. Also, Belarusian prosecutors propose to ban civil servants from working in organizations they supervised as state officials in the course of two years after they leave their office. Such restriction might be imposed on all categories of public officers, including military men, enforcement agencies officials and others.

Among other recent General Prosecutor’s proposals is the tightening of income declaration rules for state officials. First, it says that civil servants must file not only their own declarations, but also declarations of their spouses and minor children regardless of their place of residence. Besides, they must account for much more data than other citizens. Officials must give account of income, property and personal interests, which include any benefit for the official, his family, relatives, friends and other people in close personal contact and also for people and entities with which he had business or common political affairs. State official must also mention any funds in banks, loans given or received, services rendered to them free of charge, etc. Some government officials may be obliged to give such income declarations after they leave office.

The new proposals seem to be a reaction to the difficult corruption situation in Belarus. According to Belarusian General Prosecutor’s Office more than 26,000 people were convicted of corruption crimes in Belarus in 2009. It is quite a number for a country with population of 9 million people and a state machine of around 25,000 public officers (1 per 427 common citizens). Besides, the 2009 corruption perceptions index prepared by Transparency International put Belarus in 140th place, between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Out of 10 points (10 means no corruption) it had just 2,4 points.

However, both the ‘tour to prison’ practice and proposed measures fall within the country’s general anti-corruption policies. Interestingly, Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko came to power on an anti-corruption platform. Under Lukashenko, new laws on the fight against corruption were adopted twice – in 1997 and 2006. In his latest address to the nation and parliament Lukashenko said that an uncompromising war is being led against corruption in Belarus: “Regardless of posts, titles and closeness to the president, the treatment will be rough, and even severe, for everybody. I have already ordered that amnesty and other indulgences not be granted to people convicted of corruption”.

Obviously, at a time of the economic crisis it would be much more difficult to get feasible results from any anti-corruption program. And it is more than certain that neither the number of public officials who visited prison nor the number of officials imprisoned can ensure its effectiveness.

Two fighter jets collide in mid-air in Brest region, no casualties reported

From: Navany

Two fighter jets collided in mid-air while performing complicated maneuvers during training flights in the Brest region late on Wednesday, with one warplane crashing to the ground as a result, the defense ministry's press office said, as quoted by BelaPAN.

The pilot of the badly damaged MiG-29 managed to steer the aircraft away from a populated area and ejected to safety before it crashed in a field.

The second MiG-29 involved in the collision safely landed at a military airfield, according to the press office.
Both warplanes are part of the fleet of the 927th Air Force Base in Byaroza, Brest region.

The Belarusian Military Prosecutor's Office has opened an inquiry into the accident. Experts of the defense ministry, the Air Force and the prosecutor's office have arrived at the scene to establish the cause of the collision.

From the Opposition...

Russian media: Lukashenka provokes revolution in Belarus

From: Charter '97

The Russian mass media think the Belarusian dictator provokes the EU, Russia, and US to reach an accord on Belarus’s future.

Alyaksandr Lukashenka again criticized Russia in his annual address to the people and “parliament” and received ousted president of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev on the same day. Moscow regarded this as a clearly unfriendly step and rebuked him of “giving residence to the people who have lost job”, Rosbalt news agency writes.

“We have tackled the crisis, and we have to thank not Russia, our dear Russia, our mother Russia. Who have we to thank? Our so called enemies, the IMF, Europe, West. They gave us loans that helped the country to survive,” the Belarusian ruler said. He harshly criticized the Russia’s “pragmatism” and supposed the Russian leadership bases on a principle ““they don’t have another way out”. “But we have,” Lukashenka promised. “A country in the center of Europe won’t be empty. I cannot afford insulting my own people. We’ll live in dugouts, but we will survive!”. Lukashenka announced serious economic innovations to be set up, that demonstrate poor state of the Belarus’s financial system, though the country says it won’t cooperate with the IMF in the nearest future. In particular, he mentioned radical revising accounting system and ban for governmental grants for the agriculture.

His speech was followed by questions. One of them was about the president of Kyrgyzstan. As Alyaksandr Lukashenka said, Kurmanbek Bakiyev and his family had been received in Minsk. “They in Minsk under the protection of our state and me personally,” the Belarusian ruler said. “He is a president of a friendly country. I will do everything I can to protect him and his family.” Besides, Alyaksandr Lukashenka ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the government to render “humanitarian aid to Kyrgyzstan”.

It wasn’t an ordinary event. Taking into account the fact that Moscow in fact supports the interim government of Kyrgyzstan, Lukashenka, who publically said about his support of the ousted president, interfered with Russia’s policy in Central Asia. The Kremlin would probably prefer not to turn attention to this, as there is plenty of other grounds for conflict with Belarusian partners on the single customs area. But Lukashenka’s public announcement of the fact of Bakiyev’s staying in Minsk was only the beginning.

The Belarusian ruler said next day the upcoming elections in Kyrgyzstan couldn’t be held without the deposed president. Feeling support of Lukashenka, Bakiyev said he was still the head of state, in spite of conditions, under which he and his family had left the county, agreed on by Russia, the US, Kazakhstan and China.

This statement couldn’t arouse anything but irritation. The head of the interim government Roza Otunbaeva suggested the international institutions responsible for transfer of Bakiyev to return him back in order the people of Kyrgyzstan to take a decision on his future. A source from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that Moscow doesn’t consider the Kyrgyz politician the president, as he signed his resignation.

Russia went further: the attempts of CIS partner and “union state” member to provide its own policy in Central Asia was so strong that president Dmitry Medvedev couldn’t restrain from caustic hints regarding Lukashenka. After a number of strategic agreements with another “brother” state’s colleague Viktor Yanukovich had been signed in Kharkiv, Medvedev pointed Ukraine as an example and called to “watch how the statements are followed by results”. There’s a question: for what and for the sake of what. Real partnership is one thing, but declaration of intentions is another thing. One thing is serious work, another thing is to take a decision on granting residence for people, who have lost job,” the Russian leader rebuked Lukashenka.

So, it’s not excluded that being inspired by sudden rapprochement with Poland and Ukraine, Russia will dare to further toughen it policy towards Belarus. Alyaksandr Lukashenka realizes that he continues to lose leverage over the largest neighbour, but tries to find new means of pressure, as the events with Bakiyev shows.

However, he hasn’t gained much success, as his awkward diplomatic actions affect not only Moscow’s interests, but also violate acting unofficial arrangement between Russia, China and the US. As a result, bewaring of a collusion of the big states aimed at overthrowing him like Bakiyev, Lukashenka seems to provoke reaching Kyrgyzstan-like friendly arrangement on Belarus’s future between the EU, Russia, and the US.

Minsk: candidate Ales Lahvinets demands to cancel elections at Sukharauskaya constituency #30

From: Viasna

The candidate lodged complaints with the procuracy, the Minsk City Election Commission and the Central Election Commission, asking to cancel the elections at the Sukharauskaya constituency #30 because of gross and purposeful violations of the Constitution and the electoral legislation by state officials.

In particular, Mr. Lahvinets states that a considerable number of electors weren’t introduced in the register of electors, which is a violation of Article 15 of the Electoral Code. The candidate argues that there are 17,127 apartments in his constituency, whereas the official number of registered electors is 20,401. ‘This number of electors contradicts to any common sense. With such number of apartments the real number of electors must be about 34,000’, he says.

Ales Lahvinets also points at the failure of the authorities to abide by the requirements of decisions of the Minsk City Executive Committee concerning agitation materials:

’The Frunzenski District Executive Committee and the Frunzenski District Election Commission didn’t implement point 3 of Ruling #475 of the Minsk City Executive Committee of 25 February 2010, and Zhaholkina Z.U., Chairperson of the Frunzenski District Election Commission, refused to provide me with the list of the places that were determined for posting agitation materials of candidates for the Minsk City Council of Deputies of the 26th Convocation and gave only the list of the places where the informational stands were installed with the concurrence of the executive committee.’

The official also refused to inform the candidate about the number of citizens in the lists of electors at each of 11 precincts of the constituency in the Sukharauskaya constituency, which is a violation of Articles 34 and 74 of the Electoral Code.

Moreover, the candidate draws some strange facts. In particular: ‘During the first day of voting, the attendance at the precincts where there were no observers was several times higher than at those where observers were present. I and my proxies weren’t let to familiarize with lists of electors and verify the signatures of those who received ballot papers at the precincts where there were no observers.’

Besides, the candidate registered facts of abuse of the official powers by the people who head the precinct commissions of the Sukharauskaya constituency #30. He states that the following address of the pedagogical collective of gymnasium #33 was hanged out on 20 April at the entrance of gymnasium #33 and school #212 where precincts #17-21 are located:

’Dear parents! The pedagogical collective of gymnasium #33 asks You to take an active part in the early voting (on 20.04, 21.04, 22.04, 23.04, 24.04) at 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 4 – 7 p.m. We hope for cooperation and thank You for understanding.’

