Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MINSK252
2006-03-14 08:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
Minsk Election Weekly XII (March 6-March 10)
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UNCLAS MINSK 000252
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BO
SUBJECT: Minsk Election Weekly XII (March 6-March 10)
Ref: Minsk 192
UNCLAS MINSK 000252
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BO
SUBJECT: Minsk Election Weekly XII (March 6-March 10)
Ref: Minsk 192
1. This is the twelfth in a weekly series of election-oriented
reports, providing brief items of interest related to the March
19, 2006 presidential elections.
--------------
Repression and Harassment
--------------
2. Milinkevich Activists Sentenced to Jail
On March 9, a Moskovsky District Judge in Minsk sentenced
Belarusian Popular Front leader Vintsuk Vyachorka, Pyotr
Baberako, Vladimir Gridin, Aleksei Makovich, Aleksandr
Pavlovsky, and Pyotr Tolar to 15 days in jail and a Partizansky
District Judge sentenced Dmitry Kudryavtsev, Artyom Litvinko,
Sergei Lyantsevich, and Aleksandr Zelko to 15 days in jail for
organizing and participating in two unsanctioned "rallies" on
March 8. The rallies were open-air meetings between
Milinkevich and voters outside of the Berestye movie theater
and the Minsk Tractor Works' House of Culture after both venues
denied the candidate space to hold his meetings. The 15-day
sentences will prevent the activists from participating in the
presidential election. [Note: See septel for a detailed review
of the many forms of repression against the Milinkevich team.]
3. Lebedko Fined For Meeting with Voters
On March 7, a Mogilev judge fined United Civic Party leader
Anatoly Lebedko BYR 1.55 million [USD 720] for organizing an
unsanctioned rally and resisting police officers. Lebedko on
March 7 traveled to Mogilev to meet with voters at Kuleshov
Mogilev State University, but at the last minute city
authorities denied permission for the meeting at the
university. Nonetheless, Lebedko met with several hundred
voters outside of the university for an hour. Afterwards,
police officers insisted that Lebedko come with them, but after
refusing, the police forcibly detained Lebedko and brought him
to court where he was fined. A judge later sentenced head of
Milinkevich's Mogilev campaign office Vladimir Shantsev to 15
days in connection with the same meeting.
4. 28,000 Milinkevich Leaflets Seized in Gomel
On March 6, Gomel police seized 28,000 leaflets from a
Milinkevich activist transporting them from Minsk to Gomel.
Police stopped the car under the suspicion that it had been
stolen. After the activist produced the proper paperwork for
the vehicle, police seized the materials and filed charges
against the activist, because statement in the leaflets,
claiming Milinkevich would be the future president, was
allegedly "offensive."
5. Milinkevich Activist Fined for Distributing Leaflets
On March 6, a Rogachev judge fined electioneer Vladimir
Khodasevich USD 145 for distributing leaflets in support of
Milinkevich in a place not specifically designated for election
campaigning. Police arrested Khodasevich on February 26 for
handing out fliers and copies of the independent daily
"Narodnaya Volya."
--------------
Observers
--------------
6. Only Invited Observers Have Right to Observe
On March 9, the MFA announced that only observers invited by
the GOB and granted the appropriate accreditation have the
right to observe Belarus' elections. MFA spokesman Andrei
Popov claimed that neighboring countries intend to send
uninvited representatives not to monitor, but to provoke
conflict situations and destabilize the situation. Popov said
his allegations were confirmed by European Parliament member
Bogdan Klich's plans to send an ad hoc delegation to Belarus
without applying for an invitation.
7. CIS: Belarus Election Process Compliant With Law
On March 9, the CIS observation mission to Belarus reported
that Belarus' ongoing presidential race was in compliance with
the Electoral Code. According to the CIS mission, presidential
candidates are granted venues to meet with voters in all cities
and districts and candidates are given equal opportunities to
advertise in the press, on television and radio. The CIS
statement contained no comment on Kozulin's March 2 beating or
attacks on journalists. On March 3, a top-level CIS observer
remarked that the GOB should not have edited Kozulin's TV
appearance and denounced police attacks on reporters.
