Office for a Democratic Belarus

Belarus Headlines

Issue XLVIII December 9, 2009 EU Policy: Sharing Knowledge with Belarus. Fourth Visit of Belarusian Experts to Brussels fice and Ad- Foundation for Legal Tech- ministrative nologies Development and Management supported by the Swedish team gave an International Development overview on Cooperation Agency cooperation (SIDA). Candidates for par- programmes ticipation in the programme and the func- are selected through an open Office for a Democratic tioning of Uni- call for applications. The Belarus versity and re- organisers welcome partici- form processes. pation of experts from both civil society groups and Inside this issue: Belarusian experts in Brussels Topics that government-affiliated struc- were covered as tures." On the invitation of the part of the Belarusian 1 Office for a Democratic programme experts on Belarus in Brussels, Bel- included education in gium and the Foundation Life-long Brussels for Legal Technologies Learning Development (Ukraine), a Pro- EU and Belarus 2-4 group of Belarusian ex- grammes, perts on Education and Intellectual Research visited Brussels Property, on November 23-27, 2009. Educational Politics and 4-5 The Belarusian delegation, issues and Society which included representa- policy to- tives from government wards Bela- institutions, research rus, EU Belarusian delegation in the city of Ghent 6-8 Finance and group, took part in a train- policy to- Economics ing course “EU Education wards Belarus and Re- 27/11/2009 and Research Policy: Shar- reforming and creating inter- Mysterious ing Knowledge with Bela- national contacts for universi- Source: ODB Belarus rus”. ties. Photos by ODB 9-11 The Black Lady Within the framework of This visit is of Niasvizh the course, the Belarusian part of a Castle. Romantic delegates had a chance to larger pro- Story of the Most get acquainted with the gramme for Famous Ghost of work of the EU Institutions Belarusian Belarus and meet with key experts experts, from the Council of the which is EU, and the European being imple- We on the Web Commission, working on mented by the region and education the Office www.democraticbelarus.eu policy. They also visited for a Democ- Ghent University, where ratic Belarus senior members of the In- in coopera- Belarusian delegates at the University of Ghent ternational Relations Of- tion with the PAGE 2 BELARUS HEADLINES ISSUE XLVIII EU and Belarus

Council Conclusions on Belarus

On November 17, the EU Council Due to the absence of tangible progress the possible adoption of these direc- adopted Conclusions on Belarus. The in the areas identified in the Council tives once relevant conditions are Council welcomed the increased high- Conclusions of 13 October 2008, it was met. level EU–Belarus political dialogue, decided to extend until October 2010 the the beginning of the Human Rights restrictive measures against certain offi- The European Union reaffirms its Dialogue, the intensified technical cials of Belarus but to extend the suspen- readiness to deepen its relations with cooperation and the participation of sion of the application of the travel re- Belarus in light of further develop- Belarus in the Eastern Partnership strictions for the same period. ments in Belarus towards democracy, initiative. human rights and the rule of law and At the same time, the Council of Min- The Council conclusions on Belarus also to assist the country in attaining these isters recalled its Conclusions of 13 include an invitation for the Commission objectives. Subject to progress in October 2008, and the areas of con- to prepare recommendations on negotia- Belarus in these areas, the Council cern identified therein, including the tion directives on visa facilitation and stands ready to take steps towards need for progress towards reforms of readmission agreements with Belarus, upgrading contractual relations with the Electoral Code to bring it into line taking into account the common ap- Belarus. with OSCE commitments and other proach on visa facilitation, the recent international standards for democratic evaluation of the 18/11/2009 elections, the freedom of expression existing visa facilitation agreements, as and of the media, and the freedom of well as the findings of a technical expert Source: consilium.europa.eu, ODB assembly and political association. mission to Belarus, and with a view to

"The Eastern Partnership" Civil Society Forum in Brussels

democracy and human rights. In addition, • The Belarusian delegation to the Fo- civil society organizations in the region rum held a roundtable discussion and a offered a number of project proposals press conference on the results of the aimed at improving energy security, expan- meeting on 19 November 2009 at the sion of economic ties with the EU, the in- Crown Plaza, Minsk. tensification of contacts between people and the deepening of cooperation in the The Forum initiates an open platform field of education. Separately, representa- for the participation of NGOs in the tives of civil society expressed the need, as "Eastern Partnership". As part of this quickly as possible to move to a visa-free initiative, thematic platforms will be "The Eastern Partnership" Civil Society regime with the countries of the European formed on the main directions of the Forum was held in Brussels on 16-17 Union. EaP, including democracy and good November 2009. The Belarusian delega- governance, economy, energy security tion, representing 27 public organizations • The position of the Civil Society Forum and the environment, as well as con- in Belarus, took an active part in this will be presented at an inter-ministerial tacts between people. The Forum par- event. summit of the Eastern Partnership in Stock- ticipants call on other social organiza-