Ales Lahvinets points that A.Yakubouskaya, headmistress of gymnasium #33, and H.Andrushchanka, headmaster of school #212, are heads of precinct commissions #19 and #20 respectively. That’s why he considers the aforementioned address as a form of pressurization of electors, abuse of official powers and interference with the electoral process.

Salihorsk: ‘Kidnapping’ vs. ‘Young Front’ candidate

Candidate Aliaksei Valabuyeu has become a real headache for the local ideologists. Having finished with the promotion campaign of his rival, colonel Zainchkouski, the local media proceeded to indirect criticism aimed at Valabuyeu.

The candidate mentioned his membership in the unregistered youth organization Young Front in his electoral program that was handed out to the electors. In response, the local authorities started regularly broadcasting the Kidnapping, a movie that had been prepared by workers of the Belarusian TV in close cooperation with KGB and is aimed at denigration of the youth organization. Activists of Valabuyeu’s electoral headquarters don’t believe in such coincidences and are convinced that such regular broadcasts are directly connected to the electoral campaign.

Russia...

Thousands protest in Ukraine over deal with Russia

From: AP

Several thousand Ukrainians rallied in front of parliament Saturday to protest a deal allowing Russia to keep its navy in Ukraine for another 25 years.

Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko told the protesters that all opposition forces must unite to resist the deal signed earlier this week which she denounced as an "unprecedented step of national treason and shame."

The agreement signed Wednesday is the first concrete sign that newly-elected President Viktor Yanukovych will steer Ukraine back into Russia's orbit, reversing his pro-Western predecessor's attempts to decrease Moscow's influence.

The pact allows Russia to extend its lease of the Black Sea Port of Sevastopol for another 25 years after the current lease agreement expires in 2017. Russia immediately rewarded Yanukovych by giving the ex-Soviet republic steep discounts for the natural gas on which its industries depend.

Tymoshenko and other opposition leaders said the deal amounted to ceding control over the nation's territory.

"We are losing our territory, we are restricting our sovereignty," Tymoshenko said at the rally. "Yanukovych will split Ukraine in two as nobody has done before."

Yanukovych has broad support in the Russian-speaking east and south, but faces strong opposition in western Ukraine. He narrowly defeated Tymoshenko in February's vote.

The agreement is set to come up for ratification Tuesday in Russia and Ukraine. While Tymoshenko and other opposition leaders said they would try to block the vote, they will face an uphill battle in parliament controlled by Yanukovych's party and its allies.

Tymoshenko's ally, deputy parliament speaker Mykola Tomenko, said that even if parliament ratifies the deal Tuesday, "we will do our best to denounce it anyway, if not now, then later."

Police separated opposition demonstrators from several hundred Yanukovych supporters.

"We are defending the new authorities," said one of them, Valentyn Bodvin, a businessman. "The opposition has lost its chance. They were doing nothing for five years."

Austria, Russia sign natural gas pipeline agreement

From: Xinua

Austria and Russia on Saturday signed a cooperation agreement on a proposed natural gas pipeline project known as the South Stream.

The deal will expand Russia's capability to supply more natural gas to the European Union through the planned 3,700-kilometer pipeline.

The cooperation agreement will allow Russia to meander the pipeline into Austria before turning west into Bulgaria, Turkey and Italy.

Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko and Austrian Economy Minister Reinhold Mitterlehner signed the agreement during a ceremony witnessed by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann.

Austria has been a supporter of the Nabucco natural gas pipeline, which has been deemed as a competing route against the South Stream.

The Nabucco pipeline, planned by the United States and the European Union, is to measure 3,300 km.

Both the South Stream and Nabucco pipelines have bypassed Ukraine, which has been causing supply difficulties to EU countries due to its price disputes with Russia.

The South Stream was expected to completed in 2015 at an estimated cost of 20 billion U.S. dollars while the Nabucco pipeline also is to be finished in the same year at a cost of 12.3 billion dollars.

Russia supplies Austria with about 70 percent of its natural gas needs and provides all of Europe with about 20 percent of its requirements.

Russia's Medvedev says he may seek second term

From: AP

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview published Saturday that he may run for a second term in the 2012 presidential election.

Medvedev's predecessor and mentor, Vladimir Putin, has previously said they wouldn't compete against each other, but "sit down and decide" who will run.

Putin is still widely seen as the nation's most powerful politician despite moving into the prime minister's seat. Most observers expect him to elbow Medvedev out and easily regain the presidency in 2012.

Medvedev told the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten in an interview posted on the Kremlin Web site Saturday that he "doesn't exclude" seeking re-election in 2012, a statement similar to his previous remarks on the subject.

"If it's necessary for my country and for preserving the policy course formed of recent years, I mean both the period when Vladimir Putin was the head of state and the period I have been in charge, I don't rule out anything for myself, including participating in the election," Medvedev said.

He said that he would make a decision on whether to run if the public is satisfied with his work during the first term and if he is confident of his electoral performance.

"As a minimum, the results of my work should be acceptable for our citizens," he said. "And we also should seek to achieve the result, not just take part."

Medvedev, a lawyer by education, has sought to cast himself as more liberal than his predecessor and promised to create a more tolerant environment for business and to expand political freedoms. But critics say that he has accomplished little so far and Putin has continued calling the shots.

From the Polish Scandal Files...

Peado-killer dad found Dead

From: NPE

The body of Drasius Kedys, the man wanted for shooting dead a judge and his female companion who helped abuse his four year-old daughter, has been found approximately 30 km from his home town of Kaunas, Lithuania.

Kedys hit the headlines in October last year after taking justice into his own hands and was believed to have been hiding from the Lithuanian law in Poland.

But this week family members positively identified the body, eradicating any suspicion that he may still be alive. The circumstances surrounding his death however, are still not known.

According to the District Prosecutor’s office in Lithuania, a post-mortem examination has still to be conducted but there is little doubt that the body is that of Kedys.

Fearing foul play, the family have also requested that the body is examined by an independent forensic expert from Warsaw.

The ‘Death Wish Dad’ became something of an icon in his home country, and indeed around the world, for shooting dead judge Jonas Furmanavicius, 47, and Violeta Naruseviciene, 29, after learning from his daughter that she had been abused.

His pleas for justice fell on deaf ears. After sending out around 200 letters and DVD discs featuring his daughter to politicians, members of the European Parliament and the national media, he decided to act on his own.

Police later found the bodies of Furmanavicius and Naruseviciene shot to pieces and a gun registered to Kedys lying nearby.

Despite an international warrant for his arrest, Poles and Lithuanians living in Poland had offered him shelter which officials believe he had accepted.

Exactly how Kedys ended up dead so close to his home remains a mystery.

The investigation continues.

Thieves on the run

From: NPE

The three men jailed for stealing the Auschwitz sign are missing after being let out of jail on compassionate leave.

Two of the men, brothers Lukasz and Rodoslaw M., had been entrusted with weekend passes in order to visit their ill mother. The third man, Pawel S., had also been allowed out, to organise wedding plans with his fiancée.

But police have confirmed that all three have failed to return to the jail in Wroclawek and arrest warrants have now been issued by Krakow’s District Court.

The men had been sentenced for their roles in the theft of the famous ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ sign that sits above the entrance gate to the Nazi death camp in December last year.

Police are now worried that their no-show could affect the outcome of the case against Anders Hogstrom, the man who is believed to have plotted and staged the entire theft.

Hogstrom, who founded Sweden’s anti-immigrant National Socialist Front in 1994, was extradited to Poland this month to face trial - with most of the evidence based on statements from the men who are now missing.

The former neo-Nazi leader has pleaded innocent, stating that he was merely asked to collect the sign from the Polish gang in order to pass it onto a buyer. If convicted of the crime, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

Miracle escape

From: NPE

A 20-year-old driver and his 48-year-old passenger can talk about a miracle escape after the car they were in was hit by a speeding train in Leczno near Bialogard. On arriving at the scene, police were amazed no one was hurt when looking at the wreckage of the car – an Opel, which had its entire back end ripped off in the incident.

Officers have established that the young driver stopped as required at the open crossing, then for some reason set off again right in front of the speeding Szczecin-Bialogard train. The car almost made it across in time, but the electric locomotive caught the rear end and proceeded to reduce it to a twisted heap of metal. Both driver and passenger, though, emerged from the front half of the wreck completely unscathed.

More in the way of suffering was inflicted on the passengers of the train, who were stuck for two hours waiting while police carried out their investigations.

National Bank in turmoil

From: NPE

The tragic death of the head of the National Bank of Poland Slawomir Skrzypek in Saturday’s plane crash leaves questions open about who will replace him, and how his loss will affect monetary policy and other issues.

The succession issue is a major one, since both the parliament and the president must make the choice jointly. Because President Lech Kaczynski was also killed in the crash, it is unclear whether a permanent replacement will or even can be made before the presidential election scheduled for June.

The Monetary Policy Council, which determines interest rates and is headed by the NBP president, announced on Monday that Vice-Chairman Piotr Wiesiolek will preside over the body until a new head can be named.

The announcement came during a previously scheduled meeting of the MPC and was made after its members consulted with constitutional experts. “We will hold normal meetings unless somebody, such as the Constitutional Tribune, decides that it is against the law, MPC member Andrzej Bratkowski told Reuters.

