Office for a Democratic

Belarus Headlines

Issue XVI October 3 – 18, 2007

Office for a Democratic Belarus

Inside this issue

“The Wild Hunt” 1 movie screening in

Brussels, Oct 24

Belarus repre- 2 sented at the NATO PA session in Iceland

First meeting of 2 CUI takes place in

Special Event on 2 the European March in Brussels

Politics and Society 3-4

Economic News 5-6

EU and Belarus 6

Yury Zakharanka, former Minister of Defence, disappeared on May 7, 1999

Viktar Hanchar, former Head of the Central Election Commission, disappeared on Septem- Culture News ber 16, 1999 Anatol Krasowsky, businessman, disappeared on September 16, 1999 together with Viktar Uladzimer Arlou 7-8 Hanchar Time Traveller Dzmitry Zavadsky, journalist, disappeared on July 7, 2000 Henadz Karpenka, former Vice-Speaker of the Parliament, died under mysterious circum- stances on April 6, 1999 ISSUE XVI BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 2

Belarus Represented at the NATO PA Annual Session

On October 5-9, Director of the Office its plenary meeting. Sali BERISHA, Prime Minister of Al- for a Democratic Belarus (Brussels), bania. Olga Stuzhinskaya, participated as During the meetings, parliamentarians observer in the NATO Parliamentary were also be briefed by prominent Belarus has not participated in the Assembly Annual session in Reykja- world experts and policy-makers on NATO PA since 1997, when the status vik, Iceland. Iran and nuclear proliferation; security of Associate Member (granted in 1991) in South East Europe; Islam in the was suspended as a result of the in- About 350 legislators from NATO Caucasus; the relationship between creasingly undemocratic activities of member, partner and observer coun- intelligence, terrorism and the preser- the Lukashenka regime. On 25 March tries, including delegations from Af- vation of civil liberties; the prospects 2006, the Assembly's Standing Commit- ghanistan, Algeria, Israel, Japan, Ka- for a new Strategic Concept for tee adopted a declaration which zakhstan and Pakistan, met to discuss NATO; and India’s economic develop- strongly condemned human rights vio- major security issues on the Alliance’s ment. lations and abuses against opposition Agenda. candidates and called upon nations "to The plenary session was addressed by actively support the democratic forces Policy statements on Afghanistan, the NATO PA's President, José LELLO, and promote the development of civil Western Balkans, missile defence, the Speaker of the Icelandic Parlia- society in Belarus". NATO's next round of enlargement, ment, Sturla BÖDVARSSON, and climate change, and the Alliance’s re- Geir Haarde, Prime Minister of Ice- 10/10/2007 lations with Russia, were discussed in land. The session was marked by the the Assembly’s 5 committees and pre- presence of NATO Secretary General Source: www.nato-pa.int, sented for adoption by the Assembly in Jaap DE HOOP SCHEFFER and Office for a Democratic Belarus

First Meeting of the Council for European Integration (CUI) Took Place in Minsk

On October 10 in Minsk the first meet- tended the event and declared their initiative expressed also Zhanna Lit- ing of the CEI took place under the membership in the Council: Lyudmila vina, Alena Makouskaya, Uladzimir chairmanship of Aliaksandr Milinke- Hraznova, Ina Kulei, Tatsiana Procka, Arlou, Lyavon Barshcheuski, Tadeush vich. Valyantsin Akudovich, Ales Ant- Gavin, Andrei Dynko, Pavel Marozau, sipenka, Maxim Zhbankou, Mikhal Uladzimir Navasyad, Aleh Novikau, The Council for European Integration Zaleski, Viktar Karnyaenka, Ihar Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, Paval Sevyary- – is a public coordinative and advisory Lyalkou, Ales Mikhalevich, Pyotra nets, Vital Silitski, Olga Stuzhinskaya, body, the aim of which is to promote Martsau, Ivan Nikitchanka, Vya- Stanislau Shushkevich. and facilitate integration of Belarus chaslau Paznyak, Ihar Rynkevich, An- into the common European economic drei Fyodarau, Vyachaslau Kha- The list of the Council members re- and political space. The final goal is dasouski. The discussion focused on mains open for the other Belarusian Belarus’ membership in the European the nature of the Council’s activities, politicians, scientists, experts, civic Union. its future plans and their implementa- activists and cultural figures, who sup- port the European choice for Belarus. Well-known figures from the pro- tion. democratic movement in Belarus at- Their support and the wish to join the 12/10/2007 Source: milinkevich.org