holm by Syarhei Matskevich (Belarus, tions, businesses, the public sector and • The Forum has developed and intro- Assembly of NGOs), formally elected by individual citizens to cooperate within duced the position of civil society of the the Forum as its representative at the meet- the framework of these platforms. EU’s eastern partners on the key areas to ing. Syarhei Matskevich and Uladzislau the European Commissioner for External Vyalichka (International Consortium It is worth noting that "The Eastern Relations and European Neighbourhood ‘EvroBelarus’) were also elected to the Partnership" Civil Society Forum was Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and Carl organized by the European Commis- Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Board of the Civil Society Forum. The Belarusian delegation suggested that the sion with the aim of building confi- Sweden, currently holding the EU Presi- dence between civil society organiza- dency. The position of the Forum in- structure of the Forum and the format of its work should be one of a full subject of tions in partner countries. The Forum cludes the requirements of civilian over- was attended by delegations from "The Eastern Partnership". This proposal sight over the programmes that are being Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, implemented within the framework of the was endorsed by other delegates, as well Moldova and Ukraine. EaP, compliance of partner countries with as representatives of the European Com- the EU’s environmental standards, the mission. 17/11/2009 strict respect of European standards of Source: ODB PAGE 3 BELARUS HEADLINES ISSUE XLVIII

EU and Belarus Silvio Berlusconi Pays Short Visit to Minsk

Affairs, says that Italy has a long foreign advancing Italian business interests, policy tradition of being a pilot in explor- including his own. ing relations with problematic countries, and Berlusconi's trip may fall within that Belarus, which has no significant framework. natural resources, is important as a transit state for Russian pipelines "The visit of Mr. Berlusconi to Minsk is delivering energy to the EU. It also somehow the illustration of a quite tradi- has a sizable military industry which tional trend in Italian foreign policy," seeks Western technology to maintain Darnis said. "Italy is an ally of the U.S.A. competitiveness in the global arms through transatlantic relations and export market. NATO. And that is a strong pillar of [Rome's] foreign policy, and it is also a Berlusconi, a media mogul reputed to founding member of the European Un- own half of Italy's television and ion, and that is the other strong pillar." press, is closely tied to the country's state energy company ENI and the "But then, outside of those two pillars, quasi-state aerospace and weapons there is still a capability of action, of conglomerate Finmeccanica. moving, of Italy making contacts with countries that might be perceived as On November 30, the Belarusian problematic," he continued. "The exam- government and Finmeccanica Group Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlus- ple of Libya and the recent relations be- signed a memorandum. The two sides coni was the first EU leader to visit tween Italy and Libya are an illustration." agreed to cooperate in transport, en- Belarus in a decade and a half. ergy, space and security systems. The For years, such visits have been ta- Darnis explains that Italy's foreign policy document was signed following the boo. The European Union largely reflects the realities of the country's long negotiations between President of the regards Belarus as a pariah state for tradition of constantly exploring business Republic of Belarus Alyaksandr Lu- its regular crackdowns on opposition opportunities worldwide. That gives an kashenka and Italian Prime Minister and rigging of poll results to keep impetus for seemingly impromptu trips -- Silvio Berlusconi. President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in even to states that at a given moment "Thank you and thanks to your peo- power. might be pariahs. ple who, I know, love you, as is dem- onstrated by the election results The official reason is that Berlusconi RFE/RL Belarus Service correspondent which everybody can see," Berlus- is paying a reciprocal visit to Minsk Jan Maksymiuk agrees that Berlusconi is coni told Lukashenka. The OSCE has as customary under international dip- one of the few European leaders who can repeatedly declared that the elections lomatic protocol. Lukashenka paid a visit Minsk and explore better ties with- in Belarus were rigged. Lukashenka, visit to Rome in April, where he met out committing Brussels to follow suit. meanwhile, has abolished presidential with Pope Benedict XVI and had But he says this is partly due to Berlus- term limits and can effectively rule dinner with Berlusconi and Italian coni's own personal reputation as a some- for life. Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. what extravagant politician who takes But the fact that Berlusconi went to risks that more cautious leaders might Minsk at a time when Brussels and avoid. 30/11/2009 Lukashenka still have very guarded Source: Radio Free Belarus, relations has raised eyebrows. But Berlusconi, who most often attracts BelTA, ODB Jean-Pierre Darnis, deputy head of the media's attention for scandals associ- Photo by nn.by the security and defence department ated with his private life, is a shrewd deal at Rome's Institute of International -maker who rarely travels abroad without

Jacek Protasiewicz Expresses Concern about Situation with Belarus’ Christian Democracy Party

“In my capacity of a Chairman of the European Delegation for Relations with Belarus I would like to ex- press my deep concern about the situation of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party (BCD). In my last statement of 17 April 2009 I had already communicated my disappointment about the denial of registration to the BCD,” reads the statement.

Continued on p. 4

ISSUE XLVIII BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 4

EU and Belarus Jacek Protasiewicz Expresses Concern about Situation with Belarus’ Christian Democracy Party

Mr Protasiewicz declared his solidarity with the Christian Democrats of Belarus and called upon the Belarusian state au- thorities to ensure the right of freedom of assembly in Belarus and to allow the registration of the BCD. He also stressed that Article 193.1 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, which provides for criminal charges participating in the activities of unregistered associations, religious organisations or funds, violates fundamental human rights and needs to be abolished.

