CHARTER'97 BELARUS NEWS UPDATE
February 25, 2003
www.charter97.org
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EARLY VOTING COMMENCES IN BELARUS
11:23 25/02/2003

Early local elections in Belarus will start on February 25. Secretary of the
Central Electoral Committee Nikolai Lozovik in an interview to "Interfax" stated
readiness of electoral commissions to hold voting before time. Lozovik remarked
that the early voting procedure is defined by the Electoral law and will be held
from 10a.m. till 2p.m. and from 4 till 7p.m.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/25/local

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NEW APPREHENSIONS FOR DISTRIBUTION OF FLYERS
15:16 25/02/2003

Four ZUBR movement's activists were detained yesterday for gluing stickers with
the People's March "For Better Life!" logos in Minsk streets. They all faced
protocols under article 143 of the Administrative code.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/25/zubr

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FTU LEADERSHIP BLAMED OVER FOUL PLAY
15:14 25/02/2003

Another country's trade union  of radio electric energy industry  blamed the
Federation of trade unions of Belarus for an attempt to "impose unification"
of the industrial trade unions.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/25/fpb

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IRAQI AMBASSADOR UNAWARE OF DATE OF HUSSEIN'S SON'S COMING TO MINSK
15:12 25/02/2003

Iraqi ambassador in Belarus Salman Zeidan didn't confirm the date of Hussein's
elder son Udei's arrival in Minsk. If you remember, on February 21 mass media
disseminated information that Udei, who is chairman of the National Olympic Committee
of Iraq, will attend on March 29 the international wrestling tournament, due
to take place in Minsk.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/25/ugay

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YURI KHODYKO JOINS PEOPLE'S MARCH "FOR BETTER LIFE!" ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
15:09 25/02/2003

Deputy chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front "Adradjenne" professor Yuri Khodyko
joined the organizing committee for holding on March 12 the People's March "For
Better Life!". Therefore, the People's March is now also upheld by the BPF "Adradjenne".
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/25/khadyka

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LUKASHENKO SETS OFF FOR RECREATION IN SOCHI
11:46 25/02/2003

Alexander Lukashenko took a Monday flight to Sochi, where he intends to spend
his short-term vacations. Belarusian television reported on Monday evening with
a reference to the head of state's press-service that the president was invited
to rest in Sochi by Vladimir Putin. Supposedly, Alexander Lukashenko will spend
the following 10 days at the popular resort.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/25/kurort

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LUKASHENKO SENDS PERSONAL MISSIVE TO NON-ALIGNMENT MOVEMENT
11:45 25/02/2003

On February 24 the capital of Malaysia Kuala-Lumpur hosted official opening of
the XIII meeting of heads of states and governments of the member-states of the
Non-Alignment Movement. 111 delegations arrived to engaged in the summit out
of the 114 expected. 59 of them were represented by the heads of states and governments.
The Belarusian one was headed by Foreign Minister Mikhail Khvostov. Belarus,
elected as Vice-Chair of the Summit, spoke during the opening ceremony on behalf
of the Movement's European members. Belarusians also passed over Alexander Lukashenko's
personal missive to the chairman of the Movement Mahathir Mohammad, Malaysian
Foreign Minister.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/25/message

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POLISH DEFENSE MINISTER UPHOLDS US BASES' DEPLOYMENT ON POLAND'S SOIL
11:41 25/02/2003

Polish Defense Minister Ezhi Shmaidzinsky supported the idea of deploying US
military bases on the Polish territory. "I decisively uphold the plans of allocating
American military bases in Poland,"  said the official in an interview to the
weekly "Vprost". "This will ensure our country's security,"  added he.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/25/poland

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LUKASHENKO CONFIRMS INTENTION TO COOPERATE WITH KUWAIT
11:39 25/02/2003

Belarus' aspiration to develop mutually beneficial collaboration with Kuwait
in all spheres was confirmed by Alexander Lukashenko in his personal message
to the leadership of Kuwait on the occasion of the country's National holiday,
BELTA was told in the presidential press-service.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/25/kuwait

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MORE CRIMINAL LAWSUITS SUBMITTED TO COURTS IN 2002
11:35 25/02/2003

Belarusian district and municipal courts received last year over 51thsd criminal
cases, which is 14,3% more than in the year 2001, said at the press-conference
in Minsk the chairman of the Supreme Court of Belarus Sukalo. In his opinion,
the rise occurred due to the general increase of the criminality level in the
country. As compared with the previous year, the amount of registered crimes
rose by more than 20thsd, amounting to over 132thsd.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/25/court

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CONFLICTS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND RELIGIOUS CONFESSIONS
11:32 25/02/2003

Religious situation in Gomel region and application of the law "On freedom of
faith and religious organizations" in the sphere of state-church relations have
been raised for consideration and debating at the February 21 meeting of the
Gomel regional committee.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2003/02/25/religion
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CHARTER'97 BELARUS NEWS UPDATE
February 25, 2003
www.charter97.org