Around three thousand Minskers came September 3 to meet the unique candidate from democratic forces Vladimir Goncharik. The meeting took place at 12-2p.m. on the Oktybrskaya square of Minsk. Vladimir Goncharik familiarized the people with the fundamental theses of his election campaign and assured them that after the victory of democratic forces every citizen of Belarus “will live as in Europe”. The candidate said he has no doubts that on September 9 democrats will celebrate their victory.

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Soccer World Cup qualifier Belarus-Ukraine was held On September 1 at “Dynamo” stadium. The importance of the game for both national squads, couldn’t be overestimated. All soccer fans, regardless of their age, social status and political orientation were impatiently waiting for it. The game turned out real tough for Belarus indeed with AC Milan’s Andrei Shevchenko’s scoring two goals for Ukraine, while the home side didn’t open the score at all. However, the tensions were running high not only on the field, but also at the tribunes. Police eavesdropped beforehand that part of the fans would be dressed in white and red T-shirts. So they met everybody at the entrance to the stadium, checked their T-shirts and, given they were of white or red color, they would simply not let the people inside. Sometimes they even tore down the tickets. Nonetheless, a few ZUBRs in white and red T-shirts managed to make it to their seats. Having taken off their upper clothes, they formed a white-red-white strip. The sector was immediately cordoned off by riot police and SOBR. Upon personal order of Lukashenko, sitting on the opposite side of the stadium, the cops attempted to drive the guys outside, but they would clasp their hands together and wouldn’t stir. In such a manner they managed to sit for the whole first part of the game. In the break the law-enforcers started grabbing ZUBR activists one by one, carrying them into the outer yard. To avoid further beating and detentions ZUBRs determined to leave the stadium out of their own will.

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Today’s session of the Central Electoral Committee will debate over alleged violations, which Goncharik’s crew committed during the period of agitation campaign. CEC secretary Nikolai Lozovik confirmed to “BDG” that there are serious grounds to re-consider registration of Vladimir Goncharik as candidate for the presidency.

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UCP leader Anatoly Lebedko called on the adherents of the unique candidate to show up on September 4 at 9.30a.m. to the Oktyabrskaya square. Right at that time the Republic’s Palace will accommodate Lukashenko’s meeting with his voters. Lebedko proposed to meet president’s supporters, who will be brought by special buses from all regions of the country, with portraits of the missing individuals.

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August 31 there have been cut off radio reports of Vladimir Goncharik. Goncharik’s speech was dedicated to the political aspects of the pre-election campaign. In the office of the unique candidate for the president they believe that “the authorities got scared by what Goncharik said on radio and intentionally stopped the radio message”.

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Around 250 observers from the Office for democratic institutes and human rights will arrive in Belarus to engage in short-term monitoring. The news was announced by head of the ODIHR limited observation mission Mr.Balian during August 31 meeting with the leadership of the Republic’s coordination council of leaders of political parties and public associations.

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With only ten days left before the presidential ballot, Belarusian ambassador in USA really let down Alexander Lukashenko. Valery Tsepkalo has been quoted as saying: “One shouldn’t treat these elections as absolutely fair.” Perhaps, the diplomat sought to say something different, but it happened the other way round. Interfax cites another careless expression by the ambassador: “Alexander Lukashenko enjoys greater tools of power than his opponents, which is why it can be considered an advantage during the forthcoming elections.” According to Tsepkalo, the press pays greater attention to the acting president, which is a normality. “This is characteristic of not only Belarus,” – tried to save the situation Tsepkalo. But it was too late.

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