03/12/2009 Source: EPP-ED press-release, ODB

Trilateral EU Eastern Partnership Projects of Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine Presented in Brussels

Lithuania‘s Minister trilateral projects for towards the Belarusian citizens, who of Foreign Affairs the Eastern Partner- have to pay for a Schengen visa twice Vygaudas Ušackas ship programme. as much as citizens from other Eastern took part in a meet- These projects mainly Partnership countries. ing between For- cover border protec- eign Ministers from tion, social and en- “We expect that in the nearest future 27 European Union ergy security, com- the EU and Belarus will start a dia- member states and mon historic and cul- logue concerning the decrease in price six Eastern Partner- tural heritage. of Schengen visa for the Belarusian ship countries citizens and it will be reduced from 60 (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Geor- Ušackas expressed satisfaction with the to 35 euros”, Minister V.Ušackas said. gia, Moldova and Ukraine) that took agreement to include Lithuanian propos- place on 8 December in Brussels. Im- als on transport, nuclear safety and cul- Minister V.Ušackas also presented the plementation of the Eastern Partner- tural heritage projects into action pro- proposals of the Foreign Affairs Com- ship initiative and priorities for 2010 grammes for the next year. mittee of the Seimas of Lithuania to were discussed at the meting. develop parliamentary cooperation He noted that free trade, dialogue on between the Eastern Partnership and Minister Ušackas together with his visa facilitation and cooperation on en- the EU countries. Belarusian counterpart Syarhei Marty- ergy issues were important elements of nau and Ukrainian Foreign Minister the Eastern Partnership. The Minister 09/12/2009 Petro Poroshenko presented a list of urged to end a discriminatory EU policy Source: URM.lt

Politics and Society

Civil Activist Tatiana Shaput'ka Expelled from University

Tatiana Shaput'ka, press-secretary of According to Belarusian legislation, the Malady Front (Young Front) Or- students dents do not have the right ganisation, has been expelled from the to leave the country without permis- Department of Law of the Belarusian sion of their university or the Minis- State University. try of Education.

On December 3, Shaput'ka received a Leader of Movement for Freedom note, signed by the rector Syarhei Ab- Alyaksandr Milinkevich delivered an lameika, stating that she was expelled appeal to the Syarhei Ablameika call- for “violating the statute of the Uni- ing him to restore Tatiana Shaput’ka versity”. Tatiana Shaput'ka repre- status at the university. Tatiana Shaput'ka with Commissioner sented her organisation at the Eastern Ferrero-Waldner and Swedish Foreign Partnership Civil Society Forum that 04/11/2009 Minister Carl Bildt at the EP Civil Society took place in Brussels in 16-17 No- Forum Source: mfront.org, Movement for vember 2009. Freedom, ODB ISSUE XLVIII BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 5

Politics and Society

Youth Activists Kidnapped in Belarus

Lahoysk district not far from grabbed by unidentified people, Minsk. handcuffed, forced into a vehicle After returning to Minsk, he filed a without license plates and brought to complaint with a district police a forest around 25 kilometres south department. Police officers visited of Minsk. his apartment afterwards, saying they needed to check whether his Artur Finkevich, leader of the Young laptop had been stolen. “They Belarus opposition group, was found no laptop but saw what they grabbed by unknown men, beaten described as strange books and and brought to a forest near Rakaw, documents,” Mr. Dashkevich said, a town some 40 kilometers west of adding that the police seized 50 Minsk, in December 2008. Young democratic activists fell vic- books and nearly 200 leaflets from his tim to the wave of kidnappings that apartment. “I was told that the materials swept the country. At least five young could help the inquiry into my abduction. The police have not found the perpe- oppositionists were kidnapped by I hardly understand how they can help,” trators in any of the cases. unknown people, who were allegedly he noted. equipped with portable radios, in dif- On December 6, strangers also detained ferent places of Minsk this year and the coordinator of a civil movement According to the Criminal Code of later dropped off in the forests sur- “European Belarus” Yauhen Afnahel and Republic of Belarus, those persons involved in kidnappings may face up rounding the Belarusian capital. took him out of Minsk. He complained to 10 years of imprisonment. about his abduction to the police when he On December 5, five athletic-looking got back to Minsk. Belarusian opposition activists are men grabbed Zmitser Dashkevich, going to start information campaign Chairman of the Malady Front, as he Malady Front activists Anastasiya Palaz- on such kidnappings to stop this was leaving his home in south-eastern hanka and Dzyanis Karnow were bun- practice. They believe that Belaru- part of Minsk to attend a ceremony dled into a minibus and driven away sian authorities use such incidents to marking the establishment of a coali- from Minsk hours before a major opposi- intimidate their opponents. tion of opposition youth organisa- tion demonstration this past March. The tions. young people later recognized one of the 07/12/2009 Mr. Dashkevich had headgear pulled attackers as an officer of the interior min- istry’s Almaz counter-terrorist unit. Source: svaboda.org, BelaPAN, over his eyes so that he could not see ODB anything and spent more than five In a similar incident last month, opposi- hours in a minibus. He was dropped Photo by Radio Free Europe off near the village of Antonawka, the tion youth Uladzimir Lemesh was

