News on 14.02.2008

14.02.2008

Young People For European Belarus (New Video) 3

22:34, — Politics

A rally “Belarus to Europe!” has been held on February 14 in Minsk. Participants of the march congratulated Embassies of the EU and the US on St. Valentine’s Day, calling upon diplomats to invite attention of their governments to the problem of political prisoners in Belarus.

Action of Young Front (video)

18:05, — Politics

First films from the street action organised by oppositional Young Front held today in the Belarusian capital.

Demonstration “Belarus to Europe!” in Minsk center (photo) 11

18:01, — Politics

The action organised by the young Front dedicated to the day of love – St. Valentine’s Day, was held in Minsk. The today’s action, like previous ones, had slogan “Belarus to Europe!” The participant of the action visited embassies of the EU countries and the US embassy during their traditional rally.

Putin’s Plan concerning Belarus remains the same 10

15:44, — Politics

No changes expecting Russian-Belarusian cooperation after the presidential election in Russia on March 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin believes. “I am convinced that no changes will take place at the Belarusian direction of foreign policy after March 2,” he stated at the annual press-conference in the Kremlin. As said by Putin, economy should become the basis of Russia and Belarus integration. He has reminded that Russia and Belarus’ transition to the single currency and switch to settlement of accounts in Russian rubles were set as objectives.

Has Russian decided to demolish border with Belarus? 16

15:02, — Politics

Customs authorities of Russia and Belarus set to work on transfer of Russian-Belarusian customs border to the outer border of the “union state,” Andrei Belyaninov, head of the Russian Federal Customs Service said, opening the session of the joint panel of customs authorities of the two countries in Hrodna on Thursday.

Hugo Chavez Cancelled Visit to Belarus 7

14:23, — Politics

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez won’t arrive to Belarus in March. European Radio has been informed about that in Venezuelan Embassy in Minsk. It has been noted by the Embassy that the visit has been cancelled, and a new date hasn’t been set. No comments on the reason are given. As we have informed, as Venezuelan Embassy earlier informed, the visit of Hugo Chavez to Belarus had been planned to March this year. Venezuelan president visited our country in July 2006 and June 2007.

Young People Demand: “Belarus to Europe!”

13:53, — Politics

Today, on St. Valentine’s Day, activists of the Young Front organization traditionally organize a street rally.

Belarusian plane crash (photo, video) 8

13:40, — Events

Among 18 passengers of CRJ-100 plane heading for Minsk 4 are citizens of Belarus, 1 – of Russia, 1 – of Ukraina, 5 – of Georgia and the rest are Armenian citizens.

Andrei Kim to stay in prison

13:26, — Politics

A court session has taken place in the court of Tsentralny district of Minsk on February 14. The court considered the issue of changing the measure of restraint for political prisoner Andrei Kim. Judge Valyantsina Svistun has adopted a decision to uphold the previous measure of restraint. It means that the political prisoner is to stay in prison until the trial.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner: “EU has expressed demands which Belarus must fulfill”

12:41, — Politics

Are Belarus’ prospects to be included into the European Neighbourhood Policy are realistic? As said by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, to achieve that would be not easy for Belarus, though cooperation with the EU could be extremely attractive for the country.

Volha Kazulina: “No dialogue until all political prisoners released” 1

12:07, — Politics

“We hoped that after release of political prisoners Zmitser Dashkevich, Artur Finkevich, Mikalay Autukhovich and Yury Lyavonau our father would be released too. But unfortunately, our hopes have failed,” a daughter of the former presidential candidate, political prisoner Alyaksandr Kazulin (Kozulin), Volha Kazulina, told to the Charter’97 press-center after her meeting with her father in the corrective labour detention facility “Vitsba-3”.

PACE President: “Release of all political prisoners is our unfaltering demand”

11:17, — Politics

The release of all political prisoners by the Belarusian authorities is an “unfaltering” demand of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), PACE President Lluis Maria de Puig said in an interview to BelaPAN. The politician stressed that the recent early release of Dzmitry Dashkevich and Artur Finkevich, both members of an unregistered opposition youth group Malady Front, “has not gone unnoticed.” He expressed hope that the release was part of “a pattern of conclusive and consistent signs that the Belarusian leadership is prepared to get closer to Europe.”

Colony tightened pressure on Alyaksandr Kazulin 6

9:26, — Politics

Alyaksandr Kazulin had a short meeting with his daughters in the colony “Vitsba-3.”

US called Belarus “critically important” country 5

8:34, — Politics

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has named Belarus among the “critically important” countries for programs of George Bush Administration for support of democracy and human rights abroad. The US is concerned about the situation with human rights violations in Belarus many years. In the end of the last year the US imposed sanctions against the Belarusian concern Belneftelhim for disagreement to release all political prisoners. Belarusian officials are banned entry to the US, their accounts in this country are frozen.