23:19 Gazprom offered Belarus gas at USD 165

On the negotiation on 5 December OAO Gazprom offered Belarus to buy gas at price of USD 165 per 1.000 cubic meters in 2008, Interfax learnt from a Belarusian source close to the negotiation. According to it, price of USD 119.5 per 1.000 cubic meters was offered by Belarusian side in the course of negotiation. The source also told that the carried on 5 December negotiations yielded no result.

23:17 Putin can be met with actions of protest in Minsk

Are independent forces going to organise actions of protest against Putin’s visit to Belarus? “Nasha Niva” has asked famous people about it.

17:56 Zhirinovsky offers apology to Belarusians

A deputy of the State Duma of Russia, Zhirinovsky offered apologies to Belarusians for the words in the TV program “K Barjeru!” of the NTV Channel.

17:53 Yaraslau Ramanchuk: «Crisis can be avoided with such gas price»

“Such gas price doesn’t allow to make a favourable forecast. It will be possible to survive in 2008 due to sale of most of enterprises that are in demand today, and growth of foreign crediting. But these measures are emergency, they can delay economic crisis, but won’t help to avoid it,” economist Yaraslau Ramanchuk said to Charter’97, commenting the information of Interfax about gas price of USD 165 per 1.000 cubic meters in 2008 suggested by Gazprom in the course yesterday’s negotiations in Moscow.

15:48 Hearing of situation in Belarus in the US Congress

The special hearing titled “Belarus: from Dictatorship to Democracy” took place in the US Congress on the initiative of Helsinki Commission.

15:32 Myasnikovich: “The year 2008 will be even more difficult”

Belarusian economy has survived an almost double rise of prices for energy resources this year without serious consequences. This fact has been mentioned by the Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Science Mikhail Myasnikovich at scientific and practical seminar. But the next year will be more difficult.

14:09 Justice Ministry has missed the point

The Justice Ministry of Belarus has refused registration of the social pubic association “Belarusian Christian Democracy”, the press-center of the Charter’97 has been informed by an executive secretary of the organizing committee for foundation of the BCD Dzyanis Sadouski.

13:17 Putin tackles financial matters personally

The issue of giving the stabilization credit to Belarus by Russia could be solved during the visit of Russian president Vladimir Putin to Minsk. The deadline for this issue’s solution is December 25.

13:16 Entrepreneurs from regions come to rally in Minsk

Gomel local authorities fear unauthorised actions of entrepreneurs can be held on in the city on 10 December. Iryna Kaminskaya, member of the coordinating council of individual entrepreneurs, activist of the movement “For Free Development of Enterprise” said it to the press service of the United Civil Party. Recently Iryna has been invited to visit the local City Executive Committee and warned she would be responsible for “mass disturbances” if they would occur in the city on 10 December.

10:39 Lukashenka flew to Venezuela

Alyaksandr Lukashenka flew to Venezuela with an official visit on Thursday, Interfax learnt from the press service of head of state.

About 40.000 signatures have been collected for changes in the law on religion. Syargei Lukanin, spokesman of the campaign of freedom of conscience, said it.

9:16 Political Prisoner Andrei Klimau Met With His Family

December 1-4 a political prisoner Andrei Klimau had a first meeting with his wife Tatsyana Klimava and his son Stas in Mozyr colony. Andrei’s mother, a disabled person of the second category, could not come to her son, as she cannot make such a long trip.

9:02 German Ambassador: “Belarusian Elites Should Consider US Proposals”

Gebhardt Weiss, the German ambassador to Belarus, does not agree with the words of Alyaksandr Lukashenka that Europe has no desire to cooperate with Belarus. “Europe wants improvement of relations with Belarus. Opinions differ on what basis it could happen. If we analyze the 12 proposals of the EU, it is obvious that they contain many things which exist and are commonly accepted in Europe in the sphere of human rights, rule of law state, economy,” the diplomat noted.