Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MINSK493
2006-05-05 14:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
EMBASSY MINSK WEEKLY REPORT - May 5, 2006
how-toVZCZCXRO5573 RR RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSK #0493/01 1251425 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 051425Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY MINSK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4359 INFO RUCNOSC/ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY COOPERATION IN EUROPE RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MINSK 000493
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON BO
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MINSK WEEKLY REPORT - May 5, 2006
Ref: Minsk 459
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MINSK 000493
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON BO
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MINSK WEEKLY REPORT - May 5, 2006
Ref: Minsk 459
1. The following are brief items of interest compiled by
Embassy Minsk.
--------------
International Relations
--------------
2. Lukashenko: Consolidation of Political Forces Is No Problem
During a meeting in St. Petersburg, Aleksandr Lukashenko told
Russian President Putin that the consolidation of political
forces is not a problem for Belarus and was quoted that almost
all of the Belarusian population voted for the incumbent in the
March presidential elections. Lukashenko reportedly dismissed
the opposition as one or two thousand people who attempted to
"destabilize something for money" and told Putin, "That's why
we can only talk about the consolidation of this part of
society."
3. Lukashenko to Meet with Putin Again after G-8 Summit
At a meeting in St. Petersburg on April 28, Russian President
Vladimir Putin invited Belarusian President Aleksandr
Lukashenko to visit Moscow in late July for talks on the
Commonwealth of Independent States. During the meeting,
Lukashenko told Putin that the Europeans and Americans are
"still positive about cooperation with Belarus despite hue and
cry" and that Belarus cooperates with them in "vital matters,
including the economic sphere."
4. Ukraine Agrees to Develop Military Hardware with Belarus
The Ukrainian government recently approved an agreement with
Belarus to conduct joint research and development of new
weaponry and other military hardware. The Ukrainian and
Belarusian Defense and Industrial Ministries will oversee
cooperation. Moreover, the countries will form a joint working
group to meet yearly.
--------------
Civil Society
--------------
5. BKGB to Identify "Za Svobodu" Funding
On May 4, the Belarusian Committee for Security (BKGB)
announced that it is tracking the financial sources of the "Za
Svobodu" ("For Freedom") social-political movement, which
opposition leader and former presidential candidate Alexksandr
Milinkevich promoted prior to and following the March
presidential elections. Meanwhile, regional activists of the
youth organization Zubr were summoned by the BKGB for
questioning.
6. Grafittist Trial Postponed, Supporters Arrested
The trial of opposition youth activist and graffitist Artur
Finkevich opened in the Pervomaisky District in Minsk on May 4.
However, the judge declared a recess until May 10 because city
maintenance authorities did not properly document the USD
16,370 in damages allegedly caused by Finkevich. Mr. Finkevich,
a leader of the unregistered youth group known as "Malady
Front," was arrested on January 30 for allegedly painting on a
building wall, "We want a new one [president]" and faces up to
12 years in prison for malicious hooliganism and large-scale
property damage. Police arrested eight Finkevich supporters
after they staged a demonstration outside the courthouse. The
arrests included the nephew of jailed former presidential
candidate Aleksandr Kozulin and four others who were later
sentenced to five days in jail.
7. Kozulin's Lawyer Acquitted
On April 26, Igor Rynkevich, a lawyer for former presidential
candidate Aleksandr Kozulin, was acquitted on charges of
swearing at police officers and resisting arrest. The officer
who brought the charges did not appear in Moskovsky district
court. Two other policemen testified that they did not witness
Mr. Rynkevich swear or resist arrest near the Oktyabrsky
district police station on March 2 where Rynkevich had arrived
with opposition activists to visit Mr. Kozulin.
8. Youths Arrested for Displaying Pro-Opposition Newspapers
At least 20 young people were arrested by plainclothes police
for displaying pro-opposition newspapers during a media
exhibition at the BelExpo Center in Minsk. The youths were
apprehended after they opened copies of Tovarishch, Narodnaya
Volya, and Nasha Niva near the stall of the largest government-
MINSK 00000493 002 OF 003
controlled newspaper Sovetskaya Belarussiya. A senior Minsk
city police officer warned journalists at the exhibition that
they might be held responsible for organizing the "flash mob"
and provoking the youths' illegal acts. The youths were later
released.
9. Head of Writer's Union Fired from State University
Ales Pashkevich, chairman of the Union of Belarusian Writers
was fired from his position as an associate professor at the
Literature and Culture Department of the Belarusian State
University (BGU). In the official dismissal order dated March
27, BGU Rector Vasily Strazhev states that Pashkevich was
dismissed by mutual consent. Professor Pashkevich says that
the BGU administration had planned to remove him for his
dissident views and that he had promised to leave this fall.
In 2003, the Supreme Certification Commission rejected
Pashkevich's doctoral thesis and dissolved Pashkevich's
department.
