Office for a Democratic

Belarus Headlines

Issue L February 18, 2010 EU and Belarus Share Knowledge in Brussels and in

come participation of ex- perts from both civil society initiatives and state and gov- ernment institutions. On February 4, the Office for a Democratic Belarus, in close cooperation with the EU Office for a Democratic Delegation in Minsk, the Bel- Belarus arusian Institute for Strategic Studies (BISS) and with fi- nancial support of the Swed- Inside this issue: ish International Development Agency (SIDA), organized a EU-Belarus 1-2 round table discussion on sharing “EU and Belarus transport knowledge. ODB On February 1-5, 2010, on an opportunity to exchange policy: sharing knowledge”. organises one the invitation of the Office views on Energy issues with The event took place in for Democratic Belarus, a fellow experts from Visegrad Minsk and brought together study-visit and group of Belarusian experts countries. experts from the European two round-tables on energy visited Brussels. Commission, the Lithuanian in Minsk The delegation, which in- The topics covered in the pro- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cluded representatives from gramme included EU-Belarus the Academy of Science of EU and Belarus 2-4 the State Belarusian Tech- relations, renewable energy the Republic of Belarus, vari- nical University, the Bela- sources, energy efficiency, and ous research institutions, en- Politics and 4-6 rusian National Academy energy security, the Eastern trepreneurs, representatives of Society of Sciences and state insti- Partnership Initiative, and the the analytical community, independent and state media tutions, took part in a train- state of the nuclear energy Finance and 6-8 research in the EU. agencies. The event was also ing course, entitled “EU attended by the former Minis- Economy Energy Policy: Sharing The programme also included ter of Transport, Uladzimir Knowledge with Belarus”. 9-11 a visit to Electrawinds – a Sasnouski. Mysterious During the visit, the Belaru- Belarus company that comprises a sian delegates had a chance number of biosteam and bio- Three sessions of the confer- ence were dedicated to ques- to get acquainted with the fuel plants in Oostende and is tions of the current state of Salamieja work of various EU Institu- currently the largest private Piĺštynova tions and meet key experts the EU-Belarus cooperation player on the Belgian renew- in the area of transport and on energy issues and East- able energy market. Belarusian Dr. ern Europe at the Director- future perspectives, develop- th House of the 17 ate-General (DG) for Exter- This visit is part of a larger ment and modernization of century nal Relations and the DG programme for Belarusian the national transport system in Belarus, harmonization of for Research of the Euro- experts, which is being imple- Belarusian transport policy pean Commission, the En- mented by the Office for a with EU regulations. We on the Web ergy Charter, and the Euro- Democratic Belarus supported pean Parliament. On the by the Danish Ministry of For- According to Valiantsina www.democraticbelarus.eu invitation of the Permanent eign Affairs (DMFA). Candi- Liavonchyk, deputy chair-

Representation of the Slo- dates for the participation in woman of the Belarusian Un- vak Republic to the Euro- this programme are selected ion of Transport Workers, the pean Union, the Belarusian through an open call for appli- integration of Belarus’ trans- group of experts also had cations. The organisers wel- port system into the EU PAGE 2 BELARUS HEADLINES ISSUE L

Our Activities

EU and Belarus Share Knowledge in Brussels and in Minsk

Sasnouski stressed the urgent need for of the Ministry of Education, Mr action in the field of public transport and Shautsou, informed the audience that the establishment of contacts with the Belarus is ready to join the initiative Brussels-based International Association in 2010. However, he noted, due to on Public Transport. the common state with Russia, norms Round table on questions of cooperation and standards of higher education in between Belarus and EU in the field of Belarus have to be coordinated with higher education took place in Minsk on the Russian ones. Independent ex- February 6. It presented an opportunity perts argued that the new legislation structure is not possible without har- for extensive discussion on EU-funded on higher education that is in the monisation of its legislative norms with programmes that are currently opened for process of development contains international standards, ratification of Belarus and the projects that are being some "anti-Bologna" provisions. implemented in their framework. In addi- conventions and participation of Belarus The round table "EU and Belarus in various international transport unions tion, Belarusian and EU experts ex- and associations. changed their views on formal and infor- Policy: Sharing Knowledge" was mal education, crisis of higher education organised by the Office for a Democ- In the concluding session of the event, and the need for reforms in this sector, as ratic Belarus in close cooperation Uladzimir Sasnouski said he hoped well as problems related to protection of with the EU representation office in this round table would give a good the intellectual property in Belarus. Minsk, the Belarusian Institute for start to the process of dialogue among different stakeholders that deal with Among other topics, participants of the Strategic Studies (BISS) and with transport in Belarus. event from leading state and private uni- financial support of the Danish Min- versities of Belarus, the Ministry of Edu- istry of Foreign Affairs. One should look for effective mecha- cation, various non-governmental or- nisms of dialogue, he said, both inside ganisations and think tanks, experts of 08/02/2010 the country and with foreign partners. the European Commission and journal- He also expressed his gratitude to the ists actively discussed the issue of Bela- Source: ODB organizers for the attention dedicated rus' readiness for joining the Bologna Photos by ODB to the given field and called for con- process. Deputy chief of the department tinuation of the programme. Uladzimir on higher and special technical education

