Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MINSK229
2007-03-19 05:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
EMBASSY MINSK WEEKLY POL/ECON REPORT - MARCH 14, 2007
how-toVZCZCXRO8640 RR RUEHAST RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSK #0229/01 0780555 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 190555Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY MINSK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5794 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 000229
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ECON EPET ENRG BO
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MINSK WEEKLY POL/ECON REPORT - MARCH 14, 2007
REF: MINSK 198
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MINSK 000229
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ECON EPET ENRG BO
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MINSK WEEKLY POL/ECON REPORT - MARCH 14, 2007
REF: MINSK 198
1. The following are brief items of interest compiled by Embassy
Minsk.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
--------------
- Belarusian Plane Attacked in Somalia (para. 2)
- Lukashenko's Kyiv Visit Postponed (para. 3)
- GOB Urges UN HRC to Avoid "Double Standards" (para. 4)
CIVIL SOCIETY
--------------
- CIS/EU Politicians to Attend March 25 Demonstration (para. 5)
- Political Prisoner Denied Early Release (para. 6)
- Teenage Girl Suspect in Fedaruk-Korban Criminal Case (para. 7)
- Union Denied Permission for Rally in Soligorsk (para. 8)
INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT
--------------
- Belarus Ready to Upgrade Your Missiles (para. 9)
- Lukoil Ceases Oil Exports To Belarus (para. 10)
DOMESTIC ECONOMY
--------------
- Belarus Ups Excise On Oil Products (para. 10)
- Belarus to Increase Domestic Drug Production (para. 12)
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (para. 13)
--------------
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
--------------
2. Belarusian Plane Carrying Combat Vehicles Attacked in Somalia
The Belarusian Ministry of Transport's aviation department on March
12 reported that a Belarusian Il- 76 transport plane was attacked in
Somalia by grenade launchers as it was approaching an airfield three
kilometers away. The plane managed to land safely with damage to
the fuselage. It was carrying nine Belarusians, six Ugandans, and
allegedly a humanitarian shipment that included two armored combat
vehicles. The flight originated in Uganda reportedly as part of a
peacekeeping mission with the African Union and UN Security Council.
Somalia officials denied the plane was attacked.
3. Lukashenko's Kyiv Visit Postponed
On March 12, the Ukrainian president's office announced that this
week's meeting between Presidents Lukashenko and Yushchenko was
postponed. President Yushchenko, who was in the Zhytomyr region on
March 13 and Denmark on March 15, reportedly said Lukashenko would
arrive in Kyiv next week (reftel).
4. GOB Urges UN Human Rights Council to Avoid "Double Standards"
On March 12, Belarus' Permanent Representative to the UN and other
international organizations based in Geneva Sergey Aleynik told the
state telegraph agency Belta that the UN Human Rights Council (HRC)
should avoid "double standards" in its work. According to Aleynik,
this was Belarus' "strategic goal" for the HRC. Aleynik confirmed
that the Belarusian delegation would participate in hearings and
discussions with special rapporteurs and independent experts on
human rights around the world.
--------------
CIVIL SOCIETY
--------------
5. CIS and EU Politicians to Attend March 25 Demonstration
Leaders of Russia's Union of Right Forces Nikita Belykh and
Azerbaijan's Musavat party Isa Qambar on March 12 accepted de facto
coalition leader Aleksandr Milinkevich's invitation to attend the
March 25 opposition demonstration in Minsk, which will celebrate the
short-lived independent Belarusian National Republic that formed
following WWI. Milinkevich invited dozens of EU, U.S., and CIS
politicians to participate in the demonstration in Minsk. Vice
President of the European Parliament Mario Mauro and other EU
politicians plan to attend the event.
6. Political Prisoner Denied Early Release
Radio Liberty on March 9 reported that Malady Front youth opposition
MINSK 00000229 002.2 OF 003
movement leader Dmitry Dashkevich received a fourth warning from the
prison administration, this time for reading after-hours. The
fourth warning makes Dashkevich ineligible for an early release
under the amnesty law because has not taken "the correctional path"
and is considered "a persistent violator" of prison regulations.