--------------
The Central Election Committee
--------------
8. Fair Share in State Press to All
On March 6, the CEC ruled that the Ministry of Defense
newspaper "Vo Slavu Rodiny" must be willing to publish the
election programs of all candidates after it published
Lukashenko's election manifesto. "Vo Slavu Rodiny" was not one
of the seven papers assigned by the CEC to print the election
platforms. CEC Secretary Nikolai Lozovik stated, "If the
management of the publication decided to publish the program of
one candidate, it should expect other candidates to apply for
this." Milinkevich's campaign team already submitted its
platform to the paper for publication.
9. No Limitations on Printed Advertisement Distribution
On March 7, CEC President Lidya Yermoshina confirmed that
election activists are free to distribute printed
advertisements in any location. This clarification was issued
after supporters of Milinkevich were repeatedly fined for
handing out literature in areas allegedly not sanctioned for
political advertising.
10. CEC Has Grounds To Disqualify Kozulin
CEC Head Yermoshina on March 9 announced that the CEC had
"formal" grounds to disqualify Kozulin as a candidate after
being charged with hooliganism for trying to force his way into
the National Press Center on February 17 and his March 2
beating. However, Yermoshina claimed the CEC would not remove
Kozulin from the race, as he collected 150,000 signatures and
his removal could cause a public backlash
11. More People Eligible to Vote
The CEC reported on March 9 that 7,020,000 Belarusians (roughly
70 percent of the population) are eligible to vote in the
presidential elections. The number of registered voters
increased by 34,000 since the 2004 Parliamentary elections.
--------------
The Candidates
--------------
12. Milinkevich Forced to Hold Two Rallies Outdoors in Minsk
On March 8, 1,000 voters attended a meeting with Milinkevich
outside the Berestye movie theater after the theater's
administration canceled its agreement at the last minute to
host a children's party, forcing Milinkevich to hold the
meeting outside. A similar occurrence happened later that day
when Milinkevich tried to enter the Minsk Tractor Works'
Cultural Palace for another previously scheduled rally, but
Palace authorities cancelled the arrangement, citing ongoing
repairs. Riot police tried to disperse the crowd of 200 people
who stood outside the Palace by warning that the meeting was
unsanctioned. Milinkevich had no sound equipment for the event
after police stopped the vehicle transporting his loudspeakers.
Ten Milinkevich supporters were arrested and sentenced to 15
days in jail, including Vyachorka.
13. Kozulin Suggests He and Milinkevich Withdraw
Kozulin and Milinkevich met on March 9 to discuss their
possible withdrawals from the presidential race in protest of
the GOB's violations of the electoral law. Kozulin also
suggested the two candidates seek a postponement of the
election until July 16 and urged Milinkevich to consider which
candidate was best fit to compete with Lukashenko. Kozulin
offered to work with Milinkevich to a adopt a declaration on
common actions. According to Kozulin, two candidates working
together can better inform the population, prevent
falsifications, and monitor the vote. Milinkevich has not
publicly reacted to the proposals.
14. Kozulin Asks Supreme Court to Remove Lukashenko from Ballot
Kozulin's campaign manager Mycheslav Grib on March 9 appealed
to the Supreme Court to remove Lukashenko from the ballot for
not suspending his work during the presidential elections as
stipulated in the Electoral Code. According to Grib, the CEC
responded to his first appeal that Lukashenko was not required
to go on leave as the code exemption applies to an incumbent
running for any term. The Electoral Code does not mention
protocol for a two-term incumbent running for a third term.
--------------
Quote of the Week
--------------
15. On March 9, CEC Head Lidiya Yermoshina responded to
Milinkevich's March 8 request that all presidential candidates,
including President Lukashenko, should undergo a psychiatric
examination:
"[The request] is political and Mr. Milinkevich can
independently undergo a mental health evaluation if he wants
to."
