News on 18.03.2008

18.03.2008

5 minutes – is it much or little? 3

16:45, — Politics

Right of candidates for deputies for agitation via state media will be secured in accordance to the acting laws during the coming parliamentary election. Every candidate will receive five minutes for agitation on TV and radio.

Clouds are gathering 33

16:19, — Politics

Alyaksandr Lukashenka has held a consultation on the issues of strengthening the defense capability, legal order and security of the country. At the meeting with members of power ministries he once again brought up the topic of US sanctions against the Belarusian regime. As said by the Belarusian ruler, the US “has demonstrated their cynical attitude towards the international laws, by imposing and expanding sanctions against enterprises of Belneftekhim concern”.

Is arrested in Minsk American lawyer kept in KGB jail? 1

16:16, — Politics

Together with US citizen lawyer Emanuel Zeltser his secretary Vladlena Funk (Bluzkova), a citizen of Russia, was detained in Minsk 12 March.

Negative balance of trade with Russia increased 3.4-fold during a month 14

15:30, — Economics

The shocking data on trade with Russia were released by the Belarusian Ministry of Statistics and Analyse.

Opposition activist arrested for 15 days for action in support of Tibet in Minsk 10

14:40, — Politics

Paval Kuryanovich, activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus”, was arrested for 15 days for participation in the action of solidarity with Tibetan people struggling for independence from China.

“Gorremavtodor” Executive Director’s moral damages compensated 4

14:34, — Politics

Democratic activists have given four toilet rolls to the executive director of a state-run road maintenance firm “Gorremavodor” of Minsk city executive committee. The action took place in the office of the organization which applicants for holding the European March.

US reminded Belarusian regime about its commitments to OSCE 5

13:28, — Politics

By imposing sanctions against enterprises of Belneftekhim concern and against some persons undermining democratic processes and institutions in Belarus in no way breached the commitments it undertook in the Helsinki Final Act. This statement was made by Deputy Chief of the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Kyle Scott to the OSCE Permanent Council.

Kazulin’s future to be known soon 2

12:15, — Politics

A petition of Yuliya Kazulina on mitigation of sentence to her father, a chairman of the Belarusian Social Democratic party (Hramada) Alyaksandr Kazulin is under consideration in the colony Vitsba-3, representatives of the colony told to Interfax on Monday.

Lyavon Barshcheuski: “We’re meeting on Yakub Kolas Square at 6.00pm 25 March” 31

12:00, — Politics

“We are meeting on Yakub Kolas Square at 6.00pm 25 March,” head of the Belarusian Popular Front party Lyavon Barshcheuski said at the presentation of Ivonka Survilla’s book “Way” held in the BPF Minsk office on Monday.

BAJ sent inquiry to Information Ministry concerning Law on Internet media

11:47, — Politics

The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) has made official inquiries to the Ministry of Information, and the presidential National Law Drafting Center about a draft presidential edict that would govern online media outlets.

Lyavon Volski to stop gig if militia will detain people 3

10:46, — Politics

Two Homel opposition activists were detained on Saturday at the absolutely legal concert of the band N.R.M. played in the local cultural center.

American lawyer detained in Minsk on the day of Borodin’s Arrival 4

10:25, — Politics

A lawyer, a money laundering combat expert, a US citizen of Russian origin Emanuel Zeltser was detained in Minsk on March 12. The press learnt about that on March 17.

Tom Casey: “US continue pressure with intent of Kazulin’s release”

10:11, — Politics

At the briefing on March 17 Tom Casey, US Department of State spokesman told that the US does not expect that Belarus “would break relations and close embassy in the US”.

Poland demands to release political prisoners in Belarus (Photo)

9:58, — Politics

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and leader of the “For Freedom” movement Alyaksandr Milinkevich discussed problems of the civil society at the meeting in Warsaw on 17 March.

A Russian holds 52th day of hunger strike in Belarusian colony 9

8:29, — Society

Radio Svaboda learnt it from his parents and entrepreneur from Vaukavysk Mikalai Autukhovich, who got acquainted with Mikalai Kostyshau in the Minsk colony No 1.

British image-maker to earn millions of dollars over Lukashenka 64

8:28, — Politics

British PR figure Timothy Bell said in the interview to Moscow Times he and his company would earn millions of dollars over improving of Lukashenka’s image of several years. Lukashenka has recently proposed Timothy Bell to work on improving his image in the West.