The BEING HAD Times

Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan Create Customs Union; Gas discount, EurAsEC, Abkhazia, S Ossetia, Iran, Human rights; Sport, Culture and Polish scandal...

2009-11-29T08:43:00.002+02:00

From the Top...

#466

Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan agree on Customs Union creation terms

From: BelTA

Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan have come to terms regarding the creation of the Customs Union, BelTA has learned.

The supreme body of the Customs Union has just considered and approved several fundamental strategic decisions that determine prospects of the Customs Union development, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko told a private session of the EurAsEC Interstate Council after a meeting of the presidents of Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan.

“During complicated but profound talks we have come up with a compromise and balanced agreement, which implementation can launch deep economic integration with elements of the single economic space,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

He also added: “We have agreed that in H1 2010 we will deal with all the problems and will be able to create the single customs space. We have also agreed that we will meet in Almaty in mid-December and will address issues relating to the creation of the single economic space, will define the time of its creation. We have agreed that as from 1 July 2010 we will approach the single customs territory”.

“I am convinced that if these mechanisms prove their real effectiveness, their efficiency, the Customs Union will attract our other partners in the community,” stressed the Belarus President.

“We are at the dawn of a brand new integration body that will determine the future of not only the national economies,” Alexander Lukashenko told participants of the meeting.

“What the future will be for the national economies, on what terms the Customs Union and the single economic space will be created are the things we have to discuss now,” said the Belarusian head of state.

In his words, the establishment of the Customs Union will make the countries part of global economic and political processes, increase the effectiveness and the competitive ability of the national economies, improve the welfare of the countries.

Alexander Lukashenko said that some resolutions are rather sensitive for Belarus and are not entirely positive. Belarus, however, accepts them because in the end the balanced concern for the interests will result in positive results for each country and the entire community as a whole.

Alexander Lukashenko said he hopes that claims that some partners of Belarus are not genuinely intent on proving their adherence to compromises and flexible decision-making are groundless.

Single economic space of Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan ready by 2011

Belarus has suggested accelerating the development of the legal base of the single economic space and commissioning the governments of Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan with preparing an action plan to complete the single economic space establishment by 2011. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made the statement after a session of the EurAsEC Interstate Council on 27 November.

The heads of state decided they will make the final decision on this matter in Kazakhstan on 18 December. The presidents view equal economic rights as the key goal of the single economic space.

“It is now important for us to avoid slowing down the economic integration, important to work smoothly to achieve tangible results that people will understand,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko. “Then other ex-USSR countries will believe in our economic union and join the process”. According to the Belarusian head of state, it is not as complicated as it seems because the countries have extensive experience of working together, including working in one state.

Alexander Lukashenko said the Customs Union does not prevent the countries from participating in other international economic initiatives. The Belarus President believes it is important to step up propaganda efforts now because the Customs Union idea will be discredited if the sides fail to address these matters fast. “The world financial and economic crisis teaches us to act promptly,” he added.

Although a lot of work has yet to be done, Belarus believes that the single economic space can be created fast if there is good political will and proper determination. “Using principles of mutual profits and equality, the project will become attractive for other post-Soviet countries. It will bring major economic and social profits to our nations,” said the Belarusian head of state.

27 November saw a landmark decision made as all the presidents noted at the session. Alexander Lukashenko reminded that many times Belarus had been the place where landmark decisions were taken. “The step will lead to major economic changes in the Eurasian space and the world as a whole,” the Belarus President believes.

Single economic space to level out energy prices for G3

The single economic space will help identify equal energy prices for Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said following the session of the EurAsEC Interstate Council in Minsk on 27 November.

According to the Belarusian President, the single economic area “will create equal conditions including in such sensitive issues as equal prices for energy resources”.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, some barriers, sanitary, technical and others, will remain intact in the Customs Union. “Recently we have witnessed the use of these barriers for purposes having nothing to do with fair trade,” the Belarusian President said. The presidents agreed that these barriers should be removed in the single economic area, Alexander Lukashenko added.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, the single economic space is considered to be a legitimate, logical and completed form of the economic integration on the post-Soviet area.

Customs Union to boost G3 GDP to 15% by 2015

The creation of the Customs Union will allow Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia to increase their GDP growth up to 15% by 2015, Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev told media in Minsk on 27 November as he pointed out advantages of the Customs Union. The Customs Union foundation papers were inked at a session of the EurAsEC Interstate Council on 27 November.

According to Nursultan Nazarbayev, a huge market will be created, with the total oil reserves as large as 90 billion barrels. Its GDP will total $2 trillion, the overall trade turnover - $900 billion, agricultural output — $112 billion.

The Kazakhstan President remarked that the Customs Union will open up great prospects before the countries. It will spur the establishment of joint manufacturing projects. Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia will be able to freely trade between each other. New jobs will be created. Competition on the markets of the countries will be higher. The transit potential will be used more effectively. Economic operators will be granted better terms of reaching into international markets.

Nursultan Nazarbayev also underlined that the Customs Union is the foundation for creating the single economic space in the future. The legislation for the single economic space will be completed in 2011.

Other Belarusian News...

Minsk hosts EurAsEC summit

From: BelTA

A session of the EurAsEC Interstate Council at the level of the heads of state has started in Minsk, BelTA has learnt.

The agenda of the summit includes 19 issues concerning the decisions taken by the EurAsEC Interstate Council at the 21st session on 10 October 2008 and at the session held on 4 February 2009.

The session was opened by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.

The participants of the session are considering implementation of the joint measures to mitigate the consequences of the global financial crisis in the EurAsEC member-states, the EurAsEC international activity concept for 2008-2010.

The heads of state are set to consider the formation of the EurAsEC common insurance market, its major principles, areas of cooperation.

The agenda also includes budget policy issues: the 2008 EurAsEC budget performance, the draft budget address of the EurAsEC Interstate Council, On Budget Policy 2010, the draft EurAsEC budget bill for 2010.

Recognition of Abkhazia, S Ossetia not yet on agenda of Belarusian parliament

From: BelTA

The issue regarding the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia has not been put yet on the agenda of the third session of the Parliament, BelTA learnt from Viktor Guminsky, chairman of the permanent commission for national security of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus.

“The Council of the House of Representatives has not considered yet putting this issue on the agenda, Viktor Guminsky said. The deputies, who have visited the regions of Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, have presented their reports to the group leaders, who will, in turn, submit them further to the parliament seniour officials.

Victor Guminsky is convinced that Belarus should follow its own national interests while considering the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. There is a need to solve some other serious problems of the regions including refugees problem, border crossing, medical care, reparation of the damage caused by the conflict.

When asked how he would vote on the issue, the deputy found it difficult to answer.

Sergei Lebedev: Abkhazia, S Ossetia might join CIS

CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev did not rule out a possibility of the accession of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to the CIS. He made this statement in a press conference in Minsk on 26 November.

He noted that the CIS constitutive documents allow new members to join this organization. “A country seeking CIS membership has to be unanimously approved by all the CIS member states. If any of the CIS states disagrees, a country will not be accepted,” he said.

Sergei Lebedev said that now it is too early to talk about a possibility of South Ossetia and Abkhazia’s accession to this organization, because none of the CIS states, except Russia, recognized the independence of these countries.

He reminded that to join the CIS, a country has to carry out the certain mandatory procedures.

Belarus, Iran to settle payments in national currencies

From: BelTA

The National Bank of Belarus and the Central Bank of Iran have signed an agreement on payment management.

Individuals residing in Belarus and Iran will be able to make non-business banking transfers with or without opening accounts in the authorized banks of Belarus and Iran in national currencies and any other currency. Its official exchange rate against the national currency is established by the National Bank of Belarus and the Central Bank of Iran.

The central banks have also signed a memorandum of understanding in banking supervision.

Governor of the Central Bank of Iran Mahmoud Bahmani noted the documents will become the basis for strengthening the bilateral cooperation, will foster investments and increase the bilateral trade. Cooperation in the banking sector will become the basis for stepping up trade, economic and investment ties between the countries.

According to Chairman of the Board of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB) Piotr Prokopovich, the sides have exchanged information on the monetary policy and discussed practical issues. The visit of the delegation of the Central Bank of Iran will result in certain agreements and extension of the bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation.

The National Bank of Belarus jointly with the Iranian side has established a subsidiary of the Iranian bank in Belarus. Onerbank has been founded with the 100% of Iranian capital. Onerbank has been founded by Bank Refah Kargaran, Saderat Bank of Iran and the Export Development Bank of Iran. The bank’s authorized fund is Br46.71 billion (over €11.5 million).

In line with NBRB Resolution No 133 of 12 September 2008, TC Bank was registered, with Iran holding a 96% stake in it.

The Central Bank of Iran and the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus signed an agreement on cooperation and an agreement on personnel training in May 2007.

These agreements strengthen the legal base for the all-round dynamic cooperation between the central banks of the two states.

The participation of Iranian private companies in projects relating to capital construction and infrastructure modernization in Belarus is one of the most promising areas of investment cooperation.

Cultural Scene...

Belarusian theatres partake in MoldFest.Rampa.Ru international festival in Chisinau

From: BelTA

ogilev Drama and Comedy Theatre named after V. Dunin-Marcinkevic (Bobruisk) and Mogilev Oblast Drama Theatre take part in the First International Festival of Chamber Theatres and Performances of Variety Forms MoldFest.Rampa.Ru, which opened in Chisinau on 24 November and will close on 1 December.

One of the main goals of the festival is to promote the Russian language at theatre stages all around the world. The forum is aimed at reviving festival traditions in Moldova and at Moldavian National Youth Dramatic Theater From Rose Street.

Moreover, MoldFest.Rampa.Ru will become a good opportunity for training, mutual enrichment and exchange of ideas in stage direction, acting skills and theatre set design between directors, playwrights, theatrical critics and actors.

According to Yuri Kharmelin, founder and permanent chief director of Moldavan National Youth Dramatic Theater From Rose Street, master of arts and honoured education worker of Moldova, Mogilev Oblast Drama Theatre will perform An Extraterrestrial Creature play by E. Ungard on 27 November, the theatre from Bobruisk will perform I Want To Be A Hamster staging on 29 November. Belarusian companies will present their art in Moldova for the first time, Yuri Kharmelin noted.

Taking part in MoldFest.Rampa.Ru organized by Moldavan National Youth Dramatic Theater From Rose Street with the assistance of the Russian World Fund and the Russian Embassy in Moldova are companies, critics, eminent theatre workers from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Lithuania, Israel, Germany, Bulgaria and France. The program of the festival include discussion of stagings by professional theatrical critics, master classes of famous people.

MoldFest.Rampa.Ru will promote creative communication between the companies and establishment of strong cultural relations, support of professional theatrical are and traditions of the Russian theatre.

Economics...

Three million Internet users in Belarus

From: BelTA

The number of Internet users in Belarus has reached 3 million people, Mikhail Doroshevich, supervisor of the project Gemius Belarus, told a conference held on 27 November to discuss the development prospects of mobile technologies.

According to a research carried out as part of the project, the Minsk oblast is home to 39% of Belarus’ Internet users. It is followed by the Mogilev oblast (13%), the Grodno and Gomel oblasts (12% each).

In view of the arrival of mobile broadband Internet access the figures may change as wireless technologies are popular in provinces. Statistics says that the amount of Internet users in Minsk is less than that outside the capital. “Beyond the ring road the demand for the Internet service is higher, in particular, the demand for the 3G service”, said the specialist.

He also said that men make up 51% of the total number of Belarusian Internet users, women – 49%. Women make up one in four of the total number of mobile Internet users. People aged 15-24 account for 42% of the total number of Internet users in Belarus, people aged 25-34 - 28%, people aged 35-44 - 17%, people aged 45-54 - 11%.

“The number of Internet users is growing monthly and the emergence of new technologies fosters it”, said the project supervisor.

Digital future declaration adopted at Minsk summit

A declaration Towards the Digital Future was adopted at the ITU-sponsored Connect CIS summit in Minsk. Belarusian Information Technologies and Communications Minister Nikolai Pantelei read out the document at the final session, BelTA has learned.

The declaration calls for the recognition of the important role of governments in developing information technologies, assessment of the IT industry contribution to the social and economic development in the CIS, confirmation of the CIS states’ determination to fulfill resolutions of the UN World Summit on the Information Society. The digital future declaration calls upon international organizations, funds and financial institutions to provide resources for the development of the IT industry.

The Connect CIS summit took place in Minsk on 26-27 November. It was organized by the International Telecommunications Union in partnership with the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications, the CIS Executive Committee, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, and the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development. The Connect CIS summit was supposed to foster the development of information technologies in the Commonwealth of Independent States, mobilize human, financial and technical resources to ensure a prompt transition of the region to the digital infrastructure and services, which have been widely recognized as the engine for future employment growth, economic advance and social development. The two-day summit brought together the presidents of Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, top officials of several CIS governments, Georgia, the International Telecommunications Union, heads of relevant ministries and heads of 62 companies and organizations from 27 countries.

From the Foriegn Press...

Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan agree on customs bloc

From: AFP

Russia's Dmitry Medvedev meets with Belarus's Alexander Lukashenko and Kazakhstan's Nursultan Nazarbayev

The presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus reached a deal Friday to create a customs union among their three ex-Soviet states from July 1 next year.

"This is a very significant and long-awaited decision, resulting from difficult negotiations," Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said, quoted by Russian news agencies in the Belarussian capital.

"The switch to a joint economic zone is a completely new economic format," he said, adding that the customs bloc would be open to other members in the future.

"From July 1, the single customs union will start to function on the territory of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan," Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko said.

He added the three leaders will meet next in the Kazakh city of Almaty on December 18 to hammer out a timeline for setting in place common tariffs and launching the customs union.

Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said the accord marked the start of difficult talks, which would result in the three states relinquishing decision-making power to a "supranational body".

For his part, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev estimated that the creation of the new trade bloc would push up by 15 percent the gross domestic product of each of the three countries by 2015.

Kazakhstan's Central Asian neighbors Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have already announced their intention to accede to the union, he added.

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in June shocked the World Trade Organization (WTO) by saying that Russia would apply to join the trade organization as a single customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan.

Moscow has since adopted a more nuanced approach, suggesting that each country would pursue membership with the WTO separately, despite an effort to coordinate the timeline of their accession talks.

But Shuvalov, speaking after Friday's signing, reiterated that Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus would strive to join the WTO "on the same terms and at the same time".

Russia is the sole remaining major economy not to be integrated in the WTO system. Tortuous talks on joining started in 1993, but the United States called Russia's accession into question after its war with Georgia in August 2008.

Medvedev Announces Gas Discount for Belarus

From: MOSCOW TIMES

Russia will sell gas to Belarus next year at a discount of about 30 percent to 40 percent compared with the prices its neighbors pay, President Dmitry Medvedev said late Monday, according to state television.

Gazprom is charging Belarus $122 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas in the fourth quarter of this year, Medvedev told Belarussian media, according to a transcript on Vesti-24’s web site. Gazprom sells gas to Belarus at a discount because it holds a stake in the Belarussian gas transport system.

Tbilisi’s Dilemma: Will Belarus Recognize Independence of the Occupied Georgian Territories?

From: Georgian Daily

On November 17 Belarus, arguably Russia’s closest ally in the world, sent its delegation to Georgia on a three-day visit to study the situation on the ground and report back to the Belarus parliament and the leadership of that country. Altogether nine parliamentarians arrived in Georgia – six in Tbilisi and three in either of the two occupied regions.

The delegation headed by Sergei Maskevich, Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission for Foreign Relations held high-level talks in the legislative and executive branches of the Georgian government. Maskevich outlined his mission by stating that “it was extremely important to communicate with people who suffered most in the course of the conflicts.”

Apart from talking with Georgian officials, including this country’s Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze, the members of the delegation also met with those who have been expelled from Abkhazia and Tskhinvali and now live in villages the Georgian government promptly built for them. The Russian media reported that the Belarusians also planned “to conduct consultations in the Russian Duma” upon concluding their mission to Georgia.

The puppet regimes established by Moscow in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali had long asked Minsk to recognize their independence. Alexander Lukashenka, the mercurial President of Belarus, responded by claiming that given the importance of the issue it should first be carefully studied by the Belarusian parliament before the government makes its decision.

Belarus, squeezed between the European Union and the Russian Federation, found itself in a rather uneasy position. On one hand, it is a member of Russia-led international organizations created by the Kremlin in the aftermath of the dissolution of the Soviet Union, such as the Commonwealth of Independence States (CIS) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). – Even more importantly it has been in alliance with Russia as a constituent state of the Russia-Belarus Union – and feels obligated to support its powerful ally.

On the other hand though, Belarus as the European Union’s neighbor and a member of many European and international organizations does not seem to want to take such steps in the international arena that go against the mainstream trend and which might upset the delicate balance between the West and Russia.

The United States’ and the EU’s strong support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and their adherence to the established norms and principles of the European security architecture was a signal that made Mink feel that it should think twice before recognizing Georgia’s disintegration through military means. As reported in the media, Brussels “threatens to worsen its relations with Minsk” if the latter “recognizes Abkhazia and “South Ossetia.” Apparently, President Lukashenka is not willing to risk further isolating his country and jeopardizing Belarus’ participation in the EU’s newly inaugurated and much promising Eastern Partnership Program.

Valentin Velichko, Ambassador of Belarus to Ukraine, has recently said that Minsk would not make any “rash decisions” on the issue of recognition and the topic “is not included on the Belarusian parliament’s agenda.” The spokesman of Russia’s foreign ministry, Andrei Nesterenko, claimed that “[recognition] is a sovereign right of the Belarusian parliamentarians.

Commenting on the issue, President Medvedev of Russia argued that “the Russian Federation has never requested from other countries to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” although he added that “it would be good for Russia if the list of countries recognizing [them] becomes bigger.”

Earlier, in September, Lukashenka unequivocally blamed the Russian media for the delay in Mink’s recognition of Abkhazia and “South Ossetia” as independent states. He was referring to claims made by Russian newspapers close to the Kremlin that Lukashenka postponed the decision due to Moscow’s refusal to grant $500 million to Minsk as a quid pro quo for the recognition. It is difficult to say whether the Kremlin indeed offered Belarus this amount of money, but it would be fairly logical to argue that Moscow does indeed seek Minsk’s backing on the issue.

It is no secret that by recognizing “the independence” of the Georgian provinces of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali one in fact recognizes not their independence per se but Russia’s hegemony in the post-Soviet space and the emergence of its sphere of influence. Nicaragua and Venezuela apparently already did so since they recently recognized Abkhazia and “South Ossetia” in one form or another.

For Georgia, it is crucial that the number of countries recognizing the forcible change of its borders not increase in the future and the Belarus dimension in Georgia’s foreign policy acquires a new significance. The United States’ and EU’s pressure on Belarus is important, and even decisive, and Georgia’s friendly relations with Ukraine - Belarus’s important southern neighbor - also seems to be instrumental. But Tbilisi, arguably, should galvanize its relations directly with Minsk.

A recent visit by Belarusian entrepreneurs to Georgia and their meetings with Georgian officials, including President Saakashvili himself, represent auspicious developments in this regard. Some analysts even claim that a meeting between Saakashvili and Lukashenka is on the horizon.

Iran, Belarus ink 3 banking MOUs

From: TEHRAN TIMES

The central banks of Iran and Belarus signed three cooperation deals to expand economic cooperation.

IRINN news network quoted Iranian Central Bank Governor Mahmoud Bahmani saying, “From now on Iran and Belarus will use their own currencies for the mutual trade.”

Iran will arrange training courses for Belarusian specialists to teach them Islamic banking, he added.

Also according to the MOUs, the two countries decided to connect their automated teller machines (ATM) networks. In addition Iran will grant a 50 million euro credit line to Iranian investors in Belarus.

Iran will also mint Belarusian coins.

Petr P. Prokopovich Chairman of the Board of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus said the agreements will help consolidate economic relations between the two countries.

He stated that hopefully Belarus will open a Belarusian bank in Iran as Iran established two banks in Belarus. Thirty two foreign banks with a total capital of over $4 billion are working in Belarus.

The National Bank of Belarus registered Iranian banks the 'Onerbank' and 'Trading Capital Bank (TC Bank)' respectively in October 2009 and December 2008

From the Opposition...

“Parliament” to classify report on South Ossetia and Abkhazia recognition

From: Charter '97

The report following the results of the visit of Belarusian MPs to Georgia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia is likely not to be presented to the public.

According to Interfax news agency, it was told in Minsk by Syarhei Maskevich, the head of the commission at the “house of representatives” on foreign affairs and relations with the CIS.

“I understand that the press wants sharp and broad discussions. But we have another task: it shouldn’t look that we made that trip to “show off”. People there (in Georgia, South Ossetia, and Abkhazia) have many problems, but the general situation is stable. We should take into accent interests of the region and our national interests when considering recognition or non-recognition of the Caucasian republics,” Maskevich said.

He also added that a way to peaceful development of the situation would be find, the whole world community wants it.

We remind that a delegation of members of the “house of representatives” and the “council of the republic” paid a visit to Georgia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia on November 17–20.

South Ossetia and Abkhazia have been recognized only by Russia and Venezuela. The president of Nicaragua introduced that question for discussion, but the parliament rejected the proposal. The rest countries consider Abkhazia and South Ossetia parts of Georgia.

Alyaksandr Lukashenka declared in September last year that Belarus would recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Most independent experts regarded this statement as flirting with the European Union to get loans.

Human Rights Review Chronicle for October

From: Viasna

10 October is the World Day against the Death Penalty. The abolishment of the death penalty or introduction of moratorium to it is one of the priorities in the dialogue between the EU and Belarus. However, the Belarusian authorities show little progress in this issue. That’s why in January 2009 the Belarusian human rights defenders launched the campaign Human Rights Defenders against the Death Penalty. They inform the population, collect signatures, distribute printed materials facing obstacles from the side of the state. In particular, the campaign activists from many regions of Belarus intended to hold pickets dated to the World Day against the Death Penalty. However, most of the actions weren’t sanctioned by the local authorities. Besides, on 10 October in Navapolatsk the police detained the human rights defender Zmitser Salauyou and the youth activists Alina Kucharenia and Yury Palonski during an informational action.

The construction of the nuclear power plant and the reluctance of the authorities to discuss it remained the daily issues in October. On 9 October the public hearings of the preliminary report about the evaluation of the environmental effects of the NPP were held in Astravets. These were the first hearings organized by the authorities, all previous ones were held by civil activists.

Ecologists, scientists, civil activists and journalists from Belarus and Russia gathered in the town, near which the ground for the station is already being prepared. However, not all of those who wanted to get to the hearings, were admitted to them.

At 10 a.m., when the guards started letting the people in, half of the cinema hall was already occupied. There are many people who were brought just to get the places filled. Most of them are the local dwellers, indifferent to the upcoming construction of the nuclear power station there. As a result of this ‘action’ of the authorities many ecologists and civil activists couldn’t enter the hall and had to stand at the entrance. However, when it was necessary to seat some state officials there, the people with the ‘Volunteer’ badges come and tell some of those who were brought to fill the seats to go out.

Besides, Astravets police detained the nuclear physicist Andrey Azharovskiy, coordinator of the Moscow group Eco-defense. The police confiscated from him about 100 copies of the Critical remarks on the preliminary report about the possible influence of the Belarusian nuclear power plant on the environment. At the same time, the police didn’t confiscate any leaflets in support of the NPP construction. In the evening Azharovskiy was tried and got seven days of arrest on charges of disorderly conduct and insubordination to the police. The activist appealed against this verdict at the prosecutor’s office, but the latter took the side of the court.

On 16 October the regular Solidarity Day action took place in the center of Minsk. This day the chain of concerned people with portraits of the missing persons and political prisoners stood in Kastrychnitskaya Square for two minutes only. About 40 riot policemen in uniform and civvies pulled the action participants in the police busses. The police interfered with the work of journalists and prohibited the present photo correspondents to take any photos. All in all, 22 persons were guarded to the Tsentralny district police department of Minsk. Many of the action participants suffered from the police violence during the dispersal of the action. Human rights defenders believe that this new tactics of the authorities is aimed at the intimidation of demonstrators.

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Human Rights Center Viasna prepared and filed a communication on the events of 9 and 16 September to Manfred Novak, special rapporteur of the UN Committee against Torture. Complaints of the victims of unlawful and violent actions of the police and materials of questioning of eyewitnesses of the tortures were attached to this document. The human rights defenders inform that during the last ears the prosecutor’s office has dodged giving the due legal evaluation to such facts and refused to instigate criminal proceedings towards the policemen who abused their duty powers.

Note: The full article can be found HERE

Russia...

Russia to reply to Georgia's claims over South Ossetia

From: RIA Novosti

Russia is preparing an answer to an interstate claim brought by Georgia to the Strasbourg Court against Russia's actions in South Ossetia last August, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

Georgia lodged the appeal on February 6, 2009, accusing Russia of "indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks committed against civilians and their property...during the armed conflict in August" and "subsequent occupation... of the parts of the Georgian territory which amounted to serious and mass violations of human rights."

"The apparatus of Russia's representative in the European Court of Human Rights has begun to prepare written remarks on the indicated claim," Andrei Nesterenko said, adding court hearings would most likely take place.

He said some of the remarks have already been submitted to the Strasbourg court, together with other documents, including criminal cases initiated over felonies committed by Georgian servicemen against South Ossetia's residents in August 2008.

Russia's Deputy Justice Minister Georgy Matyushkin represents the country in the Strasbourg Court.

Moscow recognized the republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia shortly after a five-day war with Georgia in August 2008 that began when Georgian forces attacked South Ossetia in an attempt to bring it back under central control.

The two republics have also been recognized by Nicaragua and Venezuela.

According to South Ossetia's authorities, more than 1,500 people died as a result of Georgia's attack. The Russian General Prosecutor's Office officially confirmed that 162 residents of South Ossetia and 48 Russian servicemen, including 10 peacemakers, had been killed by Georgian troops.

Ukraine, Russia agree to discuss entry bans

From: RIA Novosti

Foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine have agreed to start discussions on entry denials for Russian and Ukrainian citizens, the Ukrainian foreign ministry's press service has said.

The latest of such incidents took place early this week, when Ukrainian authorities prevented two Russian scientists from entering the country to take part in an international conference on youth policy in Ukraine and Russia.

Pyotr Poroshenko and Sergei Lavrov on Saturday held a phone conversation to discuss the issue on the initiative of the Ukrainian side.

The ministers have agreed to put the issue "on the agenda of the regular political consultations between Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Volodymyr Khandogiy and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin."

Talks on Deal for Warship Upset Nations Near Russia

From: New York Times

Among the loose ends left after Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin’s visit to Paris was one that has proved particularly difficult to ignore: the 23,700-ton French warship that docked in the middle of St. Petersburg this week as part of an extended sales pitch to the Russian government.

For months, Russian officials have been negotiating with France over the purchase of a Mistral-class amphibious assault ship, at an estimated cost of up to $750 million, and a license to build several more in Russia. The high-tech ship would stand out in Russia’s aging fleet. Vladimir S. Vysotsky, commander of the Russian Navy, noted this fall that if he had access to such a ship during the 2008 war with Georgia, it “would have allowed the Black Sea fleet to complete its mission within 40 minutes, not 26 hours.”

But the potential sale has raised hackles in the region, still reeling from Russia’s military campaign in Georgia.

Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Georgia all have coastlines adjoining or near Russia’s, though the Baltic states, unlike Georgia, have the security guarantee that comes with NATO membership. Georgia’s foreign minister, Grigol Vashadze, told officials in Paris that the consequences of a sale “might be devastating,” And officials from the Baltic states said they would press France for details about the deal, especially on what weapons technology would be included.

Marko Mikhelson, chairman of the European affairs committee in Estonia’s Parliament, said, “I’ll say it quite bluntly — it has implications for NATO’s security, because of what we saw last year.”

This week, an unidentified official from the Élysée Palace sought to calm those fears, telling the French newspaper Le Figaro that the vessels would be sold “bare, without their weapons systems.” At a news conference with Mr. Putin on Friday, Prime Minister François Fillon of France reasoned that his country could not engage Russia unless it shrugged off “reflexes that no longer have anything to do with reality of the situation.”

Mr. Fillon said France was now examining a bid from the Russian government, while for his part, Mr. Putin was coy, saying Russia had not decided whether to make the purchase.

Rolandas Kacinskas, a spokesman for the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, said Lithuanian diplomats were pressing their French counterparts for details about the warship’s abilities. Officials were also asking whether the ship would be deployed in the Black Sea or the Baltic Sea, to cow Russia’s smaller neighbors.

But Kaarel Kaas, a defense analyst at the International Center for Defense Studies, in Tallinn, Estonia, said, “It’s too huge an investment to be solely used in the Baltics or the Black Sea.”

From the Polish Scandal Files...

Stephen Fry summoned to Polish embassy to explain his Nazi slur

From: Telegraph

Bashed by Poland for telling the truth, Stephen Fry attacked Poles for their role in the Holocaust

Stephen Fry has been summoned to the Polish embassy in London on Monday to provide the ambassador with an explanation of his offensive comments last month about about Auschwitz.

"Yes, he is having lunch at the embassy," confirms a spokesman for the Polish ambassador, Barbara Tuge-Erecinska. "This meeting is connected to Mr Fry's remarks on Channel 4. They will discuss a range of issues. He was invited to attend with his partner [Daniel Cohen], but we are not sure whether he will be attending alone."

In a debate about the Conservatives' links with Poland's Law and Justice party, Fry appeared to accuse Polish Catholics of being complicit in the Final Solution . "Remember which side of the border Auschwitz was on," he said.

At the time he made the comments, the Polish embassy said: "To suggest, even indirectly, that the Polish people, and Poland as a country, are in some way collectively responsible for the [Auschwitz] death camp, which became the symbol of the horrors of the Holocaust, is completely wrong and frankly – defamatory."

Fry’s policy positions on other issues have brought him as many brickbats as bouquets. Of the MPs’ expenses scandal, he decreed “it’s not that important” and urged the world’s media to back off.

He has, however, 832,430 followers on Twitter, the online social-networking service, which is almost as many as Sarah Brown.

Polish goalkeeper created many scandals in Denmark

From: News at Poland.com

Well known Polish goalkeeper – Arkadiusz Onyszko who plays for Danish club Midtjylland has published his own biography. Today almost everyone wants to lynch controversial Pole.

Onyszko’s biography titled – “Fucking Polak” shocked whole country. Everyone, including politicians, journalists and football officials comment the book, but what is the worst, almost everyone is angry because of Onyszko.

The goalkeeper wrote – “I hate gays. I do not tolerate when two men take their hands and kiss on the street. I think that it is disgusting so I strongly support Polish president – Lech Kaczynski whose point of view seems to be the same”. What is more, Onyszko writes that Danish people are double-faced. “When Danish artist published caricatures of Mahomet what insulted all Arabian world, everything was ok. Even the Prime Minister defended him. But when Polish citizen expresses his own point of view everything is wrong. I want to ask Danish politicians: where were you when supporters of Brondby were shouting “You are fuc...g Pole”, “Everybody fu...ked your mother” or “Your wife is a wh...re”.

Scandal in Polish police

From: Poland.com

According to TVN TV some female employees of the Police Headquarter in Warsaw were sexually harassed what made them leaving the police. Two journalists of popular Polish programme – “Uwaga” investigated this horrible crime.

“The worst were our meetings during my shifts. It was horrible when he touched me with his privates and licked his lips” – explained female police officer from Interior Department of the Police Headquarter. The woman accused his supervisor – Marcin G. with mobbing and sexual harassment.

Marcin G. started working several years ago and got promotions very fast. As a high-ranked officer, he was moved to the Police Headquarter in Warsaw. “He came to my office and offered me a private meeting. He said he it would be helpful for my career” – explained the officer. She tried to refuse but she was helpless. What is more, the officer was sent many perverted messages, including pictures of man’s privates. But the worst were her individual meetings during the shift. Marcin G. tried to touch her and say perverted things.

The woman decided to inform other supervisors but they ignored her. But fortunately she got help from police trade unions, which gave her a lawyer. Today, this case is being investigated by prosecutor’s office in Mokotów District while the woman decided to sue Marcin G.

Polish Member of Parliament with a verdict of guilty

From: Poland.com

Wanda Lyzwinska

An appellate court in Radom sentenced Wanda ?y?wi?ska to 1.5 year imprisonment in suspension for 5 years. Former Member of Parliament got the punishment for forging documents connected with an election campaign in 2001 – informs Polish Press Agency.

The decision of the court in Radom is final and binding. Besides this punishment, the woman has to pay 5 thousand zloty fine (1.2 thousand euro) while the decision will be announced in Polish media. What is more Lyzwinska will cover all cost of the trial what means – 6 thousand zloty (1.5 thousand euro).

According to prosecutor’s office, Lyzwinska forged several declarations about candidatures to Polish Parliament and several vetting declarations in Radom district. Six people said that they had never signed similar declaration. One person explained that she had found out about her candidacy two months after election. An expert witness has investigated carefully Lyzwinska’s writing and clearly stated that at least documents were forged by irresponsible Member of Parliament.

Sport...

Dinamo Minsk beats Dynamo Moscow

From: BelTA

Dinamo Minsk won the second Kontinental Hockey League game in a row after beating Dynamo Moscow at home on 26 November.

The final score was 4-2 (2-2, 1-0, 1-0). Antonov, Westcott, Lintner and Denisov scored for Dinamo.

It was the first game for Belarusian forward Oleg Antonenko in the Dinamo squad after his return from Avtomobilist Ekaterinburg.

Dinamo plays the next KHL game against SKA Saint Petersburg in Minsk on 28 November. One of the SKA coaches is Belarusian specialist Eduard Zankovets.

Belarus’ Anastasia Novikova wins silver at World Weightlifting Championships

Belarusian Anastasia Novikova (-58kg) pressed 225kg (100kg in the snatch and 125kg in the clean and jerk) to win a silver medal of the 2009 World Weightlifting Championships in Goyang, South Korea.

