CHARTER'97 BELARUS NEWS UPDATE
January 24, 2002
read the details at www.charter97.org/e/index.phtml
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ON WATCH IN KUROPATY: MOMENT OF TRUTH
Vecherny Minsk
For over a hundred days the defenders of the Kuropaty memorial site have been
standing on watch there. Frankly speaking, we could hardly believe that they
will endure the strong frosts, which had recently hit Belarus. Nonetheless, even
today, while the authorities are rebuilding the Minsk beltway, one can see a
smoke twining over the forest and hear the thump of the axe  the dwellers of
the Kuropaty camp keep busying in their routine affairs despite the natural storms
and life difficulties. The chain of crosses now stretches all around the places
perimeter.
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MERGER AT A ZERO SPEED
An article under such heading appeared lately in the German newspaper "Suddeutsche
Zeitung". The article touches upon the Belarusian-Russian integration. Belarus
and Russia are calling for a union. But in reality no one wants it. The unequal
union of Russia, populated by 150mln, and Belarus with only 10mln inhabitants
is the favorite project of the eccentric authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko,
 reads the article.
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REGIME HAS NO CONFIDENCE IN FORMER OSCE AMG
By his actions the former OSCE AMG head in Belarus ambassador Hans-Georg Wieck
lost the Belarusian governments confidence, commented the FMs press-secretary
Pavel Latushko on the visa denial to Wieck, Latushko mentioned this at a briefing,
which took place on January 24.
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REPRESSIONS AGAINST DIRECTORS DAMAGE BELARUS IMAGE
Lawsuits, opened against the directors of the Belarusian companies negatively
affect the countrys international image, Interfax was told on Wednesday by
the FM representative, who preferred to remain anonymous. According to the official,
the heads of companies were personally in charge of the export supplies. Moreover,
partially the sales were ensured by the directors personal contacts,  underscored
the man. According to him, this is particularly true when it comes to the shipment
of machinery to Russia, Central Asia and Middle East. At the moment some of
the contracts are on the verge of nullification,  noted the FM person.
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POPULAR UNIVERSITY REFUSED PLACE FOR MEETINGS
Barcnews
Directorate of the Byalynichi district youth art center refused to provide room
for the meetings of the Popular University. The administration motivated its
refusal by the provision of the concomitant law, which doesnt allow it to provide
space to such public organizations. In total, over 1,5 months time the PU lectures
has become popular among the local dwellers, and not only adults, but also students
of schools attended them. The council of the regional study association and leadership
of the town branch of the Belarusian Language Society, as initiators of the studies
in the Popular University, are looking for a place to continue activities of
the university.
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INDEPENDENT TRADE UNION OF AZOT SUES ADMINISTRATION
Recently general director of manufacturing complex Azot banned without cash
transfer of trade union dues. As a result of the ruling, trade union committee
of the complex, including 850 workers of Azot, will not receive about 2 millions
BYB for January. In response, Independent trade union of the enterprise is going
to sue administration, as trade union local office chairman Syargei Antusevich
informed. Every member of our trade union has written two appeals: about joining
trade union and about without cash money transfer. So our practice does not contradict
any Belarusian law, -- says Antusevich. Now our members lodged complains to
a commission on trade disputes that works at our enterprise, and then we are
going to turn to court. We shall bring up a collective action in regional economic
court.
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WORKERS WANT CANCELLATION OF ANTI-TRADE UNION ORDER
Countrys biggest trade union of workers of the automobile and agricultural car-building
industries forwarded to Alexander Lukashenko a request to annul the governments
order of December 14, 2001, which practically banned the transfer of trade union
dues.
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PENSIONS DROPPED BY 5%
In December 2001 an average monthly pension was 65 thousand BYB (76% of the minimal
consumers budget of a pensioner), Ministry of the Statistics and Analysis informs.
An average pension for old age was 68.2 thousand roubles, for disabled  60.3
thousand roubles, pension for loss of bread-winner  41.5 thousand roubles, social
pension  26.2 thousand roubles.
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KRYCHAUS RED CROSS UNDER THREAT OF CLOSURE
The Center of Medical and Social Aid of Krychau regional Red Cross society faces
the threat of closure. Municipal services sent a bill just for one month for
a sum equal to 507,000 roubles that the center cannot pay. Now there are two
possibilities: either to switch off central heating, or to stop work of the center
for medical and social aid for the disabled, aged and lonely people.
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BANKS DUE TO CREDIT STATE FARMS WITH 70BLN FOR SOWING
The National Bank of Belarus offered the enterprises of the agricultural sector
to earmark 70bln rubles for the sowing campaign, said on Thursday the chairman
of the National Bank Petr Prokopovich. According to him, such was the request
of the Ministry of agriculture.
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MAHILYOU REGION  LEADER IN INDEBTEDNESS
www.praca.by
Because of difficult economical situation, the experiment in Mahilyou region
to make it finance itself does not promise any good, -- believes chairman of
the regional trade union council Anatol Lubchanka. The reasons for this conclusion
are substantiated. According to regional statistic departments data, not a single
economical index of the planned basic indices was realized.
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US STATE DEPARTMENT INTRODUCED ONE MORE FORM IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR US VISA
AFN
According to US State Departments decision, a new questionnaire-request, as
well as another additional form, were introduced for those who receive entrance
non-immigration USA visa. The form is filled by the persons from 16 to 46 years
old, and includes, in particular, questions on skills in handling arms, explosives,
skills in work with nuclear, biological and chemical technologies, about military
service and engagement in war conflicts, informed at a briefing Belarusian Foreign
Ministry press secretary Pavel Latushka.