KROL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BO
SUBJECT: Minsk Election Weekly XII (March 6-March 10)
Ref: Minsk 192
1. This is the twelfth in a weekly series of election-oriented
reports, providing brief items of interest related to the March
19, 2006 presidential elections.
--------------
Repression and Harassment
--------------
2. Milinkevich Activists Sentenced to Jail
On March 9, a Moskovsky District Judge in Minsk sentenced
Belarusian Popular Front leader Vintsuk Vyachorka, Pyotr
Baberako, Vladimir Gridin, Aleksei Makovich, Aleksandr
Pavlovsky, and Pyotr Tolar to 15 days in jail and a Partizansky
District Judge sentenced Dmitry Kudryavtsev, Artyom Litvinko,
Sergei Lyantsevich, and Aleksandr Zelko to 15 days in jail for
organizing and participating in two unsanctioned "rallies" on
March 8. The rallies were open-air meetings between
Milinkevich and voters outside of the Berestye movie theater
and the Minsk Tractor Works' House of Culture after both venues
denied the candidate space to hold his meetings. The 15-day
sentences will prevent the activists from participating in the
presidential election. [Note: See septel for a detailed review
of the many forms of repression against the Milinkevich team.]
3. Lebedko Fined For Meeting with Voters
On March 7, a Mogilev judge fined United Civic Party leader
Anatoly Lebedko BYR 1.55 million [USD 720] for organizing an
unsanctioned rally and resisting police officers. Lebedko on
March 7 traveled to Mogilev to meet with voters at Kuleshov
Mogilev State University, but at the last minute city
authorities denied permission for the meeting at the
university. Nonetheless, Lebedko met with several hundred
voters outside of the university for an hour. Afterwards,
police officers insisted that Lebedko come with them, but after
refusing, the police forcibly detained Lebedko and brought him
to court where he was fined. A judge later sentenced head of
Milinkevich's Mogilev campaign office Vladimir Shantsev to 15
days in connection with the same meeting.
4. 28,000 Milinkevich Leaflets Seized in Gomel
On March 6, Gomel police seized 28,000 leaflets from a
Milinkevich activist transporting them from Minsk to Gomel.
Police stopped the car under the suspicion that it had been
stolen. After the activist produced the proper paperwork for
the vehicle, police seized the materials and filed charges
against the activist, because statement in the leaflets,
claiming Milinkevich would be the future president, was
allegedly "offensive."
5. Milinkevich Activist Fined for Distributing Leaflets
On March 6, a Rogachev judge fined electioneer Vladimir
Khodasevich USD 145 for distributing leaflets in support of
Milinkevich in a place not specifically designated for election
campaigning. Police arrested Khodasevich on February 26 for
handing out fliers and copies of the independent daily
"Narodnaya Volya."
--------------
Observers
--------------
6. Only Invited Observers Have Right to Observe
On March 9, the MFA announced that only observers invited by
the GOB and granted the appropriate accreditation have the
right to observe Belarus' elections. MFA spokesman Andrei
Popov claimed that neighboring countries intend to send
uninvited representatives not to monitor, but to provoke
conflict situations and destabilize the situation. Popov said
his allegations were confirmed by European Parliament member
Bogdan Klich's plans to send an ad hoc delegation to Belarus
without applying for an invitation.
7. CIS: Belarus Election Process Compliant With Law
On March 9, the CIS observation mission to Belarus reported
that Belarus' ongoing presidential race was in compliance with
the Electoral Code. According to the CIS mission, presidential
candidates are granted venues to meet with voters in all cities
and districts and candidates are given equal opportunities to
advertise in the press, on television and radio. The CIS
statement contained no comment on Kozulin's March 2 beating or
attacks on journalists. On March 3, a top-level CIS observer
remarked that the GOB should not have edited Kozulin's TV
appearance and denounced police attacks on reporters.