EU and Belarus Hungarian MPs Visit Belarus after 20-year Gap

On 4 February 2009, a Hungarian Hungary, which is a member of the for talks with his Belarusian counter- parliamentary delegation arrived in Visegrad Four grouping, to support this parts. Belarus with a two-day visit to boost interest. He also welcomed Hungary's During these talks, which took place bilateral relations. initiative to organise a meeting between on 11-12 February 2010, the two sides the Visegrad Four and Belarusian parlia- focused on the development of eco- This was the first time after two dec- mentarians in February, reports Belta. nomic, trade and cultural relations. ades that a parliamentary delegation Amid great interest of the local press had visited the country. They are there Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Ana- Mr Faller and Belarusian Deputy For- to return a visit to their Belarusian tol Rubinau, who is also Deputy Chair- eign Minister Valery Varanetski counterparts who were in Budapest in man of the Belarus-Hungary friendship signed a protocol on concrete objec- March last year. society, said relations between the two tives of this year’s bilateral coopera- countries were "free of serious disputes tion. The State Secretary’s consulta- tion in Minsk meanwhile prepared the "Belarus' interest is to become a full- or differences of opinion in the assess- official visit to Budapest by Belaru- fledged member of the parliamentary ment of current events". He added that chapter of the EU's Eastern Partner- there was an open dialogue based on sian Foreign Minister Syarhei Marty- ship programme," Speaker of the mutual trust. nau scheduled for 1 March 2010. Council of the Republic of Belarus Barys Batura told the Hungarian dele- Hungarian State Secretary of Foreign 05-12/02/2009 gation. He asked his colleagues from Ministry Jenő Faller also visited Minsk Source: ERB, ODB PAGE 3 BELARUS HEADLINES ISSUE L

EU and Belarus

“Ways ahead: Eastern Partnership as a window of opportunity for Belarus”

According to Alexan- Eugeniusz Smolar of the Centre for der Strelkov from the International Relations (Warsaw) Institute of Europe of noticed that the EU prioritizes the the Russian Academy Eastern Partnership program given its of Sciences amazing pace. (Moscow), Russian politicians and ex- Olga Stuzhinskaya, the Director of perts perceive the the Office for Democratic Belarus Eastern Partnership (Brussels), argued that although it is as an initiative threat- too early to evaluate the overall im- ening Russia’s influ- pact of the Eastern Partnership, it is ence in the post- already clear that the programme has Soviet region. More- had a positive impact on the status of over, according to Belarus in the international relations. Olga Stuzhinakaya, Uladzislau Vialichka, Roland Freudenstein Strelkov, Russia does not possess a clear Uladzislau Vialichka from the Inter- The Belarusian Institute for Strategic stance towards the activation of external national Consortium EuraBelarus, Studies (BISS), under the patronage EU politics. Roland Freudenstein from highlighted the fact that Eastern Part- of the Delegation of the European the Centre for European Studies nership intensified the work of Bela- Union in Belarus and in co-operation (Brussels) addressed the issue of Belaru- rusian NGO’s and motivated them for with the EU Institute for Security sian representation at the EaP Parliamen- further actions. Studies and Konrad Adenauer tary Assembly (Euronest) and stated that The Conference also touched upon Stiftung, organised its third annual he does not see any alternative to the ‘5 the following topics: conference in Minsk, ‘Belarus’ Path MPs + 5 reps. of opposition’ proposition • ‘The economic context: Belarus and in Europe’. of the EU. the EU, and the Global Eco- nomic Crisis’, The final panel of the event was enti- Addressing the same problem, Syarhei • ‘The political and security context: tled ‘The Way ahead: The Eastern Kizima, the Head of the Department of Belarus and the EU in a Partnership as a framework for Bela- International Relations of the Academy changing regional and global rus-EU relations’., concluded with of Public Administration under the aegis environment’ Jean-Eric Holzapfel, Charge d’Af- of the President of the Republic of Bela- This second panel was focused on the faires of the European Union to Bela- rus, argued that there is simple solution. results of the Belarus-EU dialogue rus, stressed that the Eastern Partner- He suggested that ‘if the EU is upset with and the emerging room for maneuver- ship is neither anti-Russian nor it those Belarusian MP’s who won the elec- ing in a new geopolitical situation. intends to ‘Europeanize’ Belarus. He tions running against the oppositional reminded that since 2008 Belarus has candidates, then maybe it is better to in- 11/02/2010 a window of opportunity for collabo- vite those 10 MPs who did not have to Source: BISS, ODB ration with the EU in five key areas. compete against the opposition’.