The law states that a member of the MPC must be replaced within three months, which is roughly when a new national president will be elected. Since acting president Bronislaw Komorowski does not possess all the powers of the office, it is uncertain whether he can select a replacement.

On Wednesday, Komorowski said that choosing a successor to Skrzypek should not be made in haste. “I don’t want to rush the procedure for selecting a new NBP president,” he said.

He downplayed his own potential role in the process, adding that the decision should be “as uncontroversial as possible and best handled by the Polish Parliament.”

Some experts expressed concern about the idea that Komorowski would wait until after the election to select a candidate to succeed Skrzypek. “This might be too long for the markets. There may arise some uncertainty, some fears about the stability of the NBP,” Maja Goettig, head economist for Bank BPH told Gazeta Wyborcza.

Although analysts doubt that monetary policy is likely to change much under Skrzypek’s successor, the fact that a president from the ruling Civic Platform is likely to choose the new head of the NBP may well lead to some change in policies. Among these issues are the amount of profits to be paid from the central bank to the budget and how quickly to move Poland into the eurozone.

It may also test the government’s commitment to a truly independent central bank, since it found itself at odds with Skrzypek on such issues in the past. Markets remained calm after Skrzypek’s death, which indicates that investors do not expect any major changes in monetary policy under the new head.

Sport...

Alexander Steshenko of Belarus wins silver at European judo championships

From: BelTA

Belarusian Alexander Steshenko claimed silver in the +81kg category at the European judo championships held in Vienna, Austria.

On the road to the pedestal the Belarusian defeated David Tsokouris of Greece, Swiss Christoph Keller, Aljaz Sedej from Slovenia and French Antoine Jeannin. Alexander Steshenko lost a gold-medal fight to Russian Sirazhudin Magomedov. Bronze went to Euan Burton of Great Britain and Guillaume Elmont of the Netherlands.

Belarus ranks last at IIHF U18 World Championship

Belarus became 10th at the 2010 IIHF U18 World Championship that takes place in Minsk and Bobruisk.

On 22 April Belarus lost to Latvia (4-5, by shootouts) in the last game of the relegation tournament. That means that the host nation of the World Championship has lost all matches of the tournament.

Canada beat Slovakia (4-2) to win the 7th place. The final standings of the relegation tournament are as follows, Canada – 9 points, Slovakia – 6, Latvia - 2, and Belarus – 1. Belarus and Latvia have been relegated to division A. They will be replaced by Germany and Norway at the next World Championship.

Switzerland claimed 5th position after outscoring Czech Republic (6-5).

The IIHF U18 World Championships have been held since 1999. Belarus played seven times in the upper division. In 2002 Belarus led by Mikhail Zakharov won the 5th place, and on 2003, also with Zakharov, Belarus were 8th. The other coaches of Belarus U18 hockey team failed to escape relegation to the lower division.

The United States play Sweden in the World Championship final at Minsk Arena on 23 April. Russia and Finland are set to play in the third place game at the Sports Palace.

Cultural Scene...

Five nations to partake in Europe Cup arts festival in Minsk

From: BelTA

Five nations will take part in the 2nd international contest, the Europe Cup, in Minsk on 22-25 April, BelTA learnt from one of the contest organizers Natalia Skopets.

Arts groups and solo performers from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Latvia and Israel will present their skills in various arts, such as painting, photographing, clothes designing, signing, dancing and theater arts.

Delegations from Bulgaria and Italy will not participate in the festival due to flight disruption caused by volcano eruption in Iceland.

Refereeing the contest will be experts from the Culture Ministries of Belarus and Russia, tutors of the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts, journalists, photographs, designers, production directors, etc.

The winners of the festival will be named at the final gala concert on 25 April. They will be able to participate in international festivals, contests and master classes in Russia, Spain, Germany, the United States and other countries.

The Europe Cup arts festival is organized by the culture department of the Minsk City Council, the Culture Ministry of the Russian Federation, and Our Future charity foundation.

Belarus presents over 400 books at St. Petersburg Book Salon

Belarusian publishing houses are presenting more than 400 new books at the 5th International Book Salon in St. Petersburg, BelTA has learnt from the Belarusian Information Ministry.

The Belarusian exposition showcases the books published by the publishing houses Belarus, Pyatrus Brouka Belaruskaya Entsyklapedyya, Vysheishaya Shkola, Mastatskaya Litaratura, Narodnaya Asveta, Aversev, Tetrasistems, Literatura I Iskusstvo and others.

The St. Petersburg International Book Salon is held on 22-25 April 2010.

Endnote...

Zhirinovsky: Lukahsneka to lose the vote, and besides he can be brought to court

From: Charter '97

"16 years in power. Everybody is fed up with that already. Nothing comes of his actions, Lukashenka is a failure, he is to lose the vote, he must step down," stated the leader of the he Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR).

The LDPR leader, member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Vice-Chairman of the State Duma Vladimir Zhirinovsky is a controversial personality, who has been visible on the political arena of Russia for 20 years. His statements often become aphorisms, and his most daring forecasts come true. The eccentricity and weirdness of the politician often obscure his ablility to convey a message in an unusual form, or to send up a trial baloon for the Russian ruling elite.

We offer quotes from the interview of the politician as quoted by BelaPAN.

About Lukashenka

Lukashenka is jealous! Nothing comes of his actions, Lukashenka is a failure, he is to lose the vote, he must step down. Moreover, he could be brought to court for persecuting dissenters, imprisoning businessmen and making them pay money.

16 years in power. Everybody is fed up with that already, no matter what a name is! Even when everything is alright, people get tired! One and the same person, his manners, his voice, his face! But we all are human, why should we tolerate that? Why another man cannot be a president? That's the essence. Besides, there are other problems: the general crisis worldwide. Presidents, parties, flags are changing everywhere, so why should he stay?

The most important thing is: we supported him in all elections when he ran. I had been arriving personally! And now who would support him, when he acts like that? And without MOscow's support, those who had supported him, would turn their back on him, realizing that he does not have support he had earlier. For how long had he been tightening screws for private business? [They are] discontented! Young people? This is forbidden, that is forbiggen: restictions are everywhere! There are restrictions for intellectuals. There are restrictions for businessmen: they should go abroad, or in prison, or do everything under the command of officials, like it was under Soviet power.

So many people are discontented, and their number is growing. The older generation for whom he symbolized the Soviet power is dying every year, the older generation is departing. Those who voted for him: village, workers, the poor. The new generation is arising: the Belarusian youth who have internet, who go abroad, who hear and see a different world, who want elections with a result which is not known from the start.

It is gorgeous in Ukraine! Nobody knew till the last moment who [would win]: Tymoshenko or Yanukovych. That is the election, and everybody likes that. Like in the Baltic states which are near. Well, he will say he is, and what's next?

I respect him, but I believe that people do not want him, they are tired.

Bakiyev is staying in Minsk, Breakthrough development, CSTO, Venezuela, BelAZ, ID Theft, Customs Union; News, Sport, Culture and Polish scandal...

2010-04-21T14:53:00.000+03:00

From the Top...

#505

Lukashenka reveals that Bakiyev is staying in Minsk

From: Navany

Alyaksandr Lukashenka said on Tuesday that the ousted president of Kygyzstan, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, had been staying in Minsk since early Monday morning.

According to the Belarusian leader, on the night between Sunday and Monday, he directed the appropriate agencies to arrange for Mr. Bakiyev to be transported to Minsk. “He asked for that more than once,” Mr. Lukashenka told the Belarusian parliament, noting that Mr. Bakiyev arrived in Minsk in the early hours of Monday.

Mr. Lukashenka said that the ousted Kyrgyz president was in Minsk with his family. “We’ve managed to receive only four people [Bakiyev and his family members],” he said. “They are currently under the protection of our state and the personal protection of your president.”

According to Mr. Lukashenka, a medical commission has been appointed to examine the health of Mr. Bakiyev and his family and has already made a preliminary examination.

“You should know that the family is in a broken state,” Mr. Lukashenka said. “His poor children. Pediatricians are working there. Everyone who should is working there. We are conducting an [health] examination of the president and all his family. The picture isn’t optimistic.”

“If he [Bakiyev] is in need of not only rehabilitation but also medical help, we’ll certainly provide it,” Mr. Lukashenka said.

Mr. Bakiyev fled Kyrgyzstan last week after an uprising against his five-year rule left 83 people dead. He took refuge in neighboring Kazakhstan and then left Kazakhstan for a destination that had not been clear, after the Belarusian leader had said that Mr. Bakiyev would be welcome in his country.

Kyrgyzstan’s interim government expects Belarus to ensure that ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev is “safe and secure until his trial,” Russia’s RIA Novosti reported on Tuesday. The interim government views Belarus as a “deeply friendly state,” Edil Baisalov, chief of staff to former Foreign Minister Rosa Otunbayeva who leads the government, told the news agency.

“It is the personal business of Alyaksandr Ryhoravich and his right,” Mr. Baisalov commented on the Belarusian leader’s move to invite Mr. Bakiyev to Belarus.

