CHARTER'97 BELARUS NEWS UPDATE
February 05, 2003
www.charter97.org
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ELECTIONS IN TOLOCHIN ARE FALSIFIED BEFORE ELECTIONS
16:26 05/02/2003, Narodnaya Volia

After publishing preliminary data about registration of candidates to local sovets
it became clear that we will have elections but we will not have choice. Almost
in all election districts there are non-alternative candidates from power. Political
parties suffered especially serious loses. Power gloats over and hints on weakness
of political parties and public organizations. This is right. But it means that
political system of the country is weak. First of all citizens will lose, because
political parties express will of people.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/05/tolochin

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WORKERS OF MOGILEV METAL PLANT EXPRESSED MISTRUST TO THEIR ADMINISTRATION
13:17 05/02/2003

On February, 4 workers of Mogilev metal plant expressed mistrust to administration
of enterprise. About 150 workers, most of them are shareholders, gathered together
near building of administration with placards "Where is our money?", "Power,
protect us!", "Shame on Ministry of industry!"
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/05/work

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UTA ZAPF: "POSITION OF OSCE HAS NOT CHANGED"
11:29 05/02/2003

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly official delegation, headed by the chair of the special
OSCE PA group for Belarus Uta Zapf, will come in Minsk on February, 5 and stay
in Minsk for two days. Among those delegated to Minsk are Urban Alin (Sweden),
Fred Ponsombi (Great Britain), Gabor Hars (Hungary) and program employee of OSCE
PA Paul Legendre.  As radio "Liberty" informed before, in spite of certain actions
of Belarusan side for opening new OSCE office demands of European politicians
has not changed. Four conditions of OSCE will not be changed: authority of parliament,
discrimination of political opposition and independent media, access of opposition
to state media will be discussed during this visit.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/05/zapf

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NEW LAW ON RELIGION MADE SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFICULT THE ACTIVITIES OF KRISHNA FOLLOWERS
16:41 05/02/2003

When the new law "On freedom of religions and religion organizations" came into
forth "all the activities according to Statute of the Krishna followers of the
Republic of Belarus became illegal".  This information is included in an appeal
to the Administration of Lukashenko, the governemt, and the parliament of Belarus.
Besides, the appeal was distributed among human rights organizations and diplomatic
missions that accredited in Belarus. The appeal was signed by Sergey Malakhovskiy,
Alexander Karzov, and Andrey Zubko, representatives of the Krishna communities.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/05/krishna

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OFFICIAL MINSK IS AFRAID OF USA RETURN TO UNESCO
16:19 05/02/2003

Chair of National commission of Republic of Belarus for UNESCO Vladimir Schastny
is worried by possible return of USA to this international organization. He told
of it of February, 4 in Information and documentation center of UNESCO and other
international organizations. As diplomat marked present period is very productive
because there is no total politization in activity of the organization, -- informs
BelaPan. But situation can change once USA return to UNESCO", -- said V. Schastny.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/05/usa

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BELARUS REDUCED DEBT FOR RUSSIAN POWER RESOURCES
14:57 05/02/2003

In 2002 Belarus for the first time provided hundred per cent payment for importing
Russian power resources and reduced debt for previous years on 87,6 million dollars.
Minister of energy Vladimir Semashko told it.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/05/dolg

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POPULATION OF MINSK REGION REDUCED ON 12,2 THOUSAND PEOPLE
14:53 05/02/2003

During January  November of 2002 population reduced on 12,2 thousand people.
1515,1 thousand people live in Minsk region now, -- as informs department of
statistics of Minsk region executive committee.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/05/minsk

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USA DIDNT INCLUDE BELARUS TO PROGRAM OF MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO CIS STATES
11:39 05/02/2003

George Bush administration planned to spend 36,4 million dollars on military
assistance to states of Community of Independent States. This project is in bill
that was headed to US Congress on Monday.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/05/arms
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CHARTER'97 BELARUS NEWS UPDATE
February 05, 2003
www.charter97.org