Li Xueying of China won gold with 239kg (107+132). The bronze medal went to Ukraine’s Yulia Kalina with 215kg (96+119).

Belarus sets State award for retired Olympic champions

Monthly state award has been established in Belarus for Olympic champions with a view to stimulating Belarusian athletes to achieve high results at Olympic Games. The respective decree was signed by President Alexander Lukashenko on 17 November, BelTA learnt from the presidential press service on 19 November.

The award will make up 300% of the highest amount of the per-capita subsistence budget, which is adopted by the Government, over recent two quarters. It will be awarded to the men and women of the Republic of Belarus who have reached the age of 60 (men) and 55 (women), live permanently in the territory of Belarus and who have won Olympic gold medals as members of the national sport teams of Belarus or the former U.S.S.R.

Endnote...

Why Is Berlusconi Visiting Belarus?

From: RFE/RL

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is known as a risk-taking politician -- which means Brussels can distance itself from his Minsk visit.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will be the first EU leader to visit Belarus in a decade and a half when he arrives on November 30.

For years, such visits have been taboo. The European Union largely regards Belarus as a pariah state for its regular crackdowns on opposition and rigging of poll results to keep President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in power.

So why is Berlusconi breaking with tradition now?

The official reason is that he is paying a reciprocal visit to Minsk as customary under international diplomatic protocol.

Lukashenka paid a visit in April to Rome, where he met with Pope Benedict XVI and had dinner with Berlusconi and Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. Now, a return visit by Italian head of government is in order.

But the fact that Berlusconi is going to Minsk at a time when Brussels and Lukashenka still have very guarded relations has raised eyebrows.

Brussels has maintained a list of top Belarusian officials -- including Lukashenka -- under a visa ban since 2004 intended to prevent them from visiting EU countries. Over the past three years, the visa ban has been suspended for most of the officials, including the president, but it still remains nominally in effect.

The travel ban remains fully enforced for five people -- Central Election Commission head Lidziya Yarmoshyna and four former officials whom the EU sees as possibly involved in the disappearances of opposition politicians in Belarus.

Still, Brussels has an interest in periodically gauging whether Minsk can be persuaded to be less repressive in exchange for better ties with the EU. And there are some signs Berlusconi's reciprocal visit may fall into that category.

Italy Reaches Out

Jean-Pierre Darnis, deputy head of the security and defense department at Rome's Institute of International Affairs, says that Italy has a long foreign policy tradition of being a pilot in exploring relations with problematic countries, and Berlusconi's trip may fall within that framework.

"The visit of Mr. Berlusconi to Minsk is somehow the illustration of a quite traditional trend in Italian foreign policy,” Darnis said. “Italy is an ally of the U.S.A. through transatlantic relations and NATO. And that is a strong pillar of [Rome's] foreign policy, and it is also a founding member of the European Union, and that is the other strong pillar.”

“But then, outside of those two pillars, there is still a capability of action, of moving, of Italy making contacts with countries that might be perceived as problematic,” he continued. “The example of Libya and the recent relations between Italy and Libya are an illustration."

Darnis explains that Italy's foreign policy reflects the realities of the country's long tradition of constantly exploring business opportunities worldwide. That gives an impetus for seemingly impromptu trips -- even to states that at a given moment might be pariahs.

RFE/RL Belarus Service correspondent Jan Maksymiuk agrees that Berlusconi is one of the few European leaders who can visit Minsk and explore better ties without committing Brussels to follow suit.

But he says that is partly also due to Berlusconi's own personal reputation as a somewhat extravagant politician who takes risks that more cautious leaders might avoid.

"Berlusconi is the best politician for all the people in Brussels for a visit to Lukashenka, because if nothing sensible comes of this visit, everybody in Brussels can say, ‘It’s just Berlusconi, he’s prone to such vagaries in political life, we are not responsible for his behavior,’” Maksymiuk said. “But if Lukashenka proves to be more favorable to courting from the West, then Berlusconi may just see his visit as a success."

Lukashenka’s Balancing Act

Lukashenka has sent signals that he may be interested in shifting Minsk slightly westward as he plays a delicate balancing game with Moscow -- Belarus' main ally and trading partner.

The Belarusian president needs Moscow, and its tolerance for Lukashenka's squashing of any political opposition. But he also wants to maintain independence from the Kremlin.

In what may have been an additional show of independence this year, Lukashenka visited Vilnius in September. He said during that visit that Minsk and Vilnius could jointly add to the "constructive interaction along the East-West axis" and expressed hope that the EU will lower Schengen visa costs for Belarusian citizens.

It remains to be seen what, if anything, will come out of Berlusconi's visit.

But Berlusconi, who most often attracts the media's attention for scandals associated with his private life, is a shrewd deal-maker who rarely travels abroad without advancing Italian business interests, including his own.

Belarus, which has no significant natural resources, is important as a transit state for Russian pipelines delivering energy to the EU. It also has a sizable military industry which seeks Western technology to maintain competitiveness in the global arms export market.

Berlusconi, a media mogul reputed to own half of Italy's television and press, is closely tied to the country's state energy company ENI and the quasi-state aerospace and weapons conglomerate Finmeccanica.

OSCE summit, Russia, Kazakhstan, Abkhazia, S Ossetia, NATO, Agricultur; Economics, News, Sport, Cuture and Polish Scandal

2009-11-26T22:23:00.000+02:00

From the Top...

#465

Alexander Lukashenko: time to discuss international agenda at OSCE summit

From: BelTA

It is time to discuss the international agenda at the highest level of the OSCE, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev in Minsk on 26 November, BelTA has learnt.

On behalf of the Belarusian people Alexander Lukashenko congratulated Nursultan Nazarbayev on the election of Kazakhstan as OSCE president in 2010. “It is the first time that a CIS member state has been chosen to take the presidency of the OSCE and we are happy about it,” the Belarusian President said. He underlined that Belarus supports all Kazakh initiatives. “The initiative to discuss the topical issues of the international agenda at the highest level within the framework of the OSCE is very important,” the President of Belarus said.

Alexander Lukashenko believes that the visit of his Kazakh counterpart to Belarus will be packed with events. “The experts and the governments of the two countries had done a good job preparing for the visit. They laid a good ground for making final highest-level decisions on economic projects, the Belarusian leader said. “I am convinced that despite the packed agenda, the negotiations will not be difficult,” he added.

According to the Belarusian head of state, Belarus and Kazakhstan have developed friendly relations and expressed confidence that the meeting will result in strategic long-term decisions.

Belarus works out final stance on Customs Union

Belarus has developed a final stance on its participation in the Customs Union. The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has held a meeting on the Customs Union formation on 23 November, BelTA learnt from the presidential press service.

Taking part in the meeting were Head of the Belarus President Administration Vladimir Makei, Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov, Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) Mikhail Myasnikovich. It is the second meeting on this topic in November this year. The first one (which was a broader participation meeting) was held on 17 November. At that meeting Alexander Lukashenko gave an instruction to develop proposals specifying Belarus’ stance on this issue.

The head of state informed that a session of the EurAsEC Interstate Council will be held in Minsk on 27 November at which the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia will discuss the Customs Union formation and the single economic area in the future. The sides are to sign documents that will launch the Customs Union of the three states.

“At the previous meeting we thoroughly discussed all the problems of the Customs Union formation. We heard sincere opinions of people who advocate this union and people who see certain problems in it. Then some issues emerged, and we agreed that we would take seven or ten days to coordinate the positions to elaborate the country’s stance on the Customs Union,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The President got familiar with the final proposals prepared by the participants of the session and noted that “these are well-thought-out approaches.”

Belarus’ final decision to join the Customs Union is based on the assessment of possible consequences for the country’s economic and political security.

Belarus expects that this new integration association will be based on equal rights and equal benefits, freedom of movement of goods and services, generally accepted non-tariff regulation, equal economic terms and removal of unjustified barriers to mutual trade.

The President believes that the interests of the countries in the Customs Union should be mutual and balanced.

Alexander Lukashenko stresses priority of relations with Russia

In an interview to the Italian newspaper La Stampa on 25 November, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko reiterated that the relations with Russia remain a priority for the Belarusian state.

“We have very good relations with Russia. There is no other state in the world with which Belarus has such a level of relationship. Yet we have unsettled issues as well,” the President said. Being a European state, Belarus naturally tends to develop the dialogue with the European Union. “If the EU wants to unite the whole Europe, it cannot leave out Belarus as well as Ukraine,” the Belarusian leader noted.

According to the head of state, Belarus’ trade with the EU is as high as the trade with Russia. “As a politician I am obliged to support this trade,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

On Belarus' relations with the West he said that Belarus will not sacrifice its national interests and will engage in a dialogue only in case its sovereignty is respected and the principle of non-intrusion into its home affairs is secured. "We are not going to go begging on our knees for anything. We are not in a situation that would get us shiver all over and make rush to the EU. We propose cooperation,” said the President. “If the Europeans have an interest in the Belarusian state, then let them come over here, and we will travel too. We will cooperate.”

Other Belarusian News...

Sergei Lebedev: Abkhazia, S Ossetia might join CIS

From: BelTA

CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev did not rule out a possibility of the accession of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to the CIS. He made this statement in a press conference in Minsk on 26 November.

He noted that the CIS constitutive documents allow new members to join this organization. “A country seeking CIS membership has to be unanimously approved by all the CIS member states. If any of the CIS states disagrees, a country will not be accepted,” he said.

Sergei Lebedev said that now it is too early to talk about a possibility of South Ossetia and Abkhazia’s accession to this organization, because none of the CIS states, except Russia, recognized the independence of these countries.

He reminded that to join the CIS, a country has to carry out the certain mandatory procedures.

EurAsEC is not an impediment to CIS, Sergei Lebedev says

The EurAsEC is not an impediment to the CIS, CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev said when commenting on the forthcoming session of the EurAsEC Interstate Council and the signing of the Customs Union documents.

Sergei Lebedev has said he welcomes the integration of any kind. “There is no comparing the EurAsEC, CIS and the CSTO. Each country chooses the level of integration it is currently capable of,” he added.

The documents signed by the council of the heads of government in Yalta on 20 November are a testimony that the Commonwealth is “alive and well despite financial and economic hardships,” Sergei Lebedev said. New documents are developed and the existing ones are improved.

“The CIS will grow even stronger. In Yalta I dismissed speculations about the CIS disintegration as ungrounded,” Sergei Lebedev said.

He has no doubts that Ukraine will remain the CIS member state, but it will have its own stance on some issues. The relevant statement was made by Head of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Yulia Timoshenko, Sergei Lebedev informed. This position of Ukraine is not out-of-the-way as many CIS member states adopt a different stance on some issues.

Belarus, Russia to discuss environmental responsibility

From: BelTA

A scientific and practical conference highlighting the formation and development of environmental responsibility will take place in Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno on 26-27 November. Partaking in the conference will be Belarusian and Russia scientists, BelTA learnt from the university.

One of the organizers of the conference is the university’s pedagogical department which ecological education research laboratory has been accumulating scientists to work in this direction. The members of the laboratory took part in the development of the Swedish-Belarusian-Russian project in environmental education.

The conference will focus on the issues of molding environmental responsibility among school and university students.

Belarus to create database of ecological assessment expert

A database of experts in the strategic ecological assessment (SEcA) will be created in Belarus within the framework of the EU and UNDP joint project to build up potential in the SEcA area and carry out environmental protection conventions in the Republic of Belarus, BelTA learnt from project’s PR manager Vyacheslav Smirnov.

Experts in the strategic ecological assessment are few in Belarus. Nevertheless the demand for their services is high. “The experts can use strategic ecological assessment while preparing different state plans and programs. It allows minimizing the negative effect on the environment before or during project implementation,” Vyacheslav Smirnov noted.

The EU and the UNDP provide support to Belarus in training SEcA specialists. The implementation of the joint program includes training seminars, where ecologists study ecological assessment practices, its advantages and results of application, division of functions and responsibilities while using SEcA, instruments and practical approaches to the assessment. Taking part in the seminars are representatives of the UNDP, state bodies, public companies, specialists and experts in the area of ecological assessment and implementation of ecological conventions.

Integral system of electronic services in Belarus by 2015

From: BelTA

An integral state system of electronic services available to corporations and individuals should be created in Belarus by 2015, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko told participants at a special session of the Connect the CIS Space summit on 26 November.

“We plan to increase national information resources and electronic services. It is necessary to set up an integral state system of electronic services available to corporations and individuals by 2015,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

The head of state remarked that Belarus will also continue developing electronic trade, customs and tax declaration. The IT basis of education and healthcare will be improved.

In his words, a major program aimed at introducing information technologies is in progress in Belarus. In particular, close attention is paid to the Electronic Belarus program that the country is carrying out independently. “But we would be glad to welcome domestic and foreign investments into this sector of the economy,” stressed the President.

Alexander Lukashenko believes that the promotion of Belarusian technologies onto the international market is promising. “Belarus has a traditionally well-developed math school. Our programmers are some of the world’s best ones. This is why we have something to present as an intellectual product,” he said.

Belarus’ High-Tech Park is supposed to be the true center for developing the innovation economy. Its work is of economic and social importance. With its favorable tax and customs terms, the High-Tech Park offers highly paid and prestigious jobs largely tailored for young Belarusians. The Park offers opportunities to young Belarusians to realize their talents in the home country.

Cultural Scene...

Belarusian ballet to open Year of Belarusian Culture in Russia in March 2010

From: BelTA

The National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus will open the Year of Culture of Belarus in Russia in March 2010, head of the arts department of the Belarusian Culture Ministry Mikhail Kozlovich told a press conference in Minsk on 23 November.

The cultural program in Moscow will start with the performance of the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus. The company of the theatre will present its classical repertoire.

The events that will be held in Moscow include an exhibition of modern Belarusian painters, performances of Belarusian artists and bands, display of Belarusian films. It is also planned to organize a joint gala concert of Belarusian and Russian performers dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Great Victory.

Days of the Belarusian culture will also take place in St. Petersburg. The event will include a gala concert of Belarusian artists and opening of Yan Borshchevsky’s memorial plaque. A concert of the State Chamber Orchestra of Belarus and a round-table discussion “A theme of patriotism in the works of modern writers” will be organized at the Hermitage concert hall.

According to Mikhail Kozlovich, Pesnyary and Syabry, famous Belarusian bands, will go on tour around the cities of Russia. A theme exhibition of Maksim Bogdanovich Literature Museum will be presented in Yaroslavl. the Days of the Belarusian Movie will be held in several Russian cities in the course of the year. The closing ceremony of the Year of Culture of Belarus will take place in Moscow.

Economics...

National Bank to reduce refinance rate from 14% to 13.5%

From: BelTA

The National Bank of Belarus decided to reduce the refinance rate by 0.5% to 13.5% since 1 December 2009 (Decree No 187 of 20 November 2009), BelTA learnt from the information administration of the National Bank.

The press release of the National Bank says that such step was caused by the sustainable decrease of the inflation rate, the stable situation on the domestic currency market and a number of other positive trends in the Belarusian economy.

Apart from that, this step was facilitated by the pursued interest and stock market policy. Together with other monetary tools it has positively influenced the attractiveness of ruble savings of the citizens and preservation of people’s confidence to the Belarusian ruble.

The National Bank will keep supporting the high attractiveness of ruble deposits and providing the availability of loans for persons and companies.

Belarus’ foreign trade balance will improve by the end of 2009

Belarus’ foreign trade balance will improve significantly by the end of the year, the dean of the economy department of the Belarusian State University, Mikhail Kovalev, said at the workshop on banking services. The workshop is held as part of the Bank. Insurance. Leasing. exhibition in Minsk.

According to Mikhail Kovalev, Belarusian export plummeted since August 2008 down to $1.6 billion a month at the end of last year. In early 2009 the export decreased further to $1.3 billion. The situation has improved since then, with export reaching $2 billion a month. “We expect the foreign balance will improve significantly by the end of the year as import has stopped increasing,” Mikhail Kovalev said.

It is important that the banks take a rational approach to consumer lending, he cautioned. The increase in the foreign trade deficit in 2008 was, among other things, triggered by the growth of consumer loans. Last year Belarusians imported $2 billion worth of cars alone. Mikhail Kovalev urged the banks to pay special attention to lending to the real production sector. Retail deposits should be used as investments, he noted. “As for the loans to buyers, they should be extended, first of all, to those who buy Belarusian products abroad,” Mikhail Kovalev added.

From the Foriegn Press...

Belarus will not bow down to EU, Lukashenka says in interview with La Stampa journalists

From: Navany

Belarus is ready to do more for the European Union than the EU for Belarus, but Belarus will not bow down to the EU, Alyaksandr Lukashenka said in Wednesday’s interview with journalists representing Italy’s most influential daily newspaper La Stampa, BelaPAN said.

Excerpts of the interview were broadcast by Belarus’ national television channels on Wednesday night.

“Today we’re ready to do more for you than you for us. We’re ready, we have such an opportunity, but we have no intention to crawl on our knees and bow down to the European Union,” the Belarusian leader said.

“We aren’t in a situation that we have to run into the European Union with trembling knees or bodies,” Mr. Lukashenka said. “We’re offering you cooperation. If you have an interest in your center of Europe, if you have an interest in the Belarusian state, in the problems that we live with, please come. We’ll also come to you, and will cooperate. If you don’t have such an interest, no one will make you act in this direction. I realize this pretty well. It isn’t the first year I’ve been president. But I’ll represent my state in a proper manner like, by the way, your premier, Silvio Berlusconi, does.”

Mr. Lukashenka also insisted that there are “good relations” between Belarus and Russia. “There is no other country in the world with which we have such relations as we have with Russia,” he said. “There is not such a level of relations as the level of our relations with Russia, although there are enough problems, too.”

Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi is expected to pay a visit to Belarus on November 30.

Russia, Belarus unable to come to terms

From: RIA Novosti

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's meeting with Belarusian journalists at his residence in Barvikha, near Moscow, on November 23, was bound to become a high-profile event in Russian-Belarusian relations.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko initiated regular meetings with Russian journalists several years ago to offer his interpretation of bilateral relations. Now the Russian leaders have decided to talk not only with their Belarusian counterparts but also with the media community in general. One reason for this could be the insufficient effectiveness of one-on-one meetings.

What has happened to Russian-Belarusian relations? Why has the level of mutual trust fallen so low, as both sides admit?

Numerous problems have darkened this year's celebrations of the establishment of the Union State of Russia and Belarus. Worse still, these problems are believed to have become systemic and therefore not easily resolved.

The two countries' strategies have become opposing, unfriendly and even mutually exclusive in the last few years.

Russia is working hard to complete the BTS-2 Baltic pipeline system to ship oil around Belarus. When the pipeline comes on line in 2011, it will greatly lessen Russia's transit dependence on Belarus and also weaken the transit status of that country.

Meanwhile, Belarus has joined the Eastern Partnership, a project initiated by the European Union to ease the transit countries' dependence on Russia through consolidation. It was inaugurated in Prague in May 2009.

Russia's subsidies to Belarus, which have reached $50 billion since 1991, can be explained by its transit dependence on Belarus, which ships up to 80% of Russian oil and 20% of its natural gas to Europe.

Before the global economic crisis, Russia exported hydrocarbons worth over $100 billion via Belarus annually. Minsk authorities viewed the $5 billion subsidies, which account for at least 40% of the Belarusian budget, as fair payment for the safety and reliability of transit shipments.

The transit status Belarus inherited from the former Soviet Union was the key reason for establishing the Union State. No other comparable tie has developed in bilateral relations since its establishment. This explains Russia's oil and gas bypass strategies and the current cool period in bilateral relations, in which periods of respite were intermingled with sugar, dairy and other trade wars.

The biggest question no one can answer now is how Russian-Belarusian relations will develop after Russia completes the bypass projects, when it will no longer have to pay the obligatory subsidies to the Belarusian economy. Until then, the key question will be how much Russia is affected by Lukashenko's struggle for the transit status quo.

So far, Belarus has opted for a strategy of suspending integration projects that are vital for Russia. For example, it hindered the signing of the agreement on the Collective Rapid Response Force of the CSTO member states, leaving the future of the CSTO agreement hanging. The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

The future of the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan may also be vague. The agreement is to be signed by the end of 2009, and Belarus can use it as another bargaining chip for privileges.

The year 2009 is the last year before BTS-2 system start-up, with Russia still fully dependent on Belarus for hydrocarbon transit. Will the construction of the Nord Stream and South Stream natural gas projects bypassing Ukraine, which have been given a fresh boost this autumn, encourage the Ukrainian and Belarusian authorities to consolidate their positions on the transit issue?

This would make the threat of a supplies blockade maximally large for Moscow. Belarus could do this not to spite the ally, but to compensate the losses it sustained because of the crisis and future shortfalls. The crisis has halved Belarusian export revenues, which make up as much as 75% of its budget.

Under these circumstances, the Belarusian president may resort to a confrontation with Russia to ensure his political survival.

No systemic solution has been proposed to any of these problems. The meetings of the Belarusian president with the Russian media and of the Russian president with the Belarusian media cannot solve them. Relations can be promoted only if they rest on a pragmatic foundation.

Strangely, the time could be right for building such a foundation. The crisis, which has destroyed the consumer economy as such, has also shifted the focus to reviving the producer economy and developing a common market to service it.

Belarus is the only country in the region with an excessive number of skilled workers. Russia has an abundance of know-how but lacks the workforce for implementing it.

This is a good time for finding points of contact and in this way preventing bilateral relations from getting worse.

Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia To Establish Customs Union

From: RFE/RL

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev is in Minsk ahead of a Eurasian Economic Community (Eurasec) summit where Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan are to form a customs union, RFE/RL's Belarus Service reports.

Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka and Nazarbaev will hold talks on cooperation before the Eurasec summit begins on November 28.

Kazakh Ambassador to Belarus Anatoly Smirnov told RFE/RL that Kazakh and Belarusian leaders will sign a number of "important documents, including ones regulating cooperation between the economic institutions of the two countries."

The document establishing the customs union is slated to be signed on November 28 and the union is due to begin on January 1.

By July 1, customs checkpoints along the Belarusian-Russian border are to be closed, as will checkpoints along the Kazakh-Russian border a year later.

Lukashenka told journalists in Minsk on November 24 that the customs union will provide "great support to Russia," adding that Kazakhstan and Belarus will not be the "backyards" of such a union.

Belarus increased agricultural products output by 1.1%

From: AgriMarket.Info

During January-October of 2009, all varieties of agricultural economies in Belarus increased output of agricultural products by 1.1% compared to the same period of the previous year, to the sum of 24.6 trn. BYR (8.85 bln USD), declared the National statistics committee (Belstat). According to the forecast, in 2009, the volumes of the general agricultural products output in Belarus will grow by 9.5%.

According to data of Belstat, during January-October of 2009, the production volumes of agricultural organizations and farming economies grew by 4.7% compared to January-August of 2008. At the same time, plant growing products output increased by 1.2%.

In 2009, Belarus produced 9 mln tonnes of grains

In 2009, the general production of grains and leguminous plants in Belarus totaled 9 mln tonnes, declared Vasiliy Pavlovsky, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food, on November 12.

According to the Deputy Minister, the country plans to harvest nearly 500 thsd tonnes of maize and 746 thsd tonnes of rapeseed.

Despite rather difficult weather conditions, the country managed to receive grain harvest at the level of the previous year, added V.Pavlovsky.

From the Opposition...

NATO made a plan of repelling possible Russian-Belarusian aggression

From: Charter '97

Defense Minister of Poland Bogdan Klich has stated that the NATO knows how to defend Poland in case of foreign aggression.

Bogdan Klich admitted that the NATO has a plan how to defend Poland “in case of Russian assault”. Such a statement has been made by Russia’s ambassador to the NATO Dmitry Rogozin, RIA Novosti informs.

In particular, Klich stated that Poland shouldn’t have to fear Russian-Belarusian military exercises (Zapad-2009), as the NATO has made a plan of Poland’s defence.

“Though these plans are secret, Klich informed that after manoeuvres of Russia and Belarus these plans have become more relevant,” Rogozin said.

As charter97.org website have informed, on November 1 a British newspaper Telegraph with a reference to Polish magazine Wprost wrote that during recent joint Belarusian-Russian military drills West 2009, an amphibious landing on the Polish coast and the firing of nuclear weapons were simulated.

In late October military drills West 2009 was criticized by Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet.

“The military exercises near the borders of the Baltic states demonstrate that Russia still uses significant means for struggle with the NATO,” Estonian Foreign Minister said at Riga Conference.

“The drills held by Russia near the borders of the Baltic states were the largest over ten years, and their aim was “to cut off the three Baltic states from the NATO,” Estonian Foreign Minister said.

Latvian Defense Minister Imants Liegis also said that the scenario of West 2009 military exercise included intervention in the Baltic states as a part of freeing “Kaliningrad in blockade”.

Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on November 12 that NATO should turn attention to the Belarusian–Russian military exercises held in September near the Polish border.

Radoslaw Sikorski also said that he had written about that in the letter to Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the NATO Secretary General.

Uladzimer Asipenka charged with terrorist act preparation

From: Viasna

According to human rights activist Aleh Vouchak, Vaukavysk businessman Uladzimer Asipenka has been charged with the preparation of an act of terrorism, following similar charges brought against Mikalai Autukhovich a few days earlier.
‘It was evident that, after Mikalai Autukhovich was charged with terrorist act preparation last week, his friend Uladzimer Asipenka would face the same charge, since there should be ‘a gang.’ However, if the trial will be an open one, everyone will see that the charges are groundless. The authorities expect the judges to be humble,’ says Mr. Vouchak.

Three Vaukavysk businessmen Mikalai Autukhovich, Uladzimer Asipenka and Yury Liavonau were arrested on 8 February 2009 on suspicion of deliberate property damage. In July Yury Liavonau was released. Soon information appeared that Mikalai Autukhovich and Uladzimer Asipenka would be charged with the preparation of a terrorist act against Chair of Hrodna Regional Executive Committee Uladzimer Sauchanka and Deputy Minister of Taxation Vasil Kamianko.
According to Mr. Vouchak, there are some more persons involved in Autukhovich’s case – Vaukavysk resident Aliaksandr Laryn and former police major from Hrodna Mikhail Kazlou. The human rights expert says they may face similar charges in the near future.

Russia...

Russia: no space for space tourists

From: AP

A top Russian space official says there is no space for tourists wishing to fly to the International Space Station.

Sergei Krikalyov said that since the space stations crew has doubled to six people, there is no room for tourists in the Russian spacecraft that link the station with Earth.

Russia's Soyuz spacecraft will provide the only link to the station after the planned retirement of the U.S. shuttle fleet next year.

Canadian Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte returned to Earth last month after a stint as the seventh paying space tourist aboard the station.

Krikalyov, the chief of the Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City outside Moscow, spoke Thursday during a training session for a crew going to station in late December.

Russia's Vladimir Putin in France for economic talks

From: BBC

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrives in France on Thursday for two days of talks, with economic issues expected to dominate.

Mr Putin wants France to invest in Russia's gas pipelines, in spite of EU fears it could swamp the market.

He also hopes French companies will put money into struggling car manufacturer Avtovaz, makers of the Lada.

Mr Putin will dine on Thursday with his French counterpart, Francois Fillon, and may meet President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Enormous reserves

Gas will be at the heart of Mr Putin's talks because Russia wants - and is likely to receive - more French investment in its two pipeline projects.

The pipes, which stretch across the Baltic and Black seas, bring enormous reserves to the European market.

The European Union has long been wary of the projects, which it fears will make Europe overly dependent on Russian gas.

But it appears that "realpolitik" - a recognition of the Russian domination of the market - is prevailing in Paris.

Mr Putin is also looking for help in modernising Avtovaz.

The French carmaker Renault already has a 25% stake in Avtovaz. But they could be reluctant to pump in more funds, given the current state of the world car industry.

A third issue likely to be discussed by the two premiers is the planned sale of a French ship to Russia - a helicopter carrier currently in dock in St Petersburg is being admired by Russian navy procurement officials - which would be the first time Russia has bought armaments from a Nato country.

However it has provoked deep concern among some of Russia's neighbours, including Estonia and Lithuania, who have asked Paris for more detailed information.

U.S., Russia study ways to extend START verification

From: Reuters

U.S. negotiators working to conclude a new strategic arms treaty with Russia are discussing ways to continue nuclear weapons monitoring until the new accord can be ratified, a State Department spokesman said on Monday.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed in July to work on a new treaty that would cut their deployed strategic nuclear arsenals to between 1,500 and 1,675 warheads.

The current Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty between Russia and the United States expires on December 5. Negotiators in Geneva are hopeful of reaching a draft agreement around that time, but the deal would still have to be ratified by both sides, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters.

"The negotiating teams continue to work very hard in Geneva. They have agreement on a number of issues but they are also trying to work out some of the areas where they need to come together," he said.

"Because the treaty has to be ratified by the respective legislatures, we ... know that we are not going to have a ratified treaty that can enter into force," Kelly added. "So we are having discussions with Russia to see how we can continue some of the transparency and verification measures ... until the treaty is ratified."

Senator Richard Lugar, the ranking Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a bill last week that would permit Russian arms experts to come to the United States to carry out inspections permitted under the START treaty.

The measure would let Obama approve the inspections as long as the Russians extended similar permission to U.S. arms experts.

Lugar, in a Senate speech, said extending the START verification mechanism was particularly important because it is also used to monitor the 2002 Moscow Treaty on strategic nuclear forces.

Kelly said the Lugar legislation was part of the effort to extend the START weapons inspection and verification regime.

"Since we recognize we're not going to have a fully ratified treaty in both capitals, we're looking at ways that a number of provisions can remain in effect in this period between December 5 and whenever the new treaty is ratified," he said.

"These monitoring mechanisms are important," Kelly said. "You need to have some kind of mechanism to keep these means of monitoring in place and ongoing."

Estimates of current nuclear stockpiles vary, but the U.S.-based Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists estimated at the start of 2009 the United States had about 2,200 operationally deployed nuclear warheads and Russia had about 2,790.

From the Polish Scandal Files...

Polish president on trial in Walesa libel case

From: AFP

A Polish court on Tuesday began hearing a libel case against President Lech Kaczynski over his claim that his predecessor and Solidarity icon Lech Walesa was a communist-era spy.

Both men regularly trade barbs in the media, but neither was present in the Warsaw court for the start of the lawsuit brought by Walesa. Both were represented by lawyers, Poland's PAP news agency reported.

Walesa is demanding that Kaczynski withdraw the claim and pay 100,000 zloty (24,000 euros, 36,000 dollars) in damages.

"A legal expert cannot behave this way, refusing to respect the verdicts of our justice system," Walesa told the Polish news channel TVN24 Tuesday, in a swipe at Kaczynski, who has a doctorate in law.

"These are nothing but lies. I was never an agent of the SB!" he later told the channel, referring to the communist-era security service.

In a television interview last year, Kaczynski repeated long-running assertions that Walesa was an agent codenamed "Bolek", mentioned in the SB's files.

Allegations about Walesa's past have surfaced regularly since the fall of Poland's communist regime in 1989, but he was cleared by a special vetting court in 2000.

Amid a dispute between the two men's lawyers over whether Kaczynski as president could even be tried by the court, the tribunal adjourned the hearing until December 18.

Walesa has acknowledged signing a secret police document on one of the many occasions he was hauled in for his opposition work in the 1970s, but has termed "absurd" the claim that he collaborated by spying on fellow activists.

Walesa and Kaczynski were allies during the struggle against the former communist regime, when shipyard electrician Walesa led the Solidarity trade union and opposition movement and later won the Nobel peace prize.

But they fell out after Walesa was elected president for a five-year term in 1990.

Kaczynski was himself elected head of state in 2005, and his supporters stepped up their battle against Walesa. The pro-Walesa camp has protested what it dubs a smear campaign.

New campaign of Polish government

From: Poland.com

Polish government has started its new campaign titled – “Not only bruises can make a victim”. More than 800 thousand women experience some acts of violence every year. More than 150 of them die because of ‘home misunderstanding’ – reported Polish Press Agency.

The campaign was started one week ago, during the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The main goal of the campaign is to pay attention for this unpleasant problem. “We deal with many forms of violence: physical, psychological, sexual or economical. We believe that 800 thousand of Polish women experience one of those forms every year. It may mean that every of us know a woman who is harassed” – explained Joanna Piotrowska form Feminoteka Foundation.

Every symptom of any kind of harassment may be reported to police and our police must react. There are also many non-government organizations, which help harassed women. But our main problem is that Polish women do not want to report their problems. “Only 30% report that they are harassed. Why? Because they are afraid of their husbands or they are ashamed. We must change it” – added Piotrowska.

The foundation wants to organize meetings, debates and workshops in order to solve all problems of Polish women and educate them. 160 organizations decided to take part in this project.

Heartbroken drunk

From: STV

Polish police spent two days searching for a drowned man when he turned up looking for his clothes.

Maciej Nowark disappeared after splitting from his girlfriend and was spotted drinking heavily in the early hours of the morning.

His clothes were found next to a lake the next morning and the heartbroken 24 year old's friend feared he had killed himself.

However, as police divers searched the water for his body, Maciej turned up at the scene looking for his discarded clothes.

An officer said: "He told us that he can't remember why he had taken his clothes off because he had been drunk. But he woke up at a nearby house."

Sport...

Top Belarusian Junior Player Signs with Minnesota

From: GopherSports

One of the top junior women's tennis players in Belarus who competed in last year's U.S. Open junior tournament has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Minnesota.

Nataliya Pintusova, a Minsk, Belarus native, is ranked third among under-18 players in Belarus and 53rd in the International Tennis Federation World Junior rankings. She played in the main draw of the U.S. Open junior singles and doubles tournaments this past summer. She lost her opening singles match to the 15th seed 6-2, 6-1 and battled the second-seeded doubles team to a 6-3, 6-2 setback in the opening round.