Dashkevich has served six months of an 18-month sentence for running
an unregistered group.
7. Teenage Girl a Suspect in Fedaruk-Korban Criminal Case
On March 12, the Prosecutor General's Office notified 17-year-old
Anastasiya Palazhanka that she was a suspect in the criminal
prosecution of Malady Front youth group leaders Dmitry Fedaruk and
Aleh Korban and was summoned for questioning on March 13.
Palazhanka was arrested with Korban, Fedaruk and 25 other youths
when security services on February 4 raided an apartment where they
were holding a meeting. Korban and Fedaruk face charges of running
an unregistered organization and could face a fine or a prison
sentence up to two years. On March 10 and 11, security forces tried
to enter Fedaruk's apartment without producing identification or
warrants.
8. Union Denied Permission for Rally in Soligorsk
On March 12, authorities in Soligorsk denied the Belarusian
Independent Trade Union (BITU) permission to stage a rally on March
14 to demand an increase in pay and housing loan programs for
company workers. According to the Soligorsk BITU leader Mikalay
Novik, authorities cited the flu outbreak as the reason for the
permission denial. The BITU plans to apply to hold another
demonstration in the future.
--------------
INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT
--------------
9. Belarus Ready to Upgrade Your Missiles
On March 13, the Minsk Tetraedr defense industry enterprise
announced that it was offering foreign armies its services to
modernize S-200VE Vega long-range missile systems known as SA-5B
Gammon. Tetraedr did not have any contracts yet, but was ready to
dispatch its experts to sites around the world to make missile
systems more efficient and decrease their susceptibility to jamming.
The S-200s can strike targets 250 kilometers away. Established in
April 2001, Tetraedr upgrades surface-to-air missile systems,
develops and manufactures warfare equipment, and designs software
and technologies for radar and control systems.
10. Lukoil Ceases Oil Exports To Belarus
Anonymous GOB officials on March 7 reported to the press that
Russian oil company Lukoil would cease crude oil supplies to Belarus
in March. Lukoil, the largest supplier of crude oil (300,000 per
month) to Belarus, cited the lack of clear rules following Russia
and Belarus' new oil agreement signed in early 2007. The loss of
Lukoil crude will affect Belarus' oil refineries that will now have
to purchase more from other suppliers just to continue production.
Lukoil may rescind its decision upon the introduction of new rules.
--------------
DOMESTIC ECONOMY
--------------
11. Belarus Ups Excise On Oil Products
Online economic news source Prime-Tass on March 7 reported that in
accordance with presidential edict 117, Belarus on March 1 increased
excise on oil products sold domestically by 140 percent and gave
companies supplying crude oil to Belarus on a tolling basis a USD 24
per ton subsidy. According to an unnamed oil refinery
representative, the incentives are not enough to encourage oil
processing in Belarus and will not increase the work efficiency of
refineries. The representative predicted excise rates will rise to
2006 levels and make the domestic market unprofitable, suggesting
that Belarus reduce export duties by the amount Russia charges in
export duties on crude oil. Both government and independent
economists believe the benefit is not sufficient, fearing Russian
crude suppliers will avoid the Belarusian market.
12. Belarus to Increase Domestic Drug Production
Deputy Chair of the Belbiyafarm pharmaceutical association Petr
Mandrukevich on March 13 told reporters that the Belarusian
pharmaceutical industry was to develop and start production of 200
brand name and generic drugs in 2006-2010. According to
Mandrukevich, the GOB in the next five years plans to increase drug
research spending from USD 4 million to USD 13 million and overall
investment in the sector is expected to reach USD 140 million. All
drug companies are expected to comply with GMP standards by 2010 and
90 percent of their equipment is to be replaced. Belarusian
MINSK 00000229 003 OF 003
pharmaceutical manufacturers in 2006 reported USD 114 million in
sales; 40 percent from exports.
--------------
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
--------------
13. At a March 12 entrepreneur demonstration in Bangalore Square to
protest new GOB regulations, one regional entrepreneur leader
criticized the government for turning off the electricity:
"The authorities denied us electricity, but last week the BRYU [the
pro-government Belarusian Republican Youth Movement] held a
demonstration at this spot and had electricity. We [entrepreneurs]
pay the taxes to support that stupid organization and we are the
ones without electricity."