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ARTICLE-19 FINDS BELARUS DRAFT LAW ON MASS MEDIA INAPPROPRIATE
A draft Law of the Republic of Belarus on the Introduction of Amendments and
Additions to the Law on Press and Mass Media (Mass Media Law) is currently before
Parliament. This law will replace the 1995 Law on Press and Mass Media. The draft
Mass Media Law includes a large number of provisions which are in breach of international
standards relating to freedom of expression and other provisions which, while
not necessarily formally in breach of international law, are unnecessary or could
be improved. ARTICLE 19 has concerns in the following areas:
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PACE DISCUSSES SITUATION WITH BELARUS MEDIA
The Belarusian issue wont be officially discussed at the current PACE session.
However, the debates on the Belarusian problem will be held today by the Committee
for education, culture and mass media. The PACE representatives will examine
the situation with our media. Two Belarusian delegations had been invited to
the event  one representing state-run media with the Minister of information
Mikhail Podgainy at the head and another  from non-state media, headed by the
president of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) Janna Litvina. The
winter PACE session is taking place in Strasbourg on January 21-25.
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OSCE TURNS TO RUSSIA OVER OSCE AMG CHIEF IN MINSK APPOINTMENT
OSCE Troika  the Ministers of foreign affairs of Romania, Portugal and Netherlands
 discussed in Lisbon the current issues, which trouble this organization most,
including the latest developments in Belarus. Radio Svaboda was told by the Portuguese
diplomat Luis Kabas, responsible for the Eastern Europe in the special OSCE group,
that the problem which worried them most was the one with the OSCE AMG mission
in Minsk.
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 CHAMBER DOES NOT FIND AMG OSCE ACTIVITIES NECESSARY
Commission on international affairs and contacts with the CIS countries of the
chamber of representatives does not consider necessary further activities
of AMG OSCE in Belarus. As Interfax was informed by deputy head of the commission
Syargei Kastsyan, this point of view was voiced by the members of the commission
during the meeting with Foreign Minister of Belarus Mikhail Khvastou in the parliament.
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PORTUGUESE FM, OSCE DENOUNCES VISA DENIAL TO WIECK
Portuguese FM is alarmed over the visa refusal of the Belarusian authorities
to the former OSCE AMG head in Belarus Hans-Georg Wieck. The Portuguese diplomat,
responsible in the OSCE Chairman-in-offices special delegation for Eastern Europe
Luis Kabas said that the Portuguese Foreign Ministry learnt about the intentions
of the Belarusian authorities on Monday. Of course, the visa refusal is a private
business of the Belarusian government and Mr.Wieck and OSCE has nothing to do
with that, as far as Wiecks visit isnt connected with his former activities
as the OSCE AMG head. However, visa refusal to the former OSCE AMG chief is something
we do not welcome, of course,  said the diplomat.
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PARLIAMENT TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS RESTRICTING POLITICAL PARTIES ACTIVITIES
The amendments limiting the activities of the Belarusian political parties are
to be considered at the spring session of the house of representatives. At
the moment the house of representatives Commission for human rights is examining
the draft law, which envisages the shutdown of parties for one unique violation
of law on mass events, entailing the significant damage to the rights and lawful
interests of the citizens and organizations.
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BELARUS OUT OF BUSINESS AGAIN
yusnews.info
Heads of the governments of Lithuania, Poland and Russia decided to hold their
meeting in Kaliningrad in early March 2002. The Polish and Russian Prime Ministers
Leshek Miller and Mikhail Kasyanov made this arrangement in their phone conversation
on Tuesday, reported the press-service of the Polish Cabinet of Ministers. The
proposal to host a meeting between the Premiers, dedicated to the problems of
the Kaliningrad region, was voiced at the negotiations of the Lithuanian Prime
Minister Algirdas and his Russian colleague in Moscow last fall. Russia sought
to organize a quadrilateral meeting with the participation of the Belarusian
Premier, but Lithuania said it cant afford that. They still have to fix the
exact date for their meeting, although it is clear now that the Belarusian head
of the government Gennady Novitsky wont take part in it anyway.
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CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO PRESSURIZE TRADE UNIONS
A standing commission of the chamber of representatives on human rights, national
relations and mass media is forwarding an inquiry to the Constitutional Court
of Belarus about legitimacy of the actions of the enterprises managers that
refuse to transfer trade union dues. This decision was adopted on January 23
at a sitting of the commission. The decree of the government from January 14,
2001 on some measures to protect trade union members cancelled the without cash
transfer of trade union dues.
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JUDICIARYS UNPRECEDENTED BIAS
The Brest tribunal recognized at its Baranovichi session military commissar of
the Gantsevichi district lieutenant-colonel Vasily Arsenovich guilty of violating
art.159/3 of the Criminal code, setting out punishment for deliberate leaving
a person in danger, which resulted in the victims health deterioration or death.
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BELARUS AT SECOND PLACE IN FORMER USSR IN DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE GROWTH
Belarus is on the second place among the countries of the former USSR in growth
of dollar exchange rate to national currency in 2001. This is the result of analysis
by BelaPAN of data, received from central banks of these states. The leader was
Uzbekistan, where the official exchange rate has grown 2.1 times in a year (from
325 to 688 sums).
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NO FUNDS FOR SOWING CAMPAIGN
The government of Belarus fears that it may not have enough resources for the
spring sowing campaign after the passage of the National Banks stricter monetary
policy. This issue was discussed between the vice-premier for agriculture Alexander
Popkov and the countrys president Alexander Lukashenko. Local traders and analysts
predict that in March the National Bank under the pressure of the Cabinet of
Ministers will have to make another emission. Lukashenko, however, being an adherent
of the economic revival through emission said last week that thered be no
extra emission this year.
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CHARTER'97 BELARUS NEWS UPDATE
January 24, 2002
read the details at www.charter97.org/e/index.phtml