CHARTER'97 BELARUS NEWS UPDATE
December 13, 2001
read the details at www.charter97.org/e/index.phtml
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PAHONYA DOESNT GIVE UP HOPE
There has been submitted to the Supreme Economic Court a complaint, composed
by the editor-in-chief of the Grodno-based newspaper Pahonya Nikolai Markevich.
As you remember, the independent periodical was closed upon the courts ruling.
Nikolai Markevich explains that the complaint will be useful anyway, although
it will hardly be satisfied. In this case, he added, the world will once again
witness that the newspapers closure is in no wise a weird incident, but rather
a purposeful policy of the Belarusian authorities, targeted at the annihilation
of the independent press.
Following the newspapers liquidation, initiated by the Grodno procuracy, Nikolai
Markevich pledged that he would do his best in order for the European structures
to take interest in the situation with press in Belarus. I visited both Vilnius
and Warsaw, doing my best to inform the public there about the ongoing situation
in Belarus. I hope that they will launch parliamentary hearings in the neighboring
states and may be even the European hearings on the freedom of speech and media
in Belarus, - Nikolai Markevich told in an interview to BDG: Theres hope that
Lukashenko will finally realize that those who orchestrated the shutdown of Pahonya
really let him down.
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POLICE POWERLESS BEFORE US EMBASSY GUARDS
Vecherny Minsk
Last Saturday there occurred a mysterious incident on the US embassys territory.
Head of the embassys security service Tomas Torgas found a few meters away from
the fence and the central entrance to the consulate a fancy 20x30cm bag with
a picture from the cartoon Sleeping beauty and an M letter, which is a short
for McDonalds The content of the bag was examined by the pyrotechnic experts
from Almaz.
The miners found out that the object was harmless. Inside they discovered five
sheets from a school exercise-book with a text in Russian, a 30x30cm cloth with
a white-red-white banner on and two lieutenant stars pinned to it.
After the examination of the finding, the law-enforcers attempted to carry away
the thing from the embassys territory. But chief of the embassy guards didnt
let them do it. He took it with himself, claiming it to be US property. So police
never really studied the text of the manuscript.
At the moment they are investing into the strange incident.
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NATIONAL SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA CANT LEAVE BELARUS
BDG
Another incident happened at the Belarusian television, threatening to grow from
a local affair into an international scandal. Egor Ryboakov, young chair of the
BT, prohibited the BT Symphonic orchestra to leave for a Christmas concert tour
to Italy. However, 24 musicians, risking their jobs, still determined to go.
But nobody can guarantee now that they wont be fired upon return. As for Mr.Rybakov
himself, he keeps silent at the moment.
The joint Belarusian-Italian project was initiated by the Italian musical association
Belcanto, headed by an orchestra conductor Nikolo Juliani. Originally it was
expected that the Belarusian side would be represented by the National Symphonic
Orchestra of the Belarusian state television (art director and chief conductor
Anatoly Lapunov) and a choral chapel Sonorus (art director Aleksei Shut). They
had to prepare the concert version of Aida, Verdis Requiem etc. It was planned
that after they stage the program on Minsk scene, they would continue it in Italy.
However, at the very last moment, December 6, deputy director of the association
of musical collectives (theres such a structure in the television company, which,
according to Anatoly Lapunovs firm conviction, is quite destructive) declared
that Rybakov doesnt allow the musicians to go for a tour in Italy. Lapunov attempted
to save the situation, as far as the countrys prestige, rather than mere profits,
was at stake. Nonetheless, they never informed him about the reasons for the
refusal. Nor did Rybakov agree to meet two Italian musical conductors. The Italian
embassys plea, forwarded to Rybakov on December 7, was also given no notice.
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WORKERS BEG FOR ALMS IN REGIONAL COUNCIL
Workers of the Mogilev construction enterprise #12 is protesting against the
payment delays in an unconventional way. It seems like the workers will soon
have their director dismissed. They havent been paid wages since October. Upon
the initiative of the activists of the Free Trade Union Yuri Novikov and Aleksei
Pavlovsky there has been submitted a concomitant petition to the court. However,
the local judiciary didnt hasten to consider it. December 12 two dozens of workers
entered the foyer of the Mogilev regional council in order to sign up for a meeting
with the councils head Boris Baturo. However, the way was blocked by the law-enforcers.
Then a few workers took off their hats and started begging for money the regional
officials, who were passing by.
One of the law-enforcers immediately reported of the fancy situation to Mr.Baturo.
Soon assistant of the chair Voronin came out to the workers. He proposed that
they single out three or four people, with whom he would negotiate. The workers
suggested that they also invite journalists to the talks. However, the Radio
Ratsya and Svaboda correspondents didnt allow them to be present during the
round table.
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INTERIOR AND DEFENSE MINISTRIES LED COMPANY TO BANKRUPTCY
The last week witnessed the end of operation of the Trud footwear company.