Pintusova achieved a career-high World Junior ranking of No. 35 last November and was a finalist in the Florence International Tournament this past April.

"We are all very excited that Nataliya has chosen to attend Minnesota," Gophers' coach Tyler Thomson said. "Her junior tennis resume is extremely impressive and I know she's eager to contribute to our 2010-11 team. Nataliya is a very upbeat person and a very hard worker, and she will make an immediate and positive impact on our program."

Pintusova joins a Gopher squad that finished 12-12 overall and was ranked 69th nationally in the spring of 2009.

New sports channel for Belarus

Belarus will see the launch of a new cable-delivered sports channel specialising in ice hockey on September 1, 2010.

According to Lenta, the service will be named Arena-Media and a response to the current poor coverage of the Belarusian Extraliga ice hockey league on the state TV network.

Arena-Media will be 51% owned by the Belarus Ice Hockey Federation (FHRB), with Dynamo Minsk holding 29% of shares and unnamed individuals 20%.

Start-up costs have put at over $1.8 million (€1.2 million), and funding, derived chiefly from advertising, is expected to help it break even within three to four years.

Endnote...

Belarus tries to solve its economic problems at Russia’s expense”

From: RT

The Russian and Belarusian presidents have exchanged criticism on the eve of the signing of the documents on the creation of the Customs Union.

The media commented on new statements of Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko, who once again criticized the Russian leadership. The criticism came on the eve of Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergey Martynov’s visit to Moscow. Lukashenko’s comments also followed the interview that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev gave to Belarusian journalists on November 23.

Lukashenko described Medvedev’s meeting with Belarusian media as “absolutely senseless” and added that journalists who had been invited to Moscow “hate Russians.” Lukashenko told heads of state-run news agencies from the Commonwealth of Independent States on November 24 that “a negative image of Belarus” in the eyes of the Russian leadership has been created by the mass media.

Medvedev in his interview on November 23 “urged the Belarusian leader to be more self-restrained in his opinions of both the actions of the Russian government and, personally, [Prime Minister] Vladimir Putin,” Utro.ru website said.

The Russian president also stressed that Moscow wants to build a closer union with Belarus and does not influence Belarusian politics.

However, the main disagreements between Russia and Belarus “lie in the economic sphere,” Vremya Novostey daily said. “Russia has not provided us the promised loan, which we needed,” Lukashenko said, adding that “the IMF arrived and laid down terms, which we agreed to.”

Medvedev said that Russia had lent Belarus over $3 billion over the past two-and-a-half years, and that no one else receives such loans from Moscow.

At the same time, the Belarusian leader stressed that Minsk had not changed its political orientation to pro-Western, calling such allegations, “absurd and unconfirmed.”

The leaders of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan are expected to sign a long-awaited deal on the Customs Union on November 27. They will meet in Minsk as part of a session of the Inter-State Council of the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) member states, and the Customs Union supreme body at the level of the heads of state. The union should start working on January 1, 2010.

Lukashenko was quoted as saying by the media that “the Customs Union means the strengthening of Russia’s positions.” He also expressed hope that “Belarus and Kazakhstan will not be left on the sidelines.” Nezavisimaya Gazeta daily noted in this regard that the Belarusian leader “recently said that there are a lot of things that have not been completely agreed to and infringe upon the interests of Belarus.”

The intentions of the countries signing the Customs Union are “serious,” but some problems remain, Leonid Vardomsky, head of the Center of Post-Soviet Studies, told the paper. The idea now is to start the realization of the project, he said. Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan have different tax, customs and duties legislation, but all contradictions should be resolved by the Customs commission, he said.

The session of the inter-state council of the EurAsEC should strengthen trade and economic ties between the member states, said Maksim Minaev of the Center for Political Conjuncture. At the same time, the event should become “another tactical move as part of the course on pragmatic partnership” between Moscow and Minsk, the analyst added.

Some observers are not certain about Lukashenko’s tactics toward the Customs Union. Statements of Russian and Belarusian leaders allow analysts in Minsk to think that “the outcome on November 27 may be much unexpected,” Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote.

“Just a week before the signing of the historic document, when all principal issues seemed to have been solved, [Lukashenko] said at the special meeting with the government that Belarus is still considering the option of entering this Customs Union,” the paper said. The president told the government’s members that they had not studied well all the consequences if the country joins this organization, the paper added.

Leaders of Russia and Kazakhstan are trying to persuade Lukashenko “not to disrupt” this regional project, observers say. The very fact of the interview that Medvedev gave to Belarusian media is being treated by local journalists as his attempt “to soften the situation and demonstrate the readiness to discuss problems and the absence of deep offences,” Nezavisimaya Gazeta said.

Minsk wants to join the Customs Union, hoping to come “to an agreement with Russia about the energy supplies at reduced prices,” Vremya Novostey said, citing analysts in Belarus. “If this issue is not resolved, Minsk will not gain anything from joining the union,” the paper said.

Meanwhile analysts are arguing if the Customs Union is good for Russia itself. The idea of Russia’s joining the World Trade Organization as part of the Customs Union has been replaced recently by the possibility of Moscow joining the WTO separately, many observers say. However, Medvedev said, during the Russia-EU summit in Stockholm, that both options were still possible.

Andrey Suzdaltsev of the Higher School of Economics believes that the Customs Union project “is overloaded with political expediency.” Belarus and Kazakhstan rather than Russia will gain economic benefits from the union, the analyst told Finam.ru website.

Moscow’s partners in the union “are trying to solve their economic problems at Russia’s expense,” Suzdaltsev said. “Belarus is seeking unlimited crediting and energy supplies at reduced prices,” he stressed. “This means huge expenses for the Russian budget.”

The analyst predicts that the documents on the creation of the Customs Union will be signed in Minsk on November 27, but after it, the process of negotiating additional agreements and specifications may take a long time.

“The membership in the Customs Union will only add points to the Belarusian leader in his opposition to Moscow,” believes Olga Pavlenko of Russian State University for the Humanities. “Lukashenko since 2006 has actually developed a new foreign policy strategy – the arc between Russia and the European Union,” she told Finam.ru.

“If Russia begins to put forward demands that are unacceptable from Minsk’s point of view, Lukashenko starts talking to Moscow in the language of ultimatums,” she said. “That is why Russia makes serious concessions to the Belarusian side and seeks compromises,” she added.

At the same time, Moscow may be irritated by Minsk’s policies in the issue of recognizing two former Georgian republics, many observers think. Three groups of Belarusian parliamentarians have already visited Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Kommersant daily said. “But analysts still believe Belarus’s decision will depend on the outcome of President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s bargaining with Moscow,” the paper added.

He needs two things from Moscow – “money and guarantees that Moscow will at the very least remain neutral on the upcoming presidential elections,” the daily said, citing observers in Minsk.

“Belarus and Russia seem to be in the Union State, but we see that Lukashenko is pursuing his own policy,” Aleksandr Krylov of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations said. The Belarusian parliament sent six deputies to Abkhazia and South Ossetia and six to Georgia on November 17, the analyst noted.

Thus, Minsk made it clear that it still recognizes Georgia’s sovereignty over the two republics, Krylov said, adding that Belarus will now discuss this issue with Tbilisi. The Belarusian authorities will try to gain all possible political benefits from their steps in the issue of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the analyst added.

Now Lukashenko expects loans from Western countries, Krylov said. But the West in the conditions of the crisis “has considerably reduced financial assistance to post-Soviet countries,” he added.

The Russian president stressed in his interview with Belarusian journalists that Moscow had never asked other countries to recognize the former Georgian republics. “It’s the prerogative of each state whether to recognize or not,” he said.

Minsk city development, Belarus-Russia Union, Gold and currency reserves, EU, Iran, Ethnology; Sport, Culture, Economics and Polish scandal

2009-11-22T08:05:00.001+02:00

From the Top...

#464

Belarus President approves changes to Minsk city development plan

From: BelTA

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has approved the amendments to the general Minsk city development plan and endorsed the construction plans of a new multifunctional complex with a hotel as part of the preparations for the 2014 IIHF World Championships. The President made such decisions as he heard a report on the further development of the city of Minsk in the Minsk City Hall on 20 November, BelTA has learnt.

The Belarusian capital will see a lot of changes in the run-up to the forthcoming World Ice Hockey Championships. In particular, one of the facilities which will beautify the Belarusian capital will be a multifunctional complex with a hotel. It will be constructed in 2013 not far from the circus building, within Nezavisimosti Avenue and Yanka Kupala Street.

New buildings will perfectly blend into the general look of Nezavisimosti Avenue, said the representatives of the Kempinski Group that is to construct the facility. The frontward will be made in a traditional style of the central avenues of the city with a special emphasis on the details made of stone. Special attention will be given to the quay of the Svisloch River.

The President demanded the construction be of high quality with the use of most advanced eco-friendly materials. The head of state noted that the construction should be carried out in compliance with all the European standards.

President Lukashenko wants to see top-grade stadium built in Minsk by 2013

A new technologically advanced football stadium should be built in Minsk (instead of the present Traktor stadium) by late 2013, President o Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said at a meeting on the Minsk city development prospects.

“The stadium should seat 45,000 people and meet all international standards,” the head of state said. The project is estimated at €100-120 million. This should be the stadium with roof-covered stands, which meets the European standards.

As for the Dynamo stadium, it will remain roofless. It will be modernized; gyms for some kinds of sports and public catering places will be built and the lighting system upgraded.

Several top-notch hotels will be constructed around the Dynamo stadium by 2014.

Minsk population should grow mainly due to satellite towns

”The population density in the capital will certainly increase, but there is little room for that in Minsk – 2,000-3,000 people, not more than that,” the head of state said.

The President underlined that new houses should not be built on high-fertile croplands. “Such lands can be involved in construction only in most exceptional circumstances. Land is our major asset and treasure. The products that will be grown within the territory of Minsk will be in great demand and it is very profitable,” the President said. He added that agricultural enterprises may be set up on such lands creating a lot of jobs. He demanded that the municipal authorities develop a scheme of using high-fertile croplands to be included in the General Plan of Minsk.

The President is going to instruct the Council of Ministers to develop a plan of efficient distribution of manufacturing facilities beyond Minsk.

In line with the General Plan of Minsk (adopted by a presidential decree in 2003), the Minsk population is projected at 1.9 million by 2030. In the near future, new residential districts will be constructed in satellite towns. In 2011, a residential district will be built in Smolevichi; a similar project is developed for Zaslavl.

Second ring road to be build around Minsk

The second ring road that is planned to be built around Minsk will connect two arterial motorways, namely, Moscow-Berlin and Vilnius-Kiev. A corresponding proposal was approved by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko during the meeting on Minsk city development prospects.

“The second ring road is badly needed. But the project needs to be examined carefully so that the road would meet all advanced standards. It should be something of an autobahn,” the President said.

According to him, the construction of the new road will help redistribute transit cargo flows, redeploy logistic centers out of the city and reduce air gas pollution.

Chief architect of Minsk Viktor Nikitin reported to the head of state that the first phase of the project envisages the construction of a 50km half-ring road connecting the two motorways: Moscow-Berlin

Access of non-resident vehicles to Minsk may be limited

In the future the access of non-resident vehicles to Minsk may be limited to reduce the heavy traffic in the Belarusian capital. The statement was made by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko as he was informed about the prospects of Minsk’s development on 20 November.

Minsk Chief Architect Viktor Nikitin said, the rapidly increasing number of automobiles has led to traffic jams and increased air pollution levels.

The international experience of megacity development testifies that transport problems must be dealt with fast. Certain restrictions on non-residential transport access to Minsk can be a way out.

If the decision is enforced, the relevant infrastructure will have to be built on approaches to Minsk. In particular, Minsk will need parking lots and smoothly operating urban transport.

Alexander Lukashenko said it should be done with maximum convenience for people. “It should be convenient for people. They could come, leave cars at a parking lot, for a small fee, and enter the city using public transport,” he said.

The head of state underlined that building automobile interchanges is unavoidable.

The discussion also touched upon moving industrial enterprises out of the city. The industrial enterprises that have been relocated beyond Minsk borders should not happen to be inside the city in several years when Minsk grows larger. A document may be developed to regulate the distribution of enterprises across the country.

Other Belarusian News...

Political will needed to adopt Belarus-Russia Union constitution

From: BelTA

Belarusian-Russian relations lack the political will to make the key step – adoption of the Constitution Act of the Union State. The opinion was voiced by Anatoly Lokot, member of the State Duma of the Russian Federation (KPRF faction) at a roundtable session held in Minsk on 19 November to mark the tenth anniversary of the Union State treaty.

“The legitimacy of Union administration bodies such as the Parliamentary Assembly of the Belarus-Russia Union raises questions,” noted the politician. “Only after the Union constitution is adopted, the formation of absolute Union State bodies, which decisions can be mandatory throughout the Union State, will become possible”. The MP added that over the last ten years the two countries have advanced a lot in political, economic and other kinds of integration, however, the process is based on the bilateral relations between Belarus and Russia as international law subjects.

Anatoly Lokot attributed the slowdown of the Union State construction to differences in the economic models of the two countries. “Belarus is a special economic system, it is not capitalistic. The government has powerful levers to regulate the economy. In turn, Russia is ruled by economic oligarchy, which believes that integration with Belarus is limited to grabbing as much Belarusian property as possible,” reminded the MP. He reminded that the KPRF faction had demanded an immediate resignation of Russian Finance Minister Aleksei Kudrin after his ill-placed remarks about the Belarusian economy. Anatoly Lokot also attributed the slowdown of the Union State construction to the West opposition. “Some people in the West don’t like our union a lot and they do their best to damage it,” believes the Russian MP.

Moscow to host Belarus-Russia ministerial consultations 25 November

The Belarusian-Russian ministerial consultations chaired by foreign ministers of both the countries Sergei Martynov and Sergei Lavrov will be held in Moscow on 25 November, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Belarusian Embassy in Russia.

The sides are expected to sign the programme of the concerted actions on the foreign policy for 2010-2011 and the plan of the ministerial consultations between the foreign ministries of Belarus and Russia in 2010.

Before the consultations, a bilateral meeting between Sergei Martynov and Sergei Lavrov is expected to be held.

National Bank of Belarus builds up gold and foreign currency reserves

From: BelTA

In January-October 2009, the Major Monetary Management Guidelines were fulfilled, Chairman of the Board of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB) Piotr Prokopovich told President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on 19 November, BelTA learnt from the presidential press service.

The Belarusian ruble exchange rate against the basket of foreign currencies remains within plus/minus 10% band.

Over the last years, the National Bank of Belarus has considerably increased gold and foreign currency reserves. In January-October 2009, international reserve assets of Belarus calculated in accordance with the IMF methods, increased more than 1.4 times – from $3.1 billion as of 1 January to $4.43 billion as of 1 November. By 1 January 2010, they are expected to reach $5 billion which will create a good basis for securing the stability of the national currency.

The President was informed that the MF mission completed its work in Belarus to survey Belarus’ performance under the SBA. As of 1 October 2009 the National Bank implemented all necessary measures to secure successful fulfillment of the Stand-By Arrangement. The IMF Executive Board will soon review the results of the work. “We are confident that another tranche of the IMF loan will be transferred in December,” said Piotr Prokopovich. This will improve the situation in the country, including the one with the gold and foreign currency reserves.

The banking system provides the necessary amount of financing to the national economy.

The National Bank is working on improving the interest rate policy. “We have reached an agreement on the IMF that we can start reducing the refinancing rate. We plan to reduce the rate of refinancing by 0.5% to 13.5% per annum on 1 December,” Piotr Prokopovich said. He also assured that in H1 2010 the interest rates on the Belarusian market will reduce to the pre-crisis level.

The President tasked the National Bank with doing its best to fulfill this year’s Major Monetary Management Guidelines and said he would like the NBRB and the government to finish working out the draft forecast for Belarus’ social and economic development in 2010 soon along with the budget bill and the draft Major Monetary Management Guidelines. Piotr Prokopovich remarked that the President’s instructions regarding these documents had been fulfilled and the documents will be forwarded for consideration of the head of state by 23 November at the latest. The final decision on the documents is supposed to be made next week. “It is very important for us to receive the next year’s social and economic development forecast as well as the Major Monetary Management Guidelines in order to start working on fulfilling them as soon as possible,” said the NBRB head.

The documents are supposed to lay down figures to secure the fulfillment of the five-year program on the social and economic development of Belarus in 2006-2010. In particular, in 2010 Belarus’ GDP is supposed to increase by at least 11% while inflation is meant to stay at 8-10%.

Belarus Premier: capital improvement must be stepped up

From: BelTA

Capital improvement efforts must be largely stepped up to make Belarus a better place to live. The statement was made by Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky at a plenary session of the committee tasked with holding the Native Land Year. Held in Lida on 18 November, the session also involved Vice Premier Ivan Bambiza, Grodno Oblast Governor Vladimir Savchenko, heads of several ministries and agencies involved in the implementation of the Native Land Year.

The Prime Minister remarked that this year a lot has been done in this area but the efforts must be tripled within a short period of time. “If we claim that all is well, we will not secure results,” believes Sergei Sidorsky. The fulfillment of measures in the National Land Year has unearthed many new issues that need to be addressed. “They cannot be accomplished right now but they must not be dragged out either,” Sergei Sidorsky made it clear.

In his opinion, waste utilization still needs to be addressed. “The problem of separate waste collection remains topical. We do nothing but talks and pilot schemes so far,” said the Premier. He also reminded about waste utilization in the forestry industry. It is time to build new enterprises to make pellets, which are in demand in Europe.

Sergei Sidorsky pointed out the importance of resolving the problem of cattle breeding waste conversion. Biogas plants should be installed in livestock breeding complexes for the sake of the maximum use of waste recycling technologies.

“Everything gets more and more expensive across the globe and should be spent wisely therefore,” underscored the head of government. He gave instructions to put together certain standards to assess the performance of executives in this area.

An extensive program will have yet to be implemented to develop Belarus’ motorway service. At present there are 1,500 motorway service outlets in the country while another 550 are needed. Investors should be attracted into this business, with favorable terms granted.

Cultural Scene...

Over 160 scientists to convene in Mogilev for Romanov Readings conference

From: BelTA

Mogilev will host the VI international scientific conference Romanov Readings on 19-20 November. The conference is timed to the 75th anniversary of the History Department of the A. Kuleshov State University of Mogilev, BelTA learned from Associate Professor Igor Marzalyuk, Head of the Archeology and Special History Disciplines Chair of the university.

Over 160 scientists and specialists from Belarus, Russia and Ukraine are expected to deliver their reports at the plenary session and ten panel sessions of the forum. The reports will focus on the history of civilizations, archaeology, ethnic history and ethnography of the Slavs, genesis of Eastern Slavic towns, source-related problems of the Belarus history, social and philosophical problems of education, establishment and development of education and science systems, modern aspects of Belarus’ ethnocultural history, topical problems of linguistics and literature studies and other matters. The best reports will be compiled as a book.

Yevdokim Romanovich Romanov was born in the town of Novo-Belitsa, Mogilev province, on 11 September 1855. He was an outstanding Belarusian ethnographer, archaeologist, historian, folk lore and local lore specialist, pedagogue, one of the founders of the Belarusian humanitarian science. Author of over 200 research papers, he was focused on the original national culture of the Belarusian people, who has the right to self-determination.

Writers of Belarus and Russia to found creative union

Writers of Belarus and Russia are planning to found a creative union, BelTA learnt from Chairman of the Writers’ Union of Belarus Nikolai Cherginets.

Representative of the writers’ community of Belarus and Russia will consider the opportunity of creating the union during a meeting in Minsk on 4 December. Attending the meeting will be famous Russian writers Valentin Rasputin, Aleksei Isaev, and many others.

The writers will discuss a draft statute of the Writers’ Union of Belarus and Russia, elect board members and two co-chairmen. The writer of Belarus and Russia are planning to discuss a problem of reading neglect in favor of watching TV programs, creating an image of modern writers and bringing reading back in vogue.

At present the Writers’ Union of Belarus includes twelve sections of prose, poetry, journalism, humor and satire, drama, literary critics, adventures and fantasy, ethnography, children’s literature, military and patriotic literature, Slavonic literature and translation.

Vitebsk hosts international festival of modern choreography

The 22nd International Festival of Modern Choreography (IFMC) started in Vitebsk on 18 November.

According to the modern dance experts, IFMC is one of the most prestigious dance festivals in the CIS. Apart from the performances of famous choreographic groups it includes a contest program. Traditionally, the international contest alternates with the national one. Nine choreographic groups from Minsk, Grodno and Vitebsk are invited to take part in the contest.

The jury of the contest chaired by Valentin Elizaryev, the people’s artist of the USSR and Belarus, choreographer, professor of the Academy of Music of Belarus, includes famous choreographers such as Dittmar Seifert, Honorary Chairman of the UNESCO International Dance Council (CID), dean of the directing faculty of Berlin Drama and Dance University, winner of the Golden Mask National Theatre Award of Russia, and Sergei Smirnov, art director of Ekstsentrik Ballet dance group. Assisting the jury will be members of the expert council headed by Larisa Barykina, ballet critic, music theatre analyst, member of the jury of Golden Mask National Theatre Award of Russia.

The international jury will estimate the dancers in five nominations: Best Staging, Performing Skill, Artistic Skill, Traditions and Innovation, Postscript. The winner of Postscript nomination will be decided by the jury jointly with the members of the expert council.

Attending the festival will be Ulvi Azizov (the Latvian National Opera), the Ballet of Evgeny Panphilov from Perm (Russia), Ekstsentrik Ballet of Sergey Smirnov and dancers and dance bands from Poland, Ukraine and Estonia.

The program of the forum includes master classes, displays of films. Organizers of the festival aim at promoting Belarusian modern choreography. They have arranged meetings of the Belarusian dance teams with the representatives of Artbale Polish Association of the Promotion of Cultural Education and Art, Dusseldorf International Dance Fair, the Lithuanian Centre for Information and Modern Dance. Closing of the festival will be held on 21 November.

The International Festival of Modern Choreography in Vitebsk held since 1987 was founded by the Vitebsk oblast executive committee, the Vitebsk town executive committee, the Culture Ministry, the National Academic Big Theatre of Opera and Ballet. The organizer of the festival is Vitebsk Culture Centre.

Economics...

IMF mission completes third review of stand-by arrangement in Belarus

From: BelTA

A mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached an agreement with Belarus regarding the completion of the third review of the stand-by arrangement fulfillment, BelTA learned from representatives of the IMF Office in Belarus.

Led by Chris Jarvis, the IMF mission stayed in Minsk on 10-19 November to hold discussions with Belarusian authorities regarding Belarus’ fulfillment of the stand-by arrangement.

At the end of the visit Chris Jarvis made an announcement: “An IMF staff mission and the Belarusian authorities have reached agreement, subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board, on the completion of the third review of the SBA with Belarus. The third review would be considered by the IMF Executive Board in late December. Upon completion of the review, an amount of SDR437.93 million (close to $700 million) would become available for disbursement”.

Chris Jarvis remarked that performance under the economic program supported by the SBA had been good. All end-September performance criteria and structural benchmarks were met. The agreement reached on the macroeconomic framework for 2010 would help achieving program objectives. Prudent fiscal and monetary policies would narrow the current account deficit and bring inflation to single digits. The monetary policy would continue to support the credibility of the exchange rate regime. Disciplined wage policy would improve Belarus’ competitiveness and prospects for economic growth, as the global economy returns to growth. Social policies aim at providing adequate social safety to the most vulnerable groups of the population.

The mission and the authorities also discussed the issues that would strengthen the financial system and the independence of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus. Consultations on the focus and the sequence of structural reforms could form the basis for a follow-up program after the expiration of the current program in April 2010, stressed representatives of the IMF Office in Belarus.

The 15-month SDR1.62 billion (about $2.46 billion) arrangement was approved by the IMF Executive Board on 12 January 2009. The IMF financial support under the SBA was increased to SDR2.27 billion (about $3.52 billion) on 29 June 2009.

Belarus’ retail trade up 2.6% in January-October

In January-October 2009 the Belarusian retail trade including public catering totaled Br45.4 trillion, up 2.6% in comparable prices over the same period last year, BelTA learnt from the National Statistics Committee.

Over the period the retail trade turnover made up Br43.2 trillion, up 2.8% from January-September 2008, public catering organizations – Br2.2 trillion, up 2.8%.

The retail turnover of trade organizations including public catering grew 2.5% to Br32.7 trillion in January-October this year. Indigenously-made goods accounted for 79.1% of the retail trade turnover, including 86.7% of foodstuffs and 68.3% of nonfoods.

Staples accounted for 50.4% of the retail trade, nonfoods – 49.6% (49.4% and 50.6% respectively during the same period of 2008).

On the whole in January-October 2009 the sales of foodstuffs amounted to Br22.9 trillion, nonfoods – Br22.5 trillion.

In January-October trade organizations sold Br14 trillion worth of nonfoods, 62% of the total sales of nonfoods.

Over 40 companies from Belarus to attend CIS agricultural forum in Ashkhabad

More than 40 Belarusian companies will participate in the National Expo of Belarus at the Agricultural Forum of the CIS countries in Ashkhabad on 25-27 November, BelTA learnt from Yelena Musenkova, leading specialist of the Belinterexpo company.

The list of Belarusian participants features such companies as Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ trademark), Minsk Tractor Plant (MTZ), Belshina, Gomselmash, Lidagroprommash, Lidselmash, Amkodor and Bobruiskagromash, Bellakt, Spartak confectionary, the Slutsk sugar refining plant, the Bereza meat-packing factory, the Novogrudok butter-making plant, the Osipovichi dairy, Orshasyrzavod cheese-making facility and others. A separate booth will showcase technologies and scientific achievements of the Belarusian universities and academic institutions including the Metolit technological cluster of the Belarusian National Technical University, the Belarusian State University, the Gomel Skorina State University, the Belarusian State University of Transport and the Vitebsk State Technological University. The companies of the Bellegprom concern such as BELFA (Zhlobin), Lenta, Mogotex, the headwear factory Liudmila and others will also expose their products.

Visitors will be able to get acquainted with services and products of the Belarusian producers in mechanical engineering, agriculture, transport, metallurgy, surface engineering of materials, ecology and others. The participation of the Belarusian companies in this forum will give Belarus the opportunity to establish new contacts with business community of Turkmenistan and expand the export geography.

The CIS agricultural forum is organized by the government and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. The exposition of agricultural products, farm machinery and advanced manufacturing technologies will be presented in sections such as farm machinery, mineral fertilizers, seed farming, grain growing, flour, bread and macaroni manufactories, cotton growing, cotton processing, water industry, land reclamation, irrigation and rational water consumption, ecology, forestry, landscape gardening, flower growing, wine growing and making, confectionery and sugar manufactories, dairy and meat and fat and oil industries.

From the Foriegn Press...

Long-isolated Belarus appeals to foreign investors

From: EU Business

Belarus could become a gateway for businesses that want to break into the vast Russian market

Scorned as Europe's last dictatorship, ranked dismally by rating agencies and possessing few natural resources, Belarus has struggled to attract foreign investors.

But now, in a push to revive its cash-strapped economy and lessen its dependence on Russia, the reclusive state is seeking to open up to the West and overturn its image as "the last remaining true dictatorship in Europe," a label used by former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

At an economic forum in the capital Minsk this month, potential investors praised the country's plans to form a new customs union with Russia and Kazakhstan from July 2010.

As part of the bloc of ex-Soviet states, Belarus could become a gateway for businesses that want to break into the vast Russian market but are deterred by Russia's corruption and red tape, they said.

Unlike neighbouring Ukraine, Belarus has remained relatively insulated from the global financial crisis and offers investors a measure of political stability under strongman Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994.

Other advantages touted by officials include the country's pool of skilled labour and its developed infrastructure, as well as recent efforts to ease investment barriers by reducing taxes and reforming property rights.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) last month praised Belarus' fiscal policies and response to the crisis, saying that authorities had also made progress on reforms to develop the private sector.

Nevertheless, the reclusive state of 10 million people only has an economy the size of Sudan's. It is one of the world's lowest-rated countries according to Moody's and Standards and Poor's ratings agencies.

The state still controls some 75 percent of the economy, with investors complaining of heavy-handed bureaucracy, a complex tax system and price controls.

International businessmen were upbeat at the forum, however. They stressed the importance of the proposed customs union in eliminating trade barriers.

"The customs union will make things easier. This will turn into a large domestic market," Gerhard Hoesl, who heads German engineering giant Siemens in Belarus, told AFP.

"This will help Belarus a great deal," he added, comparing the role of the anticipated customs union to that of the EU economic bloc.

The potential of the new customs union is being underestimated by the West, Dutch businessman Hennie Kuijken said: "Nobody realizes what will happen here in a short time."

For its part, Belarus is doing its utmost to publicize the impending deal. The executive secretary of the customs union, Sergei Glazyev, said the new bloc would increase the countries' gross domestic product by 19 percent by 2015.

Nonetheless, Belarus will find it difficult to transform its image as long as its economy remains predominantly under state control and opposition protests are regularly crushed by riot police.

Belarus Plans Debut Bond, Follows Russia, Kazakhstan

From: Bloomburg

Belarus’s government is seeking bids from banks to manage its first sale of international bonds, joining former Soviet republics Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine in preparing for foreign debt sales next year.

“We are open to offers from potential lead managers,” Pavel Ladik, an aide to Belarus Finance Minister Andrei Kharkovets, said in a phone interview from Minsk today. “We are thinking about a placement next year and we know investors are actively interested.”

Belarus, a country of 10 million people with an economy the size of Sudan’s, is rated B1, four levels below investment grade, by Moody’s Investors Service, and an equivalent B+ by Standard & Poor’s, the same level as Bosnia & Herzegovina and Ghana. Belarus is already talking with OAO Sberbank, Russia’s biggest lender, about helping with the sale, Ladik said, declining to estimate the size of the offering.

Neighboring Russia, Belarus’s biggest trading partner, sent officials to London this month to gauge investor interest in the sale of as much as $18 billion of bonds next year to help plug its budget gap. Ukraine, another Belarus neighbor, has said it may seek to raise about $2 billion abroad next year, when it expects to have a 4 percent budget deficit. Kazakhstan plans to borrow about $500 million next year.

Russia hasn’t offered new foreign debt since 1998, while Kazakhstan last sold an international bond in 2000. Ukraine sold $700 million of 10-year notes in 2007.

IMF Bailout

Sri Lanka, which is rated one level lower than Belarus at B by Standard & Poor’s, sold $500 million of five-year notes last month at a yield of 7.4 percent, Bloomberg data show. The yield has since dropped to 6.8 percent.

The government of Aleksandr Lukashenko, who has run Belarus since 1994, shelved plans to issue Eurobonds last November, citing the global financial turmoil. The country borrowed $2.23 billion from the International Monetary Fund to meet spending commitments after export revenue tumbled.

Belarus’s international reserves, calculated using IMF methodology, rose to $4.43 billion as of Nov. 1 after the fund transferred its third, $700 million, portion to the country last month.

“The market in general is positive to CIS and other emerging-market risk at the moment,” said Marina Vlasenko, a credit analyst at Commerzbank AG in London. “Belarus is very underleveraged and not represented in the market, so I think there will be a lot of interest for a sale.”

Belarus might seek 250 million euros ($370 million) to 300 million euros because raising a smaller amount “will make no sense,” Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Kobyakov said, according to an Interfax report today.

Kokoity 'anticipates' Belarus to recognize South Ossetia

From: RIA Novosti

South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity said the former Georgian republic "anticipates" its recognition by Belarus, but "does not insist" on an immediate decision.

"We are tied by a long history of friendship... we have much in common, in culture, traditions and faith... but we clearly realize the position of Belarus, which is expected by everybody to make a decision," Kokoity said during a meeting with a delegation of Belarusian members of parliament.

The Belarusian officials arrived in Georgia on Wednesday in order to study the situation on the ground and to better consider Abkhazia and South Ossetia's request for Minsk to recognize their independence.

"We are not insisting the process be sped up, you should make the decision yourself," Kokoity said, adding "the main thing is to develop inter-parliamentary and inter-government cooperation."

"There are different forms of recognition [of a country's independence], but we will anticipate an official recognition. It is a matter of crucial importance for our people," he said.

During their stay in Georgia, the Belarusian delegation met with representatives of the Georgian opposition, the country's parliamentary speaker David Bakradze and Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze.

On Thursday, Belarusian MPs visited a camp for displaced people at Georgia's borders with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Parliamentary national security chairman Viktor Guminsky described their living conditions as "terrible".

"In a civilized world such things should not happen," he told Georgia's Rustavi-2 TV channel.

"We will provide the Belarusian people and parliament with objective information about what we have seen and heard here," he said.

Russia recognized the independence of the former Georgian republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia last August after a five-day war with Georgia over the latter, which was attacked by Tbilisi in an attempt to bring it back under central control. Abkhazia and South Ossetia have also been recognized by Nicaragua and Venezuela.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia asked Belarus to recognize their independence last year. However, Belarus has so far refused to join Russia in recognizing the republics.

Under mutual assistance treaties signed last November, Russia pledged to help South Ossetia and Abkhazia protect their borders, and the signatories granted each other the right to set up military bases in their respective territories.

Last week, Peru's opposition party submitted a proposal to the Peruvian Congress to recognize the former Georgian republics as independent. Party leader Ollanta Humala said the party is currently holding talks with various political forces and parliamentary blocs to win their support.

IMF experts praise Belarus’ economic policy

From: Navany

The International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s experts have described as “good” the Belarusian government’s performance under an economic program supported by the organization’s stand-by loan arrangement with the country, BelaPAN said.

An IMF team stayed in Belarus between November 10 and 19 to study the implementation of the economic program tied to the IMF’s loan for the country.

In a statement issued as a result of the visit, Chris Jarvis, head of the team, said that the Belarusian government had met all “performance criteria and structural benchmarks.” “The agreement reached on the macroeconomic framework for 2010 would help achieving program objectives,” the statement said.