“We know Belarus as a European and deeply friendly state toward us,” he said. “We ask the Belarusian people and the leadership of the country to ensure that Bakiyev is safe and secure until his trial for numerous crimes against the Kyrgyz people.”

President supports former Kyrgyz president

“This game is led by the Kyrgyz interim government as well as by Russia and Kazakhstan. I believe the United States have their hands in this also,” the Belarusian leader said. Alexander Lukashenko added: “I hope I will have a chance to discuss all these issues with the President of Kyrgyzstan personally and see whether I am right or not”.

The President noted that “my colleagues in Kazakhstan and Russia would not want the ousted President of Kyrgyzstan to stay on their territory as a criminal case has been opened against him”.

“You know, the most shameful thing is that the current interim government of Kyrgyzstan seems to have waited for Bakiyev to leave Kazakhstan to put him on the international wanted list,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

“We are not hiding him here, we are recieving him as the most distinguished guest, as my colleague, as the President of Kyrgyzstan,” the Belarusian leader said.

Alexander Lukashenko reiterated that if “the President of Kyrgyzstan needs support and help in this very difficult moment for his family, he will be provided it in Belarus”. “We are ready to receive him here,” he said.

The President noted that it was his personal decision. “As the head of state I have the right for it. I believe that betrayal is the most disgraceful thing in the world,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian leader also added that if Kurmanbek Bakiyev would like to hold a press conference in Minsk, “he will be able to do it freely”. “We will see then which country is more democratic: Belarus or some other state. I think he will say a lot,” the President said.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko still believes that Kurmanbek Bakiyev is the legal president of Kyrgyzstan.

“For me it is Kurmanbek Bakiyev who is the president of the country,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarus President added that the signatures under the resignation that mass media are demonstrating these days should not be trusted. “Even if he declared he would quit, you should understand the circumstances it happened. When he has small kids, the family to take care of, when he is blocked in the mountains and a civil war may break out. It is in this situation, in complete solitude that man happened to be. What decisions could he have made in these circumstances?” wondered the President.

The Belarusian head of state reiterated: “For me he is the president of a friendly country. I am sure that after 2-3 years Kyrgyzstan would have gotten back on its feet. The thing is it is a strategic territory which is now being torn apart by those who claim they have ‘vital interests’ there. The question is: what about interests of the Kyrgyz nation? It is all tied together and it is the core reason why the nation is poor. Kyrgyzstan is a poor country. They are poor people who are ready to work for food. Instead of fighting nearby, in Afghanistan, spending billions of dollars and killing people, the Americans might have helped the Kyrgyz nation, might have restored the country”.

“There are a lot of obvious glaring issues but everyone pretends they don’t see them. Then information attacks begin. It is total nonsense,” stated the Belarus President.

Commenting on the statements made by a vice premier of Kyrgyzstan’s interim government that the country willing to host Kurmanbek Bakiyev will have problems with Bishkek, Alexander Lukashenko said: “I would like to ask three rhetorical questions. First, what serious problems we can run into? Second, would Belarus not be able to survive these problems? Would we fold up tomorrow if we ran into problems with Kyrgyzstan? Third, if Kurmanbek Bakiyev was in Belarus today, the Kyrgyz interim government would benefit from it. Because they would be free to act the way they want if there was no president in Kyrgyzstan”.

The Belarus President remarked that what he said before is now true. “The entire south of Kyrgyzstan is ablaze. People take over administrative buildings in Jalal-Abad, Osh. People protect the brother of the overturned president and other relatives of his,” stated Alexander Lukashenko. “I would like to address the Kyrgyz nation: don’t let your president be betrayed. It would be a most severe mistake”.

The Belarusian head of state underlined: “Only his nation can hold a president accountable. No gangs, no groups, no opposition can, but the nation”.

“A real way out of the present situation, if you are as democratic as you say, would be declaring pre-term presidential elections and, for that matter, parliamentary elections. And letting everyone willing to participate in the elections, including Kurmanbek Bakiyev,” Alexander Lukashenko is convinced.

Other Belarusian News...

Belarus President unveils plans for breakthrough development

From: BelTA

The year 2010 should lay the foundation for making a breakthrough in the development of Belarus, a new stage in creating a strong and prosperous state, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said in his annual State of the Nation Address on 20 April, BelTA has learnt. The focal point of the address is “The dynamic breakthrough in the development of the country – a way to a new quality of life”.

“The year 2010 is literally a key milestone in shaping the strategy of Belarus’ further development. First, the year marks the completion of a number of state programs, first of all, the program of social and economic development of Belarus for 2006-2010,” the President said. In his words, despite some objective difficulties facing the national economy, the state does not abandon the commitments taken on five years ago at the Third All-Belarus People’s Assembly.

“Second, in 2010 we should completely overcome the consequences of the crisis that affected our economy and at a minimum to restore the pre-crisis economic growth rate,” the Belarusian leader underlined. “Our well-being, social and economic progress hinge on the efficiency and quality of our work in 2010,” he added.

Belarus should emerge from the crisis more advanced and ready for a tough competition in the post-crisis conditions, Belarusian head of state Alexander Lukashenko said .

The President stressed that quality remains the key point in all areas of the activity. It is the quality of goods and services, management and, what is most important, the quality of the people’s life. “The issues concerning quality have always been among the country’s priorities. They have become even more urgent as we are emerging from the financial and economic crisis,” Alexander Lukashenko said. “There is no chance to return to the old positions as new consumer requirements are laid down. On a global scale the privilege will be given to that economy that reaches the highest rates in labor productivity, the quality of products and the prime cost reduction,” the Belarusian leader noted.

According to the head of state, Belarus has achieved a lot over the past years. “But it is impossible to move further by inertia, without additional efforts, without setting forth new promising and even ambitious goals,” the Belarusian leader said. Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the fact that the economic principles are reconsidered in today’s world. Those economies that never stop moving forward and adopt the best practices become the most successful.

“In this respect we are in a desperate need of a qualitative breakthrough in the national economy,” the President remarked.

Alexander Lukashenko also outlined new strategies to secure a quality breakthrough in the economy development.

“First comes a new technological strategy. It envisages structural reforms in the economy to promote industries manufacturing high value added products; creation of high-tech production facilities to offer brand new goods and services; introduction of market incentives to galvanize innovative activity of all economic entities,” the head of state said.

Another key strategy deals with business activity. “Its major principle is competition instead of monopolies. I believe it is time to adopt Directive No. 4 to further liberalize the economy and encourage business initiatives,” the Belarusian President said.

These strategies are followed by a transit strategy that envisages the broadening of transport, communications and financial corridors. “This should become a major instrument to make a quality economic breakthrough and help Belarus occupy its niche in the international division of labor using its geographic advantages,” he stated.

An energy strategy envisages a more active use of renewable energy, creation of new cutting-edge energy capacities and diversification of traditional energy sources.

The economic breakthrough is impossible without an IT development strategy aimed to make electronic services available to people and businesses.

“These strategic guidelines will help Belarus advance even further and work much more efficiently than earlier. They underpin the focus on quality in our national policy and the decision to declare the year 2010 the Year of Quality,” the President said.

The head of state emphasized the need to cultivate the general culture of quality in the country, to promote a high quality of life, labor and education. The ultimate goal is to create a modern competitive economy, the state, and the nation in general. “We should reach the European level of life in the near future,” the President said.

Belarus forced to seek new markets

The need to stop being dependent on monopolies, primarily from Russia, forces Belarus to seek and secure its foothold on new markets. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made the relevant statement in his address to the Belarusian nation and the parliament on 20 April, BelTA has learned.

“It is our vital need to avoid dependence and dictate, primarily that of Russian monopolies. To avoid being kicked about and blamed that we live at someone else’s expense,” said the head of state. “We are forced to seek other markets and we have found them, not only in Venezuela,” he added.

As an example Alexander Lukashenko recalled the sugar dispute: “Who was behind it? The tycoons that deal with this sweet matter in Russia. They came to Putin and said that [Belarus] sets dumping prices, subsidizes, supplies cheap sugar to the Russian market, destroying our economy. I was trying to prove my point to the president and the prime minister of Russia: you make about 50% of the sugar you need in Russia. For instance you import 1 million tonnes and we supply 150,000 tonnes. Why do you reject Belarusian sugar? You still buy the rest! You say that we set dumping prices. Good. Let’s say that the income we gain with these low prices is sufficient for us. Name the body we should sell this cheap sugar to. Take it away and sell to the Russian people at a tripled price in order to keep the prices high. They couldn’t do it”. The President also reminded that due to the blocked supplies of Belarusian sugar the sugar price in Russia went up several times. “What kind of politics is that? Why did anyone have to make sugar in Russia that expensive? People have to buy it! So this is the kind of politics I am talking about. We were ousted, they got what they deserved,” said the Belarusian head of state.

“Then we are building the Customs Union. Customs duties have been imposed on oil, making it almost twice as expensive. Why do you do it? Is it your politics? Well, we have to comply because it is their commodity,” said the President.

