Last remaining incarcerated political prisoner was set free – ZUBR activist Evgeny Afnagel. He was released from custody yesterday night at 11p.m. Despite the late hours, he was welcomed upon his release by a few dozens ZUBR activists.

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US senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado delivered his speech before the US Senate, concentrating on the situation in Belarus. In particular, he pointed out freedom of speech violations, which are so commonplace in the country: “In May of 2002, CPJ named Belarus one of the 10 worst places in the world to be a journalist due to the worsening repression under Europe`s most authoritarian regime. Throughout the year the situation of the country`s independent media deteriorated as Belarusian leader Aleksander Lukashenka mounted a comprehensive assault on all independent and opposition press.” The senator also called on his colleagues to uphold the Act on democracy in Belarus. Following read his full speech:

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The story tells of a planet in a remote galaxy, inhabited by tiny green human beings with the only eye right in the center of their forehead. These creatures could only get daily food through selling goods and services to someone else. When there were no more buyers left on the planet, they couldn’t find out what to do. All green beings died from starvation.
Kurt Vonnegut, “Timequake”

The smell of decaying corps filled the air over the marketplace – that’s how the market economy was rotting. The traders reacted to the upcoming change in their activities in different ways. Some snatched the customers at their clothes pleading to buy stuff from them, while others indifferently filled out crosswords and ate hot-dogs. The feeling of helplessness paralyzed the brains so much exhausted by constant money counting.

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Alexander Lukashenko’s most scandalous statement during yesterday’s “parliamentary” speech was his threat to the potential aggressors from NATO. According to Lukashenko, Belarus possesses weaponry, which can well repulse any aggressor. “That’s a conventional type of weapon, but it can inflict a serious damage to any enemy on a long-term distance”, - said he. As far as there are definitely no advanced sophisticated arms in Belarus, that would be equal to NATO’s arsenal, one could assume that he implied terrorists. It was namely the well-trained terrorist bands, which stroke the USA on September 11, 2001. One should also bear in mind that out of all the former USSR republics, Belarus has the largest potential, experience and military manpower resources since the Cold War. Terrorists and special forces had been trained here to fight all around the globe. And so Lukashenko’s threats to the West sound quite ominous, to say the least.

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The United Europe enlarged today. On Wednesday leaders of the ten states signed an agreement on their accession to Europe in Athens. Greek president Stefanopulos called this event “EU’s greatest, though not last enlargement in history”.

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At last, the spring sun shone on the regime. Especially for the diplomats. The reason for the coming of spring days was the latest decision of EU and USA to lift travel ban, previously imposed on the top Belarusian officials, including Lukashenko.

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Yesterday Alexander Lukashenko came up with another of his annual addresses to the Belarusian nation and the “national assembly” of Belarus. The message consisted of several parts: Belarus’ international situation and national security, country’s economic development, social sphere, agrarian sector, ideology, trade unions, religion and parliament. Every one of these issues included rebukes, warnings and remarks to the “deputies”, teachers and governors.

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USA critically view Belarus’ relations with a range of countries, said assistant deputy Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia Steven Pifer in a TV link-up with Washington, run by the US representation in Minsk. “We are displeased over the fact that the Belarusian government maintained relations with Saddam Hussein’s regime”. He also didn’t rule out a possibility that Belarus could have sold arms to Iran and some other countries liable to international sanctions.

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