Mr. Jarvis noted that “prudent fiscal and monetary policies would narrow the current account deficit and bring inflation to single digits,” while “monetary policy would continue to support the credibility of the exchange rate regime.”

The IMF expert said that “disciplined wage policy would improve Belarus’ competitiveness and prospects for economic growth, as the global economy returns to growth.” “Social policies aim at providing adequate social safety to the most vulnerable groups of population,” he said.

The IMF experts and the Belarusian authorities also discussed “the issues that would strengthen the financial system and the independence” of the National Bank of Belarus, according to the statement.

Mr. Jarvis announced that the third review of the stand-by arrangement would be considered by the IMF Executive Board in late December. Upon completion of the review, the IMF is to make available a loan tranche of $700 million, he said.

In late 2008, the IMF agreed to lend Belarus $2.46 billion. Belarus requested the loan in October 2008, saying that it was needed for replenishing the country’s gold and foreign exchange reserves amid the global financial crisis.

The international organization made available some $787.9 million in January and said that “the remainder will be phased thereafter, subject to quarterly reviews.”

The IMF Executive Board on June 29 increased the amount of the loan for Belarus to about $3.52 billion, and approved the disbursement of the second tranche, $679.2 million, to the country.

The third loan tranche in the amount of $699.5 million was transferred on October 26.

The IMF has provided a total of $2.23 billion to Belarus under the stand-by arrangement.

Lithuanian, Belarusian, Ukrainian FMs to discuss cooperation in Kiev

From: RIA Novosti

Foreign ministers of Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine will meet in Kiev on November 22-23 in order to discuss cooperation within the framework of the European Union's Eastern Partnership program, a Lithuanian foreign ministry spokesman said.

During the meeting, Vygaudas Usackas, Sergei Martynov and Petro Poroshenko will focus on the development of joint projects, as well as on energy, transport and cultural cooperation between the three states, the spokesman said.

He added the ministers will also discuss the possibility of electricity deliveries from Ukraine to Lithuania via the Belarusian electrical network.

Lithuania is planning to start importing electricity from abroad in 2010, after the Ignalinsk nuclear power station, which produces more than 70% of the country's electricity, is closed in accordance with the EU directive.

Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland earlier announced their plans to create a combined military unit, in order to boost would-be NATO member Ukraine's ties with the alliance. Lithuania, which joined NATO in 2004, is among the staunchest supporters of ex-Soviet state.

The Eastern Partnership program, adopted by 27 EU countries in 2008, includes Belarus, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Moldova and Georgia and aims to bring these countries in line with EU standards without formal admission to the EU.

Internal struggle between KGB and Interior Ministry of Belarus to reflect on forthcoming trial

From: Axis Globe

Belarusian Minister of the Interior Vladimir Naumov

Within the next few days a closed court session in Belarus will announce a verdict in the so-called case of policemen-hunters, newspaper Belarusky partizan reports. Several officers of the Ministry of Interior of Belarus, including the former head of the directorate on struggle against corruption, will be strictly punished for hunting in natural preserves. According to magazine Ogonek, they have climbed into another preserve, too, as they were engaged in investigation of corruption cases in the nearest circles of the Belarus President. This also has led to internal war between the Belarus State Security Committee (KGB) and the Ministry of Interior, and still will lead to significant changes among top officials, the magazine writes.

One of the key figures of the case is former Minister of Interior Vladimir Naumov.

He was fanatically loyal to President Lukashenko. However he perfectly understood, the more compromising evidence on the closest circle of the President he would report to the boss, the more his own positions become stronger, Belarusky partizan notes. Naumov showed decomposition of the high-ranking officials; he reported all received information on corruption among the top officials to the President and always insisted on acceptance of strict measures.

One of his mistakes was an attempt to chalk up with the chairman of the Belarus Tennis Federation, founder of the BT Telecommunications company, chairman of Beltexexport company, Vladimir Peftiyev, who is considered now the richest businessman of Belarus. Earlier it was his friendship with the former secretary of the Security Council Viktor Sheiman that secured his influence, now it is provided by affinity to the oldest son of President Lukashenko.

Lilya Lukashenko, the spouse of Viktor Lukashenko, has been working in one of the key companies of Peftiyev’s business-empire, daily Yezhednevnik notes. The newspaper adds that « some resignations of known security forces officials with whom the businessman could not find common language for longer time, have again made him one of leaders of the Belarus economic establishment». Viktor Lukashenko has found economic base for the projects in Peftiyev’s person, the paper marks.

Viktor Lukashenko has been leaning on young, but not less arrogant comrades, chairman of the KGB Vadim Zaitsev, chairman of the Border Guard Committee Igor Rachkovsky whose family is close friends of the Lukashenkos. Viktor Lukashenko has appeared extremely arrogant and high-flying, he is characterised as distrustful and vindictive person, Belarusky partizan writes.

Victor Lukashenko, the adviser of his father on national security issues, has been also supervising a new security service, the Presidential Operative and Analytical Centre. The centre is in fact a new, private security service of the oldest son of the Belarus President, the paper expands. It has incorporated three key directorates of the previous Security Council and is headed by Valery Vakulchik who many years worked as the chief of department of KGB military counterespionage in the Border Guard Service.

When in 2008, Minister Naumov turned against Peftiyev, the Ministry of Interior brought the first in history of Belarus criminal case on raider seizures of enterprises in Minsk. The suspects who participated in these actions were detained in Russia and all the threads were leading to top officials. Naumov had obviously gone it too far in struggle for clean ranks of the President’s closest circle.

From this moment the KGB started to openly hunting for Naumov's environment. Major-General Yevgeny Komarnitsky, the vice-chairman of the Border Guard Committee, was arrested for accepting bribes (he was released after Naumov's resignation).

The President charged his son Viktor Lukashenko to recheck all the facts on raiders’ case. As a result of this check, the main witness of this case was arrested by the KGB for quite another matter and he was sentenced to 7.5 years of imprisonment.

In February, 2009, Naumov put reciprocal blow on Viktor Lukashenko's environment. The vice-chairman of the KGB Zaretsky and the deputy head of the KGB directorate of Brest area Gromovich were arrested, the chief of the KGB directorate of Brest area Aksyuchich disappeared in Russia. Former KGB head Stepan Sukhorenko and Valery Vakulchik were standing as the following on turn, according to Ministry of Interior investigators.

In March operatives of the KGB receive a report that Naumov's right hand, the head of department on struggle against corruption Yermakov, had been periodically hunting together with his subordinate, Zhlobino district interior department official Leonid Minenkov. This was the reason for the criminal case against policemen-hunters. The KGB was carrying out total purge of police officials in the Gomel area.

In reply the Ministry of Interior started the massive attack on security service officers in the area. At the general session of security forces Naumov cursed Zaitsev, Zhadobin and Viktor Lukashenko and threatened to retire. As a result Naumov's subordinates were punished. As Belarusky partizan puts it, the directorate on struggle against corruption of the Ministry of Interior has been crushed, all criminal cases materials against close followers of Viktor Lukashenko have disappeared, more precisely, they have been taken away to the KGB ostensibly for check.

Now it is Viktor Lukashenko who is the actual head of the security forces of Belarus, the paper marks. Amendments to the Criminal Code have been initiated in the Belarus parliament, which actually abolish institute of public prosecutor's supervision with transfer of corresponding functions to the heads of the KGB, the Ministry of Interior and State Controlling Committee.

From the Opposition...

Buy foreign currency? You’re almost a terrorist!

From: Charter '97

The National Bank of Belarus recommends the commercial banks to tight control over operations of individual entrepreneurs when the latter make withdrawals from an account or buy foreign cash.

“We recommend to turn special attention to systematic financial transactions by individual entrepreneurs on withdrawing proceeds in cash, transferring them to an account or using foreign cash if sums of financial operations do not correspond the type of client’s business,” the says letter of the National Bank to commercial banks, spread by Interfax news agency.

The National Bank demands that the banks should “inform financial monitoring bodies if the former suspect a financial operation has an aim to legalize proceeds of crime or to finance terroristic activity”.

The letter added that the reason for tighter control over financial operations by individual entrepreneurs was information from the State Control Committee on buying significant sums of foreign cash by certain individual entrepreneurs. According to the Committee, a businessman withdrew $1.7mn of foreign cash in 2008, though he didn’t imported goods in Belarus.

According to the State Control Committee, entrepreneurs systematically have been carrying out similar activities in a range of banks in the recent months; the sums transactions amount to from $100,000 to $300,000.

Israel indignant Lukashenka’s ties with Ahmadinejad

From: Charter '97

Israeli authorities state that only Sudan, Venezuela and Belarus with Iranian president now.

Israeli tourism minister Stas Misezhnikov has recently returned to Israel from his trip to Latin America. He answered questions of NEWSru.co.il, telling about the results of the trip to Brazil and Argentina, and sharing the most vivid impressions.

Telling about the visit to Brazil, the minister expressed discontent over the visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to this country.

“On November 15 I witnessed a huge demonstration against Ahmadinejad’s visit to Brazil, organized by Evangelical Christians and Jews. Ahmadinejad has no future, he is in complete isolation… the Brazilian President has told us that he receives Ahmadinejad as, according to him, one should speak primarily with enemies, not with friends. Otherwise Ahmadinejad’s interlocutors would be only leaders of Syria, Belarus and Venezuela. If he is not received by other countries, he would be like a dog held on a leash, which only gets berserk and bites because of that.

At the same time, it is clear for Brazilians and Argentineans that it is more beneficial to deal with Israel, as Israel represents new world outlook, the new world, which united the civilized countries, including the US and the EU. Iran can represent only itself and a few terrorist organisations. But as Venezuela and Ecuador’s influence is rather strong in Latin America, Brazilian President is trying to put up a good front and says that meetings with Ahmadinejad are necessary in order to try to influence his world outlook.

As charter97.org informed earlier, telling about Belarus and its political leader, Israeli mass media emphasized ties of the former Soviet republic with Sudan, Iraq and Iran, which has become a reason for political isolation of this country from the US and the European Union. Thus, in “Haaretz” newspaper of May 26, 2009 it was noted that over the recent months considerably improvement of relations between Minsk and the EU has taken place, however the US still list Belarus among the rogue countries.

Israeli mass media also remind that more than a year ago an emotional statement of Lukashenka caused tensions between Israel and Belarus. In particular, “dictator-antisemite” stated that “Jews turned Babrujsk into a pigsty”. After that the Israeli ambassador was recalled to Jerusalem for consultations. In a few weeks through a special envoy Lukashenka made an apology for the scandalous statement, the dispute was patched up, and the Israeli Ambassador returned to Minsk.

At the same time, reports about demolition of synagogues in Belarus still appear in the press. Thus, recently local authorities in Lyuban destroyed a wooden synagogue, despite of the protests of local dwellers. Before that Yakov Gutman, the Chairman of the World Association of Belarusian Jewry, called upon Alyaksandr Lukashenka to stop destroying of the synagogue of the beginning of the 20t century in the town of Lyuban Minsk region immediately. However, despite of that, the synagogue was destroyed.

Death convict Andrei Zhuk pleas for mercy

From: Viasna

Andrei Zhuk, sentenced to death for alleged murder of two persons, has lodged a plea for mercy with President Lukashenka. This is his last and only chance.

Belarusian human rights activists believe that Andrei Zhuk should be pardoned. ‘We, as human rights defenders, call upon the Belarusian authorities to display humanism. Andrei Zhuk’s family have also addressed the President with a plea for mercy.

Albeit lacking any legal effect, we do hope their appeal will be taken into consideration by the authorities, too,’ said Viasna’s lawyer Valiantsin Stefanovich.
According to the human rights activist, Zhuk’s pardon could be a step towards the declaration of a moratorium on the death penalty in Belarus.

‘Zhuk’s pardon would be a good precondition for the declaration of a moratorium on the death penalty, and Belarus could make an efficient step towards the improvement of its contacts with the European Union and the Council of Europe. Since the Council of Europe expects Belarus to declare a moratorium, European officials could be ready to consider the issue of restoring the Special Guest Status of Belarus, frozen back in 1996. We once again call upon the Belarusian authorities to declare a moratorium on the death penalty,’ said Mr. Stefanovich.

Russia’s Constitutional Court bans death penalty

The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation has ruled to declare that the death penalty cannot be used even after the termination of the moratorium, the Interfax news agency reports.
The moratorium on the death penalty expires on 1 January 2010, together with the introduction of the jury trial in Russia’s last region – Chechen Republic. After that there would be no formal obstacles for using the death penalty in Russia. However, the Constitutional Court stresses that the introduction of the jury trial in Russia does not allow for the use of the death penalty.

Russia...

Medvedev Says ‘Backwardness’ Undermines Party

From: New York Times

Russian President Dmitri A. Medvedev spoke at the opening of the United Russia party congress in St. Petersburg on Saturday.

President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia accused the governing party, United Russia, of “backwardness” on Saturday, warning its leaders that they must learn to win elections honestly if it is to survive.

Mr. Medvedev’s remarks, at the party’s annual congress in St. Petersburg, were his most direct criticism of the party yet since it swept regional elections last month amid accusations of widespread fraud.

Some regional branches of the party “show signs of this backwardness and reduce political activities to bureaucratic intrigues and games,” he said, adding, “Elections, which are intended to express the national will and present competing ideas and programs, are sometimes turned into scenarios in which democratic processes are confused with administrative ones.”

He continued, “It is necessary to get rid of such people, and of bad political habits as well.”

United Russia is led by Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin, the former president who handpicked Mr. Medvedev as his successor nearly two years ago and is still widely considered the stronger leader.

Mr. Medvedev’s speeches have taken an increasingly harsh tone toward Putin-era policies, and though the words have been backed up by little in the way of concrete policy, some speculate that the president is challenging his mentor. It is not yet clear whether Mr. Putin will run for the presidency again in 2012.

Mr. Putin, also speaking at the congress, seemed eager to quiet the chatter about any disagreement by endorsing Mr. Medvedev’s recent state of the nation speech, which called for Russia to modernize its economy and break free of its economic dependence on oil and gas.

“I am sure this call reflects the mood of all Russian society,” Mr. Putin said Saturday. “The crisis, with all its severity, has shown how costly it is for a country to reject innovation, have low worker productivity, waste resources and have a slow bureaucracy.”

United Russia’s dominance of Russian politics has grown as the opposition has dwindled away, and many compare its clout to that of the Soviet-era Communist Party.

After United Russia swept regional elections on Oct. 11, there were widespread complaints about ballot-stuffing and accusations of extensive fraud, but Mr. Medvedev had been muted in his comments until Saturday, when he told members of his party that they “need to learn to win in open contests.”

“Democracy exists so that people can exercise their exclusive right to determine their government, to decide how their country is to be ruled, and the party is only an instrument,” Mr. Medvedev said. “A very important instrument, it’s true, an absolutely necessary one, but only a tool, a means to an end.”

Russia's Gorbachev considers political comeback

From: AP

Mikhail Gorbachev

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev criticized Kremlin policies Friday and toyed with the ambitious idea of attempting a political comeback.

Gorbachev said that corruption and overdependence on oil exports have aggravated the impact of the global economic crisis on Russia. He urged President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to restructure the economy, cut down government spending and ensure political freedoms.

But he also suggested everyday Russians must shake their reliance on government largesse that has been boosted by energy price hikes during the past decade.

"We have paternalistic expectations of government support," he told a conference at his charitable foundation. "The price of oil has gone up a little bit, and we're saying that life is back to normal."

Gorbachev said his concerns about Russia are prompting him to consider a more active role in politics.

"What I have said motivates me to create a political force that could oppose, that could pose questions," he said. "Evidently there is a need for it, and we should initiate it."

He spoke hesitantly, however, and seemed to acknowledge he would have a hard time winning active backing, even from like-minded people.

"Even those sitting here, I am sure no more than 10 per cent will say there is a need to act," Gorbachev said. "It's a personal choice, so make up your mind."

Gorbachev, 78, remains popular abroad for the role he played in ending the Cold War and liberating Eastern Europe from Moscow's grip. He was cheered enthusiastically by Germans this month at celebrations commemorating the 20th anniversary of Berlin Wall's fall.

But he is disliked by many Russians who blame him for the collapse of the Soviet Union and the years of social and economic turmoil that followed it.

Gorbachev has maintained a relatively low profile since stepping down as Soviet president in 1991 as the country disintegrated, and his political ventures have little success. In 2001, he helped found the Social Democratic Party of Russia, but resigned three years later in a dispute among its leaders about working more closely with the dominant Kremlin-backed party, United Russia.

The Social Democratic Party later was one of several ordered closed by the Supreme Court under new registration rules critics said were intended to help the Kremlin consolidate power. In 2007, Gorbachev was elected head of the Union of Social Democrats, which was formed with the goal of challenging the Kremlin, but its emergence went widely unnoticed.

Masked Gunman Kills Russian Priest At Moscow Church

From: New York Times

The Russian Orthodox priest Daniil Sysoyev, 35, was shot by a masked gunman

A masked gunman entered a church and murdered a Russian Orthodox priest who had received death threats for converting Muslims to Christianity and criticizing Islam, prosecutors and church officials said Friday.

The killing could threaten delicate relations between the powerful majority Russian Orthodox Church, which has close ties to the Kremlin, and the country's growing Muslim minority of about 20 million.

The gunman approached priest Daniil Sysoyev, 34, in St Thomas Church in southern Moscow Thursday night, checked his name and then opened fire with a pistol, a spokesman for the investigating committee of the Prosecutor-General's office said.

"The main theory is that religious motives are behind the crime," spokesman Anatoly Bagmet said.

Sysoyev died on the way to hospital. His choirmaster was injured in the attack, Bagmet said, and is in hospital under armed guard.

Sysoyev was from Tatarstan, a predominantly Muslim region of Russia on the Volga river. He was threatened after preaching to Muslims and Christians from other denominations.

"I have received 10 threats via e-mail that I shall have my head cut off (if I do not stop preaching to Muslims)," Sysoyev stated on a television program in February 2008, according to Interfax. "As I see it, it is a sin not to preach to Muslims."

Russia is home to Europe's largest Muslim community and Islam is the country's second-biggest faith, something which Sysoyev criticized.

"Islam is far from being a religion in the way we understand it," he said in one of his video lectures posted on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJNPSyh4zFk&feature=related).

"Islam can be rather compared with projects like National Socialism or the Communist party seeking to create God's kingdom on Earth using humanly instruments," he added.

He also wrote books including "An Orthodox Response to Islam" and "Marrying a Muslim," in which he advised Russian women against taking a Muslim partner.

Russia has seen a religious revival after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the dominant Orthodox Church has become an important political force. Its leader, Patriarch Kirill, is frequently seen in public with Russian and foreign leaders.

But Orthodox bishops have complained that rival Christian denominations are seeking to make converts on its territory and Islam is spreading fast among a sprawling community of migrants from predominantly Muslim republics of the former Soviet Union.

The Russian Patriarch's press service refused to comment on the murder but some of Sysoyev's Orthodox colleagues referred to Muslim attacks on him prior to the killing.

"Father Daniil ... has been periodically receiving e-mails which said he will be treated as 'infidel' if he did not stop polemics with Muslims," Kiril Frolov, the head of the Orthodox Experts Association, told Interfax news agency.

Russia's Chief Mufti Ravil Gainuddin expressed his condolences to the Orthodox Church and to Sysoyev's family. He cautioned against assigning blame prematurely or speculating about the motives for the killing.

"We want to say that we oppose any expressions of terrorism and extremism," he told reporters. "Islam denounces terror and the murder of an imam, an orthodox priest, is an awful sin..."

Sysoyev also preached against small religious groupings such as Seventh-day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses, viewed as "totalitarian sects" by the Orthodox Church.

From the Polish Scandal Files...

Poland Parliament Approves Gambling Ban

From: www.casinogamblingweb

Add Poland to the list of countries that has now banned Internet gambling. A new bill has passed parliament that will ban gambling everywhere outside of casinos. The bill came about after a major government scandal involving gambling.

The government had originally been in the process of raising taxes at casinos in Poland. There were claims that several members of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's administration was involved in attempting to thwart the process because of their ties to the gambling industry.

In response to the allegations, Tusk immediately began to push for a change in the gambling laws in the country. The prime minister had to ensure that he regained the trust of the people of Poland, and he has now succeeded by limiting their gambling options.

Slot machines in bars and malls appear to be the target of the new bill. It is projected that over 50,000 machines will be taken out of these locations, a major blow to businesses that rely on the games as another form of income.

Internet gambling will also be affected. Operations that re licensed in other countries will be losing Polish customers. Several of these operations have already called for the European Union to look into the new laws in Poland.

Poland joins the US as countries who have tried to ban Internet gambling. In the US, however, many lawmakers are working towards regulating the online gambling industry instead of criminalizing people who enjoy Internet gambling.

Link into deaths of two Polish men probed by police

From: Belafast Telegraph

Detectives were today investigating a possible link between the deaths of two Polish men in Belfast.

A murder probe was launched following the discovery of a man’s body at a house at Ardenvohr Street in the east of the city around 5.40pm yesterday.

A post mortem is due to be carried out later to establish the exact cause of death. The victim’s name has not yet been released.

An inquiry is also under way into the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a second Polish man, whose body was discovered at a building under construction near Custom House Square in the city centre yesterday morning.

Police have not released his name either, however it is understood both men lived at the same address.

A spokeswoman for the PSNI confirmed that they were looking into the possibility of a connection between the murder and the sudden death.

Local councillor Jim Rodgers described the news as “absolutely dreadful”.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the families at this time,” he said.

“I hope the public can come forward and help the police with their inquiries.”

Polish Pirate Disc Factory Raided By Italian Police

From: Top 40 Charts

Italian police have announced they raided a factory that manufactured counterfeit optical discs intended for export around Europe.
The Bologna-based plant raided by the Italian Fiscal Police (GdF) produced unlicensed box sets that contained music, film and television programmes. The Italian raid followed industry investigations in countries across Europe into the sale of the 12-disc unlicensed box set Masterbox, which contained music by international artists such as Bob Dylan, Depeche Mode, Eminem, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Tiziano Ferro.

Masterbox box sets had previously been manufactured in Poland, but the operation moved to

Italy following raids by Polish police in February 2009.
At that point, nine million copyright
infringing albums in total were estimated to have been distributed around Europe, with an estimated trade value of around â‚¬19 million being put on the previous 15 editions of the box set series produced in the plant.

The operators of this profitable criminal enterprise sought to relocate after the Polish raids. Investigators from IFPI, which represents the recording industry worldwide and FPM, the local industry anti-piracy group, worked together when it was discovered that after a gap of a few months the manufacturing operation had been shifted to Bologna.

FPM worked with the Italian Fiscal Police to investigate the manufacturing plant that was producing new editions of the Masterbox series, while IFPI coordinated industry enquiries across Europe in support of the official investigation.

A forensic expert from IFPI's specialised London laboratory travelled to Italy to provide support for the Fiscal Police during the action and in their post-raid enquiries. More than 80,000 discs, more than half of which were hidden in waste disposal sacks, were seized in the raid along with a manufacturing line, printing equipment and stampers.

Jeremy Banks, director, anti-piracy at IFPI, says: 'This investigation highlights the international reach and resources available to the criminals responsible for this pirate release. The Masterbox series distributed in Europe is a classic example of a criminal enterprise involved in the lucrative business of copyright infringement.

'The music industry will continue to be vigilant and work internationally and locally in partnership with law enforcement to protect its rights. The Italian Fiscal Police have done a magnificent job taking decisive action and sending a strong message that they will actively investigate these types of offences.'

Undocumented immigrant from Poland arrested in store killing

From: North Jersey.com

An undocumented immigrant from Poland was charged with murder Friday in the fatal January shooting of a clerk at a Garfield convenience store, authorities said.

An undocumented immigrant from Poland was charged with murder Friday in the fatal January shooting of a clerk at a Garfield convenience store, authorities said.

Krzysztof A. Jastrzebski made his first appearance in Superior Court, Hackensack, on Friday, about 10 months after the shooting of Ahmad Alsurakhi.

Prosecutors say Jastrzebski, 39, entered Billy’s Deli on MacArthur Avenue on Jan. 24 with a semiautomatic handgun and shot the 30-year-old Alsurakhi, whose father owns the store, according to prosecutors.

A customer discovered the body of Alsurakhi, a quiet man who was considered polite and friendly with customers at his family’s two delis, lying on the floor behind the counter.

Mohammed Alsurakhi said he visited his son’s grave site in Paterson to share the news of the arrest.

"I go tell him police catch the guy and I tell him to be relaxing in his grave," he said.

Alsurakhi, who visits his son’s grave site every day, said he wished New Jersey still had the death penalty.

"I feel sad … from my son’s killing to now," he said.

It’s not known how much money was taken from the store, but cash was missing from the register, prosecutors said. Authorities described the killing as a botched robbery.

While detectives pursued numerous leads after the shooting, the case remained unsolved.

Recently, the focus of the investigation turned to Jastrzebski after detectives learned through witnesses that he had committed a burglary on Shaw Street in Garfield on Jan.14 and took cash, jewelry and a semiautomatic handgun.

At the time of the burglary, he was living down the street from Billy’s Deli, authorities said.

They also discovered that hours before the murder he had shot a firearm in an Elizabeth Street apartment, missing his intended victim, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said they believe he used the stolen handgun from the Shaw Street burglary in the killing.

Investigators found Jastrzebski in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement because of an immigration violation. He was initially arrested Wednesday on aggravated assault and weapons charges related to the Elizabeth Street incident.

He has since been charged with murder, felony murder, armed robbery and weapons offenses. For the Shaw Street burglary, he’s charged with armed burglary and two counts of theft.

With the assistance of a Polish interpreter, Jastrzebski, who used crutches because his leg is broken, entered a plea of not guilty to the charges in state Superior Court Friday afternoon.

Bail was set by Judge Harry G. Carroll at $1.2 million.

Defense Attorney Michelle Blake-Smith told the judge she would pursue a bail reduction hearing.

Alsurakhi came to the United States in February 2007 and lived in Lodi above his family’s Station One convenience store. He had planned to return to Jordan to marry his fiancée and bring her to the United States.

Krzysztof A. Jastrzebski made his first appearance in Superior Court, Hackensack, on Friday, about 10 months after the shooting of Ahmad Alsurakhi.

A customer discovered the body of Alsurakhi, a quiet man who was considered polite and friendly with customers at his family’s two delis, lying on the floor behind the counter.

Mohammed Alsurakhi said he visited his son’s grave site in Paterson to share the news of the arrest.

"I go tell him police catch the guy and I tell him to be relaxing in his grave," he said.

Alsurakhi, who visits his son’s grave site every day, said he wished New Jersey still had the death penalty.

"I feel sad … from my son’s killing to now," he said.

It’s not known how much money was taken from the store, but cash was missing from the register, prosecutors said. Authorities described the killing as a botched robbery.

While detectives pursued numerous leads after the shooting, the case remained unsolved.

At the time of the burglary, he was living down the street from Billy’s Deli, authorities said.

They also discovered that hours before the murder he had shot a firearm in an Elizabeth Street apartment, missing his intended victim, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said they believe he used the stolen handgun from the Shaw Street burglary in the killing.

He has since been charged with murder, felony murder, armed robbery and weapons offenses. For the Shaw Street burglary, he’s charged with armed burglary and two counts of theft.

With the assistance of a Polish interpreter, Jastrzebski, who used crutches because his leg is broken, entered a plea of not guilty to the charges in state Superior Court Friday afternoon.

Bail was set by Judge Harry G. Carroll at $1.2 million.

Defense Attorney Michelle Blake-Smith told the judge she would pursue a bail reduction hearing.

Sport...

Nepal and Belarus join IKF

From: International Korfball Federation

The newly established Korfball Federations in Nepal and Belarus joined the International Korfball Federation following admission by the IKF General Meeting. Nepal has already been active internationally by participating in the Asian Championship. Development work in Nepal has been conducted by the Korfball Federation of India. In Belarus, recently an extensive course has taken place, and interest in the school system is huge. Development work in Belarus has been conducted by the Russian Korfball Federation. As a certified English translation of the statutes did not meet the deadline for the meeting's paperwork, the admisison of Belarus is subject to this translation being submitted and meeting the IKF requirements.

In other membership decisions, the General Meeting ratified the earlier admissions of the Korfball Federations of Pakistan, Botswana and Croatia. Also, due to membership criteria no longer being met, the IKF General Meeting ceased the membership of the korfball federations of Papua New Guinea and Bonaire. The IKF now counts 57 members and it well underway towards reaching its target of 60 member countries in 2011.

Korfball is the world's only true mixed gender team sport with the rules laid down so that both men and women have equal opportunities.

The game is fairly simple. You score when you throw the ball through the other team's basket. After two goals the teams change zones: the defenders become attackers and attackers defenders. At half-time the teams change ends. The match lasts 2 * 30 minutes (shorter for the young).

As long as you keep its philosophy in mind, all rules turn out to be straightforward. What, then, is its philosophy?

First and foremost, korfball is a team sport. Individual class is essential but there is no room for individual play. Belonging to a team means teamwork; running with the ball or dribbling is not allowed. If you receive the ball while running, stop and pass, preferably to a member of your team!

Second, korfball is a mixed gender sport. Men and women play side by side. But while women are equal in the tactics of the game, while playing it's man to man only. One man may guard one man and one woman may guard one woman. So it's not two against one and a woman may not defend a man nor may a man defend a woman.

Third, korfball is a tactical game. Each team tries to win by scoring more goals using tactical skills of the team as a whole. The rules follow this concept and prevent physical strength from dominating the game. That means that physical contact is undesired. Blocking, tackling and holding your opponent are not allowed in korfball. The same goes for kicking the ball or hitting it with your fists. Remember, skills are important, not muscles. And while we're at it, keep your hands of the korfball post: scoring is difficult enough without someone pushing the post.

Now what else makes this game different? First, each team must have four women and four men. Single sex teams are not allowed. Second, it is not allowed to score when defended. That occurs when the defender is closer to the basket and is facing his/her opponent, and is at arm's length, and is attempting to block the ball.

Montenegro beats Belarus 1-0 in friendly

USA reports that Mirko Vucinic scored a late goal Wednesday to give Montenegro a 1-0 win over Belarus in a friendly.

The AC Roma striker found the net in the 81st minute with a header from a cross by Nikola Drincic.

Montenegro dominated most of the match but the visitors also had several chances.

Belarus' Vitaly Rodinov just missed the post in the 13th minute after a mistake by the Montenegrin defense. Sergei Kornylenko broke through the hosts' defense in the 47th but shot straight at substitute goalkeeper Srdjan Blazic.

Vucinic first had an attempt on goal in the 61st and followed that with a header in the 74th.

Endnote...

Alexander Lukashenko concerned about Belarus’ interests in Customs Union

From: BelTA

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko doubts whether Belarus’ interests are well taken care of in Customs Union regulations. The Belarus President made the relevant statement at a cabinet session held on 17 November to discuss the Customs Union formation, BelTA has learned.

“Speaking directly, I am concerned about whether Belarus’ economic and foreign policy interests are sufficiently protected and fully taken into account as Customs Union terms are agreed,” said the President.

Minsk is expected to host a session of the EurAsEC Interstate Council in late November. The session will mark the beginning of the operation of the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia. “On the eve of the final decision I expect everyone, primarily, the government, to provide a full and comprehensive report about the results secured during the preparations. Will the Customs Union be able to handle the problems we faced in the Union State development?” wondered the President.

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that the Belarusian side expects the Customs Union to be a quality new integration institution based on equal rights and mutual benefits, free choice of goods and services, universal non-tariff regulations, equal business operation terms, removal of unjustified barriers from the mutual trade. “I know that both Kazakhstan and Russia have negotiated several provisos regarding the most vulnerable things,” remarked the President. In his words, Russia and Kazakhstan are alike in some things because they have hydrocarbon raw materials. According to the Belarusian head of state, it means that they will be consolidated in their actions.

“Our economy is totally different. For instance, if the Customs Union involved Ukraine, it would be simpler because the two economies are similar. With our economy we can be left alone,” said the President. Alexander Lukashenko remarked that Belarusian negotiators are not sufficiently aggressive. “It seems that we have accepted things as they are (I may be wrong), yielding our positions and getting nothing substantial in return except for assurances and promises,” said the head of state. “I would like to warn you that I will not accept promises that you will deal with things later. Decisions must be made now. We know how these assurances are implemented”. “In the past we often failed to take care of our national interests in time and then later the heads of state would have to work them out. This is not how things should be done,” he added.

The President remarked that he had several doubts regarding the unified customs tariff which is supposed to be enacted as from 1 January 2010. “The government reports that the document is agreed and prepared to be signed by the heads of state,” said Alexander Lukashenko. “Have pros and cons been calculated for every commodity? Have Belarusian organizations and companies been contacted regarding their interests and preparations for new business operation terms?”

The President believes that all concessions should be mutual and balanced. Alexander Lukashenko said that at present it is unclear whether Russia will lift export duties on oil and whether the Customs Union will have common pricing regulations for natural gas and other energy resources. “I am not convinced by claims that these issues will be dealt with as part of the Common Economic Space. Assurances, oaths and promises are not acceptable. Decisions must be made now. We should see concrete decisions,” stressed the head of state.

According to the President it is unclear how customs duties on imports from third countries will be distributed between the budgets of the three countries. It is unclear whether Belarus’ budget will incur losses because of this. “Will we be able to compensate for the lost profits from cooperation with third countries by participating in the Customs Union, which is formed primarily on Russian terms?” wondered the President. “It should be borne in mind that Belarus’ participation in the Customs Union has a deep geopolitical sense. As part of the Customs Union, Belarus loses part of its economic sovereignty in trade dealings with third countries and threatens interests of some domestic producers to some degree”. The Belarusian head of state is also interested whether Belarus will be able to secure better access to and presence in the markets of Russia and Kazakhstan.

