When the new law “On freedom of religions and religion organizations” came into forth “all the activities according to Statute of the Krishna followers of the Republic of Belarus became illegal”. This information is included in an appeal to the Administration of Lukashenko, the governemt, and the parliament of Belarus. Besides, the appeal was distributed among human rights organizations and diplomatic missions that accredited in Belarus. The appeal was signed by Sergey Malakhovskiy, Alexander Karzov, and Andrey Zubko, representatives of the Krishna communities.

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Chair of National commission of Republic of Belarus for UNESCO Vladimir Schastny is worried by possible return of USA to this international organization. He told of it of February, 4 in Information and documentation center of UNESCO and other international organizations. As diplomat marked present period is very productive because there is no total politization in activity of the organization, -- informs BelaPan. But situation can change once USA return to UNESCO”, -- said V. Schastny.

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George Bush administration planned to spend 36,4 million dollars on military assistance to states of Community of Independent States. This project is in bill that was headed to US Congress on Monday.

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OSCE Parliamentary Assembly official delegation, headed by the chair of the special OSCE PA group for Belarus Uta Zapf, will come in Minsk on February, 5 and stay in Minsk for two days. Among those delegated to Minsk are Urban Alin (Sweden), Fred Ponsombi (Great Britain), Gabor Hars (Hungary) and program employee of OSCE PA Paul Legendre. As radio “Liberty” informed before, in spite of certain actions of Belarusan side for opening new OSCE office demands of European politicians has not changed. Four conditions of OSCE will not be changed: authority of parliament, discrimination of political opposition and independent media, access of opposition to state media will be discussed during this visit.

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In 2002 Belarus for the first time provided hundred per cent payment for importing Russian power resources and reduced debt for previous years on 87,6 million dollars. Minister of energy Vladimir Semashko told it.

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During January – November of 2002 population reduced on 12,2 thousand people. 1515,1 thousand people live in Minsk region now, -- as informs department of statistics of Minsk region executive committee.

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