CHARTER'97 BELARUS NEWS UPDATE
February, 23, 2003
http://charter97.org/eng/news/
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BELARUSIAN AIR DEFENSE TO TRACE AWACS FLIGHTS OVER LATVIA AND ESTONIA
15:38 23/02/2004

Belarussian air defense units will follow the flight of a NATO AWACS surveillance
aircraft that will fly over Latvia and Estonia on February 23-25, a source in
the Belarussian Defense Ministry told Interfax on Monday.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2004/02/23/pvo

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LUKASHENKA GETS READY FOR WAR
14:26 23/02/2004

"Again, like in the most tragic period of our history, along the borders of Belarus
a huge military and strategic potential of by no means friendly character is
concentrated", said Alyaksandar Lukashenka on February 23 at a reception on the
occasion of the Defender of the Fatherland and of the Armed Forces Day. It requires
being on the alert constantly, to use additional efforts in diplomatic area as
well as in development of one's political potential. 
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2004/02/23/war

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BELARUS DEMANDS GAS INDEPENDENCE
12:42 23/02/2004

The first day when Russia's gas blockade of Belarus raised, demonstrated that
the conflict between the two countries on the issue of the gas relations is to
have more serious effect than Moscow expected.  Belarus is ready to turn down
integration in the gas sphere, but in return for real independence of Beltransgaz,
which for instance Ukrainina Naftogaz possesses. Now Minsk does not hurry to
buy gas from Gazprom. Long-term contract with Beltransgaz was discussed in Moscow
and in Minsk, but its perspectives are vague, Kommersant informs.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2004/02/23/belarus

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MASS ZUBR ACTION IN MINSK CENTER
10:51 23/02/2004

An action devoted to the theme of political kidnapping in Belarus was held on
February 22 in Minsk. More than 100 people with portraits of Yuri Zakharanka,
Viktar Hanchar, Anatol Krasowsky, Dzmitser Zavadsky and Hienadz Karpenka, lined
along the Skaryna Avenue at 2 p.m. Young people stood facing the roadway from
the October Square to the General Post Office at intervals of 2-3 meters. Beside
Zubr activists, mother of the abducted journalist, Volha Zavadskaya, took part
in the action. 
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2004/02/23/zubr

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GENERALS SUSPECTED IN CRIMES REWARDED WITH INSIGNIA BY LUKASHENKA
15:22 23/02/2004

On February 23 at the reception on the occasion of the Defender of the Fatherland
Day Alyaksandar Lukashenka rewarded lieutenant-general Uladzimir Uskhopchyk (Vladimir
Uskhopchik) an order "For Service to Homeland" of the 1rst degree. Uladzimir
Uskhopchyk received this high award for "long conscientious service in the Military
Forces, a model doing of a soldier's duty and high personal progress in service".
The head of state noted that he is a real general devoted to the Belarusian people
and his soldiers duty. Though he is finishing his service, he is to continue
to serve to his Homeland, President emphasized. Let us remind that General Uskhopchyk
had been looked for for many years by the Lithuanian Prosecutor's office. In
1991 Uskhopchyk headed the Vilnius-based division of Soviet troops that stormed
the citys television tower in January 1991, killing 14 unarmed civilians, defenders
of the Lithuanian independence. Vilnius accuses Uskhopchyk of being a principle
at the January 1991 massacre in Vilnius. 
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2004/02/23/orden

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DEMOCRATIC TRADE UNIONS' CONGRESS EJECTED
13:05 23/02/2004

Economic administrative department of the Administration of President of Belarus'
Affairs refused to prolong a contract of renting premises for the Belarusian
Congress of Democratic Trade Unions' office without any justification. The independent
trade unions' center is regarding it as a political provocation a few days before
the visit of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and European Union commissions
who are to investigate violations of trade unions and employees' rights. 
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2004/02/23/kong

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LUKASHENKA REFUSES TO MEET RUSSIAN VICE PRIME MINISTER
12:45 23/02/2004, ORT

"Absence of such contractual obligations as transit or gas supplies, one way
or another put either side in a very interesting position: it looks either like
a smuggler or as a thief".  These are expressions employed by Russian vice Prime
Minister Viktor Khristenko when speaking of the row between Moscow and Minsk
about the gas price. Initially his visit to Belarusian capital was not connected
with gas row, but unpredictable events of the last few days amended the high
official's plans. The Russian authorities have almost lost their patience. As
the Russian FM declared the day before, Alyaksandar Lukashenka had ventured upon
provocative statements addressed to the Russian Federation. On February 20 Khristenko
was to meet Lukashenka. However the Belarusian side cancelled the meeting. The
talks on the gas issue have not led to new agreements. The sides only agreed
to continue dialog within the next few days.
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2004/02/23/otkaz

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ACCUSATIONS AGAINST VALERY LEVANEWSKY
11:02 23/02/2004

On February 20 a report was drawn up against one of the leaders of traders' union
Valery Levanewsky. He was charged with  "activities on behalf of unregistered
or not re-registered political parties, trade unions or other public associations"
  by the service of public order defense and crimes prevention of the Interior
Affairs Department of Lenin district of Hrodna. It's the continuation of the
story when personal correspondence of Levanewsky with diplomats accredited in
Belarus was seized. As we have informed, the letters sent to diplomatic representatives
by Levanewsky was illegally seized by law-enforcing agencies of Belarus. Levanewsky
is in correspondence with diplomats as a Chairman of the Strike Committee of
Entrepreneurs of Belarus.  
http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2004/02/23/levon

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CHARTER'97 BELARUS NEWS UPDATE
February, 23, 2003
http://charter97.org/eng/news/