Belarus Leader Lukashenka to Visit Russia Thursday

Belarusian leader Alyak- union state's Supreme State but also pledged to improve relations sandr Lukashenka will Council, the Kremlin said. with Western Europe. visit Russia on Decem- ber 10 for a session of Russia and Belarus have Medvedev visited Belarus's capital the ruling body of the sought to form a union to Minsk late last month, when he and union state the two ex- ensure greater political, the leaders of Belarus and Kazakhstan Soviet neighbours are economic and social inte- signed a package of deals to create a trying to build, the gration since 1996, but the customs union with common tariffs, Kremlin said Monday. process has stalled recently paving the way for a single economic over a series of disputes. space. Lukashenka will make a working visit to Russia at President Dmitry Medve- Lukashenka reiterated his commitment 08/12/2009 dev's invitation for a session of the to boosting ties with Russia last week, Source: RIA Novosti ISSUE XLVIII BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 6

Finance and Economics

EBRD Buys 25.5 Per Cent Stake in Belarus Retail Chain

The European Bank for Reconstruc- The EBRD declined to disclose the value EBRD statement cited Syarhei tion and Development has bought a of its investment. In the statement, it said Misiachenka, WOU's general direc- 25.5 percent stake in a Belarusian that it 'views retail commerce as vital to tor, as saying. company managing supermarkets sell- the development of a successful market The EBRD is working with a total of ing children's goods, the bank said in a economy'. 24 projects in Belarus, with a net statement on Wednesday. West Ost Union, or WOU, runs a retail business volume of 244.1 million The investment in West Ost Union chain of 12 supermarkets in Minsk and euro, according to the bank's web- Commercial Industrial Group is other cities and wants to increase the site, www.ebrd.com. EBRD's third equity investment in number of supermarkets to 25 by 2013. Belarus in the past decade and the first 'This financing is very important because 18/11/2009 in its retail sector. it will support our expansion plans,' the Source: Reuters

Belarus Increased Import Custom Duties for Several Commodities

Belarus increased import customs ernment took such measures in order to for flour from soft wheat and spelt duties for 9-month term for several protect the interests of the domestic pro- wheat, groats and crude flour from food commodities. The rates of the ducers. The country produces the suffi- soft wheat and spelt wheat, rolled duties were confirmed by the decree cient volumes of food for provision of grains and grains processed to flakes of the head of the state No.542 of the inner market. The raised import du- at the rate of 20% from the customs November 15 of the current year. ties will allow limiting imports of such costs. According to the Ministry of Agricul- food commodities and competing in ture and Food of Belarus and the con- prices. 18/11/2009 cern "Belgosharchaprom", the gov- The government imposed import duties Source: Agrimarket.info

IMF Mission Reaches Staff-Level Agreement on Third Review Under Stand-By Arrangement

An International Monetary ment, subject to approval by "The mission and the authorities also Fund (IMF) mission, led by the IMF Executive Board, discussed the issues that would Mr. Chris Jarvis, visited on the completion of the strengthen the financial system and Minsk during November 10- third review of the SBA the independence of the National 19, 2009 to hold discussions with Belarus. The third re- Bank of the Republic of Belarus. with the Belarusian authorities view would be considered Consultations on the focus and the as part of the third review of by the IMF Executive Board sequence of structural reforms could the country's Stand-By Ar- in late- December. Upon form the basis for a follow-up pro- rangement (SBA). At the conclusion completion of the review, an amount of gram after the expiration of the cur- of the visit, Mr. Jarvis issued the fol- SDR 437.93 million (close to US$700 rent program in April 2010." [...] lowing statement: million) would become available for dis- "An IMF staff mission and the Belaru- bursement. [...] 19/11/2009 sian authorities have reached agree- Source: imf.org

Belarus Central Bank to Cut Rates by 50 Basis Points from December 1

Belarus' central bank has decided to cut the refinancing rate by 50 basis points to 13.5 percent effective from Dec. 1, the president's press service said in a statement on Thursday, citing the head of the central bank. "An agreement has been reached with the IMF that we can start the process of cutting interest rates. We plan that already from December1, 2009, the refinancing rate will be reduced by 50 basis points," Pyotr Prakapovich was quoted as saying. A central bank official told Reuters on Wednesday that Belarus would consider cutting the refinancing rate at the end of this month. 19/11/2009

Source: Reuters Pyotr Prakapovich ISSUE XLVIII BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 7

