Alyaksandr Lukashenka does not have friends, according to his confession. During the interview to the head of Russian TV company TV Center Oleg Poptsov, demonstrated on July 11, the Belarusian dictator called "touch on the sore" his statement that "presidency is a colossal loneliness".

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On July 12 the newspaper "Mahiliovskie Vedomosti", founded by Mahilyou executive committee, a list of oppositional structures of political parties and public associations deregistered by justice department of Mahilyou executive committee in 2005, has been published. The list consists of 35 (!) names of the branches liquidated for different reasons in only one of tghe six regions of Belarus. One couldimagine how many of them are liquidated in the country.

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Belarus and Ukraine face problems in their mutual political relations, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday. Belarusian-Ukrainian relations have suddenly split and demarcated, Lukashenko said at a meeting with leader of the Ukrainian Communist Party Pyotr Simonenko.

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Despite recent tragic events in London, the European Parliament found some time to discuss problems connected with the republic of Belarus. Deputies called upon the European Committee and governments of EU states to toughen sanctions against Belarus for severe violations of freedom of speech in the republic. It was particularly suggested the EU should freeze all contacts with the government of Belarus.

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The new editions of the laws “About public associations” and “About political parties” witness the will of the authorities to limit and strictly control the activity of structures of civil society. The purposeful campaign aimed at liquidation of the daily non-state newspaper Narodnaia Volia has begun. Regional independent mass media are pressurized as well. Human rights organizations of Belarus have registered numerous cases when students of different educational establishments were persecuted for political reasons. The main reason for persecution became public and political position of students and pupils. In many cases provosts and deans openly collaborate with KGB, provide to it information about active students and arrange “prophylactic talks” together.

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Belarus`s air defense forces are monitoring all NATO flights over the Baltic countries, sources in the Belarussian Defense Ministry told Interfax on Tuesday.

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“There was an example with Salvador Allende in history. I will defend my nation, my state and the presidential power myself, with weapon if needed, and alone, if necessary. And you do just as you choose.” That was the answer of Alyaksandr Lukashenka to the question about his “personal dream” in his interview to Russian TV company TV Center on July 2, that was broadcast on July 11.

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On July 11 in Ashmyany frontier guards detained deputy chairman of the Union of Poles Josef Pazhetski, and the editor-in-chief of “Magazin Polski” Andrei Pachobut. An official warning was issued to them for violation of the frontier zone regulations. (Ashmyany are included in the frontier zone).

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“Today Russia is not paying to Belarus for anything at all,” Alyaksandr Lukashenka told in his interview to Russian Tv channel “TV Centre”. A three-hour conversation with the head of the TV company Oleg Poptsov was filmed on Jully 2 and shown on July 11 as a 1.5 hour program “I was in another country...” For instance, Russia pays about 190 million dollars for Bajkonur to Kazakhstan, with which it has allegeldy fine unclouded relations,” Lukashenka said. “Two powerful bases of the Russian Federation are at our territory. One for communications with submarines in Atlantic, and the second missile early warning station. From our territory Russia sees missile launching from the USA shores. Zero, nothing is paid. And we counted it all, even in the times of Yeltsin, so that we were not blamed for being a sponger; let’s pay for everything. We would buy at a world price, and you would pay for everything at a world price. And this balance is to be 800 million dollars plus for Belarus”.

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The changes to Russia`s election laws passed by the State Duma before the summer recess have led many observers to wonder about the future of so-called "political technology," the techniques used to influence election outcomes across the former Soviet Union. Is this really the end of an era? Is the golden age of political technology coming to an end?

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Belarussian deputy presidential chief of staff Natalya Petkevich said the death sentence might be annulled in Belarus via a national referendum. "Most of our citizens voiced their opposition to the annulment of capital unishment in a national referendum and we adhere to this decision. But when certain socio-economic, mostly social, conditions are created, the annulment of capital punishment might be considered," Petkevich told a news conference in Minsk on Monday.

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Anatolij Lebedko submitted several proposals on the issue of renaming Minsk streets and avenues to Minsk City Council. UCP leader proposed to the elected Council members to fulfill their legal obligations and adopt a legal decision on renaming of Skaryna and Masherov avenues. Based on law, Anatolij Lebedko also proposed to the Council members to support the initiative of city referendum.

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When building up their relations Belarus and Poland should proceed from the principle of pragmatism. If such an approach prevails over politization the results will be outstanding, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Poland Pavel Latushko told in an interview with BelTA.

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Republic of Belarus has started harvest campaign. Brest Oblast began harvesting barley. Other regions harvest rapeseed. Specialists forecast over 7 million tonnes of grains to be harvested in the Republic.

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