Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in recent weeks has alternately defied Russia, flirted with Europe, and stressed his determination to go it alone. Some prognosticators may be predicting the imminent demise of Belarus`s beleagured leader. But Alyaksandr Lukashenka begs to differ. In an interview this week, he suggested rumors of the death of his political career have been greatly exaggerated.

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Semyon Vainshtok, the head of Russia`s state pipeline monopoly Transneft, says it could take Russia less than 18 months to build a new oil pipeline bypassing Belarus.

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Activists of the Young Front organization have stated that they would mark St. Valentine’s Day under the theme “Love! Freedom! Changes!” It is the tenth annual rally of the Young Front. Activists hope that passers-by are to see several theatrical performances. The first of them is to take place at 6 p.m. on Freedom Square in Minsk.

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A well-known Belarusian journalist Svyatlana Kalinkina has commented the address of the united democratic forces leader Alyaksandr Milinkevich to Alyaksandr Lukashenka with an appeal to start a dialogue with the Belarusian opposition, and consequently improve relations with the West. As said by Kalinkina, more and more often voices in Brussels are heard that say that it would be not expedient to forgive Lukashenka’s sins only because his relations with Moscow had deteriorated. “A very simple move could stop the machine of negotiations which is running at idling speed now. Lukashenka should get a sparring partner. And Alyaksandr Milinkevich has appeared as one. In case Alyaksandr Milinkevich would articulate his idea more precisely, he simply wouldn’t leave chances for Lukashenka to fool European officials”, the journalist believes.

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A possibility of a dialogue with the regime was one of the main topics of the session of the Political council of the United Civil party held in Minsk on February 10. The Political Council of the UCP has evaluated the preset situation as a promising one, however noted that the new opportunities are not used by reform supporters.

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Minsk city executive committee has denied sanctioning a traditional rally on St. Valentine’s Day to the Young Front organization. The BelaPAN has been informed about that by one of the activists of the youth democratic movement Nasta Palazhanka.

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12 February court of the Savetski district of Minsk ceased the lawsuit of the civil claim to leader of the Party of Communists Belarusian (PCB) Syargei Kalyakin and editorial staff of the “Tovarisch” newspaper on protection of honor and dignity, as it was reported by member of the central committee board of the PCB and chief editor of the Tovarisch Syargei Vaznyak.

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Chairman of the Supreme Court Valyantsin Sukala summed up last year’s activities of general courts at the today’s press conference in Minsk. When answering journalists’ questions on a probable release of political prisoners ahead of schedule and of Kazulin in particular, the chairman of the Supreme Court declared that everything might happen. An appeal to the court for ahead of schedule release is demanded in this case.

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Today the regional court in Minsk has ruled that a decision to reinstate an activist from Kletsk region Ina Kebikava in a job was legal, Radio Svaboda informs. A complaint of Hrytsevichy secondary school which demanded to discharge the young teacher, has been dismissed. Last year Ina Kebikava was taking part in protest rally on October Square in Minsk after the presidential election.

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“We are to use any chance to mend relations with the West now. Why should we be railing at each other?” Alyaksandr Lukashenka told in ain interview to the editor-in-chief of Russian ultra-nationalist newspaper "Zavtra" (Tomorrow) Alexander Prokhanov. The conversation has been recorded in Minsk in February and was aired at Ekho Moskvy radio. “We have chosen a correct strategy of foreign policy, a multi-vector one. We are in the center of Europe, and we should live in peace with all neighbours,” Lukashenka said.

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