News on 8.10.2008

8.10.2008

Halina Syamdzyanava: “CEC must retire”

17:17, — Politics

Halina Syamdzyanava, representative of the Belarusian Popular Front in the Central Election Commission with an advisory vote told journalist about work of the commission during the “elections”.

Franak Vyachorka put to military hospital involuntarily 1

17:06, — Politics

Franak Vyachorka, leader of the Youth of the BPF, was involuntary put to military hospital for examination.

Polish president met Chair of Union of Poles in Belarus

17:04, — Politics

Polish president Lech Kaczynski met with the chair of the non-recognized Union of Poles in Belarus Anzelika Borys.

The Hague doesn’t see serious reforms in Belarus 1

16:19, — Politics

It is first of all the Netherlands, who opposes the relaxation of sanctions against the regime of Lukashenka the EU, Suddeutschen Zeitung writes.

Finnish OSCE Chairman-in-Office called electoral farce in Belarus “positive changes” (Updated)

15:13, — Politics

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb says about possible normalisation of the relations and expanding a dialog between Europe and Belarus.

“Belsayuzdruk” refused to distribute “Nasha Niva” 1

13:43, — Politics

The state-run press-distribution monopoly Belsayuzdruk once again refused to distribute the independent newspaper “Nasha Niva” via its trade network.

Soon Belarus will owe Russia about 13% of next year’s budget 2

13:28, — Economics

On Monday Belarusian officials discussed with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin a possibility to receive another stabilization loan. Unluckily, neither after an hour and a half of talks with Alyaksandr Lukashenka, nor after two hours of talks with Syarhei Sidorski concrete agreements have been named. But the Belarusian officials do count on a loan still.

Khrol: The new Belarusian parliament to consider request for Abkhazia and South Ossetia’s recognition 3

13:23, — Politics

At a press-conference on October 8 in Moscow the deputy Secretary of State, a member of the Standing Committee of the “union state” Vasily Khrol stated that the newly elected “parliament” of Belarus can consider the request to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia if official request on this issue would be received from them.

Why do UCP website and UDF spokesperson issue glaring falsehood?

13:07, — Politics

Coordinator of Charter’97 Zmitser Bandarenka addressed an open letter to the leaders of the United Democratic Forces and the United Civil Party.

Lukashenka makes law enforcement bodies oppose global financial crisis

12:53, — Politics

Alyaksandr Lukashenka thinks the global financial crisis may affect interests of the country in some way. He called on the law enforcement bodies to oppose it.

Cruel jokes about Lukashenka on ONT channel (VIDEO)

12:35, — Politics

They were said in the latest episode of comedy show ProjectorParisHilton, shown on ONT channel on Saturdays. The reason for them was a recent interview of Lukashenka to western press.

Borodin: Agreement on Russian-Belarusian joint air defense system to be signed November 2” 5

11:40, — Politics

Russia and Belarus will sign an agreement on November 2 to set up a joint regional air defense system in early November, the state secretary of the “union state” avel Borodin said to journalists.

Vice chairman of Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly wasn’t allowed in Belarus 7

10:22, — Politics

Kristiina Ojuland, vice speaker of the Estonian Parliament, vice chairperson of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), who planned to visit Belarus on October 9–10, was denied a visa.

US State Department representative: “There is not enough freedom of choice freedom of expression and freedom of speech in Belarus”

9:47, — Politics

Sean McCormack, spokesman for the Department of State, answering the question of “Narodnaya Volya” about further relations between Belarus and the US, stated that “not much has changed in the country functionally”.

Stubb was surprised that repressions against opposition take place 6

9:41, — Politics

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb who was in Minsk on a visit, met representatives of the Belarusian opposition after meetings with officials.

Twin souls (Photo) 15

8:37, — Politics

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb admired a meeting with dictator Lukashenka and foreign minister Martynau, judging by Stubb’s remarks during his visit to Minsk. Stubb noticed many positive things in Belarus. It seems he takes cheated elections and a preliminary list of MPs as steps in right direction.