Delegation of European Parliamentarians to Arrive in Belarus Next Week

A delegation of the Teixeira him, the agenda of the visit and the European Parliament is said in an membership of the delegation are be- expected to visit Belarus interview ing coordinated now. next week for consulta- with BelTA. tions on Belarus’ par- According to the position of the EU, the Belarusian delegation to the EU- ticipation in the EU- “The dele- RONEST should consist of the Bela- RONEST, the parlia- gation will rusian MPs, civil society representa- mentary dimension of include 10 tives, and opposition members. the Eastern Partnership, MPs,” the

Head of the EC Delega- diplomat 15/02/2009 tion in Ukraine and Bel- said. Ac- Source: ERB, ODB arus Jose Manuel Pinto cording to ISSUE L BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 4

EU and Belarus Catherine Ashton Made a Statement on Situation in Belarus

Statement by HR Ashton on the situa- appear to be attempts by the authorities tion of the Union of Poles in Belarus to impose a new leadership on the Polish Catherine Ashton, High Representa- community. tive of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice Presi- The European Union has demonstrated dent of the Commission: considerable openness to engagement with Belarus, seen also in Belarus' inclu- "I am disappointed by the recent ar- sion in the Eastern Partnership. The suc- rests of 40 members of the Union of cess of this engagement is conditional Poles and other civil society represen- on steps towards democratisation and opments undermine our efforts to tatives in Belarus, including that of the upholding human rights, including mi- strengthen relations between the Euro- democratically elected chairperson of nority rights, taken by the government pean Union and Belarus. I will con- the Union of Poles, Ms Angelika of Belarus. In this context, it is of utmost tinue to follow the situation in Belarus Borys. I am also deeply concerned importance that Belarus abides by its closely." over the recent high fine imposed on OSCE and international commitments in Ms Borys. I condemn police action terms of the protection and promotion of 16/02/2009 against the Union of Poles and what the rights of its minorities. These devel- Source: consilium.europe.eu

Politics and Society Belarus - Authorities Step up Pressure on Independent Journalists

The Belarusian police are increasingly neighbours about noise. The journalists It was these harassing and intimidating independent present in the apartment refused to open functions that journalists by charging them with rela- on the grounds that Yanchuk was ab- deputy jus- tively minor offences. This practice sent. A nearly two-hour siege ensued in tice minister should stop at once if the government which the police cut off the apartment's Aliaksandr really intends, as it claims, to turn Bel- power supply. Simanau took arus into a democracy. issue with in Shulha, who had left the apartment sec- a 13 January In the latest case, Ivan Shulha, a jour- onds before the police arrived, report- directive. nalist who works for the privately- edly called his colleagues by means of Arguing that owned satellite television station Bel- the intercom at the building's entrance it was not a sat TV and who is an active member of to alert them to arrival of the police. news media, the independent Belarus Association of The police claimed that he attacked an he ordered Journalists (BAJ), was sentenced to 10 officer. Their statements initially men- the BAJ to Journalist Ivan Shulha days in prison by a Minsk court yester- tioned torn braid on the officer's uni- stop using the day on a charge of "minor hooligan- form and later talked of a broken leg. word "press" (and therefore stop issu- ism" in connection with an incident the The police refused to say where they ing press cards). He also said its legal day before, when he was arrested. were holding Shulha until the start of assistance unit was illegal as the BAJ the trial at noon the following day. statutes contained no provision for it. Judge Aksana Relyava's refusal to al- BAJ vice-president Andrei Bastunets low a witness of the incident to testify Like Belsat TV, which broadcasts from insists that the legal unit is envisaged is indicative of the way the courts are Poland, the BAJ is one of the few re- in the BAJ statutes, which were ap- used by the authorities to silence inde- maining entities that enable independ- proved by the justice ministry. "It is pendent media. ent journalists to work in Belarus. As hard to image what violations the min- well as monitoring and denouncing istry has suddenly discovered in regu- lations that have been in place for the Shulha's arrest came when a police unit violations of free expression, the BAJ issues press cards to its members that past seven years," he said. The BAJ tried twice to force its way into the was initially given a month to comply apartment of another Belsat TV jour- allow them to avoid the strict procedure for accrediting news media and journal- but it has challenged the order and has nalist, Mihas Yanchuk, on the after- requested clarification. noon of 3 February. The police, who ists. It also offers a legal assistance unit had no warrant, said they were re- to journalists who have problems with sponding to a complaint from the police. Continued on p. 5 ISSUE L BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 5

Politics and Society Belarus - Authorities Step up Pressure on Independent Journalists (continuation)

Since its introduction a year ago, a new Under a decree promulgated by Presi- elections in April and a presidential media law has enabled the authorities dent Alyaksandr Lukashenka this week, election to be held in early 2011. to use the accreditation procedure as an the Internet is to be subjected to the effective mechanism for vetting news same controls as the traditional media media. After citing many different pre- from 1 July. texts for not considering Belsat TV's 03-11/02/2010 request for accreditation, the foreign The regime appears to be clamping Source: From the Old (global ministry turned down its request for down on all forms of access to news politics and breaking news) the second time in December. and information in the run up to local