Alexander Lukashenko remarked that in this situation Belarus had to seek oil in other countries and today it successfully and profitably extracts oil in Venezuela and has started extracting oil in Iran. “You are our closest allies. You and we built the oil pipelines together and explored gas deposits together. Why do you push us away? Why do you force us to seek our happiness, this hydrocarbon raw stock at the back of beyond? If it is transported from Venezuela, a tanker has been on its way for two weeks now. But Russia is nearby! Let’s us extract oil and natural gas. On your terms,” said the President. He said that Russia has not made the decision yet.

The President stressed that one should not search for some undercurrents in Belarus’ active actions aimed at pursuing a real multiple-vector policy. “Such is the time. If we don’t learn how to respond fast and adequately to challenges of the present, we will suffer as poor cousins in someone else’s backyard,” he said.

“The Belarusian nation is a nation of working people. Maybe not in Russia but overseas, we will honestly earn our living. I am sure that Russian people understand and support us. Because we will never do anything that may harm the brotherly nation. It is impossible to destroy by any cliches that Russian mass media and sometimes politicians try to put on us,” concluded Alexander Lukashenko.

No color revolutions in Belarus

“There will be no color revolutions, my dear. There won’t! As long as I am the president, these revolutions won’t happen! Nobody here is going to shoot their own people. Our people are not that stupid to go and storm something after getting money from abroad. People won’t do it and the situation does not exist. The situation will not exist even if we all start buying what we need from Russia at international prices,” said the head of state.

He stressed that Belarus is “past the point when they could put us on our knees. Sometimes the Russian government thinks that we have no way out. There is a way! A country in the center of Europe will not be empty! But nobody will be allowed to bend us over or kick us! However emotional it may seem I am the president of the country, elected by the 10-million people, and they are not allowed to bend me over because it humiliates the nation when their president is on his knees before someone”.

“We have lived through the financial and economic crisis. And today I must thank not the motherly Russia but who? The IMF, Europe, the West. It is they who gave us these billions so that our country would live. Why do you treat us like that?” wondered the President.

“They have started talks that Kyrgyzstan serves as a signal to someone including to Belarus… It is ridiculous. There are fences neither around the government building, nor around the Presidential Administration or presidential residences. Have you noticed it? It is quite symbolic. It shows we are not expecting any color revolutions, we are not afraid of them,” the President said.

According to the Belarusian leader, some mass media speculate that “Lukashenko makes such statements on Bakiyev because he is afraid”. “I am afraid of nothing. Whom should I be afraid of?” the Belarusian leader asked. “No shooting is possible here. You all know it,” he added.

“I fight neither against Russia nor Europe or America. I want to fight none of them at all,” the President stressed.

World has learnt more about Belarus over past years

“The Belarusian people are a highly intellectual, talented and spiritual nation. Over the last years the world has learnt more about Belarus and the Belarusians thanks to the policy of integration in the global political and economic systems, sci-tech achievements, victories in sports competitions and art contests,” the President said.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, efficient state institutions, competent staff and a high research and production level can secure a dynamic breakthrough in Belarus’ development.

“New challenges require new solutions. To come up with them we need patience, hard work and complete dedication of everyone to the advantage of the whole society. These are the qualities of a patriot who proves by actions his love for Homeland,” the head of state said.

All government bodies, public associations and businesses have to take a test of their professional maturity. “We must not fail it. Our Belarus will grow richer and more prosperous, we will persistently advance if we unite for the future of our Homeland,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

“The quality of production, the quality of management and the quality of life are the major underpinnings of our state. It determines the success of our hard work over these years. The Belarusian people support the national policy. It means we can confidently move ahead,” the President concluded.

CSTO can help stabilize situation in Kyrgyzstan, Sergei Maskevich says

From: BelTA

The legal framework of the CSTO allows its participants who act as international mediation to provide assistance to Kyrgyzstan, Sergei Maskevich, chairman of the commission for international affairs and links with the CIS of the House of Representatives of the Belarusian National Assembly, said in an interview with BelTA.

“I believe that the CSTO and other international organizations set up by the former Soviet Union republics have the potential to perform stabilizing functions. On the other hand, there are no examples when such interference has proved efficient.” For the mediation to be a success, a high level of trust between the partners is needed, Sergei Maskevich is sure.

Holding early presidential and parliamentary elections would be the best scenario for Kyrgyzstan now. “Unfortunately, this will not improve the economic situation. Yet it will bring certain political stability. And of course the elections should be observed by international organizations,” Sergei Maskevich said.

The events in Kyrgyzstan teach a very important political lesson, Sergei Maskevich thinks. “Any revolution, any non-evolutionary change of power is fraught with unpredicted consequences. And no one even those who come to power with the help of such revolutions are safeguarded against them.” The worst thing is that they undermine the economy and wellbeing of people.

“It is hard to imagine who would win from destabilizing the situation in the country bordering on Afghanistan, who is in a very complicated geopolitical situation. I think this is fraught with serious consequences for many,” the Belarusian MP said.

Venezuela Ambassador: Belarus and Venezuela develop strategic partnership

From: BelTA

Belarus and Venezuela are developing strategic partnership for the benefit of the two nations, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Belarus Americo Diaz Nunez said at a ceremony of laying flowers at the memorial plate in the Simon Bolivar Park in Minsk on occasion of the 200th anniversary of Venezuela’s independence.

The diplomat took note of the importance of developing all-round cooperation with Belarus. According to him, the cooperation has been especially vibrant after the visit of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko to Caracas.

According to the Ambassador, it was on 19 April 1810 that Caracas and six provinces of Venezuela annulled the mandate of the Captain General of Venezuela Vicente Emparan. This move became an important step towards official proclamation of Venezuela’s independence on 5 July 1811.

According to Americo Diaz Nunez, Venezuela spearheaded the campaign for independence in Latin America in the 19th century. Today it also plays the leading role in the integration processes on the continent. The country is now defending its independence for the second time as its natural wealth has been plundered for 100 years by another empire.

For the past decade Venezuela has achieved good results in recovering back its natural riches, first of all oil and minerals which are the basis for the economic development of the country. As Venezuela does not want to get dependent on oil, it has been working on promoting industrialization and diversifying its economy to get truly independent, the diplomat said.

The Embassy of Venezuela is holding a series of events to mark the anniversary. A concert of the state academic symphony orchestra of Belarus conducted by Alexander Anisimov and Gerardo Estrada from Venezuela was held in the Belarusian philharmonic. The National Library is playing host to a Venezuelan exposition. An interesting program was prepared to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Simon Bolivar Latin American Cultural Center in Minsk.

Economics...

BelAZ to showcase new 360-tonne mining dump truck 23 April

From: BelTA

On 23 April, BelAZ will demonstrate a new 360-tonne mining truck at the BelAZ (Belarusian Autoworks) test ground in Zhodino within the framework of research conference “Development prospects for open-pit transport”, BelTA learnt from the company.

On the same day BelAZ will present other novelties including a 240-tonne mining dump truck and a prototype of a 136-tonne mining dump truck with long-distance control.

The conference is timed to the 50th anniversary of Belarusian Autoworks’ design and experimental center. Attending the conference will be Belarusian and foreign technical experts from companies-suppliers, consumers, heads of research organizations. The participants of the conference will discuss the modernization and improvement of the production models and new samples of the mining machinery. They will sum up the tests of experimental samples of the BelAZ mining machinery in the CIS countries. The participants of the meeting will discuss the operating experience of the vehicles which have been designed recently. BelAZ specialists will meet with their customers who operate with Belarusian mining machinery.

Founded in September 1948, Belarusian Autoworks mainly offers rock haulers, frontal wheel loaders and bulldozers, tow trucks, special vehicles for underground operations, heavy payload trucks for metallurgy industry and other specialized technological vehicles. Belarusian Autoworks occupies one third of the world’s rock haulers market and is one of the world’s seven largest manufacturers of quarry vehicles along with Komatsu-Dresser, Euclid-Hitachi, Caterpillar, Liebherr, Terex, and Kress.

Grodno oblast-Armenia bilateral trade 25.3% up in January-February

In January-February 2010 the trade turnover between the Grodno oblast and the Republic of Armenia totaled $184,600 (up 25.3% on the same period 2009), said acting chairman of the Grodno oblast executive committee Ivan Zhuk at a meeting of Grodno officials with a delegation of the Shirak province of Armenia on 19 April.

The Grodno oblast exports dairy products and packaging to Armenia. In 2010 the Grodno oblast started supplies of agricultural machinery and mechanical devices to Armenia. Armenia did not export anything to the Grodno oblast in 2010.

Lidselmash exports potato diggers, potato planters, sowing machines, and fertilizer spreading units. Lida Dairy delivers full cram milk powder and butter. The KonteSpa company delivered $42,200 worth of hosiery goods to Armenia in January-February 2010.

The sides are mulling over the deliveries of the Lidaagroprommash grain harvesters and the Neman buses to Armenia.

The sides expressed their confidence in the expansion of bilateral cooperation. Lida Nanyan, Governor of the Shirak province, said that Armenia wants to develop cooperation with the Grodno oblast in agriculture, industry, economy, education, healthcare and culture.

