News on 19.02.2008

19.02.2008

Presentation of Shrek movie forbidden in Salihorsk 8

17:22, — Culture

Department of education of the Salihorsk district executive committee banned presentation of Shrek movie dubbed into Belarusian in schools. They explained the decision by beginning of influenza epidemic. Shrek was to be presented in Salihorsk schools on 22-27 February.

Looks like plot against Lukashenka is incubated in the country… 57

14:42, — Politics

Today Alyaksandr Lukashenka has come down on officials of his own administration and General Prosecutor’s office. As said by him, he feels that “certain persons” are starting to act around him. Prosecutors have got into politics; the presidential administration exerts pressure on higher bodies of the state power. “You know, they are concerned how the US and the EU would look at us!” Lukashenka said.

Reporters without Borders call to release Alyaksandr Zdzvizhkou

13:44, — Politics

Human rights organisation Reporters without Borders calls to release Alyaksandr Zdzvizhkou, former editor of the newspaper “Zhoda” and present political prisoner, who had been sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment in medium security colony for reprinting cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

Constitutional court forbidden to criticise authorities 5

12:49, — Politics

Alyaksandr Lukashenka said the Constitutional Court should activate its work and constitutional control should be strengthened in the country. He also noted “control over constitutionality of the adopted in the country regulatory legal acts shouldn’t be reduced to just criticism.”

Lukashenka snugs in pretty company 20

12:12, — Politics

The US magazine Parade has published a list of the worst present-day dictators of the world. First the list was created in 2003. Sources include the U.S. State Department, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders.

Belarus raised visa fees for EU and US citizens

11:46, — Politics

Belarusian visa fees have in creased for US citizens and those of the countries joined the Schengen zone in 2007: Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland and Czech Republic.

Authorities can’t forget European March 5

11:35, — Politics

The authorities have prepared a bill for the applicants for the European March, held in Minsk on 14 October, 2007. A trial on the claim of the enterprise “Gorremavtodor” against the applicants for the European March – Viktar Ivashkevich, Zmitser Khvedaruk, Yauhen Afnahel, Vintsuk Vyachorka, and Anatol Lyabedzka, is to be held on 25 February in the court of the Savetski district of Minsk.

Yaraslau Ramanchuk: “Everything related to Belarusian oil project in Venezuela is murky secret” 4

11:16, — Economics

President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez said three additional oil fields were offered to Belarus, press service of the Security Council of Belarus informs, referring to agreements reached at the meeting of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez and State Secretary of the Security Council Viktar Sheiman. Yaraslau Ramanchuk, head of Mises research center, thinks it won’t affect financial situation in the country. “The budget adopted for 2008 has no such source of income as profit from Belarusian-Venezuelan joint enterprise,” Yaraslau Ramanchuk explained his position in the interview to the Charter’97 press center.

Fidel Castro steps down as Cuba's president 11

10:00, — In the World

Fidel Castro has announced that he will step down as Cuba's president after almost 50 years in power, the Granma daily said on Tuesday.

US Waits for Kazulin’s Release 4

8:33, — Politics

The Charter’97 coordinator Zmitser Bandarenka and a member of the organizing committee of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Uladzimer Kobets have visited Washington on invitation of the foundation “We Remember”. During their stay in Washington Belarusian public men met with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs David Kramer, Special Advisor to the Vice President on National Security Affairs Eugene Fishel, and Slovak Foreign Minister Jan Kubis. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Kramer stated that the US is looking forward to quickest release of Alyaksandr Kazulin.