Special Event on the European March in Brussels

in Minsk, during which our guests proposals and to share the values of free were able to follow the demonstration and democratic Europe. in Belarus directly via Internet and mobile phone. Attendance of the event and the great interest shown by the Brussels-based Representatives of the EU institutions, community to the European March un- Brussels-based non-governmental derlined the interest of Europe towards organizations and the Belarusian com- Belarus and the hope for future democ- munity living in Belgium came to- ratic developments. gether in order to show their solidarity with the people of Belarus who came On October 14, the Office for a De- out to the streets of Minsk. The dem- 14/10/2007 mocratic Belarus organized a special onstrators once again declared the event dedicated to the European March strive of to accept the EU Office for a democratic Belarus PAGE 3 BELARUS HEADLINES ISSUE XVI

Politics and Society

Belarusian Lower House Elects New Head Belarus Dashes Veshnyakov's CIS Hopes

The Chamber of Representa- Former chairman of the Russian kov became known in June but his tives on October 2 elected Central Elections Committee candidacy was not discussed at the Vadzim Papou as its chair- Alexander Veshnyakov's candi- summit in St. Petersburg that man, Belapan reported. The dacy for executive secretary of month. election followed the resig- the Commonwealth of Independ- nation of Uladzimir Kanaplyou from the post last ent States will not be discussed at told Rus- month. Papou, who is 67 years old, already the CIS summit in Dushanbe sian President Vladimir Putin and headed the Chamber of Representatives in 2000- because Belarus remains opposed Kazakh President Noursultan 04. Before that, he served in various managerial to his appointment to that post. A Nazarbaev in St. Petersburg that he posts in the agricultural sector in Mahilyou consensus is required for the ap- was categorically opposed to Voblast. He was appointed deputy agriculture pointment. Moscow's plan to Veshnyakov's appointment. Efforts minister in 1999 and served as agriculture minis- replace current CIS head and to sway the Lukashenko were un- ter for a short stint in 2000. former Russian interior minister successful. Vladimir Rushailo with Veshnya- 03/10/2007 Source: Radio Free Europe 04/10/2007 Source: Kommersant

Milinkevich Honoured at Forum 2000 Iran-Belarus Parliaments Emphasized on Expansion of Ties bogen. The award has been named after his mother, a Prague German who spent Belarus National Assembly Coun- years with her family in the post-war di- cil chairman said the executing 25 vided Germany and married an American agreements between Iran and Bela- army soldier. rus prepares the ground for further cooperation of the two countries. The award was established with the goal to contribute to overcoming barriers Gennadz Navitsky in his meeting among nations and people. with Iran's parliament speaker on the sideline of the 117th inter- The previous winners usually gave the Belarusian opposition leader Alexander parliamentary union meeting money that goes with the award to young added that the two countries had Milinkevich on Monday received Hanno people. Milinkevich has decided to give it R.Ellenbogen Citizenship Award that he many constructive joint investment to his dissident collegaue Paval Sieviary- plans. said he perceived as a recognition of the nets, the founder of the opposition Mal- Belarusian opposition democratic effort. ady Front (Young Front) organisation. The prize was presented to Milinkevich 09/10/2007 09/10/2007 by director of the Prague Society for International Cooperation Marc Ellen- Source: The Prague Daily Monitor Source: ISNA

Arrests and Trials Ahead of the European March

Police began the crack down on the opposition across Bela- place behind the closed doors. rus ahead of the European March on October 14 in Minsk. In Brest, a local court on October 11 sentenced Inga The human rights center Viasna reported in the morning of Abramava, a civil activist, to 5 days of arrest. She was October 11 that 18 activists were arrested and charged, but charged with cursing. Yurka Bakura, arrested together with the figure increased in the evening. Abramava, was sentenced by Judge Siarhey Berazyuk to 10 days of arrest. In Hrodna, judge Dzmitry Myatsyuk of Leninski district court sentenced Ihar Bantsar, a journalist and a member of For full text, please see: the Union of Poles to 10 days of administrative arrest. http://democraticbelarus.eu/node/2544 Anzhalika Borys, the leader of the unregistered Union of Poles, received a fine of Br460,000 ($230). The trials took Source: ERB ISSUE XVI BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 4