Grodno and Gyumri are likely to establish twin city relations.

From the Foriegn Press...

Kyrgyz leader slams Belarus

From: straitstimes.com

KYRGYZSTAN'S interim leader Roza Otunbayeva has condemned Belarus' decision to take in ousted Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, warning that Bishkek would appeal to Interpol if he is not extradited.

'Kyrgyzstan's people may not react positively to Belarus taking in such a man that has the lives of many people on his conscience,' Ms Otumbayeva told reporters late on Tuesday.

'Anyone who suffered from him thinks that there can be no refuge anywhere in the world for this sadist,' she added.

'This criminal must be handed over back to our country. If that does not happen, there is Interpol,' Ms Otumbayeva added.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed on Tuesday that Mr Bakiyev was in Belarus, ending days of uncertainty over the toppled leader's whereabouts.

'Mr Bakiyev and his family, four people in all, have been in Minsk since Monday evening, as guests,' Mr Lukashenko said during an address to the Belarusian parliament.

DOJ:Belarusian Web Site Creator Accused Of Assisting ID Theft

From: WSJ

U.S. prosecutors have charged a Belarusian man with operating a Web site designed to help identity thieves use stolen financial data, including credit card numbers.

Dmitry M. Naskovets, the creator and operator of CallService.biz, was indicted Monday on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft.

He was arrested by Czech Republic authorities on Thursday. U.S. prosecutors are seeking his extradition.

Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan alleged Nashkovets and another man designed CallService.biz to counteract security measures put in place by financial institutions. His coconspirator has been arrested by Belarus authorities, U.S. prosecutors said.

The Web site allegedly provided English- and German-speaking individuals to persons who had stolen account information in order to beat bank screening processes requiring vocal verification for some transactions.

Prosecutors said the Web site was used by more than 2,000 identity thieves in more than 5,000 instances of fraud.

Belarus president says Russia undermines basis of Customs Union

From: RIA Novosti

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday that Russia's actions were undermining the foundations of the Customs Union.

"The Russian leadership has in recent years decidedly embarked on a policy of pragmatism, on so-called market relations," Lukashenko said in an address to parliament and the nation.

The president said that Belarusian products were being squeezed out of the Russian market, creating obstacles to their transit to Asian countries.

The president also said higher energy prices were one way Belarus was being squeezed from the Russian market, complaining that oil prices were twice what they used to be, making it unprofitable to sell petrochemicals.

Relations between Moscow and Minsk have been soured by a series of economic disputes, including over Russian energy supplies.

Earlier this year the two ex-Soviet neighbors were involved in a dispute over oil supplies, as Moscow demanded Minsk pay full import duties on crude it refines and resells to Europe, dropping considerable subsidies.

Lukashenko also said that the Customs Union of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan would only be workable if the sides meet all their commitments and obligations.

Belarus, Ukraine moving out of recession

From: RIA Novosti

Viktor Yanukovych

Belarus and Ukraine are showing signs of a recovery from the global financial meltdown, the latest data suggests.

"The country has exited the recession - this is the evaluation of the World Bank and the IMF" - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said in a message to parliament and the nation.

According to Lukashenko, GDP growth in the first quarter was about 5% higher than in the same period last year.

The National Statistics Committee of Belarus said however that growth was about 4 %.

"The main aim of this year is to reach 11% GDP growth and we are confident that we will achieve this," Lukashenko said.

The situation with Ukraine is however more complex.

The chief consultant of Ukraine's National Bank, Valeriy Lytvytskiy, said that three branches of the real sector of the economy had been able to move out of recession in the first quarter of 2010, demonstrating an aggregate growth of 38% of GDP (10% in industry, 5.3% in agriculture and transport more than 16%).

At the same time, the situation was discouraging in the construction sector and trade, which registered a decline of 24% and 3.1%, respectively, in the first three months of the year.

Moreover, of special concern was the situation in capital investment, which declined more than 21% in the reporting period.

From the Opposition...

With which wife has Bakiyev arrived to Minsk?

From: Charter '97

Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the ousted dictator of Kyrgyzstan, has two inofficial wives beside the official one, and children with them.

Answering questions of "deputies" of the "national assembly" on April 20, Alyaksandr Lukashenka said that since Monday the ousted presdent of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev and family are in Belarus. He mentioned 5-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter of Bakiyev.

However officially Bakiyev has only one wife, Tatyana Bakiyeva, who was born in Samara and is a production engineer by education. They have 2 grown-up sons, one of whom Bakiyev was believed to be preparing as his successor.

Where could the children mentionaed by Lukashenka come from?

According to Kyrgyz workers of "Radio Liberty", rumours about Bakiyev's other family apperaed long ago, but in early March it became an issue of rpublic discussion for the first time. In March the former State Property Minister Ravshan Dzhaimbekov who lives in the US now, addressed Bakiyev with an open letter, calling upn the president not to violate moral standards. It was stated in the letter that beside the official wife, Bakiyev had two inofficial ones.

The party "Erkindik Kyrgyzstan" states that the provisional government has given "guarantees of inviolability to the president, his minor children and wifes".

Vice President of Kyrgyzstan in the provisional government Azenbek Bagnazarov stated at a press-conference that Bakiyev has fled the country "with his third, inofficial wife".

Student harassed by KGB

From: Viasna

On 7 April Maryna Yauseichyk, student of the Journalism Faculty of the Belarusian State University, received a phone call from an unknown person, presenting himself as a KGB officer Zmitser, who invited the girl for conversation to the KGB office at 6a Kazlou Street in Minsk. The conversation was to deal with the 3 July 2008 Minsk explosion. The student received another call from the same person, who inquired whether she was going to turn up. As a result, the girl was forced to agree to come.

‘At first, he did ask me about the explosion. However, then he changed the subject, and started asking me about various parties and youth movements, whether I participated in any events or rallies. I said I did not take part in any events. Then he asked me about the creative intellectuals, whether I had met them or taken part in any of their meetings and taken notes of their speeches. Then he took out a laptop and showed me a video of the World Association of Belarusians "Backaušcyna" congress and asked me what I were doing there and why I had taken notes if I was not member of the organization. I did work as a secretary at the Congress and told him I had done this voluntarily. He also showed me copies of newspaper and Internet articles and inquired whether I had anything to do with them, accusing me of discrediting Belarus. He showed me the respective article of the Criminal Code. To threaten me, he said I was in trouble and promised to ‘forget’ about various facts, including my participation in the Congress and collaboration with the web-site (www.represii-by.info) and promised that I would not be expelled from the University. But only in case if I agree to cooperate with them. He suggested that I continued collaborating for the site, kept an eye on the people I have contacts with and report on all that.

I rejected the proposal, but Zmitser again started threatening me with ‘troubles’ and aid that if I did not want my life to turn into hell, I would have to sign papers of cooperation. Since the conversation had lasted for some three hours and I was going to Moscow on that day, I had to sign the paper. However, I realized that I did not want and would not cooperate with them, I just wanted to end that conversation and catch the bus. He said he would call me from time to time. And he did call me a week later and invited for another conversation. I said no, saying that I had nothing to tell them and asked not to interfere with my studies. He said that everything would turn out bad for me and my further education might be problematic. A switched off my mobile phone, but Zmitser called my home phone on 19 April. He warned me that would serve me with a writ and officially summon me for conversation to the KGB.’

The situation was commented upon by Viasna’s human rights defender Valiantsin Stefanovich:

‘The trap the girl has found herself in is not a novelty. Every year the Human Rights Center ‘Viasna’ receives similar complaints from the youth, saying that they have been recruited by the KGB. It should be noted that all the conversations are usually unofficial. The KGB officers simply make use of the youth’s lack of awareness of their own rights. Maryna should not have come for conversation. She should have demanded an official summons. The interrogation should be recorded and the interrogated person should be told of his or her rights. In this case, Maryna was simply talked with. She had no procedural status at all and had a right to refuse to talk with the officer, who did not name himself and failed to present his ID. Besides, under the Law on the State Security Committee, cooperation with the KGB should be based on a voluntary basis and such recruitment through intimidation is illegal. Therefore, any ‘obligations’ signed by Maryna are nothing but paper and have no legal force.’

Early voting begins in Belarus’ local elections

From: Navany

The early voting period in Belarus' elections for local soviets began on April 20.

The polling stations will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a break in the afternoon during the five-day period.

Voters are required to produce their passports to cast ballots. Other documents that entitle people to vote early include the pension certificate, student identification card, military card (for military servicemen), certificate of employment (for civil servants) and a residence document (for Russian citizens living permanently in Belarus).

In the previous local elections held in 2007, 25 percent of all registered voters cast their ballots during the early voting period, Mikalay Lazavik, secretary of the central election commission, told BelaPAN.

The percentage is expected to be smaller this year, he said.

“A greater attention to the organization of the early voting stage should be paid in urban areas,” Mr. Lazavik said. “There are many mobile citizens there, such as [non-resident] students who go home, workers and pensioners who leave the cities for their dachas [summer houses]. But I don’t think that it is needed very much to spur the voting in rural areas. People are unlikely to leave their places at the weekend. They will go to the polls on the main voting day with a bigger enthusiasm to feel the festive atmosphere and watch artists’ performances.”

