News on 13.10.2008

13.10.2008

Alyaksandr Kazulin: “We know true identity of Lukashenka’s regime” 5

16:55, — Politics

Former political prisoner, former candidate for presidency in Belarus Alyaksandr Kazulin told in an interview to the Charter’97 press center he didn’t believe the Belarusian authorities were able to start democratisation in response to lifting visa bans on Belarusian officials by the European Union.

Viktar Ivashkevich: Will Lukashenka use advance of EU? 5

16:25, — Politics

Deputy chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front party Viktar Ivashkevich thinks that lifting of visa bans on Belarusian officials is an advance of Europe.

Lukashenka can leave country, opposition can’t

15:44, — Politics

Leader of the Young Front Zmitser Dashkevich commented to the Charter’97 press center on a decision of the EU Council to lift visa bans on Lukashenka and his officials. It should be reminded that the authorities banned the youth leader to leave Belarus.

Yarmoshyna and Navumau remain on list of restricted to travel 11

15:19, — Politics

Visa sanctions are preserved for the head of the Central Election Commission Lidziya Yarmoshyna. Head of the Ministry of Internal Affaires Uladzimir Navumau is on the list of the restricted to go abroad, too.

Milinkevich has his will. Sanctions against Lukashenka lifted 97

14:40, — Politics

The Council of the European Union has frozen visa sanctions against Alyaksandr Lukashenka and a number of his officials. Representatives of the French chairmanship in the EU underlined that it should “contribute to democratization of Belarus”. Sanctions against persons involved in disappearances of Lukashenka’s regime’s opponents haven’t been lifted.

Is Maltsau not authorised to sign agreement with Russia on common air defence system?

13:35, — Politics

At a session of the permanent seminar for media covering military themes, minister of defence of Belarus Leanid Maltsau didn’t answered a question if he had been authorised to sign an agreement with Russia on creation a Common Regional Air Defence System.

Security officials to conceal information about loud criminal cases 4

13:14, — Politics

According to the new decree, mass media won’t be able to receive information about loud criminal cases without a written permission of a judge who is responsible for the case.

“Gazprom” to advance gas price for Belarus to Western Europe’s level 26

11:47, — Economics

Gazprom board of directors has ordered its operating units to continue work on bringing prices for gas delivered to Belarus in line with the level of prices at Western Europe’s markets.

Authorities to regulate Internet-media by end of November

11:32, — Politics

Draft enactment of the Council of Ministers on regulation Internet-media can appear by the end of November 2008. Paval Kachan, representative of the Ministry of Information of Belarus, said it at Business Internet conference during a round table Internet-Media: New Conditions of Existence.

Finnish MPs criticised Stubb’s dalliance with Belarusian dictator

10:46, — Politics

Members of the Parliament of Finland harshly criticised remarks of the Finnish foreign minister, chairman-in-office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Alexander Stubb, who visited Minsk on October 7, BelaPAN reports referring to Finnish Helsingin Sanomat.

Union of Poles in isolation: 100 teachers not allowed visiting concert 4

10:04, — Politics

About 100 teachers of Polish language haven’t been allowed to come to Hrodna for a concert organised by the Union of Poles in Belarus headed by Anzelika Borys.

Issue on lifting sanctions against Belarusian officials to be considered in Luxemburg 1

9:15, — Politics

The situation in Belarus is to be considered at the meeting of the European Union foreign ministers today.

Belarus remains last dictatorship of Europe 2

8:55, — Politics

One of the most influential human rights organizations of the world Freedom House has published the annual report dedicated to the state of democracy in the countries of the former socialist camp.