Politics and Society

Lukashenko: Belarus in Talks to Sell Weapons to Venezuela

Belarus President Alexandr Lukashenko "are engaged in negotiations Friday said that Minsk is negotiating with about military and technical co- Caracas the sale of Belarus weapons to operation," but questioned the Venezuela, but he refused elaborating on amount of the reported arms sale likely contracts. agreement. Commenting on press reports claiming that Lukashenko hailed Venezuela's Belarus and Venezuela are initiating a 1 support to Belarus in "critical billion USD arms sale agreement, Luka- times." He reminded that when shenko stated, "this issue is absolutely secret" . Belarus needed money, Hugo Chavez' government granted them loans immediately, as well as on oilfield to pump crude "Russia is selling weapons to Venezuela, and we will coop- oil in Venezuela, amidst a recent energy conflict between erate with that country too, to the extent of our possibili- Minsk and Moscow. ties," Lukashenko added in an interview with the Russian media in Minsk, Efe quoted. The Belarus ruler acknowledged that Minsk and Caracas 12/10/2007 Source: El Universal.com

Belarus Opposition Stages Big "European March"

Some 6,000 demonstrators marched through Belarus' capital on Sunday to denounce the policies of President Aliaxandr Lukashenka. The number was smaller than the 10,000 to 30,000 that organisers had hoped would turn out for the "European March" to try to show the ex-Soviet state wants to move closer to Europe. Some protesters gathered initially in the city centre in sunny, but chilly, autumn weather. They split into two groups before a small crowd massed in a remote park -- the only site authorised by city authori- ties. "We have staged this march for the benefit of a free Belarus, to say that we are moving towards Europe," said Aliaxandr Milinkevich, the opposition leader who challenged Lukashenka in elections last year. 14/10/2007 Source:

Milinkevich Set to Meet Yushchenko, Saakashvili, Merkel and Poettering

Alexander Milinkevich, the leader of the For Freedom Alexander Milinkevich is scheduled to meet with the presi- movement, has been invited to attend the European Heads dents of Ukraine and Georgia, the German chancellor and of State and Government Summit, which is taking place on the president of the , reports Belapan. October 18-19 in Lisbon. Milinkevich's press office said that the Belarusian politi- President Jose Manuel Barroso and cian will be attending the summit "as a representative of European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering are civil society in Belarus and an invited guest". also attending the forum, the aim of which is to discuss the new agreement within the European Union.

The list of non-EU countries invited to the summit includes 18/10/2007 the presidents of Ukraine and Georgia, and prime ministers Source: ERB of Croatia and Albania.

ISSUE XVI BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 5

Economics Belarus Mulls Estonia's Oil Belarusian oil terminals Klaipedos Nafta and "As you know, the pipeline, which goes Prime Min- Butinge, which is owned by PKN via Belarus towards Butinge terminal, ister Siargei Orlen. remains idle. There are certain projects Sidorsky [on crude imports], which could be re- said Lithuania suggested that Minsk alized with the use of tankers and sea Wednesday plans to import crude via Klaipe- terminals, including Lithuanian ones," that his dos after Transneft halted supplies Sidorsky told reporters. country was to Belarus for several days in considering January amid a clash over a newly 04/10/2007 importing crude oil via Lithuanian introduced export duty. Source: The Moscow Times

Lithuania is Ready to Invest about $1bn in Belarusian Economy

Lithuania is ready to invest in the Bela- Lithuanian ventures. The Lithuanian "Belarus prioritizes its ecological secu- rusian economy about $1 billion. A rele- party was interested in the energy sav- rity in the issue. vant agreement was made at a meeting ing experience of Belarus. Issues on between Prime Ministers of Belarus and transport cooperation and visa fees for The Prime Ministers considered coop- Lithuania Seiargei Sidorsky and Gedi- Belarusians in 2008 were high on the eration in the transport area. Over the minas Kirkilas respectively on October agenda as well. eight months of 2007 the amount 3 in Vilnius. According to the Lithua- transport services almost reached the nian Prime Minister, local companies The Prime Ministers also discussed 2006 level. Nearly five million tonnes asked him to inform the Belarusian Gov- development of power engineering. of the Belarusian cargo were trans- ernment about their readiness to invest The Ignalina nuclear power station ported through the Lithuanian ports. in Belarus. will be closed in 2009. Belarus and Lithuania shows great interest in Bela- Lithuania have agreed on setting up a rus to use the Klaipeda port to the The meeting also focused on the trade- working group to elaborate the issue maximum. economic cooperation between the two on a depository construction. The countries. In particular, the sides agreed sides discussed the construction of the 05/10/2007 to promote creation of joint Belarusian- depository near the Belarusian border. Source: law.by