Among the reasons, causing the halt, was cited large indebtedness of the Ministries
of Defense and Interior Affairs for the purchased commodity.
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POLIMIR BREACHES COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
The Novopolotsk industrial enterprise Polimir stopped fulfilling a range of
socially significant provisions of their collective accord, such as seven days
of additional vacation, material assistance for recreation, compensation for
paid studies, dentists services and other less serious privileges and compensations.
Chair of the trade union committee of Polimir Anatoly Purets commented on the
situation the following way:
-       After nine months of operation, the companys profitability rested on the level
of 0,2%. It received no more than 920mln rubles in profits. As a result, there
occurred deficit of the consumption fund, which constituted over a billion rubles.
The main reason for that is the descending efficiency of sales due to the companys
re-orientation towards western markets, though it does sound strange to me. For
its no secret for anyone that internal prices exceed the external ones. Moreover,
our production consumers a lot of energy, whose share of expenses is around 36%.
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HONEST JOURNALISTS PAY VISIT TO CHINA
Delegation of state-run media, headed by the deputy director of the National
press-center Boris Svetlov visited on December 3-10 the Chinese National Republic.
The delegation included representatives of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry, Belarusian
television and radio, newspapers Respublika and Sovietskaya Belorussiya,
as well as Belarusian Interfax.
The newspaper correspondents visited Beijing, Dzinyang and Tsyndao in the Shandun
province, along with the city Tsuifu. They met with deputy director of the FM
Department of information Mrs.Tzhai Tsiui and deputy director of the Department
for Eastern Europe and Middle Asia Mr.Chzou Lee.
The delegates paid a visit to the Central Chinese radio-station, the Academy
of sciences and the industrial company Hayer.
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TRADE CONTACTS LTD DIRECTOR FACING LEGAL ACTION
Officers of the Department of financial research of the Committee for state control
for Minsk and Minsk region opened legal proceedings against the director of the
Trade Contacts Ltd. BELTA reports that over the period from May till October
2001 he allegedly traded in alcohol and tobacco products without a proper license
through one of the capital-based shops. As a result of his illicit entrepreneurial
business he received an income of 52,7mln rubles.
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PROTEST AT BERLIN-BASED BELARUSIAN EMBASSY
The action Chain of those who care took place December 11 in Berlin (Germany)
opposite the Belarusian embassy building. For more than an hour the picketers
 Belarusian students of the Free Berlin University and the European University,
along with their friends from Estonia  stood in a line in front of the headquarters
of the Belarusian embassy in Treptau Park. The protesters raised huge portraits
of missing Belarusian politicians and unfurled a banner Where did these people
vanish?. Amnesty International representatives opened their own banner Amnesty
International against torture and for human rights. Afterwards, they submitted
to the Belarusian embassy a petition, signed by all action participants.
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TRANSPORT GROWS OBSOLETE
The public transport in Belarus is quickly aging, being almost unfit for use.
Head of the Minsk city department for transport and communications Vladimir Sosnovsky
said at the yesterdays meeting with journalists that 65% of buses, both local
and international, 64% of trolleybuses and 55% of trams can be disposed of even
now. As concerns the subway trains, they are in a more or less suitable condition
according to experts.
In this regard, the specialists of the transport and communications department
claim that it is necessary to fill the public transportation park over the next
5-6 years with new vehicles. In order to fix the machines and raise their technical
condition to the level of, say, 1990, the city has to purchase annually 230 buses,
170 trolleybuses and 27 trams. Vladimir Sosnovsky admitted that at the moment
the city fails this plan.
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TRIAL OVER THOSE WHO CARE
Chair of the Vileika district UCP branch Vladimir Malarshuk and two participants
of the Chain of those who care action, held December 9, Aleksei Sudak and Andrei
Volynets will stand justice December 14 in the Vileika district court. All
three men are charged with unsanctioned picketing (art.166/1).
Thats how one of the defendants Vladimir Malarchuk commented on the matter:
The following day, December 10, I was summoned to police. Investigator captain
Pershin immediately offered to sign an already filled protocol, reading that
I engaged in unsanctioned picketing. When I inquired against whom or what I protested,
I received no clear answer. Major Yakhimovich, who came to help the captain,
explained that a picket is a call or demand. But I simply stood silently with
a portrait of someone, whom I know! So I refused to sign the protocol.
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CONSUMER PRICE GROWTH RATE INCREASED SIX TIMES OVER 3 MONTHS
The rate of the consumer price growth went almost six times up over the past
three months, reports the Ministry of statistics and analysis. In November the
prices went 4,6% up, which is 1,3 times more than in October (3,6%), 2,2 times
 than in September (2,1%) and 5,8 times  than in August (0,8%). Since the beginning
of the year the consumer prices grew by 38,5%. For comparison: in November the
growth of consumer prices in Russia amounted to 1,4%, in Kazakhstan  0,9%, Ukraine
 0,5%.