Alexander Lukashenko told government officials that their evaluations of negative consequences for the country’s economic and political security will be used as the foundation for making the final decision on Belarus’ accession to the Customs Union. “You must understand that any error, any misjudgment will cost dearly for the country and the nation. You can make conclusions yourselves,” said the President.

Customs Union, EU relations-Bans, Foreign trade, UNDP, WiMAX; Culture Innovation, Sport, Economics, Opposition, Big trucks and Polish scandal...

2009-11-18T08:12:00.003+02:00

From the Top...

#463

Alexander Lukashenko concerned about Belarus’ interests in Customs Union

From: BelTA

Other Belarusian News...

Normalization of Belarus-EU relations “suspended once again”

From: BelTA

Press Secretary of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry Andrei Popov

The complex modernization of Belarus-EU relations has been “suspended” once again. The statement was made by Press Secretary of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry Andrei Popov in response to a question about the conclusion the EU Council made on Belarus on 17 November.

“The conclusion reflects the emerging tendency for normalizing relations between our country and the European Union. In particular, it is confirmed by the declared readiness of the European Union to develop the legal base of relations with our country and the intention to start talks on facilitating visa regulations for Belarus citizens,” said Andrei Popov.

He remarked that Belarus has been repeatedly suggesting settling down these problems for a long time. “We confirm the readiness for tight and result-oriented practical work with the European Union regarding the mentioned issues and all other key matters in our relations. The same fully applies to Belarus’ active and productive contribution to implementing the Eastern Partnership Initiative,” added the Foreign Ministry Press Secretary.

Naturally the pace and content of the improvement of societal and political relations are determined in Belarus solely by interests of the development of the society and the state. “Unfortunately, the suspending of the complex normalization of the bilateral relations, the restrictive measures still used by the European Union against Belarus contradict the logic of the Belarus-EU dialogue and bear the stain of dual standards, disallowing reaching the level of cooperation that would suit interests of both sides,” concluded Andrei Popov.

EU Council calls European Commission to consider reducing visa cost for Belarus

Taking into consideration the importance of expanding interpersonal contacts, the Council of the European Union calls the European Commission to consider easing visa regulations for the citizens of Belarus and signing a readmission agreement with our country. This statement was among the EU Council conclusions on Belarus announced on 17 November, BelTA has learnt.

Apart from that, the EU Council confirms its readiness to expand cooperation with Belarus and therefore calls the European Commission to develop a draft interim plan of priority reforms that can be implemented in Belarus within the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy.

The Council decided to suspend travel restrictions for some Belarusian officials till October 2010, but did not abolish them completely.

The Council stated that since October 2008 new opportunities for promoting dialogue and expanding cooperation between Belarus and the EU have emerged; the Council welcomes Belarus-EU high level dialogue and Belarus’ more active participation in the Eastern Partnership initiative which is meant to enhance mutual understanding and provide a venue for addressing topical issues.

At the same time the Council of the European Union points out to the lack of progress in the liberalization of registration procedures and activities of political parties, public organizations and NGOs as well as independent mass media in Belarus. The Council expressed its regret about several death sentences in Belarus. The European Union calls Belarus to introduce moratorium on capital punishment.

Belarus’ foreign trade 37.6% down in January-September

From: BelTA

In January-September 2009 Belarus’ foreign trade in goods and services shrank by 37.6% in comparison with the same period in 2008 to $38.9 billion, BelTA learned from the National Statistics Committee.

Belarus’ export decreased by 41.2% to $17.6 billion while import dropped by 34.3% to $21.3 billion. In January-September 2009 Belarus’ foreign trade deficit amounted to $3,772.7 million. This year the foreign trade deficit is projected at $1.47-1.5 billion.

The National Statistics Committee attributed the reduction of the foreign trade to the falling average prices for exported and imported products and to shrinking supplies caused by the world crisis. The average export prices fell by 32.5% down on January-September 2008, with the average import prices down by 22.8%. In real terms export went down by 16%, import – 15.5% down.

In January-September 2009 the trade in commodities totaled $35 billion, with export as high as $15 billion, import — $20 billion. In actual prices the export of goods fell by 43.3% in comparison with the same period last year, import of goods — 34.8%. The deficit of the merchandise trade amounted to $5,021.3 million while it was $4,245.1 million in January-September 2008.

Export and import operations with intermediate goods (energy resources, raw materials, and components) were the main source of the foreign trade deficit. Belarus imported $14.7 billion worth of intermediate products (37.2% down on January-September 2008) and exported $10.6 billion worth of intermediate products (45.4% down). The deficit of the foreign trade in energy resources amounted to $2.4 billion.

In January-September 2009 the export of Belarusian investment goods plunged due to the falling demand. The reduction is one of the causes behind the $634.8 million deficit in the trade in this commodity group. In January-September 2008 the surplus of the export of Belarusian investment goods stood at $537.4 million. In January-September 2009 the export of road and construction machines amounted to only 18.3% as against January-September 2008, export of trucks and truck tractors — 22.9%, special-purpose vehicles — 28.1%, trailers and semitrailers — 35.2%, tractors — 45%. At the same time Belarus imported more metal-working machine-tools, equipment for bonded fabric production and finishing, gas turbines, brewing industry equipment, and other products.

In January-September 2009 the surplus of the foreign trade in food totaled $454.5 million, up by 120% in comparison with the same period of last year. Meanwhile, food export shrank by 6.5% in cost terms. In particular, the export of condensed milk and powdered milk, pork, canned fish, cheese and cottage cheese decreased. Belarus imported less pork, vegetable oils, frozen fish, macaroni products, non-alcohol beverages, apples, pears and juices. The deficit of the foreign trade in non-food consumer goods reached $641.8 million.

In January-September 2009 Belarus’ foreign trade in services totaled $3,983.7 million (77.3% as against January-September 2008). The export of services amounted to $2,504 million (78.7%), import — $1,479.7 million (75.1%). The surplus stood at $1,024.3 million.

Information centers for sustainable development to be set up across Belarus

From: BelTA

Five information centers for sustainable development will be set up in Belarus, BelTA learnt from Oleg Belyachits, coordinator of the EU/UNDP project, Sustainable Development at the Local Level. Oleg Belyachits is taking part in the training “International experience of sustainable development of territories: potential and effects of the Local Agenda-21”.

The information centers will be set up in the regions where local communities are most active in promoting sustainable development. “We do not stick to a territorial principle. We will open the centers in the regions which are ready to develop local agendas-21 and the initiatives which will benefit the whole region,” said Oleg Belyachits.

The centers will work on popularizing the idea of sustainable development as well as supporting declarants to develop and implement local initiatives and distribute such practices in all pilot regions.

Although the information centers for sustainable development are to be set up within the framework of the EU/UNDP project, Sustainable Development at the Local Level, they will continue functioning after the project is completed, he said. “We believe that local initiatives are a lengthy process. People often meet, cooperate and help each other develop the idea of sustainable development at the local level,” Oleg Belyachits said. The project is to be completed in H2 2010. Over $1 million has been allotted for its implementation.

Connect CIS Summit to discuss information society development

The participants of the Connect CIS Summit that will be held in Minsk on 26-27 November will discuss factors determining the development of an information society. The forum will be structured into six sections, Deputy Communications and Informatization Minister of Belarus Nikolai Strukov told a press conference on 17 November, BelTA has learnt.

In his words, the whole world is aspiring to an information society. “At the summit we will discuss what exactly should be done to promote the development of an information society,” Nikolai Strukov explained.

Top on the agenda will be the creation of the necessary infrastructure – the expansion of broadband Internet. “If you do not have Internet, you do not have an opportunity to take part in these processes, while the information society implies physical access to the Internet,” the Deputy Minister underlined.

The agenda of the forum also features information security, human potential, creation of favorable investment climate and legal framework. “Digital television will also be in the limelight of the discussion,” Nikolai Strukov said.

WiMAX in all oblast centers of Belarus in 2010

From: BelTA

The wireless broadband connectivity based on WiMAX technology will be made available in all the oblast centers of Belarus in 2010, Konstantin Tikar, Director General of the Belarusian landline communication monopoly Beltelecom, told journalists at the international specialized expo “Promising technologies and systems: informatics, telecommunications, security” on 17 November.

“I think that WiMAX technology will be made available in all the oblast centers by mid-2010. I’ve instructed my specialists”, specified the Director General.

The construction of the first fragment of the nation-wide network WiMAX in Minsk is expected to be completed by the end of 2009 in accordance with the government program on the innovative development in Belarus. Konstantin Tikar assumed that startup papers will be signed on 29-30 December.

“The tender has been held, the contract has been signed, and both base and terminal equipment for WIMAX will be at our disposal by early 2010”, said the Director General.

WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is an advanced standard for the wireless broadband data transmission. WiMAX specifies data, voice and video transmission. It will allow setting up cellular networks offering video calls (simultaneous video and voice data exchange) as well as Internet access. The standard enables communication between transmitters and receivers within 50 kilometers of each other.

The specialized expo “Promising technologies and systems: informatics, telecommunications, security” is held in Minsk on 17-20 November. It showcases IT systems and equipment, telecommunication and network technologies, software and IT services, and Internet technologies. The expo is held with assistance of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the State Committee on Science and Technology, the Industry Ministry, the Information Technologies and Communications Ministry, the Information Ministry, the Education Ministry, the Trade Ministry.

Cultural Scene...

Minsk hosts Listapad-2009 Film Festival

From: BelTA

The 16th International Film Festival, Listapad-2009, was opened in Minsk on 14 November.

According to Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Potupchik, the festival has become one of the most important cultural events in Belarus over sixteen years. Cinema halls in Minsk and other cities of Belarus will demonstrate the best films of famous film makers.

Vladimir Potupchik noted that the number of participants increases every year. This year, taking part in the forum will be participants from Albania, Slovenia, Macedonia, Croatia, Tunisia, Thailand, Philippines and Chile.

Vladimir Potupchik awarded People’ Artist of Belarus Gennady Garbuk with a special prize of President of Belarus, “For Preserving and Development of Spiritual Traditions in Film Making”.

According to Rostislav Yankovsky, People’s Artist of the USSR and Belarus and the permanent chairman of the festival, sixteen years is a very long period for a film festival. “I would like you to love our festival and to be proud of it,” said Rostislav Yankovsky at the opening of the festival.

The 16th International Film Festival, Listapad-2009, will end on 21 November. The festival has become one of the most prestigious international film forums in the CIS. The special feature of Listapad is that it demonstrates the new films, which got various film awards.

The program of Listapad includes three contests: dramatic films (18 films), documentary films (25), and films for youngsters (7).

The festival is organized by the Ministry of Culture of Belarus, the Minsk City Hall, Belarusian Film Makers Association, the National Film Studio Belarusfilm, the National State TV and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus.

Minsk to host Latin American Gastronomic Festival

The first Latin American Gastronomic Festival in Belarus will be held in Minsk on 23-29 November, BelTA learnt from the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Belarus.

This project is organized by the diplomatic missions of Venezuela and Cuba in Minsk. Over a week visitors of this Gastronomic Festival will be able to get acquainted with the peculiarities of the Latin American cuisine.

For example, the Venezuelan cuisine is based on traditions of the American and European continents and some elements of the African and Asian cuisines. As in many other Latin American countries, the national cuisine consists of meat, leguminous plants and maize (corn), rice, special species of bananas and many other vegetables and spices which are frequently mixed in the most unimaginable combinations.

Grodno under peaceful veil

An international project “The National Veil of the World” has been launched in Grodno. Anyone regardless of age, nationality or country of residence can participate in it, BelTA learned from Valentina Tsyganets, Director of the Grodno City Methodic Center of Folk Art, on 16 November.

The project envisages creating a patchwork canvas that will be carried through Grodno streets during the solemn opening of the VIII national festival of national cultures. The canvas will be made of various woven, sewn, and embroidered patches.

Sized 50x50 cm, the patches can be created by anyone and sent to the organizing committee by 20 April 2010.

Valentina Tsyganets said, the length of the two-meter wide canvas will not be limited. It is supposed to grow larger with every festival.

The Grodno City Center of Folk Art has already started creating Grodno’s patch: a septicolored flower will be embroidered in the center of the World Canvas as the symbol of the festival.

The organizers believe the creation of the peaceful canvas will contribute to the revival of cultural traditions of various nations, to popularizing national traditions, development of modern and traditional kinds of decorative and applied arts.

The 8th national festival of national cultures is supposed to take place in Grodno on 4-6 June 2010. The festival will gather up to 40 national associations, over 100 music bands and performers. The screening campaign was launched in provinces of Belarus in November to end in March 2010.

Economics...

Belarus to set up over 1,500 innovation companies in 2011-2015

From: BelTA

More than 1,500 new companies and manufactures are to be set up in Belarus in line with the state innovation development program for 2011-2015, Chairman of the State Committee for Science and Technology Igor Voitov said at an opening ceremony of the First Belarusian Innovation Forum on 17 November.

The development of the concept of the new state program is underway. One of its major goals will be to develop and improve the innovation system in Belarus. The country plans to develop a system-based legislation for evolving innovation activity, complete the formation of the innovation infrastructure, and develop innovation entrepreneurship. “The issues related to the taxation, tariff and pricing policies will be considered as well,” Igor Voitov stressed.

According to him, the concept envisages the growth of the GDP research intensity to 3% by 2015. Measures will be taken to increase the export of Belarusian high technology products.

To make the Belarusian economy more competitive, there is a need to speed up economic liberalization and transformation of enterprises into open joint stock companies; create integrated innovation organizations, holding companies and state innovation corporations.

Specialists from eight countries will take part in the First Belarusian Innovation Forum which will take place in Minsk on 17-18 November. During the forum, representatives of research organizations and experts of innovation companies from Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Moldova, the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany and Lithuania will make reports at a plenary session and roundtable meetings. Heads of the ministries and government departments, research and educational establishments, business associations of Belarus, representatives of the national and foreign companies and firms, experts of the UNDP, UNIDO and other organizations will make more than 100 reports on the innovation development.

The conference is organized by the State Committee for Science and Technology, the Industry Ministry, the Ministry of Architecture and Construction, the Education Ministry, the Ministry for Agriculture and Food, the Energy Ministry, the Housing and Utilities Ministry, the Ministry of Transport and Communication, the Foreign Ministry, Bellegprom, Bellesbumprom, Belbiopharm and Belneftekhim concerns, the oblast executive committees, the Minsk City Hall, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the National Library of Belarus, the Belarus National Center for Technology Transfer, the Minsk Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers, the High-Tech Park.

The conference is held with assistance of the CEI cooperation fund, UNDP in Belarus and UNIDO.

Belarus’ capital investments up 13.1% in January-October

In January-October 2009 capital and construction investments totaled Br34.6 trillion in Belarus, up 13.1% from the same period of last year in comparable prices, BelTA learnt from the National Statistics Committee.

In January-October 2009, Br16.9 trillion worth of construction and installation work was fulfilled in Belarus, up 23.8% over January-October 2008.

Investments into manufacturing exceeded Br22 trillion, up 14.1%, while other investments amounted to Br12.4 trillion (up 12.6%). Investments into manufacturing accounted for 64.1% of the total investments, which is equal to the figures recorded in January-October 2008.

In January-October 2009, Br13.6 trillion (up 4.2%) was spent on buying machines, equipment and vehicles. These expenses accounted for 39.3% of the total investments, with the share of the money spent on foreign equipment as large as 17.8%.

According to the National Statistics Committee, in January-October 2009 state-run companies used Br17.6 trillion in capital investments (up 12.5% as against January-October 2008). National ownership companies used Br8.1 trillion in investments (up 2.8% u), municipal ownership ones — Br9.5 trillion (up 22.1%).

As of 1 November 2009 there were 14,700 manufacturing and non-manufacturing premises under construction (excluding individual developers and small business entities), or 294 objects more than on 1 October 2009. Manufacturing facilities accounted for 41.7% of the total premises under construction.

From the Foriegn Press...

EU extends freeze on visa restrictions for Belarus

From: Reuters

EU to Lukashenko: No soup for you- 1 more year!

The European Union on Tuesday prolonged a freeze on visa restrictions for top officials from Belarus, but opted not to lift the sanctions entirely due to a lack of progress on political reform.

The European Union imposed visa bans on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and dozens of other officials after he was accused of rigging his 2006 re-election. The bans were suspended in October 2008 in order to encourage reforms.

A statement approved by EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels said the suspension would be extended until October 2010 to encourage further democratic advances.

A freeze on Belarus government assets in the European Union remains in place, as do visa restrictions on four officials linked to the disappearance of political activists, and on the head of the country's election commission.

The EU statement said the recent release of political prisoners had raised the possibility of further cooperation between the EU and Belarus, which is a key transit route for Russian energy supplies to the 27-nation bloc.

But the threat of sanctions will not be scrapped entirely given Belarus's lack of progress on democracy. The EU wants to see electoral reform and movement on human rights, including an end to crackdowns on political activity and the media.

The EU statement said the sanctions would be reviewed by the Council of EU member states in October, and added: "The Council may decide to reapply or lift travel restrictions at any time, in the light of actions by the Belarusian authorities in the sphere of democracy and human rights."

Lukashenko said in September he would not be forced into reforms by the European Union. He said he saw no need to change the country's electoral law and that he may run for a fourth term at presidential elections due in early 2011.

Retail sales of vodka reported down by 0.4 percent in first 10 months of 2009

From: Navany

Retail sales of vodka dropped by 0.4 percent year-on-year in the first 10 months of 2009, reported the National Statistics Committee.

Alcoholic drinks accounted for 12 percent of all retail trade in Belarus in the period. Sales of alcoholic beverages, including beer, totaled 3,994.7 billion rubels (almost $1.47 billion), the Committee said.

Sales of vodka amounted to 8,875,500 decaliters. Sales of beer increased by 5.6 percent to 22,377,900 decaliters, of vodka-based liquors by 14.6 percent to 1,009,800 decaliters, and those of low-alcohol drinks by five percent to 1,136,500 decaliters.

Vodka and beer accounted for 46.4 and 11.7 percent of the total pure alcohol consumption, respectively, up from 45.6 and 10.8 percent in the same period of 2008.

Sales of fruit wines reportedly decreased by 7.5 percent year-on-year to 13,401,800 decaliters, accounting for 31.5 percent of all sales of alcoholic drinks, down from 33.4 percent in the first 10 months of the previous year.

Sales of grape wines decreased by six percent to 1,927,200 decaliters, of brandies by 20.9 percent to 168,100 decaliters and those of sparkling wines by 0.9 percent to 814,600 decaliters.

PepsiCo plans to increase potato chips production in Belarus

From: AgriMarket.Info and Fresh Plaza

PepsiCo is planning to implement an agricultural program of potato cultivation in Belarus, said yesterday the vice president of corporate affairs of PepsiCo CIS countries Sergey Glushkov.

According to him, currently PepsiCo owns the Europe's largest chips production factory which is located in the city of Kashira, Moscow Region. Another plant is planned to open in the city of Azov, Rostov region. Currently the company buys more than 200,000 tons of Russian as well as imported potato for the production of its branded chips.

"We want to discuss with the Belarusian authorities the possibilities of implementation an agricultural program of potato cultivation potato for PepsiCo needs. This will help to start exports of the Belarusian potato to Russian and other CIS countries capacities of PepsiCo. "- said Glushkov

«In order to implement this program we can provide Belarus with some proprietary technologies for growing potatoes, which are used in Russia. They can raise the yield from 13 to 23,000 tons per hectare, "- Glushkov added. According to him, the implementation of such program in Belarus will raise the export potential of the country.

As the local media reports this issue will be discussed on November 12, at the Belarusian economic forum in Minsk.

"We hope that our Belarusian partners will help us to find potential participants in this program. As soon as we find them, we will provide media with some more details about the implementation of this project" – said PepsiCo.

Agricultural organizations of Belarus continue maize harvesting campaign

As of November 16, agricultural organizations of Belarus harvested maize for grain throughout 82.3 thsd ha, or 61.8% of the planned areas, declared the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of Belarus. Production volumes of maize totaled 543.7 thsd tonnes. Maize yield totaled 66.1 c/ha as opposed to 61.1 c/ha on the same date of the previous year.

In 2009, agricultural organizations of Belarus harvested 18.11 mln tonnes of green material of maize for greed feed and silage throughout the areas of 696.7 thsd ha, or 104.7% of the planned areas.

Cardinal points to true 'enemies' of believers

From: Catholic Leader

Cardinal Walter Kasper: "Our enemies today are not other confessions, but secularism and godlessness"

The head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity has affirmed that the enemies of believers are secularism and godlessness, not members of other faiths.

Cardinal Walter Kasper said this on Nov-ember 10 during a meeting with the bishops' conference of Belarus.

Cardinal Kasper was visiting at the invitation of Metropolitan Filaret of Minsk and Slutsk.

Along with Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington, the Vatican official participated in a conference on Christian-Jewish dialogue that ended on November 11.

On the day of his arrival, Cardinal Kasper gave the homily in an opening Mass, in which he recalled that this was his second visit to Minsk, his first taking place on December 14-18, 2002.

He affirmed that he visited "the Belarusian capital to meet with the Most Reverend Metropolitan Filaret and lecturers of the Institute of Theology of Belarusian State University".

"We already became good friends as we are guided by the same objective: to work together in order to reach full communion of the Catholic and the Orthodox Church," Cardinal Kasper said.

In his meeting with the Catholic bishops' conference, Cardinal Kasper said: "We need to listen to other people, change our way of thinking and hearts. Only then will it be the true ecumenism."

He described three columns of ecumenism: dialogue with the Orthodox Church, dialogue with Protestant communities - such as that with the Anglicans that has been recently furthered by the document on those wishing to enter the Catholic Church - and working with new movements in the Church.

"Our enemies today are not other confessions, but secularism and godlessness," he said.

"This is why we need a joint answer to the challenges of the present."

From the Opposition...

Civil activists of “Eastern Partnership” countries presented united front

From: Charter '97

Participants of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum in Brussels demand freedom to political prisoners, freedom of speech, free elections and free visas from the EU and their governments.

Today the European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt delivered speeches at the Civil Society Forum.

The European Commissioner received the final document of the Forum, worked up by its participants for two days. The resolution was handed in by the leader of the Assembly of Non-governmental organisations of Belarus Syarhei Matskevich. The representative of Belarus had been chosen out of the huge number of the Forum’s participants – 240 organisations from 6 countries of the Eastern Partnership took place in the event. Syarhei Matskevich has been also elected coordinator of the largest platform of the Forum: “Democracy and Human Rights”.

In the final document participants of the Civil Society Forum cal upon the European Union to demand governments of the participating countries of the Eastern Partnership release of political prisoners, respect to human rights, holding free and democratic elections, freedom of speech and freedom of associations. It has been also stated in the document that “road map” of lifting visa regime for countries participants is needed. To start with, free multiple visas should be introduced.

This resolution of the Civil Society Forum is to be presented at the session of the Council of Ministers of the European Union in early December.

The European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner has assured participants of the Forum that all their recommendations would be taken into account. As said by her, the Eastern Partnership program reached the new stage of implementation thanks to the forum.

“The Commissioner said: previously all questions were discussed only between governments, and now you decide that directly. Your recommendations will be used. Cooperation without civil society is impossible. You will bring to your home country a message that we take the civil society very seriously,” charter97.org website was told by a representative of Charter’97 and “European Belarus” civil campaign Uladzimir Kobets.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt also addressed participants of the forum. He stated that the Eastern Partnership is one of the key initiatives, and today Europe declares importance of dissemination of the rule of law and market economy in the region. The politician assured that cooperation with the Eastern Partnership countries would be built not only at interstate level, but at the level of civil societies as well.

We remind that the first session of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum was held in Brussels on November 16-17. The conference was organized by Sweden, the EU presiding country, the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). About 240 public associations from 6 partner countries: Belarus, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine were taking part in the meeting. Among them are NGOs, associations of employers and trade unions. Representatives of 27 organisations from Belarus were invited.

Ales Bialatski: “European Union shouldn’t endlessly hand up situation in relations with Lukashenka”

From: Viasna

Belarussian rights activist Ales Bialatski was one of the candidates for the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize

Vice President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the head of “Viasna” human rights centre Ales Bialiatski has commented to charter97.org website on the decision of the EU to extend and “Freeze” sanctions against Belarusian officials.

“Demands of the EU to the Belarusian authorities are absolutely justified, but it is obvious that the time has come for Minsk to take some more unambiguous steps as an answer to these demands. So far in their talks with the European Union the Belarusian reminds a girl who is making curtseys, bowing, but does no real actions.

Pinpoint concessions we see from Lukashenka’s regime today cannot be called real actions. I mean registration of “For Freedom” movement and authorization of distribution for 2 independent newspapers.

These steps do not show the actual tendency. Changes in the electoral legislation are to become an important touchstone now. The situation cannot be hanged up endlessly, and the EU shouldn’t do so. If it turns out that all the actions of Belarusian authorities had decorative and declarative nature, one cannot speak about serious changes, holding fair elections in the country is out of the question. One of the reasons Belarus hasn’t been invited to become the Council of Europe’s member is rigged election results. The next half a year are to become very important. Steps both by the EU and the authorities should become more consistent and logical,” the human rights activist said.

Russia...

EU seeks Russian energy boost

From: BBC

The EU does not want another Russia-Ukraine gas crisis this winter

Europe's need for stable deliveries of Russian gas will loom large at an EU-Russia summit in the Swedish capital Stockholm on Wednesday.

The August 2008 Russia-Georgia war and the disruption of Russian gas exports last winter led to frosty relations with the EU, and a new partnership deal is still being negotiated.

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev will participate in the meeting, which is expected to include discussion of trade, climate change and human rights.

ENERGY

The EU has pushed for a mechanism to prevent any repeat of the January 2009 Russian gas shutdown, which left millions of people in Eastern Europe shivering in unheated homes and forced dozens of factories to suspend operations.

On Monday the EU and Russia agreed to set up an early warning system to ensure that EU importers of Russian gas would not be plunged into another crisis.

Russia's ambassador to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov, said it was more than a hotline - he described it as "a network of commitments" including "prompt information of any disruptions to our energy links".

The January crisis was triggered by a price dispute between Russia and Ukraine - and the EU remains wary of these two big neighbours' tense relations.

The EU Energy Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, has ruled out granting a loan to Ukraine to help it pay off its debt to Russia. Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin wanted the EU to grant such a loan - and he has warned that Russia will turn off the taps again if Ukraine fails to pay its bills.

Ukraine will hold presidential elections in January - and this is a foreign policy priority for the Kremlin, which dislikes President Viktor Yushchenko's Western-orientated stance. The election threatens to raise the stakes again in the politically charged energy sphere.

The EU is moving to diversify its energy supplies, all too aware of its reliance on Russia. But that does not stop multi-billion-dollar joint energy projects going ahead.

Russia has scored some significant diplomatic successes in recent months as it forges ahead with major new gas pipelines bypassing Ukraine.

Slovenia has given its approval for the Russian South Stream pipeline, which will transit several EU member states. It is seen as a rival to the EU's planned Nabucco pipeline, which will deliver Central Asian gas to Europe.

The Nord Stream pipeline, which will deliver Russian gas via the Baltic Sea to Germany, has been approved by Denmark, Finland and Sweden.

TRADE

The EU wants clarity on Russia's long-running bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). The European Parliament is backing the bid, but says Russia must lower the transit fees it levies on goods transported by road and rail, as well as lift restrictions on meat and dairy produce.

The EU is concerned about Mr Putin's threat to widen Russia's WTO bid to include its neighbours Belarus and Kazakhstan, with whom it plans to form a customs union.

Sweden, currently holding the EU presidency, says the Russian plan complicates the bid and Sweden's EU Affairs Minister Cecilia Malmstroem warned that "major delays in the Russian accession will affect our bilateral relations".

Russia is the EU's third most important trading partner, after the US and China.

In the first half of 2009 Germany was by far the biggest EU exporter to Russia, accounting for 31% of the EU total (9.6bn euros; £8.5bn). Second was Italy (10%), then France (8%).

Germany was also the biggest EU importer from Russia (10.4bn euros or 20%), followed by the Netherlands (12%) and Italy (11%).

Machinery and vehicles accounted for more than 40% of EU exports to Russia in the same period. Energy accounted for nearly 75% of EU imports from Russia.

CLIMATE CHANGE

The Swedish EU presidency is keen to get firm pledges from European governments to take to the crunch Copenhagen climate summit in December, not least because the EU has assumed a leadership role on this issue.

So Sweden says one of the EU's top priorities on Wednesday "will be to urge Russia to present pledges on emissions reductions ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen".

President Medvedev has set the goal of cutting Russia's CO2 emissions by 2020 by 10-15% compared with its emissions in 1990, when it was part of the Soviet Union. Plant closures have sharply reduced Russian emissions since Soviet times. But green activists want Russia to do much more.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Human rights abuses in Russia - especially in the North Caucasus - remain a big concern for the EU.

This year the European Parliament awarded its Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the Russian human rights group Memorial.

MEPs and EU ministers have condemned high-profile murders of human rights activists in Russia, demanding that the perpetrators be found and prosecuted.

Kazakhstan, Russia concerned about increase in smuggled Chinese goods

From: 24

Kazakh and Russian governments are concerned about potential increase in smuggled goods from China through Kyrgyzstan, the information agency Kazinform reported.

The concern has been reportedly voiced by Karim Masimov, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, who predicted smuggling boost through Kyrgyzstan due to establishment of Customs Union between Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus.

“Taking into account establishment of the Customs Union, potential illegal sales turnover from China through Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan will be very large as duty rates in the union and Kyrgyzstan sufficiently differ. We should keep a close watch on the situation. Our Customs Union colleagues, particularly, leadership of Russia expressed their concern about the issue,” the prime minister said.

EU and Russian executives fear protectionism

From: FT

Rising trade barriers, imposed in response to the global economic crisis, threaten economic relations between the European Union and Russia, business leaders are warning.

The dangers are compounded by risks that Russia’s planned customs union with Kazakhstan and Belarus, due to start on January 1, could complicate ties between Moscow and Brussels, say executives in the Industrialists Round Table, an EU-Russia business organisation.

IRT representatives will present their findings at a meeting on Wednesday with European leaders and Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, during the EU-Russia summit in Stockholm. They will call for a new push on Moscow’s much-delayed attempt to join the World Trade Organisation and extra efforts on negotiating a new EU-Russia deal, but acknowledge that the past year has seen “little progress” in formal economic relations.

“What we are asking for is clarity to improve the framework for business,” said Nils Andersen, chief executive of Moller-Maersk, the Danish transport group, in an interview. Mr Andersen chairs the IRT jointly with Anatoly Chubais, head of Rusnano, the Russian state high-technology group, who told the Financial Times that Russian accession to the WTO would put its economic links with the rest of the world into “a completely different dimension”.

In its submission to the summit leaders, the IRT says that, in spite of pledges made at G20 summits to refrain from protectionism, both the EU and Russia have taken measures “that impede imports and exports” and agreed other decisions which “seem to make increases in tariff-related trade barriers more probable in the future”.

EU business people said examples included Russia’s increase in car import duties and planned rises in alcohol taxes that they feared might fall disproportionately on beer, a market largely controlled by foreign investors, as opposed to vodka, where domestic producers predominate. Russian companies fear that state aid handed out by EU governments during the crisis might lead to protectionist actions.

The IRT expresses concerns over Russia’s planned customs union, saying WTO accession could be “seriously delayed” if the union’s rules depart from regulations already agreed in negotiations between Moscow and the WTO, for example over tariffs.

The statement does not call on Russia to scrap the plan. Russian business people could not have supported such a direct challenge to proposals backed personally by Vladimir Putin, the prime minister.

Mr Chubais said the problem was not with the customs union but with the risk that its implementation might “lead to delays in Russia joining the WTO”.

He added: “January 1 is only a month and a half away. What are the rules? What are the legal measures? What kind of courts are you to go to if business has problems?”

Mr Chubais dismissed suggestions of serious differences over trade policy between Mr Putin and Mr Medvedev. He said the situation should not be seen as “a good Medvedev and a bad Putin” because it was more complicated. “Both leaders are positive on WTO accession. It is a condition of accession that they agree.”

Mr Andersen said: “The two leaders are aligned behind modernisation of the Russian economy. I hope that on this basis we can get real progress in the next 12 months.”

From the Polish Scandal Files...

Poland Moves Up in Corruption Ranking

From: Krakow Post

Polish: not a nationality, a profession

Every year, the non-profit group Transparency International publishes its Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which ranks the countries of the world according to the perceived level of public-sector corruption, based on a variety of surveys.

In the 2009 CPI, Poland placed 49th out of 180 countries, along with Bhutan and Jordan and just ahead of the Czech Republic. Poland received a score of 5.0, with a confidence range of 4.5-5.5.

The 2008 index placed Poland in 58th place along with Lithuania and Turkey, with a score of 4.6 and a confidence range of 4.0-5.2.

At the top of the list this year were New Zealand, Denmark, and Singapore, while Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Somalia were found at the very bottom.

Polish treasury is accumulating bad debt

From: WBJ

The liabilities of unreliable investors towards the State Treasury presently amount to zl.1.3 billion.

The figure has nearly doubled since 2007.

According to data presented to Rzeczpospolita, the list of the largest debtors was comprised of 228 companies at the end of September. The first ten companies on the list have not changed since the last verification in April 2007.

"In the case that an investor is not fulfilling its obligations, we send him a payment summons. If it does not make the payment, we ask the court for an execution title enabling us to vindicate the outstanding amount," said Maciej Wiewiór, spokesperson of the Treasury Ministry.

Plenty of the liabilities can already be written off as debtors are in financial difficulties, others went bankrupt and some cases in the courts are already outdated. Debtors are mostly smaller companies with Polish capital.