Finance and Economics

Heineken Launches Zlaty Bazant Beer Production in Belarus

Dutch beer giant Heine- rector of Heineken brand in Belarus with the help of TV ken has started the li- Belarus Natalia Litvi- and retail chains, while in early 2010 censed production of fa- nova, planning to in- Heineken the brand will be presented mous Slovak beer Zlaty crease the share of its in the segment of HoReCa where it in Bazant in Belarus. This is licensed brands. the form of bottled as well as draft the third beer brand beer. which is produced by the The company has al- company under license in ready received all the At present Heineken owns two brew- Belarus. Earlier it has needed approvals from ing companies in Belarus: IZAO started the production of "Doctor Die- Heineken International and is going to "SYABAR" and OJSC "Rechitsapiva, sel" and Gosser brands. start the licensed production Zlaty Ba- which were acquired by the Dutch zant at the capacities of SYABAR plant brewery in December 28, 2007 and Currently the licensed brands occupy in the city of Bobruisk. May 2008 respectively. about 10% of the total portfolio of

Heineken's brands produced in Bela- During the next several months Heine- rus. The company is not going to stop ken is planning to launch a massive pro- 26/11/2009 and, according to the Marketing Di- motional campaign of Zlaty Bazant Source: Food Biz Daily

Customs Union Agreed With Belarus, Kazakhstan

iff, which will start January 1, 2010 would jump to the same level as the as well as a unified customs code, Russian tariffs, duties for individuals which will go into effect July 1, 2010. would remain several times lower, About 92 percent of the new tariff which could result in caravans of Bel- regime is based on current Russian arusian auto runners streaming into duties. Russia has, on average, the Russia. highest tariffs of the group, that A number of decisions regarding the means that Kazakhstan and Belarus customs union don't correspond to the will be raising duties on a wide num- interests of Belarus in full, Luka- ber of items. shenka said, adding that he hoped that "We had to agree with our partners on the decisions would nevertheless bring lowering certain customs tariffs on a balance of interests and "common Medvedev, Lukashenka and Nazarbayev walk- ing and talking together before talks on a cus- certain groups of goods, and our part- results for all sides." toms union. ners had to raise certain tariffs," Rus- Medvedev repeated his assertion that sian First Deputy Prime Minister Igor entering the customs union would not On November 27, Belarus, Kazakh- Shuvalov said. affect Russia's plans to join the World stan and Russia gave the go-ahead for The countries still haven't agreed to a set Trade Organization. the creation of a joint customs union. of automobile tariffs, but the Russian Russian President Dmitry Medvedev side is concerned that the tentative plan met with his counterparts Alyaksandr for duties would lead to a flood of used 01/12/2009 Lukashenka and Nursultan Nazar- cars from Belarus and Kazakhstan and Source: The St. Petersburg Times bayev in Minsk, where they agreed to crush the domestic auto market. Photo by Vladimir Rodionov / the creation of a unified customs tar- While tariffs for Belarusian dealers RIA-Novosti / The Associated Press

Putin Links Belarus Economic Aid to Political Integration

Russian Prime degree of political integration between Putin said Russia had given enough Minister Vladi- the two countries in a union state. financial aid already to Belarus. mir Putin on "The deeper this integration, the greater Thursday said the possibility we can move to internal further eco- Russian prices," said Putin in an annual nomic prefer- question-and-answer session with Rus- 03/12/2009 ences for Belarus would depend on the sian citizens. Source: Reuters ISSUE XLVIII BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 8

Finance and Economics

Gazprom, Belarus Discuss Future

Officials at Russian 2007 acquisition, the Russian energy hand over $244 million in gas debts or energy giant Gazprom monopoly states. risk supply cuts. The dispute emerged welcomed government over the differences between prices officials from Belarus Gazprom and its Belarusian counter- outlined in the 2006 contract and aver- to discuss increasing part Beltransgaz in 2006 signed a deal age market prices for gas. their bilateral ties in the that calls on Belarus to pay a price for energy sector. its gas that it equal to European prices Belarusian Prime Minister Syarhei Si- beginning in 2011. A 2007 purchase dorsky said his country has submitted a Uladzimir Syamashka, and sale agreement forecasts the com- proposal to Gazprom related to antici- First Deputy Prime Minister of Bela- pletion of the sale of a 50 percent stake pated reductions in gas prices for 2010. rus, met in Moscow with Gazprom in Beltransgaz by 2010. Chairman Alexei Miller to discuss 03/12/2009 the terms of a 2006 contract and a Gazprom in June ordered Belarus to Source: UPI