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ROKHLINAS LAWYERS INSIST ON LUKASHENKAS PRESENCE IN COURT
Attorney Anatoliy Kucherena who defends Tamara Rokhlina, Dumas MP and General
Lev Rokhlins widow, is set to petition to summon Alyaxandar Lukashenka to court
as a witness. As the attorney informed in a telephone talk with BelaPAN correspondent,
it will happen right after the interrogation of the witnesses.
The case of Tamara Rokhlina, who is charged with murder of her husband, is examined
by Naro-Fominsk court (Moscow region). She resolutely pleads not guilty.
According to Anatoliy Kucherena, Rokhlin was acquainted with A.Lukashenka personally
and talked with him. The main reason why the evidence of Lukashenka is crucial,
is his interview published in some newspapers, in which Lukashenka claimed that
he had allegedly warned Rokhlin about possible attempted assassination. Kucherena
emphasizes that Criminal Code does not allow other forms of giving evidence except
questioning in court.
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LUKASHENKA RESHUFFLES DEFENSE MINISTRY
A.Lukashenka made several new appointments in the Defense Ministry. As a result
of personnel reshuffle General Kastsenka, Commander of the Air Defense Forces,
left his post, as well as his colleague  former chief pilot, General Bulyhin.
Personnel reshuffle in the Ministry of Defense occurred simultaneously with the
reorganization of the Ministry itself. For example, instead of the Main Headquarters
General Headquarters was created. It looks as if reforms are confined to the
change of the nameplates. And the former Commander of the Main Headquarters,
Syargei Huruleu, is assigned to rule the General Headquarters.
It is inexplicable what was wrong with these generals from Lukashenkas point
of view. Nobody of them had given a chance to doubt their loyalty to Lukashenka.
However, Kastsenka once said publicly that a Russian General would never give
orders to him.
Now Aleh Paferau, former first Vice-Commander of the Air Defense Forces, will
head Belarusian pilots and air defense forces. General Paferau is unknown to
the press, as he always shunned contacts with the media. And newly appointed
Yuri Partnou, Commander of the Ground Forces, often made speeches on different
occasions. He often criticized NATO expansion to the East. Probably Lukashenka
promoted him for this position.
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TAX POLICE ATTACKS CIVIL INITIATIVES
More than 6 million BLR, or about 4 thousand dollars, asks the tax police of
the Railway district in Homel from the regional non-state association Civil
Initiatives. According to the chairman of the Civil Initiatives Viktar Karnienka,
such economic sanctions mean actual cessation of the organizations activities,
which performs programs in the area of civil rights protection and social problems
solving.
Tax inspectors Kartsialiova and Blinova concocted the sanctions in line with
the result of a check, unknown to the Civil Initiatives. The lawyer of the
organization, Leanid Sudalenka, affirms that they did not indebted any taxes.
And sanctions of the tax police are unlawful.
As said by Sudalenka, tax policemen by these huge sanctions try to justify confiscation
of the office equipment by the local KGB department before September election.
Criminal proceedings on charges of ZUBR anti-governmental graffiti served as
a pretext for confiscation.
But police investigator Uladzimer Vychikau suspended the case and ordered KGB
department to return computers. But the KGB department refused and sent a letter
to tax police, stating that Civil Initiatives allegedly used computers for
monitoring purposes during presidential elections, which is forbidden under Lukashenkas
decree #8. On the basis of this letter tax police fined four thousand dollars,
the cost of the computers.
Besides an administrative report was filed against CIs head Viktar Karnienka
on charges relating to decree #8 violation. Karnienka can be fined up to 3 million
BLR.
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PAHONIAS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF WAS FINED MILLION AND A HALF BLR
Pahonias Editor-in-Chief Markevich was fined 50 minimal salaries today. This
ruling was made by Judge on administrative cases from Hrodna Zmitser Demchenka.
Markevich was charged with participation in unsanctioned picket against Pahonias
closure on November 19 in Hrodna.
Mikalai Narkevich did not plead guilty. Commenting the ruling of the judge, he
emphasized that Constitution guarantees the right to petition against illegal
actions of the authorities. As said by the editor, Creation of anti-constitutional
laws and accusation of political opponents according to these laws speaks about
immorality of this regime.
Besides, there has been submitted to the Supreme Economic Court a complaint,
composed by the editor-in-chief of the Hrodna-based newspaper Pahonya Mikalai
Markevich. As you remember, the independent periodical was closed upon the courts
ruling. Mikalai Markevich explains: the complaint will be useful anyway, although
it will hardly be satisfied. In this case, he added, the world will once again
witness that the newspapers closure is in no wise a weird incident, but rather
a purposeful policy of the Belarusian authorities, targeted at the annihilation
of the independent press.
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CHARTER'97 BELARUS NEWS UPDATE
December 13, 2001
read the details at www.charter97.org/e/index.phtml