Lukashenka Offers Russia Free 5-Year Transit on New Gas Pipeline

afraid that it will be expensive we will Speaking on Russia's plans to build an provide for you a free gas transit via oil pipeline (from Bryansk to the Belarus for the next five years," Luka- North) bypassing Belarus and therefore shenka told at a press conference with refusing to use the Druzhba oil pipe- regional Russian media. line, Lukashenka said, "We calculated that every tonne of oil will cost 30 Lukashenka noted he believes the pro- dollars more in this case. Which com- ject of building a gas pipeline on the pany will choose this route instead of Baltic Sea bottom and an oil pipeline the already built pipe." Meanwhile, he bypassing Belarus is "inexpedient in added, "Even if Belarusians lose more financial terms" . "One has to deal not than 100 million dollars from oil tran- Belarusian President Aliaxandr Luka- only with the sea bottom now, but also sit, they will overcome it (we have shenka offered to Russia a free five- with mines and bombs of the World about 100 billion dollars of GDP), but year transit along a new line of the Ya- War II, so why to lay down a gas pipe- Russia will lose annually about two mal-Europe gas pipeline, if this line is line along the mine field?" Lukashenka billion dollars if pumping oil through to be built. pointed out. According to him, the the bypass route." construction of the second branch of "The second branch of the gas pipeline the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline is much 12/10/2007 should be built immediately, if you are more profitable. Source: News Trendaz.com ISSUE XVI BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 6

Economics Belarus to Opened MTZ Trade and Service Centre in Hungary

The MTZ trade and service centre, first undertook a decision to expand its Hungary the two sides will hold a con- in Europe, with 100%-capital of Bela- infrastructure and bought a 60- ference "Belarus and Hungary: a com- rus opened in Hungary on October 15. kilometer plot of Budapest. mon view upon future trade and eco- The MTZ investments make up more nomic cooperation", business meet- than 1 million euro. The trade and service centre, build on ings, presentations of the largest Bela- the plot, will sell the products of the rusian companies-exporters. The Belarusian ambassador to Budapest Minsk Tractor Works and provide its Dmitriy Kriukov told that Belarusian guarantee and service. The centre in- The two countries will initial a draft tractors account for the half of the Hun- cludes warehouses for spare compo- agreement between the governments of garian market. Annual sales total about nents and a ground for displaying Bel- Belarus and Hungary on economic 1.000 tractors. The representative office arusian agricultural hardware. Within cooperation. of the Minsk Tractor Works in Hungary the Days of Belarusian Economy in 16/10/2007 Source: BBJ.hu

Russian Gas for Belarus will Cost $125 per 1,000 Cubic Meters in 2008 - Ambassador

The price Belarus will pay for Russian gas in 2008 will be about $125 per 1,000 cubic meters, Russian Ambassador to Bela- rus Alexander Surikov said. "The price could be nearer $125 judging from the situation on the market," he said. The final price for Russian gas in 2008 will be set in December. A price of $150-$170 per 1,000 cubic meters would be un- realistic," Surikov said.

17/10/2007 Source: Interfax

EU and Belarus Statement of B. Klich, Chariman of the Delegation on Belarus (EP)

Chairman of the European Parliament's Delegation on Relations with Belarus, MEP Bogdan Klich, sent a letter to the participants of the European March in Minsk. In his address, Mr Klich expressed Europe's support to the people of Bela- rus who are stribing for a better future, liberty, independence and democracy. He said that Belarus is an integral part of the European culture and history, and its people should no longer tolerate isolation. The full text can be found here: Statement Klich European March 14 10 2007.pdf

PACE Rapporteur Meets with Opposition Leaders Andrea Rigoni, the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE)’s special rapporteur on Belarus, on October 18 met with Belarusian opposition politicians.

Attending the meeting were Anatol Lyabedzka, chairman of the United Civic Party; Vintsuk Vyachorka, chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front; Stanislaw Shushkevich, leader of the Belarusian Social-Democratic Hramada; Viktar Karnyay- enka, deputy chairman of the Movement for Freedom; and Valery Ukhnalyow, deputy head of the Belarusian Party of Com- munists. The opposition leaders informed Mr. Rigoni about the political situation in the country and pro-democratic forces’ preparations for parliamentary elections expected to be held in the fall of 2008.