10. Government Ends Investigation of Missing Journalist Again
The official investigation into the disappearance of
independent journalist Dmitry Zadavsky was again suspended. On
May 3, Zadavsky's mother was notified in a letter from the anti-
corruption division of the Prosecutor General's Office that the
government dropped its investigation under Part 6 of the
Criminal Code's Article 246 because of "failure to find the
person who went missing without a trace." In March 2002, the
Minsk Regional Court sentenced two former members of the Almaz
police unit to life imprisonment in connection with Zadavasky's
disappearance. The Belarusian government had resumed its
investigation in April 2005 after a previous suspension in
spring 2004.
11. Driving License Seized from United Civic Party Activist
On May 3, Minsk police seized the driving license and plate of
Igor Shinkarik, leader of the Minsk branch of the United Civic
Party. The seizure followed Shinkarik's arrest while he was
driving away from Bangalore Square, the site of a May 1
opposition rally. Mr. Shinkarik was charged with having a
scratch on his car and driving with five passengers.
--------------
Economy
--------------
12. Belarus Accrues Debt of 2.5 Billion Dollars
By April 1 Belarus' foreign and domestic debts totaled 2.5
billion USD by April. Foreign debt is approximately 30% of
total debt while domestic debt amounts to 70%. Since January 1
foreign debt decreased 1.9% and domestic debt 0.7%. The
increments of foreign and domestic debts were 0.1% and 0.3% per
month, respectively.
13. Lower Chamber to Repeal Preferences for Foreign Investors
On May 4, the lower chamber of Belarus' parliament voted after
a first reading to repeal article 95 and part 2 of article 82
of the Investment Code. These provisions had allowed foreign
investors to retain all export revenues from sales of goods and
services after taxes and other required fees. The repeal is
intended to equalize conditions for foreign and domestic
investors. On January 1, 2005, Belarus cancelled tax
preferences for foreign investors. Yet, according to the
government, foreign investment increased from 1.5 billion in
2005 to 1.8 billion in 2006.
14. Belarus to Increase Pensions by Seven Percent
On May 1, President Lukashenko signed a degree raising pensions
by 7 percent to an average of 120 dollars. Lukashenko had
previously raised pensions by 9% on January 1. Pensioners are
approximately one-quarter of the Belarusian population.
15. Beltelcom Says Internet Users Up 5% during Jan-March 2006
On April 27, Belarus' Communication and IT Minister, Vladimir
Goncharenko announced that the number of users of Beltelcom's
data communications network increased from 37,600 to 39,500
between January and March 2006. Requests for corporate
networks on IP-protocol increased to 1000 by April 1.
Gorcharenko supports reducing tariffs on DSL-internet access.
--------------
Quote of the Week
--------------
16. In an attempt to discredit opposition demonstrators,
MINSK 00000493 003 OF 003
particularly parents who brought their children to the rallies,
Belarusian Television asked an eight-year old, "What are you doing
here?" The child replied, "My name is Kolya. I want a different
president and our country to join the European Union."
KROL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON BO
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MINSK WEEKLY REPORT - May 5, 2006
Ref: Minsk 459
1. The following are brief items of interest compiled by
Embassy Minsk.
--------------
International Relations
--------------
2. Lukashenko: Consolidation of Political Forces Is No Problem
During a meeting in St. Petersburg, Aleksandr Lukashenko told
Russian President Putin that the consolidation of political
forces is not a problem for Belarus and was quoted that almost
all of the Belarusian population voted for the incumbent in the
March presidential elections. Lukashenko reportedly dismissed
the opposition as one or two thousand people who attempted to
"destabilize something for money" and told Putin, "That's why
we can only talk about the consolidation of this part of
society."
3. Lukashenko to Meet with Putin Again after G-8 Summit
At a meeting in St. Petersburg on April 28, Russian President
Vladimir Putin invited Belarusian President Aleksandr
Lukashenko to visit Moscow in late July for talks on the
Commonwealth of Independent States. During the meeting,
Lukashenko told Putin that the Europeans and Americans are
"still positive about cooperation with Belarus despite hue and
cry" and that Belarus cooperates with them in "vital matters,
including the economic sphere."
4. Ukraine Agrees to Develop Military Hardware with Belarus
The Ukrainian government recently approved an agreement with
Belarus to conduct joint research and development of new
weaponry and other military hardware. The Ukrainian and
Belarusian Defense and Industrial Ministries will oversee
cooperation. Moreover, the countries will form a joint working
group to meet yearly.
--------------
Civil Society
--------------
5. BKGB to Identify "Za Svobodu" Funding
On May 4, the Belarusian Committee for Security (BKGB)
announced that it is tracking the financial sources of the "Za
Svobodu" ("For Freedom") social-political movement, which
opposition leader and former presidential candidate Alexksandr
Milinkevich promoted prior to and following the March
presidential elections. Meanwhile, regional activists of the
youth organization Zubr were summoned by the BKGB for
questioning.
6. Grafittist Trial Postponed, Supporters Arrested
The trial of opposition youth activist and graffitist Artur
Finkevich opened in the Pervomaisky District in Minsk on May 4.
