Tatsyana Dzedukh, head of the ideology department of Minsk regional executive committee, in her today’s interview to the state newspaper “Respublika” has come down on opposition, which is using illegal, according to her, methods – pickets, rallies and leaflets. These methods, secured by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are called “destabilization”. The official told that issues of the day and topical questions, which are being addressed by opposition to the authorities – undetected disappearances of prominent people, social and economical problems, contract system, “are setting our teeth on edge”.

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In all six regions of Belarus territorial commissions have been created. According to the civil initiative “Partnerstva”, it is evidence of the regime’s preparation to referendum. The Central Election Committee however asserts that these commissions are left after elections to local Soviets (councils) in 2002, and that their authorities last till 2006.

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Belarus’ opposition views US Senator McCain’s promise to provide assistance to the pro-democracy forces in removing Aleksandr Lukashenko from power as a “very important signal,” Vintsuk Vyachorka, chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front (BPF), said in an interview with BelaPAN.

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The nature and language of US Senator McCain’s statement run counter to his declared intention to contribute to the democratization of Central and Eastern European countries, said Andrei Savinykh, spokesman for the Belarusian foreign ministry, while commenting on the news conference held by the US lawmaker in Riga on August 21.

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The main result of the meeting of Belarusian and Russian presidents that took place in Sochi yesterday was approval of the new date of introduction of Russian ruble as common currency at the territory of the “union state” – since January 1, 2006, RIA “Novosti” informs. Besides, Vladimir Putin announced that Belarus is to receive gas at the internal Russian costs in case the joint gas supply venture between Beltransgaz and Gazprom would be set up. “If Beltrasgaz and Gazprom would agree on joint venture, and the conditions would be acceptable for Russia and Belarus, we would supply gas to Belarus at the internal Russian price”.

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President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Russia and Belarus have put a sharp dispute over natural gas deliveries behind them and that there are no obstacles to good relations between the former Soviet republics.

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“At the present stage the election campaign does not meet the international standards o elections – principles of freedom of expression, openness. Gross violations of the principle of free participation in elections, of electoral rights are observed as well.” This conclusion was made by Human rights center “Viasna” in its report on the results of registration of initiative groups for nomination of candidates at the parliamentary elections.

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Belarus’ central election commission plans to ask the Ministry of Justice to clarify the provisions of the Electoral Code that stipulate parties’ right to put up nominees for the House of Representatives. Under the Electoral Code, the supreme governing bodies, normally the convention, are the only agencies within a party entitled to nominate candidates.

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As many as 49 percent of the interviewed Poles named Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko as their most disliked foreign politician, says the Warsaw center for public-opinion studies.

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The words of American Senator John McCain that the world community is going to help the Belarusian people to overthrow the regime of Alyaksandar Lukashenka, found the head of the Belarusian state in Sochi, where he had talks with Russian president Putin. Lukashenka reacted to McCain’s statement rather nervously, saying that “it was not they who had assigned me to this position, so they cannot remove me from office. We have the people of Belarus; they are good both in overthrowing and in appointing. Only people have this right”.

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Students seeking the revival of Belarusian-language education intend to take to the streets across the country on September 1, the Day of Learning and the first day of the academic year. Demonstrations would have the slogan, “We Want to Study in Belarusian!”

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