Information about the cessation of the broadcasting of Russian TV channels “Russia” and “Culture” on January 1, 2003 is a “complete nonsense”, SOYUZ-INFO correspondent was told by the head of the Direction for promotion of BT Viktor Mayuchiy. Such distorted data had been published by the newspaper “7 Days”.

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Alexander Lukashenko is “utterly dissatisfied by the situation with ideology in the country,” – said the chairman of the National State TV company of Belarus Egor Rybakov on December 24 after his meeting with the president. “I came under strong criticism for BT work,” – said Rybakov: “The president is also dissatisfied with the work of the concomitant ministries, including the Ministry of information, as far as ideological work is concerned, for it is considered to be the most important tool in the society”.

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Workers of the Pinsk cannery warn about the resumption on December 27 of a protest action, given the company’s administration doesn’t fulfill their demands. A spontaneous protest took place at the plant’s facilities on December 23 – the people came to their working places but never started work. The reason was salary payment delay for the past five months and non-payment of the due holiday-leaves. The workers warned their employers that they would not leave the plant until the administration pays them their money and would stay in workshops overnight, reports BelaPAN.

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Having received salary payment checks for October, the cattle-breeders of the “Giant” collective farm of the Luninetsk district refused to resume their work. All their cattle remained unfed, while the cows weren’t milked at all.

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I was indignant at the Prime-Minister Gennady Novitsky’s statement that the population’s real incomes rose by 10% as compared with the previous year. He, as the head of government, should have known that apart from the nominal wages there also exists real wages. While the former somehow rose this year, they second fell due to the price-growth. As a result, the population bought less goods for a higher salary (as compared with last year) – both industrial commodities and food.

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Alexander Lukashenko and the state secretary of the “union state” Pavel Borodin will be playing soccer on the New Year eve. RIA “Novosti” was told by Borodin’s press-secretary Ivan Makushok that the soccer game with Lukashenko and Borodin will take place on Thursday on the occasion of then opening of the new sport stadium in Minsk.

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On December 24 Belarusian national writer Vasil Bykov categorically refuted mass media claims about his alleged applying for political asylum in the Czech Republic. In an interview to RIA “Novosti” Vasil Bykov called these allegations a “political provocation”. According to the writer, “he had never asked for nor will apply for political asylum in the Czech Republic”. “My political disagreement with Alexander Lukashenko does not mean that I should become a political emigrant,” – said Vasil Bykov. “Residence permit and political refuge in the Czech Republic are totally different things,” – explained the writer. Vasily Bykov underscored that “he remains a citizen of his home country Belarus”.

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The Foundation “Gomeloblimuschestvo” invites domestic and foreign investors to take part in selling the shares of “Mozyrpivo” company, which belong to the Gomel region. The bidding will take place on December 30, 2002.

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In the near future the fire-fighters and other professional crews intend to liquidate the consequences of the fire at the Nesvizhsky castle of Belarus, building 600 square meters of roof, burned by the fire, drying off the walls and erecting additional props to hold the whole building. RIA “Novosti” correspondent reports that this was mentioned by the government’s Vice-Speaker Vladimir Drazhin, who chairs the state commission for clarifying the reasons for the fire. They will also evaluate the losses, incurred by the fire. The official came to Nesvizh on Wednesday. According to him, the size of the financial loss hasn’t been yet defined, though it is quite significant and will be finally made clear after they carry out works in the castle.

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