Former communist agents charged for roles in death of Polish priest

From: Melbourne Anglican

Father Jerzy Popieluszko
(1947-1984)

Two former Polish secret police agents have been charged with helping to frame Jerzy Popieluszko, a Roman Catholic priest who became a folk hero, and who was murdered 25 years ago after speaking out against communist injustices.

Poland's Institute for National Remembrance said the arrests had been ordered by its Warsaw-based Commission for Investigating Crimes against the Polish Nation during enquiries into an Interior Ministry unit which carried out "crimes, including murders" against clergy and opposition members during the period from 1956 to 1989.

The agency added that the two agents from the Sluzba Bezpieczenstwa, the communist-era secret police, had carried out criminal acts "intended to eliminate him as a pastor", such as by planting weapons and illegal leaflets in the priest's Warsaw apartment.

"These functionaries are also accused of participating in a group intending to commit crimes damaging Father Popieluszko," the institute, which researches communist-era abuses of power, said in a statement on 10 November.

The bound and gagged body of the 37-year-old Popieluszko, who was linked with the outlawed Solidarity movement, was dredged from Wloclawek reservoir in October 1984, a week after his abduction while returning at night from a service in Bydgoszcz.

Although four Interior Ministry employees were convicted for the slaying, all were released early after controversial sentence revisions, while a former secret police general, Wladyslaw Ciaston, was twice acquitted, in 1994 and 2002, of ordering the killing.

However, Solidarity supporters have repeatedly blamed senior communists for the death of the priest, who lies buried at Warsaw's St Stanislaw Kostka church with a rosary personally given him by Pope John Paul II.

The institute statement alleged that the two SB employees had connived in laying false charges against Popieluszko, while attempting to disrupt his pastoral work among "circles linked to the democratic opposition in Poland. It added that other ex-agents might also be charged with harassing the priest, whose beatification as a Catholic martyr could be announced by the Vatican in 2010, placing him on the path to sainthood.

President Lech Kaczynski posthumously awarded the priest Poland's highest state honour, the White Eagle, on 19 October, the 25th anniversary of his death, which was marked with a special anniversary coin and stamp by the country's National Bank and Postal Service.

In a resolution on 21 October, Poland's parliament, the Sejm, said Popieluszko's message remained "still topical for us". It said the priest's life had been "a gift to the nation's history, fully expressed by the words of St Paul, 'Overcome evil with good'."

Toronto Police blotter: Wanted man

From: Toronto Headlines Examiner

[L] Robert Turczak, 40, wanted on several firearms, drug, charges. [R] Composite of assault suspect.

Robert Turczak, 40, [see photo] is wanted on several firearms and drug charges following a search warrant execution on an “In Storage” self-storage facility at 345 Middlefield Road.

On July 9, 2009, Toronto Drug Squad officers raided the self-storage facility and discovered a sophisticated, clandestine drug-manufacturing facility operating within three units of the building.

A commercial pill press and hundreds of thousands of ecstasy pills and powder were discovered. A fully loaded 9mm handgun was also recovered at the scene.

Turczak is described as white, 5’9’’, 189 lbs with brown hair. He speaks with a Polish accent.

Anyone with information is asked to call 416-808-6100.

Sport...

Belarus ends in a draw match against Saudi Arabia

From: BelTA

Belarus’ national football team ended in a draw (1:1) the friendly match against Saudi Arabia in Dammam on 14 November, BelTA learnt from Vladimir Nesterovich, head of the press service of the Belarusian Football Federation.

Belarus opened the score on 20 minute. The goal scorer was Maxim Bordachov. But six minutes later Belarus’ goalkeeper Yuri Zhevnov was dismissed. The Saudi footballers leveled the score on 32 minute.

Belarus played in the following lineup: Zhevnov, Shytau, Lentsevich, Sosnovski, Yurevich, Kalachev, Omelyanchuk (V. Hleb), Kulchy, Bordachov, Rodionov (Amelchenko), Kornilenko (Kislyak).

It was the first match between Belarus and Saudi Arabia.

Belarus is scheduled to play another friendly against Montenegro in Podgorica on 18 November. That will be the last match of Belarus’ national football team this year.

Endnote...

How Do You Ship The Biggest Trucks In The World?

From: Gizmodo

Cars are absolutely different. There are some very small cars like smart and also there are really big cars. Really goddamn big cars like these BELAZ ones. They are made for above-ground means, and each of them is a real rock handler.

You drive them, you idiot. But if that’s not an option — say, if you’re shipping your Belaz mining truck from Belarus to South Africa — you’ve got to break them into pieces. Hulking, multi-ton pieces.

English Russia’s got a series of photos detailing how some of the largest vehicles on the planet, the 10m long, 8m high Tonka-styled mining trucks from Belarusian manufacturer Belaz, known in mining truck circles as “the Komatsu of the Balkans” (I made this up), get shipped from one place to another. The first stage is to break these things down into slightly smaller parts, though still obscenely huge. Cue comically oversized pieces of machinery in unusual positions, now:

The pieces are then transported by train, plane or flatbed truck to their destination, where they are reassembled, Transformers style, into the comically huge vehicles we all know and love/fear/resent for ruining our sense of scale. And the fun isn’t over, apparently: the 118,000kg trucks aren’t exactly morning people:

During the first start-up of an each car, engine makes such an awful noise that the human ear can barely stand it.

At first they mount engine with front wheels to the case of a truck. Then installing rear wheels and mounting front axle group. After the platform and front wheels’ tyres need to be installed. And that is almost all, just a few details and the truck is ready for work. Only cabin, hydraulics and loading platform are left. By the way, loading platforms are shipped to the destination cut into several parts because they’re too heavy and workers of a factory burn them together on the spot.

Belarusian semiconductor makers, Azerbaijan, EU Council, Russia, UN, Economics, Sanctions, Opposition, Culture, Sport and Polish scandal...

2009-11-15T10:01:00.002+02:00

From the Top...

#462

Belarusian semiconductor maker Integral in for re-adjustment

From: BelTA

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has given an instruction to find those guilty of the failure of the Belarusian semiconductor company Integral to launch submicron technology manufacturing and to straighten out the situation. The head of state set the task as he visited the Minsk-based manufacturing corporation Integral on 13 November. Alexander Lukashenko was supposed to get familiar with the progress in implementing a project for launching submicron technology manufacturing in Belarus, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko said that Integral will not get extra funding from the government. “We could have used the money to set up a new enterprise. I am dissatisfied with the present running of the company,” said the President.

Alexander Lukashenko was displeased with the lack of an outcome from government investments. The company was supposed to have implemented three main projects relating to submicron technology manufacturing. At present the main project codenamed Submicron K has stalled. The company owes around Br300 billion to the government and creditors. The head of state said that government funds or loans will not be used to sustain any enterprise. “There will be no more money!” he said.

Head of the Integral company Vitaly Solodukha remarked that time is needed to polish the technology and reach the designed output capacity. The new production facility may reach the planned output capacity by the end of 2010, he said.

Belarus First Vice Premier Vladimir Semashko told the head of state that the enterprise has started manufacturing five products and plans to start making another 20 by late 2010. The project will be self-supporting after that. To mend the situation, the government suggests giving the company the status of a high-tech park, converting it into a joint-stock company and providing additional funding for the sake of reaching the planned performance by the end of next year. The President declined the idea saying “I am not ready to sell the company, nor ready to reincorporate it as a joint-stock company. Seek money wherever you wish. You will not get budget funding and will pay taxes in full”.

Alexander Lukashenko instructed law enforcement agencies, the State Control Committee, the Belarus President Administration to find those guilty of the ineffective use of the funds and the failure to deliver on time. The President also instructed to examine the spending of government funds at every Belarusian enterprise. The Shklov paper mill and Grodno Azot are next on the list.

Alexander Lukashenko assigned Belarus First Vice Premier Vladimir Semashko to straighten out the situation and make the guilty ones responsible, including former management of the company.

“I need working money there. The enterprise should be preserved and should operate in the black,” concluded the President.

Other Belarusian News...

Belarus-Azerbaijan cooperation in for larger projects

From: BelTA

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has suggested to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev that the two countries should aim for joint projects of a larger scale. The Belarusian head of state made the relevant statement during a broader participation meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart on 12 November, BelTA has learned.

“So far in the present complicated conditions of the global financial and economic crisis, the strategic goal is reaching larger scale joint projects both in Azerbaijan and Belarus, making non-conventional decisions sometimes. The foundation for it has been laid down already,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarusian head of state underlined that in 2006 they reached an agreement with Ilham Aliyev on starting up the joint production of Belarusian machines in Azerbaijan. At present Belarusian tractors and MAZ vehicles are assembled at premises of the Gandzha-based automobile plant.

Alexander Lukashenko believes that it is necessary to move on – it is necessary to implement the idea of the joint production of automobile cranes, lift equipment, mounted agricultural implements in Azerbaijan. “We have accumulated extensive experience of modernizing the industry and are ready to share it with our Azerbaijani friends. We have agreed with the Azerbaijan President that we will make the transition from plain cooperation forms to joint manufacturing enterprises in Azerbaijan and Belarus,” he said.

According to the Belarusian head of state, Belarusian-Azerbaijani relations do not rely on passing competition principles. They are based on mutual interests of the two nations. “This is why we need to enhance institutional and coordinating mechanisms of the bilateral contacts,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko.

EU Council to consider resuming Belarus-EU partnership agreement

From: BelTA

The possibility of resuming the agreement on partnership between Belarus and the European Union will be considered at a session of the EU Council for General Affairs and External Relations in Brussels on 16-17 November, BelTA learned from Jean-Eric Holzapfel, Charge d'affaires a.i of the European Commission in Belarus.

The agreement mainly regulates trade relations. Jean-Eric Holzapfel underlined that trade is an important part of the Belarus-EU cooperation. It is a separate area, which proper development requires a contractual legal framework.

At present the 1989 agreement is in effect because the 1995 agreement on partnership and cooperation has not been ratified by European Union member-states. “It is suspended for now. Both the Belarusian side and us would like to resume the agreement,” noted the head of the European Commission’s representation in Belarus.

As a positive example of the development of the legal base between Belarus and the European Union he mentioned the ratification of a framework agreement, which is supposed to shape the legal base for implementing Belarus-EU technical cooperation projects and regulates the implementation of joint programs. The ratification is about to complete.

The framework agreement between the Belarusian government and the Commission of European Communities was ratified by the House of Representatives of the National Assembly on 8 October 2009. It was ratified by the Council of the Republic on 22 October.

UNGA adopts Belarus-initiated resolution on human trafficking

From: BelTA

A resolution titled as "Improvement of coordination of the efforts aimed at combating human trafficking" initiated by Belarus was adopted by consensus at a session of the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly on 12 November, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Belarus.

Co-authors of the resolution are more than 70 countries representing all parts of the world including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Bolivia, Venezuela, Zambia on behalf of all the African countries, India, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Nicaragua, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Philippines and Ecuador. The resolution reflects a growing concern of the international community about the problem of human trafficking and the intent of the UN member states to finally put an end to this form of modern slavery.

The resolution describes progress made by the international community in counteracting human trafficking in 2008. The document also includes practical recommendations on addressing this problem. The resolution appoints coordinators for consultations on the UN global action plan to combat human trafficking. The consultations should be transparent and open to all the interested people.

The global action plan shoul become an effective mechanism for intensifying the effort in combating human trafficking.

It has been the third Belarus-sponsored UNGA resolution adopted since President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko introduced an initiative to intensify global effort to combat human trafficking at the UN Summit in 2005.

Cultural Scene...

Year of Culture of Belarus in Russia to open in March 2010

From: BelTA

The Year of Culture of Belarus in Russia will officially open in March 2010. This date was defined in the program for organizing and carrying out the Year of Culture of the Republic of Belarus in the Russian Federation, which was signed by Culture Minister of Belarus Pavel Latushko and Culture Minister of Russia Alexander Avdeev in Moscow, BelTA learnt from the Culture Ministry of Belarus.

Events within the Year of Culture will include performances of Belarusian artists and groups, exhibitions, display of Belarusian films in various Russian cities.

The National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus in Moscow will open the Belarusian cultural program. Another opening event will be an exhibition of modern Belarusian painters.

Days of the Belarusian culture in St. Petersburg in April are one of the most important items of the program. The event will include a gala concert of Belarusian artists and opening of Yan Borshchevsky’s memorial plaque. A concert of the State Chamber Orchestra of Belarus and a round-table discussion “A theme of patriotism in the works of modern writers” will be organized at the Hermitage concert hall.

Pesnyary and Syabry, famous Belarusian bands, will go on tour around the cities of Russia. A joint gala concert of the most famous artists of Belarus and Russia dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Great Victory will take place in Moscow in May 2010.

A theme exhibition of Maksim Bogdanovich Literature Museum will be presented in Yaroslavl. Days of the Belarusian movie will be held in several Russian cities in the course of a year.

The closing ceremony of the Year of Culture of Belarus will take place in Moscow.

Bayan players from Gomel win first prizes in St. Petersburg

Gomel bayan players were awarded the first prizes at the sixth Silver Tuning Fork international contest in St. Petersburg, BelTA learnt from the culture department of the Gomel Oblast Executive Committee.

Taking part in the competition for performers of instrumental, choral, and vocal music were more than 150 young musicians. Gomel was represented by Evgeny Moroz, a student of the Gomel branch of the Belarusian State Music Academy, and Alexander Zubarev, a student of Gomel State College of Arts named after N. Sokolovsky.

According to Anatoly Trophimovich, deputy director of Gomel State College of Arts, the college traditionally sends its students to the national and international music contests and festivals as they aim to support young talented people, promote academic music, and discover future music stars.

Students of the college will take part in Golden Talents of the Commonwealth international contest and festival in Zheleznogorsk (Russia) in November 2009. Apart from this, Gomel students will perform at the 8th international contest for guitar players and ensembles in Belgorod and at the competition of bayan players and pianists named after S. Rakhmaninov in Veliky Novgorod.

Gomel State College of Arts named after N. Sokolovsky was founded in 1921. More than 480 students attend the college. The faculty is 137 professors. The Gomel branch of the Belarusian State Academy of Music was created at the college of arts in 2003.

Economics...

Belarus’ gold and foreign exchange reserves up 44.9% in January-October

From: BelTA

In January-October 2009 Belarus’ gold and foreign exchange reserves calculated using IMF methods increased by 44.9% ($1373.4 million) to a total of $4434.5 million. The reserves were up 14.3% or by $555.7 million in October, BelTA learnt from the Information Office of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB).

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-October 2009 Belarus’ international reserve assets calculated using national methods increased by $1079.4 million (29.5%) to $4741.6 million. In October the reserves were up by 12.6%, or $531.9 million.

As of 1 November hard currency accounted for the larger part of the international reserve assets of Belarus ($3006.9 million, or 63.4%) along with precious metals and gems ($1067.8 million, or 22.5%). In January-October the hard currency assets went up by 8.2%, while the volume of precious metals and gems increased by 33.2%. Other assets amounted to $666.9 million, or 14.1%. In January-October they increased eight times.

BelTA reported earlier that the NBRB expects the country’s gold and foreign currency reserves to reach $4.8 billion as of early 2010. In 2010 the gold and currency reserves can increase by $2 billion. This is envisaged in the draft monetary policy guidelines of Belarus.

Pinskdrev boosts export to United States

In January-October 2009 Pinskdrev boosted its export to the United States 14 times to $500,000, BelTA learnt from Dmitry Kirikovich, aide to Pinskdrev’s director general for media relations.

According to him, the upsurge was due to the increase in supplies of veneer and ply curve details after the company had been issued two certificates that confirm the compliance of Pinskdrev’s products with global standards (Carbohydrate requirements and IKEA IOS-MAT-0003 AA-10899-8). These certificates facilitate the export both to the USA and Europe.

In January-September 2009 Pinskdrev expanded its export to Kazakhstan to $8 million (19.8% up on the same period 2008); Ukraine - to $3 million (31.1%), Lithuania - to $3 million (29%), Latvia – to $961,000 (300%), Estonia - $520,000 (470%), Slovakia – to $284 (250%), Turkey - $66,000 (240%).

Pinskdrev is entering new markets. This year the company delivered first consignments to France, Sweden, Greece, Mongolia, Austria, Afghanistan, Great Britain and Finland.

Today Pinskdrev sells into 34 countries. Furniture accounted for 51.2% of export, veneer and bent parts for 23.4%, matches for 10.4%, and chipboards for 10.3%.

In January-October Pinskdrev reported $55 million of export sale. This is less than in the same period last year. The fall is due to the global economic recession. To make up for the losses, the company partially redirected the commodity flows to the domestic market.

Pinskdrev Holding Company incorporates 33 independent subsidiaries including several joint upholstered furniture manufactures, joint ventures producing wood particle board, plywood, several upholstered furniture manufactures, a timber industry enterprise, a timber mill, a matches factory and others. Pinskdrev manufactures all kinds of household and office furniture, veneer, bent parts, matches, chipboard, construction and furniture veneer, and saw-timber. The company employs more than 6,000 people. Pinskdrev accounted for 22% of the output of the Bellesbumprom concern in H1 2009.

From the Foriegn Press...

Belarus plans maiden eurobond in 2010-finmin

From: Forbes

Belarus may issue a maiden eurobond in 2010, following in the footsteps of Russia, Kazakhstan and many other economies also eyeing sales next year, Finance Minister Andrei Kharkovets said on Thursday.

The former Soviet republic has seen its economy dented badly by deteriorating demand from the recession-routed Russia and Europe, its chief exports markets, forcing it to look for sources of external funding.

Kharkovets said Belarus has been offered 'significant' loans by Russia's largest bank Sberbank, which will cover a large part of Belarus' external financing needs this year.

'The size of financing is yet to be determined, it will likely be a mid-term facility and the deal is expected to be closed by the end of this year,' a source familiar with the talks told Reuters.

Sberbank was not immediately available for comment and Kharkovets did not specify the amounts either of the loans or the eurobond. He did not say which currency it would be issued in -- a eurobond is a bond issued externally by a country in a foreign currency.

Belarus is one of the least reformed of the pre-1990 eastern bloc and, beyond exports, has been largely reliant on cheap gas and other resources from its bigger neighbours to get by.

In September, the government sharply lowered its 2009 gross domestic product (GDP) forecast to growth of 1-2 percent, against earlier estimates of a 2-5 percent expansion.

The country has already secured a $3.63 billion stabilisation loan from the International Monetary Fund, and a $1.5 billion from the Russian government. But in May, Russia delayed disbursing a further $500 million, saying it was worried about the creditworthiness of Belarus.

'If Russia's not extending them financing, then they're going to be more dependent on capital markets,' said Yaroslav Lissovolik, chief strategist with Deutsche Bank ( DB - news - people ) in Moscow.

Belarus' external debt stands at $17 billion as of July, according to central bank data.

CROWDED MARKET

The cash-strapped country will be joining a litany of other economies planning sovereign debt issuance to find financing for the surge in fiscal deficits, run up by efforts to fend off recession after last year's financial turmoil.

Russia is set to issue up to $18 billion of eurobonds next year, returning to the market after a decade, while Kazakhstan is eyeing a $500 million placement .

Developing countries will be most likely be dealt higher spreads on their bonds, the World Bank said in a recent report.

'Many institutions that have provided financial intermediation for developing country clients have virtually disappeared,' the Bank said.

Belarus has discussed plans for raising a eurobond since 2007 as part of plans to raise capital on international markets. But the issue has repeatedly been postponed in connection with unfavourable conditions on world markets.

In July, Nadezhda Yermakova, head of major state-controlled bank Belarusbank, said that Belarus may issue its delayed maiden eurobond this year, worth $500 million..

Deutsche Bank's Lissovolik said the rather small size of the Eurobond might work to the country's advantage.

'If they offer good term to investors, then yes, they can be successful in neutralising the adverse conditions (crowded competition),' Lissovolik said.

EU to extend freezing of sanctions on Belarus

From: Reuters

The United States imposed economic sanctions against Belarus for its continued suppression of pro-democracy activists.

The European Union will prolong a freeze on restrictions against Belarus next week, but not lift the threat entirely due to a lack of progress on political reform, a draft statement seen on Thursday said.

The European Union imposed a visa ban on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and dozens of other officials after he was accused of rigging his 2006 re-election. But the ban was suspended in October 2008 in order to encourage reforms.

A draft statement due to be approved by EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels next Monday and Tuesday said the suspension would be extended until October 2010 to encourage further changes.

The draft statement said the recent release of political prisoners had opened up the possibility for further cooperation between the EU and Belarus, which is a key transit route for Russian energy supplies to the 27-nation bloc.

But the threat of sanctions will not be scrapped entirely given Belarus's lack of progress on democracy. The EU wants to see electoral reform and movement on human rights, including an end to crackdowns on political activity and the media.

Lukashenko said in September he would not be forced into reforms by the European Union. He said he saw no need to change the country's electoral law and that he may run for a fourth term at presidential elections due in early 2011.

As well as political reforms, the EU wants Belarus to impose a moratorium on the use of the death penalty and move rapidly towards its abolition.

Behemoths in Belarus belie stalling economy

From: FT

The parking lots of Belarusian heavy truckmaker Belaz offer a hard-to-miss clue to how the ex-Soviet republic is tackling the downturn. They are packed with unsold bright yellow behemoths.

The reason for the enormous inventories is that the government – through the four largest state-controlled banks – has pumped cash into the state-owned enterprises that make up three-quarters of the economy.

The International Monetary Fund foresees no contraction in Belarus this year, in contrast to the deep recessions taking place in neighbouring Ukraine and Russia. Keeping state enterprises afloat has preserved jobs – unemployment is officially only 1 per cent.

However, the policy could be storing up trouble for the banking system. Andrei Kobyakov, the country's deputy prime minister, says that the banking system’s non-performing loans are only 4 per cent. But Standard & Poor’s, the rating agency, says problem assets in the financial system could rise to as high as 35-50 per cent “in a reasonable worst-case scenario”.

An overwhelmed banking system would have the potential to shake the regime of Alexander Lukashenko, the authoritarian president.

“What is happening now is a question of Lukashenko holding on to power,” says Irina Tochitsky, deputy director of the IPM Research Centre, an economic policy think-tank. “His ratings are closely tied to people’s view of the economy.”

Mr Lukashenko is trying to reform the economy and attract vital foreign investment without losing political control. Until 2007, Belarus was a very strong performer despite undertaking almost no economic reforms. But that year Russia tired of supporting its smaller neighbour and began to demand higher prices for oil and gas.

Pushed to the wall by Moscow, Mr Lukashenko began a tentative opening to the west, releasing political prisoners in the hope of attracting much-needed investments. He also undertook a series of economic reforms, reducing red tape, ending government price controls for most goods in shops and taking steps to privatise some state assets.

Belarus shot up the ranks in the World Bank’s Doing Business survey. But since the onset of the global crisis, there have been no big privatisations, and little new foreign investment. Although Belarus announced on Friday it was considering its first eurobond issue – at least €250m-300m – next year.

“There is a much lower risk appetite than two years ago: it’s a more difficult environment for frontier markets,” says Valdas Vitkauskas, head of the local office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

So the government has returned to the Soviet-era tradition of steering the economy by administrative fiat.

Mr Lukashenko decreed that businesses should produce at least 80 per cent of last year’s production. “Any further drop is impossible,” the president said while visiting a ball bearing plant.

But exports have fallen 50 per cent so state-owned companies such as Belaz have run up enormous inventories, which they are now frantically trying to sell off in markets beyond the former Soviet Union.

“Russia and Ukraine are priorities, but we are pushing hard to expand to foreign markets,” says Vladislav Rudkovski, marketing director of Belaz.

Belarus received much-needed foreign help this year, in the form of a $2.5bn standby agreement with the International Monetary Fund in January, followed by another $1bn in June.

But a 20 per cent devaluation against the dollar earlier this year, and the prospects of slow growth next year, are challenging the generous welfare state built by Mr Lukashenko.

“It’s hard to radically change direction without changing the leadership,” says Pavel Daneyko, an economist with the non-government Belarusian Research Centre.

Belarusian Parliamentarians To Visit South Ossetia, Abkhazia

From: RFE/RL

A group of Belarusian lawmakers will travel to Georgia and its breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to decide if they should have parliamentary discussions about the recognizing the regions as independent states, RFE/RL's Belarus Service reports.

Syarhey Matskevich, the chairman of the parliamentary International Affairs Commission, told journalists on November 5 that the group will meet with Georgian officials in Tbilisi and visit its breakaway regions from November 17-20. He said the parliamentary group will also hold talks on the issue with members of the Russian State Duma in Moscow.

Matskevich said that after the visit the commission will decide if it is necessary to hold a debate in parliament over the possible recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states. Russia recognized the two Georgian regions after a five-day war with Georgian forces in August 2008.

Nicaragua and Venezuela have in recent months also recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Moscow has pressured Minsk to also recognize the regions as independent, though the European Union has sought to keep Belarus from taking such a move.

The EU is scheduled to discuss lifting sanctions against Belarus on November 16, one day before the Belarusian delegation travels to Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

From the Opposition...

Sidorski asks Russia “not to dissect like a knife one organism”

From: Charter '97

Belarusian Prime Minister calls upon Russia to stick to agreements on mutual trade strictly.

“The most important thing is not to cut the living organism, not to destroy what has been done before us, recognize what has been signed by us, and develop the economies of our states on this basis,” Sidorski said at a press-conference in Minsk on Thursday, Interfax informs.

Syarhei Sidorski noted that earlier the sides agreed that they won’t use protectionist measures against each other. However, as said by Prime Minister, the economic crisis has “revealed many questions”. He underlined that joint anti-crisis plan hasn’t been implemented in full measure. At the same time, Sidorski noted that Russia’s support to its manufacturers, and Belarus’ support of its manufacturers should be treated with understanding.

Sidorski underlined that considerable decrease of trade turnover with Russia this year is painful for Belarus. “We expected that being a supplement of the Russian economy in items where it is necessary for them, we would be present at the Russian market, but so far we have to open new countries,” the prime minister said.

Sidorski has also informed that in the first half of 2010 Belarus and Russia are to continue talks on conditions of Russian oil deliveries to Belarus taking into account the beginning of the practical work of the Customs Union of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan since July 1, 2010.

“Agreement on oil will be extended till July 1, 2010. For the first half of the next year talks will be continued,” Sidorski said.

He reminded that in the end of November final decision of Belarusian, Russian and Kazakh presidents on creation of the Customs Union of the three countries since January 1, 2010 is to be adopted. In case these decisions would be passed “since July 1, 2010 we are going to the exterior perimeter of the border, and all systems of control would be lifted inside,” Sidorski said.

In this connection these agreements “give a possibility to hold talks taking into account the Customs Union,” Belarusian Prime Minister said.

Sidorski has also stated that transition to equal oil prices should be made simultaneously with Russia.

According to the Prime Minister, when selling a 50% block of shares of Beltransgaz to Gazprom the sides agreed (at the highest level) on the equal gas prices.

Previous agreements of Belarusian and Russian leadership envisaged equal prices since January 1, 2011. Meanwhile, Sidorski reminded that Russia took a decision to postpone the transition to the prices equal with European ones for 2014-2016. “Thus Belarus has a legitimate right to negotiate this issue,” Sergei Sidorsky said.

Sidorski reminded that over the last three years gas prices for Belarus were growing annually. “Prices are falling on the international market while for Belarus gas is getting more expensive every year. Why should the gas prices for Belarus be increasing in 2010 when they are falling worldwide? We have posed this question to our Russian colleagues,” he said. Gazprom and Beltransgaz are to continue negotiations and make proposals to governments.

Andrei Zhuk’s mother addressed Belarusian president asking to pardon her son

From: Viasna

Struggling for the life of her son, Andrei Zhuk’s mother is trying to use all possible means including the international mechanisms and personal address to the president. On 10 November Sviatlana Zhuk addressed Aliaksandr Lukashenka through mass media, asking to pardon her son, the death verdict to whom came into force after consideration of the cassation complaint by the Supreme Court.

‘Yes, Andrei is guilty. Of course, he had no right to deprive these people of life in any circumstances. However, now I see that my son is killed before my eyes, and I don’t want and cannot put up with it. He and we, his relatives, will till the end of our days beg the victims’ families and God to pardon him for this vile sin. I want to ask the president to give Andrei a chance to expiate his guilt by work and try to earn the pardon of the victims’ families,’ explained Sviatlana Zhuk during the press-conference in Minsk.

The event was attended by the representative of the Human Rights Center Viasna Valiantsin Stefanovich, an initiator of the campaign Human Rights Defenders against the Death Penalty, and the representative of the international human rights organization Amnesty International Heather McGill, expert on Belarus.

In her speech Heather McGill voiced the opinion of the international human rights community that Belarus must refuse from this inhuman kind of punishment.

‘One of the problems is the suffering the death penalty brings to the convicts’ relatives. The decision of the UN Human Rights Committee of 1999 equals the secrecy surrounding the death penalty in Belarus to torturing the relatives. The death convicts don’t know when they will be shot and their relatives don’t know anything at all about them. It is a terrible ordeal for the people. It is also quite hard for the convicts who are waiting to be brought to execution. It is terrible for the relatives who know nothing. They cannot say goodbye, receive any belongings and the body and won’t be informed where it was buried,’ stated H.McGill.

The human rights defender Valiantsin Stefanovich took the floor after Andrei’s mother read her address.

‘It is difficult to say anything after the mother’s words. This situation demonstrates the essence of the death penalty. At present the state is slowly killing the son before his mother’s eyes. Of course, the parents suffer a great pain and loss and live waiting for the moment when it can happen. That’s why we, human rights defenders, stand for introduction of the moratorium on the death penalty in our country and think that the right time for it has come. We have submitted communications to the UN Human Rights Committee concerning the latest death sentences – to Vasil Yuzepchuk and Andrei Zhuk. These communications were accepted for consideration. Then we sent written addresses to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Office of the Prosecutor General and the Presidential Administration to inform them that the communications have been registered by the Committee and these organs, that bear the legal responsibility for execution of sentences, must suspend the execution of these death sentences till the consideration on the merits of the communications by the UN Human Rights Committee,’ said Valiantsin Stefanovich.

Note: For the text of the mother's speech to the president, please see HERE

Russia...

Obama: New START Nuke treaty with Russia by end of year

From: MSNBC

Pres. Obama and Russian Pres. Medvedev on Sunday afternoon met one-on-one for the fourth time this year. The two leaders are participating in the APEC conference. The urgency for another one-on-one meeting comes as the two countries scramble to meet an end-of-the-year deadline to agree to a new START treaty on reducing each country's nuclear arsenal.

Mr. Obama said he's still confident that a new treaty can get done by the end of year, though, keep in mind agreeing to a treaty and getting it through the Senate are two different things.

According to senior officials, the two were to spend a lion's share of their time together discussing START. However, the president, after the meeting told reporters that they did talk about Iran and Afghanistan as well.

On Iran and the stalled P5+1 talks regarding the country's nuclear fuel issues, the president said,"We're now running out of time." And for the first time, the president publicly admitted that the Iranians have basically rejected the deal that was on the table. Previously, the administration had been hesitant to criticize the Iranians publicly for their stalled answer to the proposal involving inspections and their nuclear fuel issue. He added that the two leaders talked about how they could create urgency with the Iranians.

Interestingly, at the end of his remarks, the president said he believed "the reset button has worked," a reference to a prop Sec/State Clinton used in her first meeting with her Russian counterpart this spring. At the time, many had a little fun at the U.S.'s expense because the word "reset" was mis-translated on the button-prop the Secretary used.

The president has met privately with Medvedev four times -- more than any other world leader since taking office. The two held bilaterals in London in April at the G20, in New York in September at the opening of the UN General Assembly and, of course, in Moscow last July.

Mr. Medvedev's glasnost

From:

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT Dmitry Medvedev certainly talks a good game. Before taking office last year, he correctly diagnosed the country's biggest problem as "legal nihilism." The fact that lawlessness has worsened since then doesn't make Mr. Medvedev seem dishonest -- just powerless. On Thursday he delivered a 140-minute "state of the nation" speech that spelled out much of what has gone wrong during the authoritarian regime of Vladimir Putin. History suggests that this, too, won't presage much change. But the spectacle of Russia's president speaking the truth about his country was in itself a startling sight in the Putin era.

Mr. Medvedev's basic point was that Mr. Putin had failed to move Russia away from the relatively backward economy, rotten infrastructure and aggressive foreign policy of the former Soviet Union. He recited a damning litany of legacies: "a primitive raw materials economy"; "an archaic society in which the leaders think and decide for everyone"; and "chaotic" foreign and domestic policies "dictated by nostalgia and prejudice." We couldn't have said it better.

Mr. Medvedev again acknowledged his country's runaway corruption, including in its security forces. He boldly stated that "our most serious domestic political problem" lies in Chechnya, Ingushetia and other Caucasus republics, where "the level of corruption, violence and cronyism . . . is unprecedented." He suggested that Russia's foreign policy had been "full of hot air" and ought to become more "pragmatic" and more cooperative with the Western democracies, whose investments and technology Russia needs to modernize.

The "effectiveness" of Russia's foreign policy, the president said, "should be judged by a single criterion: Does it contribute to improving living standards in our country?" That suggests a radical change from Mr. Putin's approach, which has been aimed at restoring Moscow's dominion over former Soviet republics and gaining political leverage over the United States and its European allies.

Several Russian media outlets reported that Mr. Putin, who now holds the post of prime minister, looked unhappy in his front-row seat as Mr. Medvedev spoke. But there's no telling for sure whether the speech represented a challenge to Mr. Putin's authority or an effort to create the sort of inviting but false facade that has been a feature of Russian politics for centuries. Opposition activists were quick to note that Mr. Medvedev had nothing to say about the murders of human rights activists and journalists, or about the gross fraud recently perpetrated by the ruling party in local elections; they dismissed his modest list of political reforms as meaningless.