Belarus Fines, Gives Jail Terms to Ethnic Poles

A court in the seized private property about 20,000 members. western Belarusian in the town of Ivyanets. city of Hrodna has The Union of Poles in Belarus was first established in 1988 as a Cultural fined the head of The case was brought by Association named after Adam the Union of Poles a competing ethnic Pol- Mickevic. In 1991, it was reformed in Belarus (UPB), ish community group into a nation-wide NGO under its cur- sentenced three financed and supported rent name. However, at present, there other members by the state. It charges are two Unions of Poles in the coun- from the organisa- that Sobol's group, using try. The split took place in March tion to jail terms, funds provided by the 2005, when the Belarusian authorities and detained doz- Polish government, ille- refused to recognise the results of the ens of other activ- gally purchased a two- The Police is detaining activist of organisation’s congress, which elected ists. storey brick home in the the Union of Poles an independent candidate, Andzelika The Union of Poles town of Ivyanets and Borys, as its President. In August chairwoman Anzhelika Borys was turned the building into an organisa- 2005, the Belarusian authorities, will- fined 1 million Belarusian rubles tion headquarters. ing to create a state-controlled entity, ($360) by the court today. Deputy managed to organise another meeting Chairperson Meczislaw Jaskiewicz, Bailiffs and police evicted Sobol and by putting pressure on the organiza- spokesman Igor Bancer, and the Un- other activists from the building and tion’s members and inviting Belaru- ion’s Council Chairman Andrzej Poc- closed the premises on February 8. At sian officials of Polish origin who had zobut were sentenced to five days in least 20 UPB activists and supporters not been members of the Union be- jail after being found guilty of holding were reportedly arrested in raids last fore. As a result, the new head of the an unsanctioned protest in Hrodna on week. Union of Poles in Belarus was ap- February 10. pointed. However, most members Meanwhile, Polish media report that refused to recognise his leadership. Activists were arrested as they were Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Si- travelling to a court hearing in the korski gave his Belarusian counterpart, With its membership of approximately north-western town of Valozhyn. Syarhey Martynau, a letter for Belaru- 25,000 people, the Union of Poles is sian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka one of the largest organizations in At least 40 other Union of Poles activ- warning that if Minsk continues to vio- Belarus. ists and supporters have been detained late the rights of its Polish minority, by Belarusian officials since February Warsaw will prepare a list of Belaru- With the support of the Polish Gov- 14. sian government officials whom it will ernment, the Belarusian Union of ban from entering Poland and recom- Poles managed to open 16 Polish cul- Last week [On 8 February 2010] the mend that Brussels block their entry tural centres (Polish Houses) and two police threw out members of the Union into the EU. Polish-language schools in the coun- of Poles from their headquarters in try. After the split the “state-run” or- Ivyanets (near Minsk). The Ivyanets The Polish government recognizes ganisation brought under its control 14 branch refused to accept a decision by Borys's UPB as the sole legal represen- out of 16 Polish cultural centres. the union's pro-government leadership tative of the Polish minority in Belarus. Twelve of these centres were shut last month to dismiss the branch’s down in the next few years. chief Teresa Sobol. The Union of Poles is a public organi- zation set up to promote the Polish lan- 15/02/2010 Sobol, a regional UPB leader, was set guage and cultural traditions among Source: Radio Free Europe, ODB to face charges that her group illegally ethnic Poles living in Belarus. It has Photos by nn.by ISSUE L BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 6

Politics and Society

Belarusian Police Cracks down on Youth Activists on St. Valentine’s Day

leased by police after about two they used vulgar words while ad- hours on February 14 and were dressing the activists. not charged. Every year, many independent youth Maryna Manchalouskaya told organizations in Minsk hold a public RFE/RL that she was surprised gathering on St. Valentine's Day that when police forced her into a is usually forcibly dispersed by the bus and took her to the police police. station. Earlier in the day, police appre- She said she was holding a sign hended four opposition youths who at the gathering on Liberty were distributing St. Valentine`s Day A policeman in plane clothes is trying to take over the Square that read: "I Love Bela- cards coloured white and red, the national flag from Tatiana Shaputka. Later the girl rus. I Do Not Understand Why I colours of Belarus` historically na- was diagnosed a head injury. Cannot." tional flag, at the Yakub Kolas sub- way station. Dzyanis Kobrusew, Belarusian police dispersed a St. Val- Youth Front deputy head Mikola Andrey Krechka, Pavel Chubuk and entine's Day gathering in Minsk and Dzemidzenka told RFE/RL that police Anton Koypysh were taken to a po- detained some 30 young political beat the activists, who were forced to lie lice station. They were released activists, RFE/RL's Belarus Service on the floor of the bus while being driven without charges after a while. reports. to the police station. 15/02/2010 Source: Radio Free Europe, The activists, mainly members of the Dzemidzenka said the police officers BelaPAN, ODB Youth Front movement, were re- were "very rude" and did not let the ac- Photo by:nn.by tivists speak to each other. He added that