Belarus Leader Sacks Ministers as Economy Stagnates

Belarusian President Alyaksandr rich Russia, suffered heavily from the Defence Minister Leanid Maltsau will Lukashenka on Friday [December global crisis alongside its bigger become secretary of the Security Coun- 4] sacked the economy, trade and neighbour. cil -- an appointment likely to be tax ministers in the biggest govern- viewed as a promotion rather than a ment reshuffle in years as he seeks Its exports halved this year as demand downgrade because his new post is con- to overturn economic stagnation. and prices for Belarusian machinery and sidered one of the most powerful in agricultural and chemical products Belarus. Lukashenka's office said Economy plummeted. Gross domestic product fell Minister Mikalai Zaichanka was 1 percent in the first 10 months after The former secretary, Yuri Zhadobin, replaced with the deputy head of years of growth. will become the new defence minister. presidential staff, Mikalai Snapkou. Defence Minister Leanid Maltsau "Of course this is primarily linked to the Lukashenka sacked the country's tax, and Security Council Secretary crisis, to declining economic indicators," information and trade ministers as well Yury Zhadobin swapped places. said independent political analyst Alyak- as the head of state truck giant MAZ, sandr Klaskousky. whose exports plummeted sharply this Belarus, whose economy has been year. run along Soviet-style command "But looking at the people, who came in, lines by Lukashenka since 1994 and I would not say there are a new genera- which is heavily dependent on sub- tion of people," he added. 04/12/2009 sidies from neighbouring resource- Source: Reuters

Belarus Finance Ministry Submits 2010 Draft Budget to Parliament

The Finance Ministry of Belarus duties would account for 82% of the At the same time, Kharkavets said that submitted on Monday a draft budget country's budget revenues next year. the 2010 budget stipulated a 14% in- for 2010, with revenues expected to crease in social spending as compared reach about $20 billion and a budget "The budget will receive revenues from with this year and a 15% growth in real deficit of about 1.5% of GDP. VAT, tax from foreign economic activ- wages in the budget-financed sector. ity, excise duties, income tax and profit Belarusian Finance Minister Andrei tax," Kharkavets said. The finance minister characterized the Kharkavets said the country's gross budget for next year as cautious. domestic product was expected to The finance minister said the govern- grow 12% in 2010 as compared ment intended to increase VAT from the with this year. current 18% to 20% next year, which would yield an additional $700 million 07/12/2009 Kharkavets said taxes and excise for the budget. Source: RIA Novosti ISSUE XLVIII BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 9 Mysterious Belarus

The Black Lady of Niasvizh Castle. Romantic Story of the Most Famous Ghost of Belarus

“Run!” the boy screamed, seizing the the ghost of Barbara Radziwil. Dressed speechless girl by her hand. They in dark mourning clothes, she haunts the dashed down the nearby staircase, leav- castle, filling it with sighs and weeping. ing the ghostly creature behind. In a minute, the ghost hunters crawled out of The love story between Barbara Radzi- a window and, panting, hurried across wil and Zhygimont August, the heir to the castle’s courtyard. the throne of the King of Poland, devel- oped into a truly Shakespearean tragedy. “We’re safe now. Wasn’t this great?” At that time, the Polish Kingdom and the boy asked when the couple made its the Grand Duchy of Lithuania formed a way through a pitch-dark park. union, which helped them to resist for- eign threats. However, the relationship “I’ve had the time of my life!” the girl between Polish Kings and powerful aris- replied sarcastically. “But you were tocratic families of the Grand Duchy scared too!” she smiled vaguely. were never easy. “Not even for a second” the boy said In the 1540’s, young prince Zhygimont Barbara Radziwill and Zhygimont proudly. “What a story we have to tell August, son of the Polish King Zhygi- August. Mateyka, 1867 tomorrow to the class!” mont Stary (‘the Elder’) was the princi- *** pal regent of Vilnius. He was a hand- A stripe of pale moonlight fell across some man of open character and human- the floor of a dark hall. The Niasvizh The boy and a girl were neighbours, istic views. castle was quiet. Its majestic build- who went to the same school and lived ing loomed over the shore of a lake. across the lake. There is hardly anyone The personal life of the prince was fal- The castle tower was mirrored in the in the small town of Niasvizh who has- ling apart. His mother, Queen Bona lake’s calm waters. n’t heard the legend about the Black Sforza, Italian by birth, and his aging Lady, the ghost of a woman in dark father were worried about the future of Old parquetry creaked under some- their dynasty. The wife of young Zhygi- one’s foot. mourning clothes who is wandering around the castle in the night. Like so mont, Elizabeth of Habsburg, was nei- “Hush! What do you think you’re many people before them, the friends ther pretty nor able to have children. She doing?!” someone whispered. “You decided to sneak into the castle and see was said to suffer from epilepsy and don’t want to scare away the ghost!” the ghost with their own eyes. The re- died barely two years after the marriage, cent hectic renovation of Niasvizh castle allegedly due to horse-riding accident. “There’s no way it’ll be more scared only made their task easier, with the Rumours, however, had it that Eliza- than I am!” another voice answered. castle yard being full of debris, many beth’s mother-in-law had her hand in her death. Two shadows, each no taller than a windows empty and its walls gaping child’s, hid behind a large Dutch- with holes. After all, these local kids The sole heir of the Jagellonian dynasty ware fireplace. The eyes of this always know all ins and outs much bet- had to remarry. To the utter surprise of strange couple shined under the ter than any archeologist or construction his mother, who began actively search- moon like four silver coins. worker. ing for a good match, Zhygimont had already found a wife for himself. He was “It’s almost midnight. The Black Niasvizh is a small town in the western part of Belarus, which boasts the most dazzled by the beauty and charms of Lady may show up any moment”, a Barbara Radziwill, a member of a boy’s voice said. remarkable castle in the country. For many centuries, it has been the unoffi- prominent aristocratic family of the “She better not, for I’m already cial capital of the Radziwill family, once Grand Duchy. frightened to death”, his companion, one of the most powerful aristocratic However, the royal parents, the whole likely a girl, squeaked. dynasties of this land. The castle was Polish court and senators were much founded in 1533, the same year Yan To her utter disappointment and hor- less inclined to fall for nice looks. This Radziwill took the possession of Nias- news was to cause uproar. ror, a dark human shape appeared in vizh. one of the doorways. The children Barbara Radziwill was the daughter of were petrified with fear. The figure The masters of Niasvizh were mighty Great Hetman Yury Radziwill, one of seemed to hesitate a bit; then, after a rulers, who rivalled kings in their treas- the richest people of the Grand Duchy. long moment of silence, it sighed ures and power. No wonder the castle is When Barbara turned 17, she married and made its way towards the small surrounded by numerous mysteries and Stanislau Hashtold, the governor of the adventurers. legends. One of the most famous of Navahradak province. them is the legend of the Black Lady, ISSUE XLVIII BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 10 Mysterious Belarus