Stewart
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ECON EPET ENRG BO
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MINSK WEEKLY POL/ECON REPORT - MARCH 14, 2007
REF: MINSK 198
1. The following are brief items of interest compiled by Embassy
Minsk.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
--------------
- Belarusian Plane Attacked in Somalia (para. 2)
- Lukashenko's Kyiv Visit Postponed (para. 3)
- GOB Urges UN HRC to Avoid "Double Standards" (para. 4)
CIVIL SOCIETY
--------------
- CIS/EU Politicians to Attend March 25 Demonstration (para. 5)
- Political Prisoner Denied Early Release (para. 6)
- Teenage Girl Suspect in Fedaruk-Korban Criminal Case (para. 7)
- Union Denied Permission for Rally in Soligorsk (para. 8)
INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT
--------------
- Belarus Ready to Upgrade Your Missiles (para. 9)
- Lukoil Ceases Oil Exports To Belarus (para. 10)
DOMESTIC ECONOMY
--------------
- Belarus Ups Excise On Oil Products (para. 10)
- Belarus to Increase Domestic Drug Production (para. 12)
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (para. 13)
--------------
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
--------------
2. Belarusian Plane Carrying Combat Vehicles Attacked in Somalia
The Belarusian Ministry of Transport's aviation department on March
12 reported that a Belarusian Il- 76 transport plane was attacked in
Somalia by grenade launchers as it was approaching an airfield three
kilometers away. The plane managed to land safely with damage to
the fuselage. It was carrying nine Belarusians, six Ugandans, and
allegedly a humanitarian shipment that included two armored combat
vehicles. The flight originated in Uganda reportedly as part of a
peacekeeping mission with the African Union and UN Security Council.
Somalia officials denied the plane was attacked.
3. Lukashenko's Kyiv Visit Postponed
On March 12, the Ukrainian president's office announced that this
week's meeting between Presidents Lukashenko and Yushchenko was
postponed. President Yushchenko, who was in the Zhytomyr region on
March 13 and Denmark on March 15, reportedly said Lukashenko would
arrive in Kyiv next week (reftel).
4. GOB Urges UN Human Rights Council to Avoid "Double Standards"
On March 12, Belarus' Permanent Representative to the UN and other
international organizations based in Geneva Sergey Aleynik told the
state telegraph agency Belta that the UN Human Rights Council (HRC)
should avoid "double standards" in its work. According to Aleynik,
this was Belarus' "strategic goal" for the HRC. Aleynik confirmed
that the Belarusian delegation would participate in hearings and
discussions with special rapporteurs and independent experts on
human rights around the world.
--------------
CIVIL SOCIETY
--------------
5. CIS and EU Politicians to Attend March 25 Demonstration
Leaders of Russia's Union of Right Forces Nikita Belykh and
Azerbaijan's Musavat party Isa Qambar on March 12 accepted de facto
coalition leader Aleksandr Milinkevich's invitation to attend the
March 25 opposition demonstration in Minsk, which will celebrate the
short-lived independent Belarusian National Republic that formed
following WWI. Milinkevich invited dozens of EU, U.S., and CIS
politicians to participate in the demonstration in Minsk. Vice
President of the European Parliament Mario Mauro and other EU
politicians plan to attend the event.
6. Political Prisoner Denied Early Release
Radio Liberty on March 9 reported that Malady Front youth opposition
MINSK 00000229 002.2 OF 003
movement leader Dmitry Dashkevich received a fourth warning from the
prison administration, this time for reading after-hours. The
fourth warning makes Dashkevich ineligible for an early release
under the amnesty law because has not taken "the correctional path"
and is considered "a persistent violator" of prison regulations.
Dashkevich has served six months of an 18-month sentence for running
an unregistered group.
