March 24 the Ukrainian capital Kiev hosted an official qualifier of the World Cup-2002, due to take place in Japan and South Korea, between national squads of Ukraine and Belarus. 25 ZUBR fans arrived in Kiev well in time to support their countrymen before the important qualifying round. They unfurled dozen of white-red-white flags in their sector of the stadium, two of which were real huge in size - 4,5x2,5 meters. In close proximity to them they unfolded a 3x3 meter ZUBR banner. On the early stage of the game there occurred no incidents - Belarusians were protected by a police cordon from the aggressively behaving Ukrainian fans.

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The decree, as you remember, prohibits delivering foreign aid to opposition organizations. EU Presidium statement stresses that these anti-democratic measures will contribute to greater isolation of Belarus from the international community. The order, signed by Lukashenko on March 12, bans any overseas aid to the NGOs, engaged in political affairs or elections monitoring. Presidential elections in Belarus have been scheduled for September.

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Among the paramount tasks, faced by the KGB is the "formation of a reliable potential of intelligence and counter-intelligence squads, securing the national interests" declared KGB chief Erin in his March 24 interview to the official analytical TV program "Panorama". This task, he said, is "in perfect harmony" with the draft project of new concept of national security, presented last week.

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93 reserved officers, including former commander of Belarus frontier troops lieutenant-general Bocharov, major-generals Voschilo and Lukyanov signed the appeal of the officers in reserve to the Belarusian citizens. Officers and generals call on the population not to believe the lies of the official media.

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A few dozen protesters were arrested in central Minsk following March 25 dissent. People came to commemorate the Freedom Day and got captured. One thing was real unprecedented - mass arrests were orchestrated under the personal guidance of the country`s Interior Minister Vladimir Naumov. You may see whether this is true from the photo gallery in our "Photo Chronicles" section.

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On March 26-30 our news for technical reasons will be coming up on two languages only - English and Russian. We bring our apologies for this temporary inconvenience. Charter`97 staff.

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A few dozen peaceful protesters were arrested March 25 in central Minsk. People came to celebrate the Freedom Day and got captured. The arrests were carried out under personal supervision of the country`s Home Minister Vladimir Naumov. The authorities again manifested their fear before the traditional public actions of protest. Eye-witnesses claim that there were 2-3 law-enforcers per one dissenter.

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Trials over the Freedom Day protesters will start at 9a.m. in the Central district court of Minsk. Part of the dissenters (including BPF leader Vintsuk Vyachorka) have been released. Supreme Soviet deputy Ludmila Gryaznova and ten others are left behind bars awaiting trial. All of them are indicted for participating in the unsanctioned action.

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An ostensibly calm culmination of the final Freedom Day meeting on March 25 in Grodno was preceded by an incident, when the law-enforcers detained and beat up the reporter of the local newspaper "Birzha Informatsii" Dmitry Egorov.

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"OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group never released any statements be it for electoral commissions or media," - reacted the AMG political advisor Andrew Carpenter to the information, previously voiced by the official BelTA news agency. In his fax message to the Charter`s press-center, Mr.Carpenter told this:

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Another session of the International Lawyers Club took place March 23 in Minsk in the Human Rights Center. The speech was delivered by the US ambassador in Belarus Michael Kozak. Speaking of human rights in Belarus, the ambassador recalled recent US State Dept report on the issue:

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Son of the former National Bank president Tamara Vinnikova, a 26-year old Sergei Vinnikov was arrested March 21 in Minsk. Police claims that they had found heroine on him. The guy was captured in tandem with another Belarus national.

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Delegation of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly pays an official visit to Minsk March 25-27. The purpose of their visit is to examine the interior situation in Belarus.

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"Forum Lambda" magazine - the only gay periodical in the State Committee for Press was denied registration certificate. The letter, received by the editorial board from the State Committee, reads that the magazine had been registered as popular, scientific and culture-oriented, but it has been issued as erotic for over a year now.

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Due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth epidemics, Russia will impose its ban on the import of beef products from the continent. It has become yet another country to prohibit beef imports. In order to prevent the virus from spreading over to her territory, Latvia also ruled to close the border with Russia and Belarus.

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Starting from March 22 on-line browsing in Internet will get free-of-charge on weekends and holidays, reports BelTA with a reference to the information of the state association "Beltelecom". Meantime, "Beltelecom" increased Internet tariffs during office hours by 15%. From now on domestic users will pay $1 per hour of Internet activities between 8a.m. and 8 p.m. (14,3 BLR per minute), while the rest of the day will cost them 11 rubles for one minute.

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