The Black Lady of Niasvizh Castle. Romantic Story of the Most Famous Ghost of Belarus

However, it was a mercenary marriage, ouring their house summoned to the capi- with no love on either side. When her by visiting her tal. He was forced to husband died five years later, Barbara without any obvi- confess to his father, did not mourn him too long. She often ous intention to who was very much received merry companies of guests in marry. displeased with the Heraniony, an estate of her late hus- marriage. The mother band. Her numerous male visitors Mikalay Chorny, was bathing in bitter openly flirted with the lovely widow. the leading figure tears. Being a King in Rumours about Barbara’s frivolous of the Radziwill the aristocratic republic behaviour inevitably began to spread. clan, was playing of Rzechpospolita had his own game. He many peculiarities. For When the traditional period of mourn- was the governor instance, the King could ing was over, Barbara began to appear of Vilnius as well not marry without the in society again. Zhygimont August as the Chancellor approval of his bride by met Barbara during a ball in Vilnius. of the Great senators. The prince immediately fell in love Duchy. Mikalay with her. Alas, he was still married to craved for more Barbara spent the first Elizabeth of Habsburg. The couple had independence of months of her second to resort to cunning. Since Stanislau his land from the marriage in a faraway Hashtold, the husband of Barbara, died Polish Kingdom. estate of Dubinki. The childless, his estate was to be passed His intention was mystery of her union on to the state. Thus, in 1544, Zhygi- to bring Protestant- with Zhygimont eventu- mont inspected the estate in Heraniony ism to the Grand ally slipped into the as its future heir. However, his stay Duchy. This would public. The royal court, turned out to be much longer than challenge the spiritual power of the Ro- the polish aristocracy, and the whole fam- needed. The lovers have been dis- man Church, thus making the Duchy more ily of Zhygimont hated her. Barbara could creetly meeting each other till the independent from the rigorously Catholic not see her husband, and could only ex- death of Zhygimont’s wife in 1545. Poland. In addition, Mikalay Chorny es- change letters with him. The anonymous While some insisted that she was poi- tablished printing houses in Brest and Ni- ill-wishers accused her of lechery, black soned by Bona Sforza, others claimed asvizh, where books in the Old Belarusian magic and even of being a mistress of her it was Barbara who inspired the death. language were produced, which was an- own second cousin, Radziwill Chorny. By other way of resisting the Polish influence. all counts, it was too much. She miscarried In any case, Zhygimont did not mourn and almost died when a floor in one of the long. Balls and masquerades recom- The romance between Zhygimont and rooms suddenly collapsed – either by acci- menced in Vilnius. It was not enough Barbara was a unique chance to strengthen dent or not. Barbara began to fear for her for Zhygimount August to meet his the influence of the Grand Duchy aristoc- life. mistress – he wanted to be with her all racy in Krakow, the capital of the Polish the time. He ordered to build a gallery Kingdom. In 1548 the old King died, and Zhygimont between his palace and the mansion of August became the new head of state. Radziwills, where Barbara and her Zhygimont August knew that by marrying Only then he dared to present his wife to mother resided. In this gallery, Zhygi- Barbara he would cause a major scandal the Pany-Rada, the senate of the Grand mont and Barbara could meet without on a national scale. His powerful royal Duchy. The aristocracy of the Grand undue interference from others. Bar- mother especially disliked the Radziwils, Duchy accepted their marriage as a fact. bara’s mother encouraged these ren- scoffing at them and calling them parve- Polish noblemen, however, were furious. dezvous. It was her dream to see her nus. He promised the relatives of Barbara Some asserted that Barbara’s coming to daughter wearing a queen’s crown to stop their relationship. Mikalay Chorny Krakow would be worse than the Turkish some day. Allegedly, she even used and Mikalay Rudy pretended to leave Vil- military occupation; others claimed that dark magic to ensure the loyalty of nius, but never did. They suspected, not Barbara was an illegitimate daughter of Zhygimont to Barbara. Perhaps, it was unfoundedly, that Zhygimont would not their late king Zhygimont Stary, therefore not really necessary, for Zhygimont- resist the temptation to visit Barbara once his son is committing a horrible sin by de facto King of Poland - was head again. uniting with his own sister. Eventually, over heels in love. voices calling for the decrowning of Zhy- Caught red-handed, Zhygimont had to gimont were raised. Barbara risked to be Mikalay Radziwill Rudy (‘the Red- promise that Barbara would become his wife. The same night the chaplain of the lynched by drowning in the Wisla River, if Haired’), Barbara’s brother, and Mi- she showed up in the capital. Was it a Radziwill family married the couple. kalay Radziwill Chorny (‘the Black’), mere hatred, or was it the fear of the her second cousin, were fully aware of The rumours about the discreet marriage Grand Duchy’s nobility increasing its in- the monarch’s relationship with Bar- eventually reached the royal court in Kra- fluence in Poland? bara. They asked him to stop dishon- kow. Young Zhygimont was immediately ISSUE XLVIII BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 11 Mysterious Belarus