Mr. Lazavik said the central election commission had given “appropriate recommendations” at special seminars held earlier for local authorities responsible for the conduct of elections. If the recommendations are fulfilled, the turnout may be lower, he said.

He pointed out, the number of people who will vote early in this week's elections for local soviets may be smaller than in the previous, January 2007 local elections.

Much attention should be paid to early voting in cities, Mr. Lazavik said. "Cities have many mobile citizens, including students who go out of town to visit their parents, and also workers and retirees who may go away to their summer houses. That is why not only explanatory but also organizational work is necessary in cities to help people who wish to cast their ballots before April 25."

In rural areas, on the other hand, it makes no sense "to speed up the voting process," Mr. Lazavik said. "People there are unlikely to be away from home on Sunday," he explained. "They will be very happy to come to their polling stations on April 25 to feel the festive atmosphere and be entertained."

If recommendations given by the central election commission to election organizers during a recent workshop are implemented, the early voting turnout may be lower this time compared with the previous local elections, he said.

According to the central election commission, nearly 25 percent of all eligible voters cast their ballots during the early voting period in the 2007 local elections, with the total voter turnout reported at 79 percent.

Russia...

UZBEKISTAN: SPOOKED BY KYRGYZ UNREST, KARIMOV WARMS TO RUSSIA

From: Eurasia Net

Uzbek President Islam Karimov expressed solidarity with Russia on April 20, setting aside disputes that have strained relations between Moscow and Tashkent to stress the two countries’ shared concern about instability in Kyrgyzstan. Analysts say the ongoing unrest in Kyrgyzstan has the potential to threaten Karimov’s regime.

"Our viewpoints coincided completely," Karimov said after talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev during his first visit to Russia in more than two years. "What is going on today in Kyrgyzstan is in nobody’s interests -- and above all, it is not in the interests of countries bordering Kyrgyzstan -- and there is a fairly serious risk that these processes will acquire a permanent character."

Speaking at the start of his talks with Karimov, Medvedev said: "Clearly, both Russia and Uzbekistan are interested in having the authorities in Kyrgyzstan be strong and having the people of Kyrgyzstan develop and prosper."

The provisional government in Kyrgyzstan, which swept to power April 7 amid the collapse of Kurmanbek Bakiyev’s administration, has so far been unable to assert full control over the country. A pogrom in a Bishkek suburb on April 19 that left five dead underscored the new leadership’s lack of control over developments. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

If the Kyrgyz unrest spins out of control, it could undermine Karimov, the 72-year-old strongman who has ruled Uzbekistan for the past two decades, analysts said.

Uzbekistan and Russia "are identically interested in avoiding the worst-case scenario in Kyrgyzstan," said Andrei Grozin, head of the Central Asia department at the Institute of CIS Countries in Moscow.

Instability in southern Kyrgyzstan, where supporters of Bakiyev have challenged the provisional government, could easily spill across the porous border into Uzbekistan, Grozin said. The analyst noted that the last popular uprising that ousted a president of Kyrgyzstan -- the Tulip Revolution of 2005 -- was followed just weeks later by mass protests in Andijan, Uzbekistan, the biggest show of opposition to Karimov’s rule during his two decades in power. That protest was violently suppressed by Uzbek authorities with a large loss of life. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Karimov’s regime is also worried about the riots that have roiled Bishkek in recent days. The unrest is fuelled mainly by poverty and could set a precedent for Uzbekistan, said Ana Jelenkovic, a London-based analyst for the Eurasia Group consulting firm. "These are not anti-government protests: they stem from frustration with poverty, the state of the economy and quality of living. All of those issues exist (and are worse) in Uzbekistan than in Kyrgyzstan," Jelenkovic said.

Though Karimov’s security forces would likely deal swiftly and more resolutely with any similar uprisings in Uzbekistan, "the concern is real and certainly it is in Karimov’s interests to align with Russia on this," she added.

Karimov’s visit to Moscow, which also included talks with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, has been widely seen as an effort to mend strained relations between Russia and Uzbekistan.

Last summer, Karimov boycotted a summit in Moscow of the Collective Treaty Security Organization and refused to support the creation of a CSTO rapid-reaction force, a pet project of the Kremlin as it seeks to build up the CSTO -- a loose grouping of former Soviet republics -- into an alliance that can serve as a Russian-dominated counterweight to NATO. Karimov’s boycott came after Uzbekistan fiercely objected to Russian plans to establish a new military base in southern Kyrgyzstan. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

The Uzbek government has raised eyebrows in Moscow by flirting with the United States in recent months. Tashkent has hosted a series of visits by top US generals and diplomats, believed to be aimed at securing greater cooperation on Afghanistan. Uzbek authorities also angered Russia by demolishing a Soviet-era war monument in Tashkent in November, a move that led pro-Kremlin youth groups to protest outside the Uzbek Embassy in Moscow. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Analysts cautioned against reading too much into Karimov’s shift to a more pro-Moscow stance, calling it a step in Uzbekistan’s long-standing policy of playing Russia, the United States and China off against each other.

"The pendulum swung too far to the West, and now Karimov has returned to the tactic of being closer to Russia. At least until the next readjustment, he will show a little more warmth to Moscow, and a little less of the whole-hearted embrace of the West," Grozin said. "The situation in Kyrgyzstan has brought a certain correction to Karimov’s policies."

Russia: US adoptions freeze to last for weeks

From: AP

Russia's children rights ombudsman Pavel Astakhov speaks during his news conference in Moscow Monday, April 19, 2010. Astakhov said Monday all adoptions to the United States will remain suspended for a couple of months until Russia and the United States to sign a bilateral deal on adoptions.

All Russian adoptions to the United States will remain suspended until a new agreement is negotiated, which could take up to two months, the Kremlin's children's rights ombudsman said Monday.

Russia froze U.S. adoptions last week after a boy was put on a plane back to Russia by his adoptive American mother. The woman said she "no longer wishes to parent" Artyom Savelyev, who had just turned 8.

Talks on a new adoption agreement were supposed to have begun Monday but were postponed until next week after the volcanic ash prevented the U.S. delegation from flying to Moscow, the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.

Pavel Astakhov, the ombudsman, predicted an agreement would be signed within a couple of months.

"While we are working on the agreement, adoptions will be frozen," he told reporters.

The circumstances of the freeze remained unclear. The Education and Science Ministry, which overseas international adoptions, said Monday that it still had not received official notification.

The United States also has received no notification, but "it appears that the recent controversy has slowed the process down," the embassy statement said.

Astakhov declined to answer questions about who ordered the suspension of U.S. adoptions and when, saying no documents would be made public before Russia showed them to the U.S. delegation.

The freeze was announced Thursday by the Foreign Ministry spokesman in his weekly televised briefing. The ministry refused last week to provide further information, and a statement issued Monday did little to clarify the situation.

The ministry statement said the dispute could only be resolved through the signing of a bilateral agreement providing for greater monitoring and control over U.S. adoptions.

"If our partners show a willingness to sign such an agreement, this will help avoid a freeze of adoptions to the United States," it said. "So far the United States is not showing any interest in securing such an agreement."

Astakhov, however, said U.S. officials had shown a willingness to negotiate such an agreement.

The ombudsman also said that Artyom, the boy whose return led to the freeze, was expected Monday to leave the hospital where he has been undergoing medical checks since arriving in Russia on April 8. He will be placed in a foster family, most likely with the English-speaking family of a Russian diplomat, Astakhov said. He gave no further details.

More than 1,800 children from Russia were adopted in the United States last year, according to the Education and Science Ministry.

Deposed Kyrgyz leader says he is still president

From: AP

The ousted leader of Kyrgyzstan says from exile in Belarus that he is still president of his Central Asian country.

Kurmanbek Bakiyev was deposed in an April 7 uprising that left 85 people dead in the Kyrgyz capital and then fled last week to neighboring Kazakhstan. He arrived in the Belarusian capital earlier this week.

In his first comments from exile Bakiyev was defiant and said he has not resigned.

He told reporters Wednesday in Minsk that he is still "the legitimate president of Kyrgyzstan," and described the interim government controlling Bishkek as "a gang of impostors."

Hundreds of supporters of Kyrgyzstan's interim government clashed Wednesday with followers of the deposed president, as authorities struggle to restore order two weeks after a bloody revolt in the Central Asian nation.

Witnesses told The Associated Press that scuffles broke out between provisional government supporters and supporters of ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev in Jalal-Abad's central square. Jalal-Abad, in Kyrgyzstan's south, is one of the few remaining towns where support for the toppled leader is still visible.

Bakiyev is being sheltered by Belarus. Kyrgyz officials plan to seek his extradition to answer for the deaths of at least 85 people during the uprising.

The shaky interim coalition, which is set to run the former Soviet country for six months, is struggling to restore stability. The efforts are being watched with concern by Russia and the United States, both of which have military bases there.

Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday that Bakiyev and his family are under his personal protection.

Bakiyev arrived in Belarus earlier this week after fleeing Kyrgyzstan initially for neighboring Kazakhstan in an internationally brokered arrangement.

From the Polish Scandal Files...

Marek gets two year ban

From: BPE

Kornelia Marek, the Olympic skier caught using proscribed substances, was handed a two year ban by the Polish Skiing Union (PZN) and ejected from the team. In a rather vague conclusion to their initial report, the PZN disciplinary committee stated that she, “acted alone or with others,” in taking the banned performance enhancing drug EPO.

In a brief press conference given after the ruling Marek, looking more relieved than contrite, stated, “I apologise with all my heart that my affair has cast a shadow over all the medal performances of the team.” Asked if she felt guilty, she replied, “Guilty of recklessness and trusting too much.” She also said she had no intention of giving up sport as, “It’s my whole life,” and announced her intention to prepare for the Sochi Olympics in four years’ time.

Polish firms willingly reach for pirate programming

From: WBJ

The incidence of business use of illegal computer software increased in 2009, but the penalties incurred decreased. While 281 businesses were caught out last year – 6.5 percent more than in 2008 – fines totaled only zl.821,000.

According to the Business Software Alliance (BSA), an organization of the world’s largest software companies, Polish firms were turning to pirate software in an attempt to cut costs during the economic downturn of 2009.

“A significant outbreak was noticed in the first half of the year,” BSA Poland coordinator Bart?omiej Witucki said. He said this spike paralleled increased retrenchment rates and that the recently unemployed were informing on their former employers.

But the increased number of revealed cases did not coincide with the size of fines issued.

Total penalties were 41 percent less than in 2008. Of z?.821,000, compensation cost zl.747,000 and legitimate software cost zl.74,000. That compares to zl.1.4 million in penalties in 2008, of which zl.1.2 million was spent on compensation and the rest was spent on acquiring legal programming.

“We evaluate each situation individually. If we could see that the financial condition of a company using pirate software isn’t the best, we went for a compromise and agreed to milder penalties,” Mr Witucki said. “It is not in our interest to force a company to declare insolvency.”

BSA research shows that in 2008 illegal programming was installed on as many as 56 percent of Polish computers – only one percentage point less than in 2007. That is equivalent to losses to software companies in the amount of $648 million. Statistics for 2009 will be revealed mid-May.

Lumberjack keeps his head

From: NPE

A lumberjack narrowly escaped a fatal end with his chainsaw while climbing a tree.

Tomas Majerczyka, 22, was trimming branches in the forest near his house in Szczawnica when the incident took place.

While climbing a tree, he slipped from a branch and tumbled to the ground, the chainsaw landing on his neck.

“It’s a miracle that he is alive. He will be in hospital for some time but his condition seems stable,” said Przemyslaw Maslowski, head surgeon at the hospital.

Nazi extradition expected

From: NPE

The Swedish neo-Nazi who ordered the theft of the famous ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ sign is to be extradited to Poland to face charges this week.

According to reports, Anders Hogstrom had been commissioned by a British collector of Nazi memorabilia to obtain the sign, though this has yet to be confirmed.

Speaking of the extradition, Swedish prosecutor Agnetha Hilding Qvarnstrom said, “He hasn’t appealed, so the decision has been final since April 1.”

“According to the law, the Polish authorities have 10 days to come and get him, so April 10 is the last day they can come and get him. We will keep him here in Stockholm until they come. But I can confirm that he’s still here,” she added.

Sport...

US tops Canada 5-0 at U18 hockey worlds

From: USA Today

Jack Campbell stopped 30 shots to lead the U.S. to a 5-0 victory over Canada at the under-18 hockey world championships on Friday.

Bryan Rust and Jason Zucker each had two goals for the U.S. and Austin Watson added a score. The Americans improved to 2-1 in group play. They have a day off before playing host Belarus.

Calvin Pickard made 33 saves for Canada (1-2), which wraps up round robin play against unbeaten Sweden on Sunday.

Cultural Scene...

Minsk to host international exhibition of graphic arts

From: BelTA

The Great Hall at Audley End, and the Drawing Room at Broughton Castle c.1840
Joseph Nash (1809-1878)

More than160 works will be presented at the 3rd Minsk International Exhibition of Graphic Arts Art-Line which will open in the Belarus National Library on 20 April, BelTA learnt from the library.

Graphic works created by artists from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Spain and other countries will be displayed in three galleries of the library: Rakurs, Labirint and Atrium. A contest of the works will be held within the framework of the exhibition. The jury panel will present winners of the contest with special diplomas. According to organizers of the forum, the Art-Line Exhibition will demonstrate new prospects of the graphic arts, its potential, its capability to renovate, the possibility for search and experiments, the place of the graphic art in the creative activity of European artists, promote creative contacts.

The Art-Line Exhibition also includes the special retro-program which will present lithographs created by British artist and architect Joseph Nash (1809-1878). The exposition composed of 42 works will become the first presentation of the graphic stocks of the Belarus National Library.

The exhibition will be running through 11 June.

Endnote...

Belarus wants rapprochement with US

From: BelTA

Belarus is still in favor of a comprehensive rapprochement with the United States, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said in his annual State of the Nation Address on 20 April, BelTA has learnt.

“It is in the interests of both Minsk and Washington. We have enough areas to develop mutually beneficial cooperation and areas of common interests. We offer the Barack Obama administration, the first steps of which were encouraging, to enter a comprehensive partnership. We are keen on constructive cooperation,” the Belarusian leader said.

“The contacts with US representatives, including a meeting with a delegation of the US Congress, are a testimony to the mutual interest of the parties. However, a civilized, truly efficient dialogue is hardly possible when one of the parties is openly pressurized. It is good that US business people, first of all, are aware of that. Top executives of a number of US companies said this during my recent meeting with them. By the way, nothing frightens or discourages them about our country,” the President said.

The Belarusian leader reiterated that it was discriminating on part of Washington not to invite Belarus to the Nuclear Security Summit because “we did not dance to the tune of the United States and Russia”. “They told us to give away highly enriched uranium. I said, I do not give away anything – it is not mine, it is the property of the nation, under the control of the IAEA from who we do not hide anything. In addition, as far as I understand it, Russia reassures the US: don’t worry, we will take away the uranium from Belarus. I should say, neither Russia nor anyone else can do that without our consent. We are ready to embark on negotiations. It is not about money, oil or gas. We are a nation, and what we have is ours,” the Belarusian leader said.

The President emphasized, “We are not blackmailing anyone. Neither are we going to create atomic bombs, we don’t need them. We just want a good attitude.”

Belarus ready for most sincere talk with EU

Belarus is ready for the most sincere talk with the European Union about every thing Belarus’ partners may be interested in. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made the relevant statement in his address to the Belarusian nation and the parliament on 20 April, BelTA has learned.

“I guarantee that no topics will be avoided. We, however, expect that the talk will be objective, mutually respecting, sincere, without double standards,” stressed the head of state.

“In recent years we have managed to advance relations with the European Union to a quality new level. Our productive and consistent approach has received a response: Europe has understood the hopelessness of old approaches to Belarus. Dictate and pressure are replaced with an open and objective dialogue. We are pleased that such powerful European countries as Germany, France, Italy and others pioneer this sound approach”.

“I am glad that the European elite is rejecting the false stereotypes about the situation in Belarus. I am glad that Europe understands that Belarus is an island of stability and security,” said the President.

Alexander Lukashenko remarked that Belarus has never tried to hide its interest in more vigorous and comprehensive rapprochement with Europe. “It is our second largest trade partner and our key trade partners as far as some commodities are concerned. In addition, we have several serious problems and issues, which have been on hold for a long time. Our nations are looking forward to their resolution. The facilitation of visa regulations between our country and the European Union is the most vital one. We would like the Belarusians to avoid artificial barriers and formalities as they cross the border,” he said. Belarus welcomes the European Union’s Eastern Partnership Initiative, which is meant to enable large-scale involvement of several countries, including Belarus, in common European processes, added the President.

“Our relations in this project cannot be but those of equals. Without imposing any development model or cooperation format on us. Not like they are trying to do in the Eastern Partnership’s parliamentary dimension EuroNest. In EuroNest you, parliamentarians, should represent Belarus. The nation has elected you and it will not understand or support any other decision. Why do only we have to meet these requirements? There are other partner nations with the same problems we have. Why is Belarus singled out? If we don’t fit into the Eastern Partnership, tell us about it. Moreover, we have not received anything from it and will unlikely ever receive,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

Further development of political and foreign trade ties with such neighboring nations like Poland and the Baltic states will remain a priority of Belarus’ foreign policy. The head of state also remarked that long-term cooperation with Ukraine meets Belarus’ strategic interests. “The similar geopolitical position, the economy structure make the country our natural ally in several sensitive matters. This is why it is necessary to build a system of deep and comprehensive cooperation with the southern neighbor. The system was formed during top level meetings that have taken place recently,” he stressed. “I am convinced that if we are united, our opinion will be heard sooner both in the West and the East,” added Alexander Lukashenko.