However, the judge declared a recess until May 10 because city
maintenance authorities did not properly document the USD
16,370 in damages allegedly caused by Finkevich. Mr. Finkevich,
a leader of the unregistered youth group known as "Malady
Front," was arrested on January 30 for allegedly painting on a
building wall, "We want a new one [president]" and faces up to
12 years in prison for malicious hooliganism and large-scale
property damage. Police arrested eight Finkevich supporters
after they staged a demonstration outside the courthouse. The
arrests included the nephew of jailed former presidential
candidate Aleksandr Kozulin and four others who were later
sentenced to five days in jail.
7. Kozulin's Lawyer Acquitted
On April 26, Igor Rynkevich, a lawyer for former presidential
candidate Aleksandr Kozulin, was acquitted on charges of
swearing at police officers and resisting arrest. The officer
who brought the charges did not appear in Moskovsky district
court. Two other policemen testified that they did not witness
Mr. Rynkevich swear or resist arrest near the Oktyabrsky
district police station on March 2 where Rynkevich had arrived
with opposition activists to visit Mr. Kozulin.
8. Youths Arrested for Displaying Pro-Opposition Newspapers
At least 20 young people were arrested by plainclothes police
for displaying pro-opposition newspapers during a media
exhibition at the BelExpo Center in Minsk. The youths were
apprehended after they opened copies of Tovarishch, Narodnaya
Volya, and Nasha Niva near the stall of the largest government-
MINSK 00000493 002 OF 003
controlled newspaper Sovetskaya Belarussiya. A senior Minsk
city police officer warned journalists at the exhibition that
they might be held responsible for organizing the "flash mob"
and provoking the youths' illegal acts. The youths were later
released.
9. Head of Writer's Union Fired from State University
Ales Pashkevich, chairman of the Union of Belarusian Writers
was fired from his position as an associate professor at the
Literature and Culture Department of the Belarusian State
University (BGU). In the official dismissal order dated March
27, BGU Rector Vasily Strazhev states that Pashkevich was
dismissed by mutual consent. Professor Pashkevich says that
the BGU administration had planned to remove him for his
dissident views and that he had promised to leave this fall.
In 2003, the Supreme Certification Commission rejected
Pashkevich's doctoral thesis and dissolved Pashkevich's
department.
10. Government Ends Investigation of Missing Journalist Again
The official investigation into the disappearance of
independent journalist Dmitry Zadavsky was again suspended. On
May 3, Zadavsky's mother was notified in a letter from the anti-
corruption division of the Prosecutor General's Office that the
government dropped its investigation under Part 6 of the
Criminal Code's Article 246 because of "failure to find the
person who went missing without a trace." In March 2002, the
Minsk Regional Court sentenced two former members of the Almaz
police unit to life imprisonment in connection with Zadavasky's
disappearance. The Belarusian government had resumed its
investigation in April 2005 after a previous suspension in
spring 2004.
11. Driving License Seized from United Civic Party Activist
On May 3, Minsk police seized the driving license and plate of
Igor Shinkarik, leader of the Minsk branch of the United Civic
Party. The seizure followed Shinkarik's arrest while he was
driving away from Bangalore Square, the site of a May 1
opposition rally. Mr. Shinkarik was charged with having a
scratch on his car and driving with five passengers.
--------------
Economy
--------------
12. Belarus Accrues Debt of 2.5 Billion Dollars
By April 1 Belarus' foreign and domestic debts totaled 2.5
billion USD by April. Foreign debt is approximately 30% of
total debt while domestic debt amounts to 70%. Since January 1
foreign debt decreased 1.9% and domestic debt 0.7%. The
increments of foreign and domestic debts were 0.1% and 0.3% per
month, respectively.
13. Lower Chamber to Repeal Preferences for Foreign Investors
On May 4, the lower chamber of Belarus' parliament voted after
a first reading to repeal article 95 and part 2 of article 82
of the Investment Code. These provisions had allowed foreign
investors to retain all export revenues from sales of goods and
services after taxes and other required fees. The repeal is
intended to equalize conditions for foreign and domestic
investors. On January 1, 2005, Belarus cancelled tax
preferences for foreign investors. Yet, according to the
government, foreign investment increased from 1.5 billion in
2005 to 1.8 billion in 2006.
14. Belarus to Increase Pensions by Seven Percent
On May 1, President Lukashenko signed a degree raising pensions
by 7 percent to an average of 120 dollars. Lukashenko had
previously raised pensions by 9% on January 1. Pensioners are
approximately one-quarter of the Belarusian population.
15. Beltelcom Says Internet Users Up 5% during Jan-March 2006
On April 27, Belarus' Communication and IT Minister, Vladimir
Goncharenko announced that the number of users of Beltelcom's
data communications network increased from 37,600 to 39,500
between January and March 2006. Requests for corporate
networks on IP-protocol increased to 1000 by April 1.
Gorcharenko supports reducing tariffs on DSL-internet access.
--------------
Quote of the Week
--------------
16. In an attempt to discredit opposition demonstrators,
MINSK 00000493 003 OF 003
particularly parents who brought their children to the rallies,
Belarusian Television asked an eight-year old, "What are you doing
here?" The child replied, "My name is Kolya. I want a different
president and our country to join the European Union."
KROL