The Black Lady of Niasvizh Castle. Romantic Story of the Most Famous Ghost of Belarus

In 1548, a session of the Polish ghost of his bride with the help of a sor- Sejm turned into a real battle cerer. One of the conditions of seeing Bar- between the young King and bara again was that Zhygimont would the noblemen. As a result, the remain silent and without movement. nobility failed to make Zhygi- However, the very moment he saw the mont August leave Barbara; the image of Barbara, he flung himself to her King, on his part, failed to per- with a cry of admiration. There was an suade the parliament to allow explosion, and the ghost disappeared. her crowning as a Queen. Zhy- Since then, the spirit of Barbara settled in gimont August was ready to Niasvizh castle in the form of the Black throw away his crown and re- Lady. There she roams the hallways of the main “without my last shirt, but castle, while Zhygimont is said to haunt with my wife”. His allies barely the Krakow palace. managed to make their King abandon this idea. *** Bona Sforza fought the battle The ghost of the Black Lady started after in her own way. She gave up the kids, but soon tripped over some piece all hope to change her son’s of old dust-covered furniture and almost went sprawling on the floor. Its acting was mind, and therefore decided not truly ghostly, not less so its use of to hound his wife to death. words: She ordered to bring a famous witch Agazina from the “Darn! The battery must be dead.” southern Belarusian swamp region of Palesse. The plot The “ghost” stood up and flicked a failed. Agazina was captured switcher on its pocket flashlight a couple of times – to no avail. “Kids will be kids” by the King’s people, put into The Ghost of Barbara Appears before Zhygimont the nigh watchman sighed and continued a cage and brought to Brest. August. V. Gerson, 1886 his round about the castle under the Agazina was just about to be moonlight. He was too old to believe in burnt, when Zhygimont August par- to her poisonous tricks again. While Bar- ghosts, let alone to be scared of them. In a doned her. bara battled her illness, Zhygimont man- couple of minutes he returned to his small After three years of wrangles, the Zhy- aged to win over the majority in the Sejm room, turned on an old TV-set and poured gimont finally pushed through the with the help of Mikalay Radziwill tea in his glass. The castle corridors were coronation of his bride. He even Chorny. Barbara was finally acknowl- quiet, and only the wind was sighing in brought Barbara to Krakow. The edged and crowned as Queen. Even Bona flues. Or was it really a wind? Sforza sent a messenger with a note, in young King’s mother Bona Sforza 18/11/2009 demonstratively left the city. The peo- which she wished Barbara quick recovery and called her “daughter and beloved ple of Krakow, however, streamed to By Ales Kudrytski for the ODB the cities eager to see their new Queen, daughter-in-law”. which was rumoured about so much. Barbara Radziwill died when she was 30. After all, it seems that the worries of For three years she has been the Great Polish nobility about Barbara henpeck- Duchess of Lithuanua, and for one ing her husband were not fully un- year the Queen of Poland. founded. As a new mistress of the royal palace, she acted by her own The King set off on a long journey to rules. The King had effectively aban- Vilnius with the cortege of his late doned his duties and spent all of his wife. He followed it on his horse and time with his wife. Royal dignitaries, dismounted it every time the cortege arrogant aristocrats and even the King passed a village or a town. He wore himself had to wait hours till the black clothes for the rest of his life Queen showed up for official recep- and retired to the remote castle of tions. Knyszyn. However, this did not last long. Just Once, the King went to visit Mikalay five months later, Barbara was stricken Radziwill Chorny in Niasvizh castle. by a terrible illness. The rumours cir- The Radziwills Palace in Niasvizh, Belarus There he attempted to conjure the culated that Queen Bona had been up