News on 21.03.2008

21.03.2008

Alyaksandr Milinkevich’s address ahead of Freedom Day 8

16:37, — Politics

Leader of the “For Freedom” movement Alyaksandr Milinkevich made an appeal ahead of the celebration the Belarusian National Republic 90th anniversary on 25 March.

Regime promises to release political prisoners before end of February 3

15:16, — Politics

The Belarusian regime had promised to release all political prisoners before the end of February this year. This statement has been made by the international coordinator of the Charter’97 press-center, one of the initiators of the campaign “European Belarus” Andrei Sannikov. “Representatives of European states who took part in the Brussels Forum have informed about such agreements. Now the sharp reaction of the United States and imposing sanctions against Belneftekhim become clear,” said Mr. Sannikov in an interview to the Charter’97 press-centre.

Mikola Statkevich “Banhalor Square doesn’t fit BNR 90th anniversary celebration” 9

13:46, — Politics

The Minsk authorities allowed to hold a demonstration in honour of the Belarusian National Republic 90th anniversary from the Academy of Sciences to Banhalor Square. Mikola Statkevich, applicant for the action and one of the initiators of the campaign “European Belarus” finds this permission to be insulting for national holiday Freedom Day.”

Lukashenka complained Russia about problems caused by US sanctions 23

13:43, — Politics

“I’d like to tell you about the problems in our foreign trade, especially in the connection with US government position,” Alyaksandr Lukashenka said today at the meeting with head of the Russian Government Viktor Zubkov.

Will Lukashenka declare New Economic Policy? 29

13:42, — Economics

An attempt of Belarusian economic model to avoid shocking therapy has faced a foreign energy shock.

Political demonstration in New York on BNR anniversary

12:44, — Politics

A meeting dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic (Charter 25 March 1918) will take place near the United Nations Headquarters on Manhattan (New York) on Saturday, 22 March.

Lukashenka’s statements called “total absurdity” in Austria 14

12:37, — Politics

Heinz Patzelt, general secretary of Amnesty International Austria called Lukashenka’s statements about democracy in Belarus and Austria.

Rent increase can shut down 1000 organizations 1

10:45, — Politics

The council of Francis Skaryna Society of Belarusian language stated that the further existence of this organization is under threat.

Source in Russian Government: Russia is not going to pay extra money 8

10:22, — Politics

The Russian side is worried about some issues that are emerging in the cooperation with Belarus in energy sphere recently, told a source in Russian government to journalists.

More than 70 cities of Europe, US and Canada demanded freedom for Belarusians (Photo) 4

9:56, — Politics

Over 70 cities across Europe, the US and Canada protested against Lukashenka’s unjust Belarus dictatorship on the night of 18th March. They used banners saying "Europe, Give the People of Belarus a Voice!", the Brussels office of the organizer of the protest, the youth organization JEF (Jeunesse Europeene Federaliste) told to the Charter’97 press-center.

Hungry strike in support of Kazulin on October Square (Photo) 4

8:38, — Politics

An action in support of political prisoner Alyaksandr Kazulin was held on October (Kastrychnitskaya) Square in Minsk in the evening of 20 March.

Price for Russian gas may amount to 200 dollars this year 15

8:33, — Economics

The Belarusian authorities continue to hope for reviewing of gas prices. Cost of gas purchased from Gazprom will be discussed today on the sidelines of the sitting of the Council of Ministers of the “union state.”