Iranian FM Holds Joint Press Conference with His Belarusian Counterpart

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki joint economic cooperation, said that Referring to the cooperation in Joufair held a joint press conference with his President Alyaksandr Lukashenka will Oil Well, Martynau said, "We hope Belarusian counterpart Syarhey Mar- visit Iran in near future. that in the coming months, the pre- tynau here on Tuesday. He described bilateral negotiation as “ phase of exploitation of the well could good, useful and constructive,” adding be inaugurated in the presence of the In the press conference, Mottaki, by that mutual cooperation fields has been two presidents." referring to common viewpoints of expanded in recent years and is still de- both countries on world issues and veloping. 17/02/2010 Source: ISRIA Finance and Economics Telekom Austria Rolls out 3G in Belarus

Telekom Austria said its majority Samauwi Brothers, said the roll out of The carrier markets its mobile ser- owned Belarusian mobile subsidiary, the UMTS network is in progress with up vices under the brand names Velcom, has been granted a country- to ten base stations being upgraded every "Velcom" for post-paid services and wide UMTS license for a price of day. "Privet" for prepaid services and is €9.5m. the number two operator in Belarus The Austria carrier expanded its opera- with a market share of approximately The respective spectrum was already tions into Belarus in 2007, paying €730m 42 per cent and more than 4.1 mil- allocated to Velcom at the end of for the stake. The operator also has a put lion customers at the end of Decem- 2009, and the 3G licence is valid until option agreement, which would allow it ber 2009. 2017. The mobile operator, which is to buy the remaining 30 per cent stake in 03/02/2010 70 per cent owned by Telekom Aus- the fourth quarter of 2010 for approxi- Source: telecoms.com tria and 30 per cent by Cypriot firm mately €320m. ISSUE L BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 7

Finance and Economics Navistar Diesel Engines to be Made in Minsk

Ministry’s Press Office said. machinery manufacturers, tested and certified, the press office said. The MMZ management currently works on technical and economic as- Founded in 1962, the MMZ is one of pects of the project. the largest CIS manufacturers of die- High-performance diesel engines of Starters, generators, flywheels and sel engines with powers ranging from the US-based Navistar International other Navistar engine components 60 hp to 350 hp. It makes engines for Corporation are expected to be manu- would be made at the MMZ at the ini- trucks, tractors and combines. The factured at the Minsk Engine Plant tial stage, the press office said. MMZ employs some 5,400 staff. In (MMZ), said the press office of the February 2009, it was transformed Ministry of Industry. The mass production of Navistar diesel into a stock corporation. The Belaru- engines is expected to start by the mid- sian government holds 100 percent of The engines are to have four and six dle of 2011 and annual output should the company’s stock. cylinders, range from 180 to 400 reach 10,000 engines by 2012. By that horsepower and meet emission stan- time, the engines are to be brought into 04/02/2010 dards at least as strict as Euro 4, the compliance with the requirements of Source: naviny.by

Belarus Finance Ministry Mulls Eurobond Issue in 2010

The Finance would be the Kazakhstan tapping the market, as Ministry of Bel- first or second these countries belong to a different arus has con- half of the year. rating group and are more experienced firmed its inten- He added that market players. tion to price a they were re- Eurobond issue viewing offers Belarus and Sberbank signed an in 2010, but from potential agreement on cooperation in Decem- refused to an- arrangers and ber 2009. The plan includes Sberbank nounce the tim- assessing the acting as an arranger for Belarus’ de- ing for this borrowings but Eurobonds amounting up to $2bn event. A repre- potential. Ac- and having a tenor of 3 to 5 years. sentative of the cording to this Ministry, quoted Finance Minister Andrei Harkavets source, the tim- by Interfax, ing for pricing 09/02/2010 noted that it was difficult to say if it the issue is not pegged to Russia or Source: eurobond

Belarus Breweries report 30% Losses due to Beer Kiosk Sale Ban

Heineken taurants and bars in Belarus is yet to Belarus CEO be developed. Retail sales through Aliaksei kiosks were well organized, but after Charniaeu the ban for beer sales in kiosks was said at a introduced, the Belarusian brewery roundtable industry lost up to 30 percent of reve- meeting for nues. industry pro- fessionals on The BelaPAN news agency quotes 9 February in Charniaeu as saying that the beer in- Minsk. dustry might recover the losses soon The Belarusian beer industry has lost only after the ban is lifted. up to 30 percent of revenues after the Beer can be sold via various channels, 10/02/2010 government banned beer sales at ki- Source: ERB osks located at public transport stops, he said. However, the network of res-

