News on 11.02.2008

11.02.2008

Viktar Skarabahatau: 25 March is real state holiday

17:08, — Politics

What does anniversary of Belarusian National Republic (BNR) formation mean for the history of Belarus? Head of “Belaruskaya Kapela” Viktar Skarabahatau thinks it is the most significant event of the XX century for Belarusian state and Belarusian nation.

Entrepreneur’s trial postponed due to language question

15:52, — Politics

Civil activists, detained preventively ahead of protest rally of entrepreneurs on 10 January, continue to stand trials. A proceeding against Viktar Kryval, one of the leaders of entrepreneurs’ movement from Uzda, has started on 11 February. He is accused of allegedly disobedience to militia.

Protestants delivered ultimatum to Lukashenka 7

15:30, — religion

Pastors of more than 40 Belarusian churches which are members of the Full Gospel Association, addressed Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

Andrei Sannikov: What concerns Belarusian situation, democrats and republicans cooperate well

14:39, — Politics

The whole world is watching the electoral race in the United States. Ho will become the next US president ¬ – a democrat or a republican? How will the election results influence Belarus? “The situation in Belarus is abnormal in such degree, that democratic countries can’t have any divergence of views. There is a consensus between republicans and democrats,” Andrei Sannikov, international coordinator of Charter’97 and one of the initiators of the civil campaign “European Belarus,” is sure.

Does Russia’s Ambassador Foretell “Union Referendum”? 2

14:27, — Politics

After the Russian presidential elections, which are scheduled for March 2008, the work on the Constitution Act of the “union state” will continue, said Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Belarus Alexander Surikov told a press conference in Minsk on February 11.

New Wave of Protest Started from Baranavichy

14:24, — Politics

Today more than 200 individual entrepreneurs have gathered in a new park of Baranavichy to rally against Decree No. 760. Before the beginning of the rally several cars appeared in the park, and communal services workers started to prune trees.

Official forecasts bursting like soap bubbles 1

13:03, — Economics

According to official information, consumer prices in Belarus have increased by 2.5 per cent in January after the December growth by 2.4 per cent.

Amnesty International, Belarusian Helsinki Committee condemn executions of convicts in Belarus

12:50, — Politics

Amnesty International and the Belarusian Helsinki Committee have condemned the recent executions of convicts in Belarus.

Stoppard to the rescue: Why the writer is backing freedom in Belarus

12:49, Stephanie Merritt, The Observer — Culture

The Belarus Free Theatre was set up in 2005 to produce uncensored work in response to the authoritarian rule of President Alexander Lukashenko, who has viciously suppressed freedom of expression as well as political opposition.

Rezidor opens new hotels in Libya, Germany and Belarus

12:45, — Economics

The Rezidor Hotel Group has announced three new hotels in EMEA the Radisson Olympic Hotel, Minsk, Republic of Belarus (241 rooms), the Radisson Tripoli, Libya (333 rooms) and the Park Inn Weimar, Germany (194 rooms). All together, the properties add 768 rooms to the Rezidor system.

Documentary about Belarusian anti-Soviet resistance fighter shot in Homyel

12:42, — Culture

A documentary about Belarusian anti-Soviet resistance fighter Tsimokh Vostrykaw who died last November has been released in Homyel.

Harder to become lawyer or journalist 4

12:02, — society

A special permission by the authorities, named as professional and psychological interview or testing, is needed to study such disciplines as international activity, journalism, law.

Law Contradicts Constitution

10:13, — Politics

A round table discussion with participation of Belarusian human rights watchdogs and representatives of democratic community has taken place in Minsk. Main topics for discussion were a situation with human rights and political persecution of citizens in Belarus.

Protest of Entrepreneurs to Start from Baranavichy

9:50, — Politics

Today at 12 noon entrepreneurs plan to hold an unsanctioned protest rally against Decree No. 760. The major protest rally of entrepreneurs is planned for February 18 on October Square in Minsk.

Selling of plants and factories on the agenda 4

8:56, — Economics

Planning of state budget out of selling a stake of joint stock venture “Mobile Digital Communications” (Velcom) and other state property in 2007, has failed.

Belarus can’t afford to pay market price for Russian gas 8

8:47, — Economics

First vice-premier of Russian said on the conference in Munich Russia’s gas price for Belarus is cheaper than for other European countries. “Europe pays USD 314 for 1 cu m. Lukashenka said he hadn’t such money,” Sergei Ivanov declared.