--------------
The Central Election Committee
--------------
8. Fair Share in State Press to All
On March 6, the CEC ruled that the Ministry of Defense
newspaper "Vo Slavu Rodiny" must be willing to publish the
election programs of all candidates after it published
Lukashenko's election manifesto. "Vo Slavu Rodiny" was not one
of the seven papers assigned by the CEC to print the election
platforms. CEC Secretary Nikolai Lozovik stated, "If the
management of the publication decided to publish the program of
one candidate, it should expect other candidates to apply for
this." Milinkevich's campaign team already submitted its
platform to the paper for publication.
9. No Limitations on Printed Advertisement Distribution
On March 7, CEC President Lidya Yermoshina confirmed that
election activists are free to distribute printed
advertisements in any location. This clarification was issued
after supporters of Milinkevich were repeatedly fined for
handing out literature in areas allegedly not sanctioned for
political advertising.
10. CEC Has Grounds To Disqualify Kozulin
CEC Head Yermoshina on March 9 announced that the CEC had
"formal" grounds to disqualify Kozulin as a candidate after
being charged with hooliganism for trying to force his way into
the National Press Center on February 17 and his March 2
beating. However, Yermoshina claimed the CEC would not remove
Kozulin from the race, as he collected 150,000 signatures and
his removal could cause a public backlash
11. More People Eligible to Vote
The CEC reported on March 9 that 7,020,000 Belarusians (roughly
70 percent of the population) are eligible to vote in the
presidential elections. The number of registered voters
increased by 34,000 since the 2004 Parliamentary elections.
--------------
The Candidates
--------------
12. Milinkevich Forced to Hold Two Rallies Outdoors in Minsk
On March 8, 1,000 voters attended a meeting with Milinkevich
outside the Berestye movie theater after the theater's
administration canceled its agreement at the last minute to
host a children's party, forcing Milinkevich to hold the
meeting outside. A similar occurrence happened later that day
when Milinkevich tried to enter the Minsk Tractor Works'
Cultural Palace for another previously scheduled rally, but
Palace authorities cancelled the arrangement, citing ongoing
repairs. Riot police tried to disperse the crowd of 200 people
who stood outside the Palace by warning that the meeting was
unsanctioned. Milinkevich had no sound equipment for the event
after police stopped the vehicle transporting his loudspeakers.
Ten Milinkevich supporters were arrested and sentenced to 15
days in jail, including Vyachorka.
13. Kozulin Suggests He and Milinkevich Withdraw
Kozulin and Milinkevich met on March 9 to discuss their
possible withdrawals from the presidential race in protest of
the GOB's violations of the electoral law. Kozulin also
suggested the two candidates seek a postponement of the
election until July 16 and urged Milinkevich to consider which
candidate was best fit to compete with Lukashenko. Kozulin
offered to work with Milinkevich to a adopt a declaration on
common actions. According to Kozulin, two candidates working
together can better inform the population, prevent
falsifications, and monitor the vote. Milinkevich has not
publicly reacted to the proposals.
14. Kozulin Asks Supreme Court to Remove Lukashenko from Ballot
Kozulin's campaign manager Mycheslav Grib on March 9 appealed
to the Supreme Court to remove Lukashenko from the ballot for
not suspending his work during the presidential elections as
stipulated in the Electoral Code. According to Grib, the CEC
responded to his first appeal that Lukashenko was not required
to go on leave as the code exemption applies to an incumbent
running for any term. The Electoral Code does not mention
protocol for a two-term incumbent running for a third term.
--------------
Quote of the Week
--------------
15. On March 9, CEC Head Lidiya Yermoshina responded to
Milinkevich's March 8 request that all presidential candidates,
including President Lukashenko, should undergo a psychiatric
examination:
"[The request] is political and Mr. Milinkevich can
independently undergo a mental health evaluation if he wants
to."
KROL