ISSUE L BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 8

Finance and Economics

Medvedev Signs Protocol on Duty-free Oil Supplies to Belarus

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ceive 6.3 million tons of lion tons of the Rus- signed into law on Monday a protocol oil duty-free this year, but sian oil with the rest on duty-free oil deliveries to Belarus the volume could increase processed and pumped after a bitter dispute between the two later in accordance with to the West. former Soviet neighbours, the Kremlin the country's economic said. growth. The two sides also Belarus sought a simi- agreed to raise the tariffs lar discount for 2010 Russia and Belarus signed in late for oil in transit by 11 per- but failed to strike a January a package of documents, in- cent this year. new agreement with cluding amendments to an agreement Russia before the pre- on crude oil deliveries to Belarus, to Belarus imported about 20 vious accord expired end a month-long standoff that raised million tons of Russian oil at the end of last De- concerns over potential supply cuts to last year at only 35.6 per- cember. Belarus and the European Union. cent of the crude export duty. The transit country 15/02/2010 Under the new deals, Minsk will re- consumes about 6.3 mil- Source: BelaPAN

Belarus Cuts Rates for 2nd Time in 3 Months

Belarus on Monday [February 15, Pyotr Prakapovich, chairman of the Bela- former Soviet country -- has called 2010] unveiled its second rate cut in rus central bank said last month that the for tight monetary policy and limits three months, seeking to stimulate the refi rate will be reduced to no more than on lending to the real economy. domestic economy by encouraging 12 percent by July 1. cheaper loans and aiming to meet the Belarus has said it does not exclude recommendations of the International The Belarusian economy has been beaten asking the IMF for more cash, once Monetary Fund. badly as demand for its goods in Russia the final tranche of that credit line -- and Europe, its chief export markets, due by the end of the current quarter The refinancing rate will be cut by 50 deteriorated significantly, prompting the -- is received. basis points to 13 percent as of Feb. country to turn to the IMF for cash. 17, the central bank said in a state- ment, following on from a same-size The IMF -- which has opened a $3.63 15/02/2010 move on Dec. 1. billion credit line to the cash-strapped Source: Reuters

IMF, Belarus Reach Tentative Staff-Level Agreement On $700M Loan

The International Mone- March, IMF said in a state- ria and structural benchmarks at the tary Fund said Wednes- ment. end of December. day it has reached a The 15-month financial tentative staff-level package amounts to roughly Additionally, Belarusian authorities agreement to loan Bela- $3.52 billion. As of Decem- have expressed "interest in continued rus roughly $700 mil- ber 2009, total disbursement cooperation with the IMF after the lion as part of an exist- under the program totalled expiration of the current program," ing loan package. $2.88 billion when IMF ap- the IMF said, adding that a possible proved a $668 million loan follow-up program could be consid- The amount came via to Belarus after completion ered. the IMF's fourth review of its third review. of Belarus's economic performance under the loan program. The IMF Ex- IMF said Belarus' performance under its 18/02/2010 ecutive Board must approve the agree- lending facility has been "good" because Source: The Wall Street Journal ment, which is likely before the end of the country has met all performance crite- ISSUE L BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 9

