Dzmitry Bandarenka, a Charter`97 coordinator, comments on the hottest news-a former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s arrest: “I share joy with millions of the Iraqis, who came out into Iraqi streets to celebrate, as Saddam Hussein called himself, “a last hero’s of the East” capture. I express my admiration to the International Coalition soldiers’ courage, especially to the Americans.

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The news on former Iraqi dictator Saddam Huseein’s arrest flew all over the world. It is most actively discussed in Belarus. Its president Alyaksandar Lukashenka is called “a last European dictator”. Uladzimir Kobets, “ZUBR” resistance movement coordinator, comments on Hussein’s capture.

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On December 10 the office of public prosecutor resumed investigation on Dzmitry Zavadsky’s disappearance, as the journalist’s wife Svyatlana Zavadskaya reported to Charter`97 press center. Today she got an official notification on her husband’s case opening signed by deputy chairperson of the Department on Organized Crime and Corruption Ivan Branchel.

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Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s arrest is “a pre-electoral game, a theatre performance made by the USA to raise the country’s rating”, said deputy of “the house of representatives” Syargey Kastian.

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The introduced by the USA economic and political sanctions against Syria will not influence partners’ relations between this state and Belarus, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported to “Interfax”.

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Uladzimir Kolas, acting headmaster of the now disbanded Belarusian National Humanities Lyceum, told an RFE/RL audience last week that the forced closure of his unique high school in the summer of 2003 reflects the fate of Belarusian society, which now faces the imposition of a Belarusian "state ideology" defined by President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in all state-run institutions.

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The rise in prices for white bread is expected in Belarus shortly. As ONT reports, the reason is “the increase in wheat prices, as it is bought from Russia.” The price for a ton has increased from $180 to $200. According to experts, another 20% increase in prices is expected. The increase in price for wheat will raise the price for flour for about 25%. “It will lead to the increase in bread prices by approximately 17%,” reported the Belarusian television.

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