Still, it's worth remembering that the political transformation that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall 20 years ago this month began with another Kremlin leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, speaking unaccustomed truths about his country. A lot of people then believed that Mr. Gorbachev didn't mean it, or had no ability to act on his words; they were proved wrong. Let's hope that those of us who have doubted Mr. Medvedev's capacity to reverse Russia's descent into authoritarianism and aggression will be pleasantly surprised as well.

'Body sold' to Russia kebab shop

From: BBC

Police in Russia have arrested three homeless men suspected of killing a man, eating part of the body and selling other parts to a kebab shop.

The men were held in the city of Perm, some 1,400km (870 miles) east of Moscow, local investigators said.

Their statement said that the suspects had targeted the 25-year-old victim out of "personal hostility".

It was not clear when the incident occurred. The men - who have not been named - have been charged with murder.

The investigators said on Friday that the body of the man had been found in a forested area near a public transport stop in Perm.

They said the three men attacked their victim with knives and a hammer.

"After carrying out the attack, the corpse was dismembered. Part of it was eaten and part was also sold to a kebab and pie kiosk," their statement said.

It was not immediately clear if any customers had been served.

From the Polish Scandal Files...

Sex scandal in the Sejm

From: NPE

The 33-year old Civic Platform (PO) ex-MP, known as Miss Sejm after being voted Poland’s sexiest MP, told reporters that she suffered “indecent and immoral proposals” from a senior politician.

“It happened on the first day of my work in the Sejm. I was totally shocked,” she told the daily newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza.

“One of the MPs, not from my party, accosted me in a very direct way, he may even have used the word ‘baby’, and asked me for my room number at the hotel I was staying in.

“It was a miracle I didn’t slap him in the face,” she added, declining to reveal the identity of the pervy MP.

“It’s terrible, disgraceful and completely unworthy of our politicians,” said lawyer Jacek Kondracki, adding there may be a criminal investigation.

“If he served as a senior member to Mrs Mucha then we are dealing with the sexual harassment of a subordinate, which is a crime,” he said.

A few months after the incident, Mucha says she moved out of the hotel reserved especially for Sejm members.

“Through the thin walls you can hear everything - at night it is horrible. One can neither work nor sleep. I wanted privacy because I came to Warsaw to work - you just can’t live there,” she revealed.

It has yet to be decided whether criminal proceedings will begin.

Abuse in Polish schools on the rise

From: NPE

Teachers abusing Polish school kids around the country is growing say new statistics.

According to the newspaper Metro, there has been an increase in the number of complaints made by students who claim that teachers using abusive language, skipping classes and turning up to work drunk is becoming more and more commonplace.

But it’s not only psychological abuse that is on the rise. The number of reported cases of physical abuse in the classroom has also increased says the paper.

During this year alone in the eastern city of Lublin, six teachers have been reprimanded as a result of using corporal punishment as a means of disciplining children.

In 2007, a disciplinary commission in Lublin received 13 calls to begin procedures against teachers - this year the total figure was three times that amount. Other cities have also witnessed the number of cases grow - Krakow’s individual cases have risen from 20 to 36 in the last two years.

In accordance with Polish law, teachers who abuse their powers can be punished in either one of three ways:

“There are three possibilities: reprimand with a warning, dismissal from work, and - most severe - expulsion from the profession,” explains Alexander Smith, from the Board of Education in Krakow, citing the Teachers’ Charter.

Last year in Krakow, 10 were reprimanded, three made redundant and one forbidden from teaching again.

ZUS in trouble, again

From: NPE

ZUS is having trouble finding money to pay out its current obligations to pensioners, people on disability, and the unemployed, according to an article in the daily Rzeczpospolita.
The agency faces a giant revenue gap of some PLN 9 bln this year, the newspaper estimates.

Poland's state-run social insurance agency has been subsidized by funds from the general budget for years, but with government deficit spending set to reach record levels this year, the agency's budget gap will be harder than ever to fill.

In part, this is because the government has budgeted less money than needed to fund ZUS in order to keep its 2009 budget numbers from looking even worse. According to a statement from ZUS, its deficit "results mainly from a lower than anticipated rise in social security tax income in relation to payments made to beneficiaries."

Rises in unemployment and the number of pensioners have squeezed the agency in terms of both revenue and expenses. Moreover, pensions have risen this year, though only just enough to keep up with inflation.

The head of ZUS Zbigniew Derdziuk denies the problems are so serious. He estimates that the agency's deficit will only reach PLN 5.5. bln and that it can secure sufficient bank financing to cover the PLN 2.3 bln it will need to borrow this year. Last week, the government announced a plan to cut the amount of money going to the private Open Retirement Funds from 7.3 per cent to 3 per cent of salaries in an effort to help ZUS shore up its finances. Economists, pension fund managers, and the public have all lined up against the idea.

According to a recent poll by IQS, 66 percent of Poles are strongly against the new plan, while only 14 percent are in favour. Many economists have argued that the proposal is just a quick fix to shore up public finances, and will not solve longer-term problems facing the retirement system, which are rooted in declining demographics and a retirement age that remains among Europe's lowest in spite of recent changes that have reduced early retirements.

Bogus?aw Grabowski, a former member of the Monetary Policy Council member and current head of the TFI Skarbiec fund, sees raising taxes as less harmful than the government's new plan, which he said was aimed at achieving "short-term political goals." "The collapse of the retirement system is worse than a breakdown in public finances because it is long term," he told TVN-24.

Although the government has not released data on the finances of the National Health Fund, the state-run healthcare system also appears to be facing a deficit this year. Yet unlike ZUS, the fund has sufficient reserves to meet its current needs, according to Rzeczpospolita.]

"Voodoo made me impotent”

From: NPE

A shaman who had an affair with a married woman has put a curse on her husband leaving him impotent.

Distraught hubby Janusz Rekawa (57) from Minsk Mazowiecki in eastern Poland says he discovered his wife Urszula had began an affair with the voodoo man whilst she was holidaying at a spa.

“She was going there quite a lot and talking about this amazing man, so I decided to go down and see what was going on,” said Rekawa.

When he arrived in the southern village of Rymanow-Zdroj his worst fears were realised. “I sat opposite him and I looked into his eyes. He admitted to the affair and then started talking a load of nonsense and I realised I was going to get no real sense about what had happened from him, so I decided to leave and go and talk to my wife, who was back home by then.”

But as Rekawa was leaving, the modern-day sorcerer came running out after him.

“The shaman began to tear up grass and threw it at my car. He was screaming at me in an incomprehensible language. I thought he’d lost it so I got out of there fast.”

On the way home Rekawa says he began to feel ill and that he was losing strength. For a long time after, he found it difficult to work and says he felt physically drained.

But he adds he had no idea how powerful the magic man was. “It turns out that he not only took my strength but also my manhood. He put a curse on me and has made me impotent.

“I have been to exorcists, but they say they cannot help me. I used to be full of vigour and lust but now I’m like an empty can of soup.”

Sport...

The fighting rabbi, Foreman adds 'world champ' to his resume

From: Yahoo

He's a rabbi-in-training, so Belarusian/Israeli Yuri Foreman made for a nice storyline coming into his junior middleweight title shot against Daniel Santos. Most critics concentrated on the fact that Foreman, 29, only had eight knockouts in 27 fights. No punching power, meant no real threat to the veteran Santos. Foreman showed he could be a rough, tough customer. He often charged with his head which resulted in several headbutts and was credited with a knockdown in the second when he slugged Santos in the back of the head. He got a more legit knockdown in the 12th to seal the deal.

With a better connect rate throughout, it was more than enough for Foreman to get his first world title via unanimous decision 116-110, 117-109 and 117-109.

Foreman was the slicker fighter throughout. His jab, fighting out of a southpaw stance, puffed up Santos below his right eye. Santos eventually suffered a cut on the edge of the eye in the eleventh round.

Foreman suffered a cut over left eye early in the fight but his corner did a nice job of managing the wound.

The Puerto Rican looked sluggish at times. Maybe it was the big weight gain after Friday's weigh-in. Foreman was 161 pounds tonight, while Santos was 173. Foreman pointed out during the postfight press conference that he noticed how big Santos looked at the start of the figt.

Foreman outlanded Santos 146-105 and connected at higher percentage (29-24).

Foreman's story can be described as the American dream. Born into poverty in Belarus, he moved to Israel as a child and then New York as a 19-year-old. Five years ago, he began studying to be a rabbi on the advice of his girlfriend, who is also a professional boxer and model.

Saudi Arabia 1-1 Belarus: Honours Even Between Saudis And Ten-Man Belarussians

From: Goal.com

Saudi Arabia could only manage a draw at home to ten-man Belarus in the coastal city of Khobar.

After 20 minutes Timofei Kalachev set up Maxim Bordachev to give the visitors, lacking Aliaksandr Hleb, a lead.

But three minutes later Belarus goalkeeper Yuri Zhevnov was sent off amidst controversial circumstances. With Yasser Al Qahtani blocking his attempts to kick the ball clear, he blasted it straight at the player and was given a red card for his troubles.

On came substitute goalkeeper Anton Amelchenko, but just a few minutes later he was picking the ball out of his net as Ahmed Faridi jinked past Sergei Sosnowski before crossing for Nasser Al-Shamrani to head home.

The hosts could not make more of their numeric advantage despite enjoying the best of the second period, and Belarus' counter-attacks similary failed to pay off: 1-1 it ended.

Belarus hammer throwers face new delay for doping hearing at CAS to win back Olympic medals

From: Taragana.com

Two Belarusian hammer throwers stripped of their Olympic medals for doping must wait until next year to try to win them back at an appeal hearing.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said Thursday that a new delay means Vadim Devyatovskiy and Ivan Tsikhan will plead their case over three days from Jan. 25-27.

The hearing was originally set for one day last July, then put back until Dec. 4-5.

Devyatovskiy and Tsikhan won silver and bronze medals at the Beijing Games, then tested positive for abnormal levels of testosterone.

The International Olympic Committee disqualified the pair last December.

Devyatovskiy could face a lifetime ban for his second doping offense. Tsikhan is a three-time world champion.

Endnote...

2010 Winter Olympics: Tried-and-true approach may be Belarus' best hope

From: NHL.com

Days until the opening game of the 2010 Olympic hockey tournament on Feb. 16 --92

For secondary hockey powers like Belarus, there is not nearly as much talent from which to choose for the Olympics as there is for medal contenders such as Canada, Russia and Sweden.

As a result, the selections tend to be fairly static, with major alterations made to the roster only in case of injury to a key player. It doesn't so much matter what the players have done during the season with their club teams. It's more about what they've brought to the national team in recent years.

The modest pool of roster contenders is the bad news for Team Belarus General Manager Arthur Rekshta. The good news is that the team often overachieves, because it is a cohesive and experienced squad.

Apart from its historic Olympic upset of Sweden in 2002, the Belarusians have also fared surprisingly well at the IIHF World Championships. Under the direction of former Washington Capitals coach Glen Hanlon, the Belarusians earned a pair of trips to the medal round of the IIHF World Championships.

Hanlon, who has been fired as head coach as Dynamo Minsk, recently decided to step down as Team Belarus head coach less than four months before the Olympics. A successor has yet to be named but an announcement is likely in early December.

Nevertheless, the foundation is there to score a few more upsets.

"The players' attitude to training and games has changed," Hanlon said at his farewell press conference. "They understand that playing for the national team is a great honor."

As Team Belarus general manager, I would attempt to impart as much stability as possible. The typical Team Belarus roster is anchored by savvy veterans on defense. The team usually has a bend-but-don't-break defensive philosophy and relies on forwards to help out on the backcheck.

Belarus must be opportunistic offensively because it usually gets out-chanced. By necessity, I would craft the same sort of team – with mostly the same players – who appeared at the most recent World Championships.

Goalies

Andrei Mezin, Dynamo Minsk (KHL) -- The 35-year-old Mezin has extensive international experience and has shown the ability to get hot at times. He's had a solid KHL season so far with Dynamo Minsk and was outstanding at the World Championships this past spring (4-1 record, 1.72 goals against average, .948 save percentage). He's unlikely to be phased by the atmosphere and crowds in Vancouver.

Vitali Koval, Dynamo Minsk (KHL) -- The 29-year-old Koval gave a solid account of himself at the 2008 World Championships, posting a commendable .912 save percentage in six starts. He had a pair of starts at the most recent Worlds, backing up Mezin. At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Koval covers a lot of net, especially in close. He backs up Mezin in the KHL for Dynamo Minsk, but could be a starter on some clubs.

Igor Brikun, HK Gomel (Belarus Open League) -- The 23-year-old has excelled in Belarus Open League, which also includes clubs from Latvia and Ukraine. The caliber of play is a step below Russia's top minor league (Vysshaya) in terms of its overall quality and depth of talent. More importantly, he has compiled experience playing for the junior national team and has served as the third goaltender for the senior team.

Defensemen

Ruslan Salei, Colorado Avalanche -- Back problems have limited the gritty veteran blueliner to one game this season, but he's a lock for the Olympics if his health permits it. The 35-year-old could return to the Colorado lineup by December, giving him plenty of time to get ready for the Olympics. As usual, he would fill a leadership role on Team Belarus and log a lot of ice time.

Vladimir Denisov, Dynamo Minsk (KHL) -- After two seasons in the American Hockey League, Denisov accepted an offer to return home to play for Minsk. In international competition, he often plays 20-plus minutes per game for Team Belarus, including time on the power play.

Sergei Kolosov, Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) -- The big (6-4, 217 pounds) defenseman is in his second season of North American pro hockey after cutting his teeth at the USHL level. The 23-year-old Detroit Red Wings hopeful is at his best when he keeps his game simple.

Aleksandr Ryadinsky, Yunost Minsk (Belarus Open League) -- The 31-year-old backliner has been a regular on the Belarusian national team since 2003 and averaged more than 22 minutes of ice time per game at the World Championships in Switzerland this past spring. The 6-2, 207-pound defensive defenseman plays with a bit of a physical edge to his game and is arguably talented enough to play in the KHL.

Viktor Kostyuchenok, Amur Khabarovsk (KHL) -- The 30-year-old Kostyuchenok has been a regular starter on Team Belarus for the past five years. While he's been an inconsistent player in the KHL, his international experience makes him a solid Belarusian national team candidate for the Olympics.

Andrei Bashko, Shaktar Soligorsk (Belarus Open League) -- The 27-year-old defenseman has become a regular on the senior national team during the past few years. He performed well in the Olympic qualification tournament and held his own at the World Championships. He also has KHL experience. Bashko could do a commendable job in a third-pairing defensive role.

Ivan Usenko, HK Gomel (Belarus Open League) -- A former member of the WHL's Swift Current Broncos, the 26-year-old Usenko cracked the Belarusian senior national team last year. Although he struggled at the 2009 World Championships, his mobility and occasional offensive flair -- he has cracked double-digit goals in the domestic league -- deserve another look in a third-pairing or seventh defenseman role.

Forwards

Mikhail Grabovski, Toronto Maple Leafs -- This is a no-brainer selection, along with the Kostitsyn brothers. In Vancouver, Grabovski will see all the ice time he can handle -- no matter what happens between now and then during the NHL season.

Andrei Kostitsyn, Montreal Canadiens -- It's been a tumultuous year for both Kostitsyn brothers. Andrei, the elder, has had a miserable season for the Habs. Nevertheless, the slate will be wiped clean (at least from Team Belarus' standpoint) by the time the Olympics roll around. There's no other choice, as there aren't any other players available with multiple 20-goal NHL seasons on their resume. Both brothers will play on the top line at the Olympics.

Sergei Kostitsyn, Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) -- A minor-league demotion and a pair of suspensions for refusing to play at the AHL level are not be a deterrent from selecting the 22-year-old Kostitsyn to play an important role for Team Belarus. Again, it is partially a matter of necessity and partially an outgrowth of the fact that international hockey performance can be a whole different animal than the NHL showing. One would figure that Sergei, in particular, would be motivated to bring his A-game to Vancouver.

Alexei Ugarov, HK Balashikha MVD (KHL) -- The 2010 Games will be his first Olympic tourney, but the 24-year-old winger already has three World Championships under his belt, and has scored seven goals and 10 points in his last 12 major international games. He has demonstrated in the KHL that he is skilled with the puck and knows how to finish plays when he's open in the slot.

Konstantin Koltsov, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL) -- The former Pittsburgh Penguins first-round pick was a bust in the NHL, but is now a mainstay in the KHL and a proven national team player for Belarus. However, he will need to better his performance from the most recent World Championships.

Alexei Kalyuzhny, Dynamo Moscow (KHL) -- A standout in the former Russian Super League and a solid performer in the successor Kontinental Hockey League, the 33-year-old center is a lock for the Olympics. Don't be surprised if his name gets on the scoresheet a few times against high-profile teams in Vancouver.

Mikhail Stefanovich, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) -- Selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fourth round (No. 98) of the 2008 Entry Draft, the 20-year-old would be the youngest player on my Team Belarus roster. While he would probably not see much ice time (young players rarely do for European teams) the Olympic experience would be invaluable. The youngster boasts a quick and accurate wrist shot and above-average offensive instincts.

Oleg Antonenko, Avtomobilist Ekaterinburg (KHL) -- The 38-year-old Antonenko is a senior statesman on Team Belarus and has played in two previous Olympics, as well as the qualifiers for Vancouver. Even at his advancing age, he was clutch for the Belarusians at the 2009 World Championships, scoring 3 goals and 6 points in seven games.

Andrei Mikhalev, Dynamo Minsk (KHL) -- A five-year veteran of the Belarusian senior national team, Mikhalev hasn't played as well so far during the KHL season as he did a year ago when he scored 14 times in 55 games. Nevertheless, the 30-year-old former QMJHL (Chicoutimi) and CHL right winger is a virtual shoo-in for a roster spot in Vancouver.

Alexander Kulakov, Dynamo Minsk (KHL) -- The 26-year-old has been a regular on the national team for the past few years and merits another call. He was one of the bright young offensive stars of the Belarusian league, but serves as more of a role player in the tougher KHL. Kulakov suited up in all seven games at the 2009 World Championships and was one of his team's most pleasant surprises at the Worlds two years earlier.

Sergei Zadelenov, Dynamo Minsk (KHL) – Another long-time member of the national team and a former scoring champion in the Belarusian league, the 33-year-old Zadelenov has been plagued by injuries. If healthy, there's certainly room on Team Belarus for a player who averaged a point-per-game at the World Championships two years ago. The center lacks size and often gets overpowered by big North American opponents, but he's skilled with the puck.

Yaroslav Chupris, Dynamo Minsk (KHL) -- The 28-year-old winger has been a star in the Belarusian league and a regular on the national team for the past three years. While his performance in the KHL and major international play will not turn many heads, he earned the trust of Hanlon enough to play in all game situations at the 2009 Worlds.

Sergei Demagin, Nizhnekamsk Neftekhimik (KHL) -- One of the younger candidates for the national team at age 23, Demagin starred in the Belarusian national league and cracked the KHL with Dynamo Minsk before being transferred to Neftekhimik earlier this season. He dressed in all seven games at the 2009 Worlds and scored his first goal at the international senior level. This would be his first Olympics.

Evgeni Kovyrshin, Keramin Minsk (Belarus Open League) -- The 23-year-old dressed in all seven games for Belarus at the 2009 Worlds, playing on the fourth line. He has proven to be a responsible two-way player in the domestic league and could skate a few Olympic shifts without hurting his team defensively.

2010 preliminary round groups

Group A: Canada (2), Norway (11), Switzerland (7), United States (5)
Group B: Czech Republic (6), Latvia (10), Russia (1), Slovakia (9)
Group C: Belarus (8), Finland (4), Germany (12), Sweden (3)

The EU and National elections, Russia and Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Flu, Meat and dairy products; Opposition, News, Sport, Culture and Polish scandal...

2009-11-11T09:10:00.000+02:00

From the Top...

#461

Belarus calm about EU’s criticism of national election laws

From: BelTA

Belarus is calm about the European Union’s criticism regarding the national election legislation. The statement was made by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at a cabinet session held on 10 November to discuss election legislation improvement.

“Let’s not conceal that Europeans make certain demands. When I met with representatives of the European Union leadership lately, I told them we are not allergic to and we don’t reject the demands made by the European Union,” said the President. “We just need a little time. And we accept virtually all the 12 demands of Europe without damaging our domestic policy”.

According to the head of state, the Belarusian leadership has no intention to hide that the European Union, the USA and Russia make hints that Belarus could do with correcting the national laws a bit. “We don’t reject hints. But I would like to underline once again that we will create all the conditions to preserve stability and manageability in the country. We will hold the elections for ourselves, our nation and the domestic policy of our country. To avoid destabilizing the situation, everything must be compliant with the Belarus Constitution,” stressed the President.

Belarus’ President: improvement of electoral law will not require constitutional changes

The improvement of the electoral legislation in Belarus will not require introducing changes to the Constitution, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said at a cabinet session held on 10 November to discuss the improvement of the electoral legislation.

“There is no need and no time to hold another referendum on changes in the Constitution,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The President said that the measures to improve the electoral legislation in Belarus that are currently being discussed are a great step forward. However the consequences of such a step should be carefully considered. “It should be done exclusively in the national interests,” the head of state said.

A special focus was placed on the following proposals: firstly, election commissions (except for the Central Election Commission) should consist of representatives of political parties and other non-governmental organisations by at least one third. “I do not see any problems here at all. The decision is taken by the executive committee. Contact the executive committee, and it will decide whether or not to include you in an election commission. But such a representation should not be enforced,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

Secondly, the procedure of nominating candidates will be simplified. Political parties will be able to nominate candidates in all constituencies regardless of the presence of their offices there.

Third, to give candidates the right to hold mass election campaign events on a notification basis and in the specially-designated places and to give them the right to conduct joint events.

“There are no problems with that either. But let us agree once and for all: whatever place we talk about, may it be Minsk, Mozyr, Bereza or any rural council, a special place should be designated for these purposes. There will be no exceptions for any party. They are welcome to hold rallies provided they give prior notice so that we could ensure the security and order. These rules should be strictly abided by,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

Fourth, to allow creating individual election funds having ensured a tough control over fund raising and use.

Fifth, to abolish the minimum turnout requirement to recognize elections to local councils as valid. The head of state stressed that this does not pertain to the presidential election. “We should not cancel the minimum turnout requirement for the presidential election. It should remain as it is: 50% plus one vote,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

There are proposals to expand the rights of observers allowing them to monitor vote counting. But again I do not see any problems with that. The chairman of the election commission takes a decision on site who can take part in vote counting and who cannot. Nevertheless, let us discuss this proposal too, said Alexander Lukashenko.

No political turmoil out of liberal election laws in Belarus

“I would like to warn you that discussions about the possibility of these changes should not launch some political saber rattling campaigns. If we start doing it in the time of economic hardships, it is unlikely that we will get out of it,” said the head of state.

According to the President, at his latest meeting with CEC Chairwoman Lidia Yermoshina he calmly discussed prospects of improving Belarusian election laws. “We agreed that we will come back to matters relating to improving the election process as a whole,” he reminded.

“I would like to stress one more time that we will not stop thinking about the economy, concrete matters relating to the life of the people,” said Alexander Lukashenko. He added that the elections should be calm. “Don’t pay attention to the squeaking and shrieking inside and outside the country. We should just calmly do our work,” he said.

The elections should be honest, fair and open. If Belarusian laws have to be improved to make it happen, it should be done promptly, noted the President. “We should make the principal decision on it today. I wish for the parliament to be able to make the necessary amendments to national laws during this session and wish for the nation to be made aware of them,” concluded the head of state.

Other Belarusian News...

Belarus, Kazakhstan proceed with joint projects in various fields

From: BelTA

Belarus and Kazakhstan will continue implementing joint projects in various areas. This decision was formalized in the protocol signed by the heads of state of the two countries following the working visit of Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky to Kazakhstan on 8-9 November, BelTA has learnt.

The sides discussed the implementation of the agreements reached during the high level visits in 2009 and expressed their satisfaction with the progress in the expansion of the bilateral trade and economic relations.

President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev is to pay an official visit to the Republic of Belarus in late November 2009. During the visit the sides will adopt a joint action plan for 2010-2011 to implement the economic cooperation program between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Kazakhstan that is set to run in 2009-2016 (“the roadmap” of the bilateral trade and economic cooperation). Apart from that, the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan are set to sign an agreement on manufacturing and sci-tech cooperation.

According to the sides, there is a need to attach a greater focus to the creation of joint ventures provided they are financially and economically feasible. The sides reached agreements to develop and support the running projects to produce ESSIL-740 (kzc-812) grain harvesters, PST-9 dump semi-trailers, PT-165 balers, lifts and other machinery.

Apart from that, Belarus and Kazakhstan agreed to jointly produce mineral fertilizers. The sides are busy discussing the details of the projects, choosing the Kazakh partners and sources of financing.

The main avenue of cooperation is machinery construction. The sides have agreed to continue the work on the project to develop the assembly facilities of MAZ semi trailers-refrigerators, MAZ passenger transport vehicles and special-purpose equipment based on MAZ chassis.

The sides are mulling over a possibility to start the production and processing of grain crops on the basis of pedigree seeds and modern system of machines, to set up joint ventures to manufacture machine tools, process milk, to make dairy products from Belarusian milk feed stock in the Mangystau oblast, potato products, and to set up a joint venture to package dried baby formula.

The sides will discuss projects on developing the production of instruments and implants for traumatology and orthopaedics and also on joint production of medical goods.

What concerns education the sides agreed to keep working on the Ekzamen.KZ projects. The cooperation in agricultural training will also be enhanced.

The scientific field is presented by projects to develop telecommunication and computing systems, photodiode techniques, high-tech digital medical radiographic equipment together with inspection complexes and non-destructive x-ray inspection systems.

The government bodies and other organizations have been instructed to take necessary steps to implement these agreements and to complete the plan of joint activities for 2010-2011, taking into account the aforementioned projects by 17 November, and to report to the prime ministers of the two countries on the progress in the implementation of these projects.

Russia to honor all obligations on Customs Union formation

From: BelTA

The Russian Federation is ready to meet all its commitments related to the formation of the Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin said at a session of the State Border Commission on 10 November, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Russian Cabinet.

Vladimir Putin commissioned the relevant authorities with a task to focus on the additional development of the Union State common border together with their partners from the Customs Union. According to the Russian Premier, the Customs Union formation faces a lot of threats; it is a very complicated process from the administrative, financial and law enforcement points of view. But it is a real integration on the territory of the former Soviet Union, Vladimir Putin added.

The Russian Prime Minister reminded that in the time frame of 1 January 2010 – 1 July 2010 the sides plan to launch unified mechanisms regulating foreign trade, enforce the Customs Union Code, complete the moving of control functions to the external border of Belarus and significantly ease control on the Russian-Kazakh border.

“Such integration will require a closer cooperation between the watchdogs and law enforcement bodies of the Customs Union member states. The concerted effort is key to creating an efficient system of state control on the external borders of the common customs area,” Vladimir Putin said.

Customs Union to facilitate single car market of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan

The Customs Union of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan will facilitate a common free car market, Anton Kudasov, Deputy Director of the Foreign Economy Department of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry, told a press conference on 10 November.

“When the Customs Union comes into force we will have the common free market of cars and car components. This will create favourable conditions for us to implement our own projects and attract foreign investors,” Anton Kudasov said.

The Customs Union member countries have agreed that any cars which are produced in the Customs Union will be sold duty free in the common customs area, the official of the Foreign Ministry noted. “Today if a car is sold duty free it should meet a long list of concrete technological operations,” Anton Kudasov explained.

The sides also agreed that all the transport vehicles (trucks, dump-trucks, buses, farm machinery and cars) produced by the Customs Union member countries will be protected by tariffs which it is of great importance amid the global financial and economic crisis. “At present, all transport vehicles production facilities in Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan are in need of the tariff shelter. The level of the tariff shelter is important for an investor as well. When entering the Belarusian market the investor will be making the plans regarding the market of the Customs Union,” Anton Kudasov said.

Anton Kudasov added that the single customs tariff has not been passed yet. “It is inappropriate to discuss the changes of the tariff rate until the customs tariff is approved by the Customs Union heads of state,” the official underscored.

Azerbaijani President to meet with students and professors of Belarusian State University

From: BelTA

Ilham Aliyev

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will deliver a speech to students and professors of the Belarusian State University during his official visit to Belarus on 12-13 November, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry.

The Azerbaijani President is expected to hold negotiations with the Belarusian leadership. He will also lay a wreath at the Victory Monument in Victory Square.

In 2008, Azerbaijan ranked sixth in Belarus’ foreign trade with the CIS member states, moving up one position in terms of export.

In 2008, Belarus-Azerbaijan trade totaled $117.7 million, up 25.9% from 2007. Belarus exported $105.4 million worth of commodities to Azerbaijan (up 22%) and imported $6.2 million worth of commodities (90.9% up). Belarus had a $99.2 million surplus in trade with Azerbaijan. In 2008 the export of services amounted to $4.4 million (80.9% up), import — $1.6 million (20.4% up). Belarus had a trade surplus of $2.8 million in trade with Azerbaijan.

For the past five years the bilateral trade has increased more that 10 times and surpassed $100 million in 2008. The Belarusian exports to Azerbaijan have surged 12 times over the same period.

In January-August 2009, the bilateral trade amounted to $71.5 million (up 90.4% as against the same period of last year). Belarus’ export totaled $68.861 million (91.4%), import — $2.6 million (70.1%)

Belarus and Azerbaijan cooperate not only in trade and economy. The two countries have been developing industrial interaction too. Azerbaijan’s companies assemble Belarusian tractors, trucks and optical equipment; the assembly production of elevators and agricultural machinery is being negotiated, too.

Cultural Scene...

Alena Lanskaya and Natana to represent Belarus at Atlantic Breeze 2010 in Miami

From: BelTA

Alena Lanskaya

Belarusian singers Alena Lanskaya and Natana will represent Belarus at Atlantic Breeze 2010 international song contest in Miami (USA) on 8-10 May.

Taking part in the selection final were also VTNV duet, Katusha RnB band, Dmitry Maksimovich, Aleksha Cherniy, Dmitry Grin, Igor Vakoluk, Daria, Katrin and Anna Blagova. All the participants performed two songs.

The selection final in Minsk was opened by Pulya (Lena Voloshina), the winner of the contest in 2009. Therefore Belarus received an opportunity to send two performers in 2010.

The jury panel included People’s Artist of Belarus Alexander Tikhanovich, singer Aleksei Khlestov, designer and modeller Ivan Aiplatov, conductor of the President’s orchestra of the Republic of Belarus Viktor Babarikin, Alpha Radio program director Natalya Barkovich, finalist of the 1st Latvian song contest Marite Veitnere, participant of Lady Boss Latvian photo project Irina Beinarovich.

Altlantic Breeze 2011 selection tours will start in January 2010, chairman of the organizing committee of the contest Alexander Voloshin said. The finalists of 2009 will have a chance to start with the semi-final of the contest.

Economics...

Belarusian meat, dairy products in EU within six months

From: BelTA

Belarus can start supplying meat and dairy products to the European Union within the next six months, Belarusian Agriculture and Food Minister Semyon Shapiro said during an online conference hosted by BelTA.

“I think major changes should happen within the next half a year,” said the Minister. “Belarus is not widely represented in the European Union yet. Our dairy products are already available in England, Japan, and many other countries. They are available as finished products and can be used as raw stock. In order to increase the access to the European Union market, we are now working on several things, in particular, the technology”.

At present Belarus is in talks with the European Union regarding food supplies to Europe. A meeting of agriculture ministers of Belarus, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania is supposed to take place in Riga in two weeks. The agriculture ministers of the Baltic Sea states have promised aid to Belarus in getting wider representation in the European Union.

“I think apart from technological measures some political steps are necessary. We expect considerable support from our diplomatic agencies. The support is already granted: negotiations with the European Commission are in progress, meetings are organized, protocol obligations are honored,” said Semyon Shapiro. He also said that European experts have already checked three Belarusian companies — Santa Bremor, Savushkin Product, Bereza Cheese Factory. The experts were pleased with the quality of Belarusian meat and milk processing, remarked the Minister.

In his words, the European Union has rather severe requirements for the entire chain of milk product manufacturing from feeding the animals to supplies to end customers. “I think there are some tricks here, the lack of a desire to see another competitor on the European market. Taking into account the cost of our products, we will be tough competitors for European producers,” believes Semyon Shapiro. “Belarusian food is less expensive thanks to lower salaries and other factors. Many European Union representatives don’t like that”.

The Agriculture and Food Minister also underlined that Russia and Ukraine will remain key markets for the Belarusian meat and dairy industry for the next few years. At present, Russia’s annual demand for meat stands at 9 million tonnes per annum, while the country manufactures 3 million tonnes. “At present Russia’s demand for milk makes 37-38 million tonnes per annum while the country manufactures only 32 million tonnes. Why the brotherly country is restricted to supplying only 3 million tonnes of milk onto this market? I think we should supply more to the Russian market. Our colleagues in Russia are interested in more favorable treatment of Belarusian products. Since the Soviet Union times we have been a major supplier of food to the Union market. It would be ill-advised to break these business ties both for the Belarusian and Russian sides,” believes the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Minister.

Belarus’ jobless rate remains at 0.9%

As of 1 November, the unemployment rate in Belarus remained at 0.9% of the workforce. The index has not changed since 1 October, BelTA learnt from the main employment and population office of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. As of 1 October 2008, this index was 0.9%, and it was 0.8% on 1 November 2008.

The national employment program for 2009-2010 envisages that the unemployment rate will not exceed 1.1-1.2% of the workforce by the end of 2009.

As of 1 November, the 1.1% unemployment rate was registered in the Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno and Mogilev oblasts. The jobless rate in the Minsk oblast was 0.9%, and in Minsk it was 0.4%. The registered unemployment in Minsk fell down by 0.1%, while in the Mogilev oblast it increased by 0.1%.