7. Teenage Girl a Suspect in Fedaruk-Korban Criminal Case
On March 12, the Prosecutor General's Office notified 17-year-old
Anastasiya Palazhanka that she was a suspect in the criminal
prosecution of Malady Front youth group leaders Dmitry Fedaruk and
Aleh Korban and was summoned for questioning on March 13.
Palazhanka was arrested with Korban, Fedaruk and 25 other youths
when security services on February 4 raided an apartment where they
were holding a meeting. Korban and Fedaruk face charges of running
an unregistered organization and could face a fine or a prison
sentence up to two years. On March 10 and 11, security forces tried
to enter Fedaruk's apartment without producing identification or
warrants.
8. Union Denied Permission for Rally in Soligorsk
On March 12, authorities in Soligorsk denied the Belarusian
Independent Trade Union (BITU) permission to stage a rally on March
14 to demand an increase in pay and housing loan programs for
company workers. According to the Soligorsk BITU leader Mikalay
Novik, authorities cited the flu outbreak as the reason for the
permission denial. The BITU plans to apply to hold another
demonstration in the future.
--------------
INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT
--------------
9. Belarus Ready to Upgrade Your Missiles
On March 13, the Minsk Tetraedr defense industry enterprise
announced that it was offering foreign armies its services to
modernize S-200VE Vega long-range missile systems known as SA-5B
Gammon. Tetraedr did not have any contracts yet, but was ready to
dispatch its experts to sites around the world to make missile
systems more efficient and decrease their susceptibility to jamming.
The S-200s can strike targets 250 kilometers away. Established in
April 2001, Tetraedr upgrades surface-to-air missile systems,
develops and manufactures warfare equipment, and designs software
and technologies for radar and control systems.
10. Lukoil Ceases Oil Exports To Belarus
Anonymous GOB officials on March 7 reported to the press that
Russian oil company Lukoil would cease crude oil supplies to Belarus
in March. Lukoil, the largest supplier of crude oil (300,000 per
month) to Belarus, cited the lack of clear rules following Russia
and Belarus' new oil agreement signed in early 2007. The loss of
Lukoil crude will affect Belarus' oil refineries that will now have
to purchase more from other suppliers just to continue production.
Lukoil may rescind its decision upon the introduction of new rules.
--------------
DOMESTIC ECONOMY
--------------
11. Belarus Ups Excise On Oil Products
Online economic news source Prime-Tass on March 7 reported that in
accordance with presidential edict 117, Belarus on March 1 increased
excise on oil products sold domestically by 140 percent and gave
companies supplying crude oil to Belarus on a tolling basis a USD 24
per ton subsidy. According to an unnamed oil refinery
representative, the incentives are not enough to encourage oil
processing in Belarus and will not increase the work efficiency of
refineries. The representative predicted excise rates will rise to
2006 levels and make the domestic market unprofitable, suggesting
that Belarus reduce export duties by the amount Russia charges in
export duties on crude oil. Both government and independent
economists believe the benefit is not sufficient, fearing Russian
crude suppliers will avoid the Belarusian market.
12. Belarus to Increase Domestic Drug Production
Deputy Chair of the Belbiyafarm pharmaceutical association Petr
Mandrukevich on March 13 told reporters that the Belarusian
pharmaceutical industry was to develop and start production of 200
brand name and generic drugs in 2006-2010. According to
Mandrukevich, the GOB in the next five years plans to increase drug
research spending from USD 4 million to USD 13 million and overall
investment in the sector is expected to reach USD 140 million. All
drug companies are expected to comply with GMP standards by 2010 and
90 percent of their equipment is to be replaced. Belarusian
MINSK 00000229 003 OF 003
pharmaceutical manufacturers in 2006 reported USD 114 million in
sales; 40 percent from exports.
--------------
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
--------------
13. At a March 12 entrepreneur demonstration in Bangalore Square to
protest new GOB regulations, one regional entrepreneur leader
criticized the government for turning off the electricity:
"The authorities denied us electricity, but last week the BRYU [the
pro-government Belarusian Republican Youth Movement] held a
demonstration at this spot and had electricity. We [entrepreneurs]
pay the taxes to support that stupid organization and we are the
ones without electricity."
Stewart