Mysterious Belarus Salamieja Piĺštynova

Belarus-born adventuress as Dr. cially increased with time, as the House of the 17th century. Grand Duchy grew weaker in a political sense, and gradually sur- Biographies of famous adventurers rendered its culture to that of its always make exciting reading. Having partner in the union, the Polish opened a book about Giacomo Casa- Kingdom. nova, Marco Polo, or Mata Hari, one can hardly lay it aside before the last We don’t know much about page is reached. Salamieja – not even whether she was of noble or common descent. Can Belarus boast with its own Baron In any case, she was not a spoilt Munchhausen, Odysseus, or Indiana child of fortune. Her family name Jones? Do the descendants of this was Rusieckaja. When Salamieja country have any exciting life stories was about 14 years old, her par- to offer? ents organised the marriage of In fact, they do. One of them is Salamieja with doctor Jakub Chaĺ- Salamieja Piĺštynova, an 18th century pir. She probably had no thorough adventuress. A self-taught ophthal- education, but enjoyed shooting mologist, she became the first woman and always had pistols and rifles known to practice medicine officially at her side while traveling. It was on Belarusian lands. Salamieja trav- a clever habit which would come eled extensively in Central Europe, in handy in the future. the Russian Empire and the Near East, The manuscript’s lengthy title can earning her daily bread by healing be translated as “The Echo of my people. Many of her patients were Life’s Travels and Adventures, wealthy and influential, but some en- Presented to the World”. How- Belarusian artist V. Hubaraŭ imagined how counters were truly dangerous. ever, unlike her contemporary Salamieja Piĺštynova could look like To our delight, Salamieja Piĺštynova baroque authors, Salamieja did not cram her book with pompous descriptions and shoed. Close by one would find a meticulously described her adventures shop, where cucumbers and melons in a book. Today, a copy of her manu- complicated allegories. Her writing is precise and dynamic, which reads like are sold”. Salamieja had a lively mind script is one of the many treasures of and good memory. Soon she began to the National Museum in Krakow, Po- an adventure novel. Still, her book is not devoid of self-reflections of a woman. help her husband to treat his patients. land. Originally written in Istanbul in She also consulted another doctor the Polish language, the journal of Salamieja had a literary ambition and pointed out that she intended to publish from Iraq, who told her about ways to Salamieja is sown with Belarusian cure simple eye illnesses. Eventually words. No wonder; she was born in her journal as a book with women being her target readership. It was quite a pio- Salamieja gained so much experience the region of Navahradak, in the very th that Istanbul authorities allowed her to heart of Belarus in 1718. Once a ma- neering attitude for the 18 century Rzeczpospolita. practice medicine officially on her jor city of the Grand Duchy of Lithua- own. nia, at that time Navahradak was part Poisoning in Istanbul of Rzeczpospolita, the union of the It turned out that being a Christian Grand Duchy and Polish Kingdom. In In 1731, right after her marriage, woman in a Muslim city was an ad- her book Salamieja calls herself Salamieja left her native Navahradak vantage for her as a doctor. Unlike “Polka”, i.e. a Polish woman. At the land and followed her husband to Istan- Muslim women, Salamieja was al- same time she describes her native bul. There, she attentively observed the lowed to enter any house she wanted land of Navahradak as “Litva”. Dur- ophthalmologic practice of Jakub. without supervision of her husband. ing the 18th century people born in the However, she had to be careful. One area of Rzeczpospolita that is part of Salamieja was fascinated with the capi- day two women came to her house today’s Belarus (once part of the tal of the Ottoman Empire, which was a and asked for a doctor. They asked Grand ) often de- bustling trade centre. Its Golden Horn Salamieja to follow them to another scribed their homeland as Litva harbour was considered one of the best part of the city in order to treat their ill (‘Lithuania’), while subscribing to the in the world. “Istanbul may be a great mother. The women, who offered Polish nation in a broader sense. It and pompous city beyond any measure, some money in advance, wore yash- was similar to calling oneself Ameri- but it is also an old city. Here one can maks which hid their faces. Salamieja can in the USA. This tendency espe- see a palace worth of thousands, and a grew suspicious and refused. smithy nearby, where horses are being ISSUE L BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 10 Mysterious Belarus

Instead, her neighbour, a wife of a Jewish doctor, offered her services to the women. As it was usual in Turkey, she put on all kinds of jewels before leaving her house. As a result, the yashmak-covered strangers turned out to be dressed-up janissaries - cruel Turkish soldiers - who robbed and killed the doctor’s wife. Being a doctor in Istanbul was indeed a dangerous business. Once, Jakub Chaĺpir, husband of Salamieja, failed to treat a Turkish official of a serious illness. The official died, and his rela- tives threatened to appeal for sentenc- ing Jakub to death. However, Salamieja managed to persuade them to settle for money compensation. Jakub was saved, but his wife did not give up. She began her own investiga- tion and soon her suspicion fell on a Portuguese doctor Fonseca, a major rival of her husband. According to The journey was full of various encoun- Salamieja was brought to the seat of historians, he was quite a remarkable ters. Salamieja describes a whole raw of the robbers, which was situated in a person who served as a personal doc- characters she had treated. She discov- valley. “It felt like we came down tor to Sultan Ahmed III and also ered a smart way of getting to know po- from the skies” describes Salamieja treated the Swedish king Charles XII tential clients. Salamieja attended Turk- their descent from mountains. The after his fiasco in the battle against ish women baths, which were something town which served as the gang’s Russia in Poltava. Salamieja found out like clubs where women could entertain refuge was obviously situated some- that Fonseca visited her husband while themselves by singing, dancing, and where in the Karlovy Vary region. he prepared the medicine for the un- chatting. Every time someone com- Salamieja was fascinated with its fortunate official. She accused plained about poor health or had a sick healing hot mineral water springs. Fonseca of mixing a poison into the relative, Salamieja offered her help. cure in order to get rid of the rival In about 40 days Salamieja cured the doctor. The looming court hearing In the city of Filibe (today, Plovdiv in relative of Hussein the Red-Headed scared Fonseca out of his senses. He Bulgaria) the doctor had an accident who could not walk; she also treated agreed to pay the money fine instead which almost cost Salamieja her life. She the gang’s chief swollen eyes. Hus- of Jakub. However, some time later attended a sick 7-year-old daughter of the sein gave her a generous reward and the Portuguese doctor avenged on city’s nasir (commandant). Salamieja provided the honorary convoy to Salamieja. He persuaded Hakim Pa- treated her against helminths with an Sofia. She also found out, that her sha, an Ottoman official who was re- herb and acid elixir she had prepared. fellow co-travelers from the caravan sponsible for medicine in the Empire, Having drunk a couple of drops of it, the had been killed by the gang. to bar Salamieja from treating men. girl died. The furious father was about to However, after she successfully cured kill the doctor. Salamieja saved herself Husband for a Price another Ottoman official of urolithi- only by drinking the rest of the medicine In Sofia Salamieja began to work as asis, the ban was lifted. The medical in front him. a doctor at a harem of a local pasha system of the Ottoman Empire In order to reach the city of Sophia, called Köprűlű. There she finally had showed surprising flexibility in such a meeting with her husband, who matters. Salamieja needed to cross the Balkan Mountains. Dressed up as a man, she came for a treatment to a local min- Doctor to Balkan Robbers joined a caravan of tradesmen. However, eral spa. Chaĺpir was accompanied the disguise did not help Salamieja when by an Italian, member of the Knights In 1735 Chaĺpir went to Bosnia. Some the caravan was attacked by the notori- of Malta, who was held captive by time later Salamieja followed him ous robber gang of Hussein the Red- the Turkish army. with her small daughter and an old Headed. He needed a good doctor and crippled Tatar man Jazep Krymil, who seized the opportunity to get one after his knew various Slavic languages and spies had informed the gang chief about served as an interpreter. Salamieja joining the caravan. ISSUE L BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 11 Mysterious Belarus