As of 1 November, 41,400 people were registered as unemployed (7.5% up as against the same period of 2008). About 2.7% more people applied to the state employment service in January-October as against the same period of 2008. The number of registered unemployed increased by 5.2%. The number of people who needed to be employed remained the same – some 346,000.

In January-September 2009, 3,100 people who were laid off got registered as unemployed (3.9% down as against the same period of 2008). Their ratio to the total number of the registered unemployed made up 1.7% (1.9%).

Nationwide LAN may span Belarus in 2012-2013

A united Ethernet network might cover the entire Belarus in 2012-2013, Igor Sukach, Director General of the Alternative Digital Network company (Atlant Telecom and Shparki Damavik brands) told media on 9 November.

“The Ethernet network will cover Minsk and all Belarusian regional centers in 3-4 years”, said Igor Sukach. Current technologies allow accessing internal and external resources of the network at the speed up to 100 Mb/s. Nowadays thousands of Minsk households, including those in the remote residential districts of Loshitsa, Kuntsevschina and Sukharevo, can use this network. The net is supposed to span the whole city and the regional centers in the future. The Ethernet technology will be interesting for housewives, engineers and school students, said Igor Sukach.

He also stressed that the wireless solutions mobile operators offer, including high-speed Internet access via 3G networks, do not pose any competitive threat to the companies which develop wired technologies. Each company has its own area: some focus on home and office users while others cater to those who are constantly on the move, assured Igor Sukach.

The Atlant Telecom CEO admitted the possibility of launching IP television via the Internet. “Such a solution is evident taking into consideration development tendencies of Internet technologies and their services”, said Igor Sukach.

From the Foriegn Press...

Belarus Reports Nearly 1/4 Million Cases of Flu

From: Before it's news

From the web site Recombinomics, where they have translated an article that describes a significant influenza outbreak in Belarus...

According to the press service of Belarus continues to rise in the incidence of influenza and acute respiratory infections (ARI). From 2 to 9 November in 18 cities of the republic controls 223,349 registered cases of influenza and ARI. Among the control of cities, the highest incidence rates of influenza and ARI recorded in Rechitsa, Gomel, Mozyr, Molodechno, Mogilev, Vitebsk, Borisov, Minsk, Soligorsk.

In the region from 2 to 9 November diagnosed with influenza and acute respiratory infections (ARI), put 48,752 people, of which the proportion of children was 49% (24051), adults - 51% (24701). Share hospitalized was 2.7% (1,299 people). Among the hospitalized children predominate (60%).

Translation is a little rough, but there is more information at the site, including some speculation about small genetic changes in virus position 225, which have now been reported in multiple swine isolates.

Minsk Forum Raises New Questions

From: Eurasia Daily Monitor

The Minsk Forum has become a regular feature of the late fall in the Belarusian capital. Each November, an increasingly large gathering –including diplomats, politicians, academics, and business people from more than 20 countries this year– assembles to discuss a variety of issues, with its focus on E.U. relations with Belarus and the prospects for democratization in the country. For the second year in succession, the head of the presidential administration, Uladzimir Makei, attended the proceedings. In 2008 he was bombarded with questions, but this year he seems to have had a warmer reception. The forum, which was initiated and is still chaired by German scholar Rainer Lindner, mirrors the efforts of the Eastern Partnership Project to develop closer ties with Belarus. On the horizon –before the end of November– is the prospect that the Council of the E.U. will remove all formerly imposed sanctions on Belarus, which are currently suspended. Speakers at the Forum were insistent that Europeans have not compromised any principles in the new policy of engagement with the Lukashenka regime.

Thus, German MP Mariluise Beck, in a speech at the forum, emphasized the significance of freedom of the media, open work with informal associations, and freedom for political parties in Belarus. Charge d’affaires of the Delegation of the European Commission to Belarus, Jean-Eric Holzapfel, stressed that the Europeans have not forgotten the original 12 principles they elaborated in order for full working relations to be established with the Minsk government (www.charter97.org, November 6).

One question raised by the forum was the issue of Belarus’ recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the breakaway regions of Georgia. Only three countries to date have recognized their independence, namely Russia, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Swedish ambassador Stefan Eriksson praised the Belarusian government for its stance to date, despite pressure from Russia to take such a step (Belapan, November 6).

There is every indication that the E.U. will remove the sanctions permanently. It has recently lifted similar sanctions on Uzbekistan, which has a much worse human rights record than Belarus. The E.U. has also found in Belarus an amenable partner: the Lukashenka administration is happy to trade and talk with the Europeans, and in particular it would like to see the elimination of the restrictive visa regime, which requires 60 Euros ($90) for entry of Belarusians into the Schengen zone (Narodnaya Hazeta, November 9). The vast majority of Belarusian residents would favor such a step. On the other hand, the Belarusians are not prepared to change either the nature of their regime or their foreign policy. They have never wavered from this position.

Thus, speaking at the forum, Makei stated that Belarus’ participation in the Eastern Partnership Project does not signify a change in foreign policy. Similarly, Uladzimir Ulakhovich, the Director of the Center for International Research at the Belarusian State University, commented that the Belarusians favor pragmatism and the lifting of barriers and restrictions to trade between Belarus and the countries of the E.U. (Narodnaya Hazeta, November 9). He also reported (November 4) that the Belarusian parliament will consider recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia. On the following day, the legislature formed a working group that is to travel to these regions to examine the situation at first hand. The move seems illogical, if Belarus is really paying attention to the comments made at the Minsk Forum (www.charter97.org, November 4-5).

On November 4, President Alyaksandr Lukashenka stated that the E.U. and other international organizations, as well as European governments, were beginning to recognize that it was necessary to treat Belarus as an equal partner (Belarusian Telegraph Agency, November 4). From his perspective, that status signifies that it is not the place of the E.U. or the EPP to impose any conditions on his country. It seems evident that the position of Belarus is to maintain relations with both Russia and the E.U., using the former as a major political partner and the latter as a source of trade and extra income.

Meanwhile, some political parties are still struggling for recognition. A case in point is the Belarusian Christian Democratic Party, a radical rightist organization that campaigns against abortion and “for family values.” Having been turned down twice by the ministry of justice, the party leaders considered holding a repeated founding congress in Kastrichnitskaya Square in the center of Minsk. However, on October 31, it held a more formal meeting and again applied for registration (Belorusy i Rynok, November 2-8). Pressure on political parties opposed to the government remains intense. One of the leaders of the BCDP, Pavel Sevyarinets, has frequently been harassed and arrested.

One can hardly blame Lukashenka for exploiting the vacillation and uncertainty of Europeans, whose policies have been markedly inconsistent. One wonders, however, whether the latter really believe that the Belarusian government pays any attention to issues of human rights or democratization. It has no need to do so when it has maneuvered itself into a very favorable position without reforms or developing a more tolerant society. As analyst Uladzimir Padhol told Jamestown, those opposition factions that do not back membership in the EPP with minimal concessions on the part of Minsk, are consigned to the role of dissidents in their own country, increasingly marginalized if not ignored altogether. That is what the government has been seeking for the past thirteen years and it is now very close to attaining its goal.

Belarus MPs to visit Abkhazia, S.Ossetia on recognition request

From: RIA Novosti

A delegation of Belarusian MPs will visit the two former Georgian republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on November 17-19 to study their request on recognizing their independence, a senior lawmaker said on Tuesday.

"Belarusian deputies and senators intend to study the situation on the spot to make a decision on whether to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia or not," said Sergei Maskevich, chairman of the lower house's commission for international relations with former Soviet republics.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia asked Belarus to recognize their independence last year. However, Belarus has so far refused to join Russia in recognizing the republics.

Russia recognized the two republics shortly after a five-day war with Georgia in August 2008 that began when Georgian forces attacked South Ossetia in an attempt to bring it back under central control. Abkhazia and South Ossetia have also been recognized by Nicaragua and Venezuela.

The Belarusian parliament resolved last week to establish a working group to consider the recognition of the former Georgian republics.

Israeli ambassador urges Belarusian authorities to restore synagogues

From: Navany

The Israeli ambassador to Belarus has urged the authorities to restore synagogues amid a “disastrous” shortage of prayer houses for Jewish communities in the country.

The Belarusian government should pay attention to deteriorating synagogues, which were built with contributions by the faithful, Ambassador Edward (Eddie) Shapira said at an international conference on a Christian-Jewish dialogue that began in Minsk on November 9.

“I do understand that there is no restitution law in the country, but there is a wave of religious revival and the state does not only return churches that once belonged to Orthodox Christian communities but also helps renovate them,” the ambassador said.

Mr. Shapira expressed concern about the condition of the “unique” three-story synagogue in Hrodna. Many tourists, including Jews, visit the city, but it is impossible to invite them to the synagogue hit by “devastation,” he said.

The ambassador also voiced alarm over what he called the unwillingness of law-enforcers to probe attempts to incite national hate “even when they are visible by the naked eye.”

He said that a swastika and an anti-Semitic text were sprayed on the building of the Jewish community in Slutsk, Minsk region, earlier this year, condemning the act as a vivid example of racism.

The ambassador called on the authorities to draw up regulations that would prevent immoderate construction work at old Jewish cemeteries and the sites of the WWII mass execution of Jews, and ensure that human remains discovered at such sites be reburied with proper rituals.

From the Opposition...

Swine flu cases in Belarus 4.5-fold higher than in Ukraine

From: Charter '97

According to the Ministry of Health, 85 people suffer from swine flu in Belarus. Seven of them died. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine says 17 swine flu cases have been detected in the country, 6 people died.

Thus, if take into account that the population of Ukraine exceeds the population of Belarus 5 times, the number of swine flu cases per capita in Belarus is 20-fold higher than in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian authorities announced an epidemic and applied for international aid, the Ukrainians have all necessary medicines now. The Belarusian authorities say there is no epidemic in the country, drugstores lack of antivirus and immune-enhancing medicines, hospitals are overcrowded with patients with pneumonia, who can’t get necessary treatment because of the lack of medicines.

We remind that in the evening of November 4, official media said referring to the Ministry of Health that a seasonal increase of acute respiratory infections started in Belarus. The number of ill persons is greater by 70 percent if comparing with the last year.

The number of pneumonia cases is growing in the country, the Ministry of Health notes. The total number of people suffering from pneumonia is 2154. 19 lethal outcomes have been registered for the last 19 weeks.

In total, 85 cases of swine influenza have been detected in the republic, officials say. 31 persons are in hospitals, 47 persons recovered. The virus A(H1N1) was found at 7 out of 19 patients, died from pneumonia.

Far more people that officially announced 85 obviously have swine flu in Belarus. As the Ministry of Health reported earlier, most patients with pneumonia are not tested for swine flu. It should be noticed that the death rate from wine flu in the world is less than 1 percent.

2 126 persons amnestied

From: Viasna

According Zhana Baturytskaya, head of the regime work department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as a result of the law on amnesty whose implementation came to an end on 7 November, 2 126 persons were released from closed penitentiary institutions of Belarus.

383 of the released persons are under-aged, pregnant women, single parents, men over 60 and women over 55 years old, people ill with tuberculosis, oncologic illnesses, etc.

58 of the released people had been convicted for the crimes that didn’t present a large social threat. 560 of the released were sentenced to less than six years of imprisonment and served one fourth of their sentence till enforcement of the law on amnesty.

194 persons were freed from arrest. 37 of the released had committed crimes on negligence, mainly car accidents. Less than a year of imprisonment was left to 798 of the released persons.

The prison terms were reduced by a year to 9 345 persons.

162 women were released from women’s colonies. The prison terms were reduced by a year to 991 women. 159 minors were release from children’s colonies and prison terms were reduced by a year to 255 minors.

As a result of the amnesty the scale of financial compensation for the harm done by criminals reached 5 812 000 069 000 rubles. During the previous amnesty this number was 1.5 billion rubles. ‘Thus, this amnesty was beneficial for the victims’, said Baturytskaya. According to her, in some cases the prisoners’ relatives took bank loans to pay the means necessary for getting the convicts amnestied.

‘Those who were getting obligatory treatment against dipsomania could be granted parole only after completion of the treatment course. The number of such persons is insignificants,’ she added.

Russia...

Russia, S.Ossetia to report in Geneva on possible Georgian attack

From: RIA Novosti

Russia and the South Ossetia are set to raise the issue of a possible Georgian attack on its former territories during the Geneva talks on situation in the Caucasus to begin on Wednesday.

The Geneva talks are backed by the UN, the EU and the OSCE and involve Georgia, Russia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The previous, seventh round of talks took place in September.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said Russia had "alarming facts" that show that Tbilisi was still counting on using force to regain control over its former republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

He also said that Russia would again raise the question of concluding treaties on the non-use of force between Georgia and its former republics.

South Ossetia said it would also present "conclusive evidence" that a new Georgian aggression against the former republic is being prepared.

The Georgian delegation plans to raise the issue of four Georgian teenagers, detained in South Ossetia reportedly while in possession of grenades and explosive substances. In a similar move, South Ossetia will urge the release of three of its nationals apparently abducted from its territory by Georgian special services on October 13, 2008.

Russia recognized the independence of the former Georgian republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia last August after a five-day war with Georgia over the latter, which was attacked by Tbilisi in an attempt to bring it back under central control.

Russian ex-officer's anti-corruption blog causes stir

From: Reuters

A former Russian policeman, who accused officers in his home town of corruption in blogs that had more than one million Internet hits, said on Tuesday he wanted to discuss the affair with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Major Alexei Dymovsky was fired after he posted two video clips on YouTube in which he appealed to Putin to rein in senior officers who he accused of pressuring subordinates to charge innocent people to meet statistical targets.

Unusually for Russia, where reports of high-level corruption and abuse of power rarely go public, Dymovsky's accusations have become a highlight of print media and key state-controlled television channels.

"We have to serve the law, not the generals," Dymovsky told a packed news conference in Moscow on Tuesday, Russia's national day for its police forces. "I want to keep working and I want to achieve justice."

He also complained of surveillance and efforts to stop him traveling to Moscow.

After the videos gained attention in media reports over the weekend, Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev, responsible for the police, promised an inquiry into Dymovsky's allegations.

POLICE REJECT ACCUSATIONS

Regional police were fast to report that their own investigation failed to back up Dymovsky's charges.

Dymovsky, who worked in the criminal police force of the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk, accused senior officers of forcing him to work at weekends and exerting undue pressure.

The major repeated the accusations in video clips posted on his website dymovskiy.ru and viewed more than one million times on YouTube, according to the site's statistics.

"I want to show you from the inside the life of cops across Russia ... the ignorance, the boorishness, the recklessness, where officers die because of their dim-witted bosses," Dymovsky said in the video.

Dymovsky told reporters that senior officers kept compromising material on subordinates so they could fire them at any time. He said officers were pressured to charge innocent people to meet targets for solved crimes.

"If you fulfil the plan, then great, if you don't, you have to pay. The orders come from the leadership, but it's all oral, of course."

Dymovsky said he planned to stay in Moscow to try and have a meeting with Putin to secure a wide-scale inquiry to help restore the honor of the police.

Dymovsky told reporters he believed his telephone was tapped after the YouTube clips came to light and described how his car was blocked on his way to a local airport.

After leaving by road for Moscow, he said he changed his car three times and removed the battery and sim card from his mobile phone to prevent himself from being monitored.

Russian news agencies quoted an unnamed interior ministry source as saying Dymovsky's protest was a provocative act aimed at destabilizing the situation in Southern Russia and discrediting police, possibly organized by "foreign money."

Is Russia playing both sides on Iran nukes?

From: CSMonitor

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev speaks with German journalists Sunday at the Gorki residence outside Moscow. Sanctions against Iran should not be ruled out if it fails to agree to restrictions on its nuclear program, Medvedev told the German weekly magazine Der Spiegel.

Iran's failure to respond to an international offer to enrich much of its uranium stockpile outside the country – for use in a Tehran medical research facility – is again raising the prospect of tougher sanctions.

Much of the focus of the sanctions debate is falling on Russia, which has blown hot and cold on additional punitive measures on Iran over its nuclear program – but which is sounding open to the idea once again. The attention is reviving lingering questions about Russian assistance – either official or unauthorized – to Iran's nuclear program and weapons research.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and French President Nicolas Sarkozy issued a statement Monday warning Iran that "the international community's patience is not infinite." The two leaders, in Berlin for the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, said they "do not rule out" another round of sanctions aimed at the Iranian leadership and its advancing nuclear program.

Those words followed comments by President Medvedev over the weekend to German journalists, when he suggested that Russia could support additional sanctions if Iran fails to take the opportunity to cooperate with world powers in its nuclear program. Noting the offers now before the Iranian leadership, Medvedev told Germany's Der Spiegel magazine, "I wouldn't like to see all that ending in the introduction of international sanctions … but if there is no movement forward, no one is excluding such a scenario."

The US, Russia, and France last month negotiated a deal with Iranian officials to remove almost three-quarters of Iran's slightly-enriched uranium stockpile to Russia and France for further enrichment to a level needed for a research reactor. Removal of the uranium would ease international concerns about Iran's nuclear intentions and allow for what the Obama administration hopes would be fruitful negotiations with Iran on a range of issues.

But Iranian state media reports and statements from some Iranian lawmakers suggest the government will reject the deal – perhaps offering to buy the uranium it needs for its reactor and moving its uranium stockpile to a domestic location for international surveillance instead.

Eyes have turned to Russia because, as a veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council, it could squelch any move to impose additional sanctions through the council. China also holds veto power in the Security Council and has discouraged talk of a new sanctions resolution, but some diplomats believe that it would go along if Russia decided to support new punitive measures.

Russia also has close economic ties to Iran and a history of cooperation with Iran on both its nuclear program and defensive military development.

"There's quite a bit of military cooperation between the two countries, and suspected nuclear cooperation before '04," says David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington.

Officially, Russia has sold defensive missile systems to Tehran – though it is currently holding up delivery of a more sophisticated surface-to-air system, drawing protests from Iranian officials. "The Russians seem to modulate that cooperation depending on how things are going," Mr. Albright says, noting there could be a connection between Iran's lack of response to the uranium deal and the Russian brakes on delivery of the new missile system.

But suspicions have also grown over the last year that Russian scientists, perhaps acting in an unofficial or "rogue" capacity, have been assisting their Iranian colleagues in pursuit of a nuclear weapon and weapons delivery systems. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is believed to have flown secretly to Moscow in September to present Medvedev and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin with a list of names of Russian scientists that Israel says took nuclear know-how to Iran.

Those reports have prompted some members of Congress to pressure President Obama to report to Congress on suspected Russia-Iran nuclear cooperation before the US pursues any new or additional nuclear accords with Russia.

From the Polish Scandal Files...

Corruption is background of Polish gambling law

From: Earth Times

The Polish government, in a draft law it approved on Tuesday, is taking on the gambling industry and corruption weeks after a scandal broke involving high-ranking politicians accused of lobbying for casino owners. The draft law, which requires the approval of the parliament and president before it can take effect, would ban slot machines outside casinos and raise taxes for the industry.

The scandal saw four top politicians depart on October 7 amid reports of politicians' lobbying to block provisions in a bill that would have increased taxes the gambling industry pays to the state.

But experts warn that the country needs long-term solutions to tackle corruption in politics, and that Warsaw is focusing on the gambling problem to steer attention away from government corruption.

Anna Urbanska, chairman of Transparency International in Poland, had a favorable view of the draft law, but she said that Warsaw needs to address corruption with a permanent system that will outlast the current government and continue beyond the next elections.

"More important now is a national strategy of a couple years - a national anti-corruption strategy - where NGOs and other organizations and watchdogs would monitor every year if progress has been made," Urbanska said.

Transparency International, based in Berlin, monitors corruption worldwide.

Last month, Prime Minister Donald Tusk dismissed the head of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau amid charges the official overstepped his powers during an investigation in 2007. That same day Tusk accepted resignations from the justice minister, deputy economy minister and deputy prime minister in connection with the gambling scandal.

Those sweeping changes in the government came after the sports minister resigned and the head of Tusk's Civic Platform, Zbigniew Chlebowski, was dismissed after publication of wire-tapped conversations between Chlebowski and gambling industry leaders.

Despite these drastic moves, one analyst said, Tusk is taking a milder approach to battling corruption than one of his predecessors, former prime minister Leszek Miller, who conducted sweeping purges of his Democratic Left Alliance.

"Politicians and governments that battle corruption in a spectacular way are doomed to failure, because it's hard to prove later that they were effective," said Grzegorz Makowski, an analyst at the Institute of Public Affairs, a Warsaw-based think tank.

Tusk's strategy is different from Miller's, Makowski said, as he quickly shifted from the gambling scandal to tackling slot machines and under-age gaming.

"Tusk hasn't engaged himself in the scandal. He got rid of those closest to the scandal, but there wasn't a thorough cleaning up of his entire party," Makowski said. "He covered the problem of corruption with the problem of gambling."

Some 76 per cent of Poles say corruption is widespread in their government, according to polls by Gallup of 1,000 adults conducted in 2006 and 2007.

Poland was near the bottom of a 2008 Transparency International study of 31 European nations, with only Romania and Bulgaria scoring worse.

But the individual score for Poland in 2008 was an improvement compared to its 2007 score, and that could be due to the creation in 2006 of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau, Transparency International said.

Poles are quite conscious of corruption, Urbanska said, which puts pressure on government to work towards transparency.

"Poles talk more about corruption and are more aware of it, which has a big influence on government reforms," Urbanska said. "That leads to our feelings that it's getting better. And maybe we don't have many successes, but something is being done."

An investigative commission, which is being led by Civic Platform, was recently set up to probe the gambling lobby scandal. Urbanska said it is not appropriate for Civic Platform to be leading the commission.

Poles are doubtful that the commission will examine everything, because there have been so many different commissions over the years that they have lost value, Urbanska said. Often, she added, they are used as a field for political battles.

Polish man Reszpondek faces life for murdering 'Tati'

From: The Leader

Lukasz Reszpondek

THE Polish cheese-cutter found guilty of murdering Ermatati Rodgers of Wrexham now faces a mandatory life sentence.

Lukasz Reszpondek showed no emotion as the majority verdict was announced in Mold Crown Court yesterday.

Sentencing was adjourned until Friday.

Mr Justice Lloyd Jones told him: “You will know that by law there is only one sentence for murder and that is life imprisonment.”

The 11-strong jury took seven hours and 17 minutes to convict the defendant by a majority of ten to one at the end of the three week trial.

After the verdict, the officer who led the inquiry branded Reszpondek as determined and cold, and said he had done everything he could to protect himself.

“All he was concerned about was self-preservation, not the recovery of Tati’s body or the feelings of her family and friends,” said Det Chief Insp Wayne Jones.

The court heard how he strangled her and buried her – but 14 months later tried to dig her up again as police closed in on him.

Reszpondek spent three hours digging with a spade, a fork, and his bare hands but he could not recover the body.

So, in the early hours one day in March he went to police to tell them where the body was – and claimed she had simply dropped dead of natural causes at his home.

He buried the woman in panic, he claimed. But the jury rejected his story and found that he had murdered her and then disposed of the body in a bid to get away with the crime.

The court heard how 41-year-old Mrs Rodgers, known as Tati, who lived in Gwersyllt, was missing for 14 months before her body was eventually found by police at a beauty spot at Erddig in March.

Police had set up covert cameras in the countryside and watched the defendant visit the shallow grave. He claimed he went there to pray.

But after a long operation the police changed tactics to try and spook the defendant to lead them to the body – and it worked.

Prosecuting barrister Michael Chambers, QC, said that quite simply innocent people did not bury bodies.

He then set about disposing of the body and might well have got away with it if he had not made certain fundamental errors, the prosecutor claimed. Using his credit card, which police were able to trace, he bought a spade, a large suitcase and other items used to help him bury the body.

Secondly, he buried her body in clay which had the effect of preserving the body.

Thirdly, Mr Chambers said, the defendant had recorded the approximate area of the burial site at Erddig in the memory of his car satellite navigation system in the list of his favourite locations and named it “Tt”, an abbreviation of her name.

He kept returning to that area in his car but the police did not know precisely where the body was buried.

On Thursday, March 19, this year after months of surveillance, the police made a big show of digging in the fields around that area, looking for the body of Ermatati Rodgers, with a lot of Press publicity.

“The defendant made the error of taking the bait,” Mr Chambers said.

“The defendant watched the police looking for the body from the top of a nearby slag heap, hiding in bushes, wearing camouflage clothing and using binoculars.

“What he did not know was that the police were watching him, watching them,” he said.

By Sunday afternoon, March 22, the police digging was getting perilously close to the actual field which contained the body, Mr Chambers told the jury.

“The defendant must have thought that on the Monday morning they were likely to move into the actual field and find the body.

“So, on that Sunday night, he tried to move it.

“However it was more difficult that he anticipated and after about three hours he had to stop. It was only at that stage that he went to Wrexham police station.
“He told them where they could find the body.”

Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers conducted a post mortem examination and he said that there was no sign of any natural decease which could have explained her sudden death.

But he did find bruising and fractured thyroid cartilage horns consistent with strangulation.

Mrs Rodgers met the defendant in the summer of 2004 when they both worked together at a dairy at Marchwiel near Wrexham.

The prosecution said that they formed a close relationship which continued after the defendant’s wife came over from Poland to join him in Wrexham.

It was alleged that they had a sexual relationship although that was denied throughout by Reszpondek.

At Christmas 2007 the defendant – a married father of two – returned to Poland. His family travelled by plane but he went separately by car. He, apparently, did not like flying and he would also have the use of the car in Poland.

He returned from Poland early without his family in order to work and drove back again.

The journey was more than 900 miles and involved taking the car ferry from Dunkirk to Dover. He arrived on Friday, January 4, and instead of resting after his long journey the defendant took the opportunity of his wife being away to see Mrs Rodgers.

Interviewed after the body was found in March, the defendant denied that he had murdered her.

He said that on the night of January 4 he had gone upstairs to take a shower, leaving her downstairs. The defendant said that he came back down to discover that she had collapsed and was dead.

Jeffrey Samuels, QC, put forward the theory that she may have died of sudden death syndrome. Or her crash dieting may have caused a fatal cardiac condition, he added.

LUKASZ RESZPONDEK was last year jailed for possessing indecent images on his computer.

They were found by detectives when he became their number one suspect in the murder of Ermatati Rodgers.

Officers seized his computer as part of the investigation – but also found child porn images. He was charged and jailed for 32 weeks in October of last year.

Reszpondek was ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

At the time, Judge Philip Hughes also made an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order which, among other things, restricts his use of the internet and particular file sharing software.

He took into account the defendant’s guilty pleas to 12 offences of making and possessing the 83 images and the fact that he had no previous convictions.

Sex tape delivered to family of Farrell's Polish girl

From: New Poland Express

The family of Polish model Alicja Bachleda-Curus is shocked by the sex scandal

A banned sex tape showing Hollywood star Colin Farrell romping with a Playboy model has been sent to the family of his girlfriend Alicja Bachleda-Curus, it emerged Wednesday.
Farrell and Alicja - who has just given birth to the star's baby son- are said to be furious over what they see as an attempt to horrify her traditional Polish family.

The film - showing Farrell and model Nicole Narain in a frantic sex session - was shot more than six years ago and has been banned since the star won an injunction in 2005.

But Polish media report that a copy of the tape has arrived at the home of Alicja's cousins in remote Zakopane, in a plain package with no clues as to who sent it.

"They are simple mountain people who are pretty conservative and this video just confirms for them what they thought all along - that Farrell is a corrupt bastard," a friend of the family told the daily paper Fakt.

"They don’t see him as a superstar - but as a person who has hurt the pride of their family," they added.

Friends say there was already tension between Alicja’s family and Farrell who has been accused of seducing the actress with his louche lifestyle.

"Her mother Lydia went to America to see her daughter and the couple’s son Henry Tadeusz, but she ignored his English name and just called him Tadeusz.

"She is determined to persuade Alicja to grow up and bring her baby back to Poland so that he can be raised away from the Hollywood," added the family friend.

Police launch murder probe as dad nicked

From: NPE

Police in the town of Deblin have launched an investigation into a shocking multiple murder, that left three members of a family, including an 89-year-old woman, dead.

The bloody bodies of 15-year-old Karol J. his mother Halina J. and his grandmother Wenceslas S. were found in their home. All had been killed by knife or axe wounds.

Police reported that the killer had tried to hide the crime by attempting to set fire to the family home. After murdering the three he had, apparently, lit a candle and then opened a gas canister in the hope that an explosion and fire would obliterate traces of the crime.

Although a small fire broke out the gas failed to ignite.

So far police and prosecutors’ attention has focused on Karol’s father Zbigniew J. Prosecutors from Lublin confirmed that they have placed the 46-year-old man, who was the first to alert the police about his family’s brutal slaying, in detention for three months as they investigate a crime that has left friends and neighbours of the family stunned.

“Just yesterday I talked with Mrs. Halina. I asked her how her mother felt, and to pass on my greetings. Several hours later, I learned that she was murdered,” one neighbour told the television channel TVN24.

Just why the three died has left investigators perplexed.

Living in modest circumstances they had little in the way of valuables that could have attracted thieves.

They were not wealthy,” said another neighbour. “There are many richer people living on the street. You know that by just looking at the houses.”

Police said that the house showed no sign of forced entry, indicating that the victims knew the killer, adding that the family were respected in the local community and therefore may not have fallen victim to somebody with a grudge or bent on revenge.

“Karol never had trouble with anyone,” said a friend, Przemek. “He was an ordinary, likeable pupil; I still see him standing before my eyes now. A few days ago we played football together. It’s difficult for me to believe in everything that has happened.”

A stalwart of the community before made frail by ill-health, Karol’s grandmother had sung on the local choir and was known in the town for the warmth of her hospitality and the quality of her cakes.

Two days after the murder television news showed the handcuffed father being taken away by the police for questioning.

Sport...

Belarus wins 11 medals at world sambo championship in Greece

From: BelTA

Belarusian athletes won 11 medals at the FIAS World Sambo & Combat Sambo Championships in Thessaloniki in Thessaloniki on 5-9 November.

The men’s team won six awards. Yuri Rybak won a silver medal in the 100kg+ category. The bronze medalists are Anton Mashkovich (57kg), Igor Sedoi (62kg), Magomed Abdulganilov (82kg), Andrei Kazusenok (90kg) and Evgeny Semochkin (100kg).

The women’s team picked up five medals. The gold medals went to Yekaterina Prokopenko (60kg), Anastasia Leshkova (64kg) and Yekaterina Radevich (72kg). Yulia Borisik (80kg+) claimed silver and Tatiana Moskvina grabbed a bronze medal.

Belarus’ men’s team placed third in the overall medal scoreboard with 23 points behind Russia (47 points) and Kazakhstan (26 points).

Belarusian athletes did not compete in the combat sambo tournament.

The women’s team of Belarus was second with 30 points. Russia ranked first (49 points) and Serbia was third (19 points).

All in all 46 countries took part in the 2009 World Sambo & Combat Sambo Championships in Thessaloniki.

Belarus wins Polesie Cup

Belarus national ice hockey team have won Polesie Cup for the 4th time.

Belarus defeated Norway in the final match in Bobruisk on 8 November. The final score was 3-2 (1-1, 1-0, 1-1).

Austria outscored France on the same day to win the bronze medals.
The final standings were as follows: 1. Belarus; 2. Norway; 3. Austria; 4. France; 5. Polesie; 6. Denmark.

Belarus’ Vitaly Koval was recognized as the Best Goaltender of the tournament, Lars Erik Lund of Norway became Best Defender, and Austria’s Daniel Oberhofler won Best Forward.

Giulien Derosier of France was the best scorer of Polesie Cup with 5 (3+2) points.

Polesie Cup is the first tournament for national teams that is held in Belarus since 2007.

Belarus beats Sweden at World Junior A Challenge

Belarus’ U-20 hockey team became fifth at the World Junior A Challenge that was held in Summerside, Canada, on 1-8 November.

Belarus beat Sweden (5-3) in the 5th place match on 8 November.

The USA team became the winner of the tournament after a win over Canada West (2-1). Russia defeated Canada East (6-2) to win bronze medals.

Belarus was fifth at the World Junior A Challenge in 2007, and fourth in 2008.

Endnote...

Lukashenka to Europeans: Never in my life!

From: Charter '97

On the eve of adopting a decision on extending sanctions against Belarusian officials by the European Union, Alyaksandr Lukashenka stated that elections in Belarus should be held as before.

Obviously to throw dust in Europeans’ eyes once again, the Belarusian leader decided to hold a so-called “consultation on improvement of the electoral laws” on November 10. However right in the beginning of the consultation he dotted all the i's and crossed all the t's. mentioning requirements of the European Union to change the electoral code of Belarus and hold free and democratic election, Lukashenka stated: “I have said that several times, it is counterproductive to put pressure on us”.

And the farther into the forest, the thicker the trees. “Improvement of the electoral process should not have a negative impact on situation manageability in the country,” the dictator stated.

As said by him, “some people treat the necessity to change the electoral legislation as fulfilment of demands of the European Union on political liberalization of Belarus”.

To answer those “some people”, Lukashenka stated that “the liberalization of election laws will not lead to political turmoil and anarchy during the forthcoming election campaigns”.

“I would like to warn you that discussions about the possibility of these changes should not launch some political saber rattling campaigns… The election must be held calmly, as they are always held here. Don’t pay attention to the squeaking and shrieking inside and outside the country. We should just calmly do our work,” he said.

That’s Lukashenka’s answer to the naïve appeals of European officials for democratization. It was possible to make changes in the electoral legislation long ago. Demands of the world community and Belarusian democrats are simple – not to hinder registration and campaign of opposition candidates, to allow representatives of oppositional political parties and public associations become members of electoral commissions of all levels, for them t be able to participate in vote count; and not to hinder the work of independent observers. However Lukashenka continues to sell the decrepit horse called “liberalization” to the simple-hearted West.