Leader of Belarusian social-democratic party “Narodnaya Gramada”, coordinator of European coalition “Free Belarus” Mikola Statkevitch, leader of United Civil party, one of leaders of People’s coalition “5+” Anatoly Lebedko and representative of deputy group “Republic” Vladimir Parfenovich expressed solidarity with young people from official youth organization BRYU from Baranavichi town that joined “Zubr” movement. Politicians support youth that decided to struggle for democratic future of Belarus and left BRYU for oppositional movement “Zubr”.

---

In the country a document was published recommending local authorities to toughen control over activities of religious organizations, Forum-18 agency informs. The document was signed by deputy head of the State committee On Affairs of Religions and Nationalities Vladimir Lameko.

---

“We hope that Russia is to understand soon that to have dictatorship in the neighborhood is far from an ideal situation,” in this way former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright answered the question of a reporter of Russian newspaper Vedomosti about situation in Belarus. Besides, Madeleine Albright thinks that at present moment it is necessary that “the world knew about the Belarusian opposition, was interested its actions – in this way democracies support each other”. According to the former Secretary of State, in Belarus there are people who want free elections, but world community should pay more attention to them. The full text of the interview follows:

---

Local authorities in Brest and Hrodna regions started to gather information about trader of regional newspapers. Several non-state newspapers received inquiries of the regional executive committees requesting to “provide information” about legal entities and owners of small businesses who sell newspapers, about their addresses and document entries which allow them to sell printed materials, press service of the Belarusian Association of Journalists informs.

---

One of the official youth organizations branches – the Belarusian Republican Youth Union – in Baranavichy joined the Zubr movement. The decision was passed at the general meeting of the BRYU members of Chernyshow Baranavichy state college of light industry. This organization is one of the largest in the town; it consists of more than one hundred members.

---

Attraction of Italian investments to Belarusian economy is restrained by a number of macro economical and structural factors, typical for Belarus. This opinion was expressed by Italian Ambassador in Belarus Guillermo Ardiccone. “It is very difficult for Italian businessmen to make up their minds to invest in Belarusian economy,” – G. Ardiccone established, referring to the view of Italian business representatives.

---

East German gas company Verbundnetz Gas has expressed the hope that the halt in supplies of Russian gas through Belarus and Poland will not be repeated, company Director for Gas Purchases in Russia Toni Philipp said in Moscow Tuesday. "We look with optimism on the continuing supplies through the Belarussian corridor," he said. He said that this issue was discussed during a meeting in Moscow between VNG CEO Klaus-Ewald Holst and Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller.

---

At the yesterdays’ press conference of the deputy Gazprom head Alexander Ryazanov he said that restructured indebtedness of the Belarusian consumers of Russian gas amounts to $78.5 million. Adding fines, amounting to $50 million, the debt of Belarus is almost $130 million. According Russian gas suppliers, Beltransgaz is to pay it off in 2004-2006.

---