Maltesian knights waged a merciless which would almost war against Muslims on the sea. double what she had Unlike other war captives, who were paid for them. And they freed by Muslims after seven years of kept their promise – all hard labour, the knights of Malta were but one. The relatives kept captives forever. The Italian of one officer, Joseph knight taught Salamieja how to write Fortunat de Pichelstein prescriptions in Latin, as well as pre- lived in some remote sented her with books about the art of village in Austria, and healing, lists of diseases and medi- the correspondence got cines. lost on the way. He had to accompany Some time passed. Salamieja learned Salamieja on her jour- the sad news that her husband had neys until the payment died in Bosnia. She wanted to go there would come. “He to collect his possessions, but it was seemed [to be] a sober, obedient, quiet, the article, in their transliteration in too late. Austria and Hungary joined and pious person to me”, she wrote. relevant languages. If you experi- Russia in its war against the Ottoman Salamieja did not know that soon she ment with this, you will see, that in Empire. Salamieja witnessed many would carry the name Piĺštynova, a Pol- some languages the information is bloody events of the war. This had ish version of Pichelstein. It appears that more abundant, than in others. Hope- such a negative effect on Salamieja Salamieja had purchased herself a hus- fully, this would make your search that she decided to abandon her ser- band. However, it turned to be rather for additional information easier: vice for the Turkish pasha. She troublesome investment. Why? You will dressed up as a janissary and went to learn all about it in the second part of the Salameja Pilshtynova – possible the fortress of Baba Vida on Danube article, which would be published in the English transliteration (5 search re- River with her daughter and servants. next issue of “Belarus Headlines”. sults in Google) Major forces of the Ottoman army gathered there. The Austrian army 05/02/2010 Salomea Pilsztynowa – Polish trans- tried to seize the fortress several literation (1 310 results) By Aleś Kudrycki for the ODB times, to no avail. Salamieja saw hun- Саламея Пільштынова – Belarusian dreds of captive Austrian soldiers and p.s. Dear readers, as you have probably Cyrillic (625 results) officers there. noticed, we used a special spelling for Belarus-related names in this article. Bel- Соломея Пильштынова – Russian Salamieja got acquainted with a well- transliteration (145 results). off Turk, who introduced her to a new arus has a long tradition of using both type of business, which flourished Сyrillic (“kirylica”) and Latin (“lacinka”) during the war. Rich Turks ransomed alphabets. We even used Arabic alphabet captives out for money. Not some at some point of our history, but this a random captives, but those officers story which requires a separate article, who had rich families at home in Aus- which would surely be presented to you tria or Germany. The rescued re- in the future. The version of the Latin mained with their “saviors” until their alphabet we used reflects the most recent relatives repaid the ransom plus some variation of the Belarusian “lacinka”, extra charge. Until then, the rescuer which was suggested by the National agreed to provide lodging and board Academy of Sciences of Belarus this for the former captives. Immoral as it year and approved by the UNGEGN seems today, the trade made everyone (United Nations Group of Experts on happy and was considered respectable Geographical Names), which deals with and humane. The Turks got their the technical problems of domestic stan- money, and the captives escaped harsh dardization of geographical names, for conditions and reunited with their the international use. families. Belarus is situated on the crossroads of Salamieja decided to follow the advice many cultures. As a result, the informa- of the Turk, who had already tion about the personalities and events Front cover of the memoirs by we describe is scattered across the inter- Salamieja Piĺštynova, published in “purchased” 30 captive officers and Minsk in 1993 their wives. She ransomed out five net, and can be found not only in Belaru- sian, but also in English, Russian, Polish, Austrians, who had respectable and rich families. They promised to ask and other sources. For your convenience, relatives to repay Salamieja the sum, we provide chief names, which appear in