“We had expected that we would have to explain and argue, but this proved needless,” he noted. “Andrea Rigoni showed that he had become rather aware of Belarus’ problems, although he had some difficulty in understanding certain issues. For instance, he could not grasp why it is almost impossible to obtain state registration for a pro-democratic party or NGO in Belarus, or why an organization cannot obtain a legal address.” 18/10/2007 Source: BelaPAN ISSUE XVI BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 7 Culture Time Traveller

– not for the knowledge of history The first works of Uladzimer Arlou it gave him, but for the understand- appeared in student underground pub- ing that the objective information lications “Blue Lantern” and about the past is not something one “Milavitsa”. The publications re- should look for at a Soviet univer- sulted into the first acquaintance with sity. “plainclothes literature critics” (all issues of the illegal magazines were One night, at a student party, confiscated by KGB). Upon gradua- Uladzimer’s friends played a game tion, Uladzimer Arlou worked as a – each one had teacher, journalist and editor at to write down the publishing house 10 names of “Mastatskaya Litaratura” in prominent his- Minsk. torical figures. When they com- His first official publication, a pared their re- set of stories “How do You Do, sults, they have my Dog Rose” was published in found a number 1986. More than 30 books of Uladzimer Arlou discovers the of Japanese sho- Arlou were released within the past, present and the future of Bel- guns, but not a next two decades. Uladzimer arus in his books single Belaru- Arlou proved to be a skillful sian person. “It promoter of the Belarusian his- With his thick beard, he looks like a was a moment tory, with a talent of presenting Bronze Age bison hunter, or a Vi- of truth for me”, it in a popular way. His first king wearing a sweater instead of a says Uladzimer Arlou. “For the bestseller “Where Our Ancestors hauberk. Uladzimer Arlou is one of first time I was painfully con- Come From” laid out the basics of the most talentedcontemporary Bel- fronted with the scale of our his- the Belarusian history for children arusian authors, with his literary torical unconsciousness”. and teenagers. However, it immedi- interests ranging from poetry to his- ately ran into problems. The freshly torical thrillers. The novels and stories of printed copies of the books’ first edi- Uladzimir Karatkevich, which tion got arrested after someone had Uladzimer Arlou was born in 1953 were published when Aroul was complained to the Presidential Ad- in the ancient Belarusian city of still a student, became a revelation ministration. Allegedly, Uladzimer Polatsk. The maternity hospital for him. “Owing to the books by Arlou stirred up the national hatred where he was brought to the world Karatkevich I began to discover between Belarusians and Russians by was situated some hundred steps the true history showing the away from Sofia cathedral. When of Belarus, the Russian Tsar the mother of Uladzimer showed history any Peter the her newborn son to his father, who European na- Great not as was standing under the windows of tion could be a daring re- the hospital, the white towers of proud of”. As a former, but a Sophia were probably the first thing Polatsk native butcher of the boy saw. “Possibly, this has pre- by birth, histo- the Belarusi- determined my destiny”, the author rian by educa- an people says. tion and author during the by vocation, Great Nor- As a child, Uladzimer dreamt of Uladzimer Ar- becoming a diver, pathoanatomist, thern War lou made a (1700-1721). journalist, and spy. Instead, he went pledge to fight to Minsk to study history at the Bel- It took the whole year and several the national amnesia, which turns highly positive reviews written by arusian State University. Uladzimer Belarusians into faceless popula- says he is thankful to his alma mater well-known historians from the Bela- tion. rusian Academy of Sciences to get ISSUE XVI BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 8

Culture Time Traveller the book onto the shelves of book- “Kraina Belarus” to the Belaru- stores. “Where Our Ancestors winners of international sian as Come From” has been reprinted school and student compe- well as three times since then, and was titions together with a Gipsy even included into the official medal, a diploma, and a blood school program, remaining there collection of his speeches. in my until the recent ideological purge. “I hope that Aliaksandar veins”, Lukashenka has left one says the In 1997 Uladzimer Arlou was fired copy of this beautifully writer. from “Mastatskaya Litaratura” for printed book for himself”, “publishing historical and other says Uladzimer Arlou. dubious literature”. This hasn’t up- “Perhaps, he won’t read the text, “Perhaps, this is the reason why set him – moreover, he was happy but I hope he will find a minute- to dedicate more of his time to long break from his important state writing and publishing new duties and examine its 2000 illus- “dubious books”. trations. Maybe he “Kraina Belarus” (‘the would understand Country Belarus’) be- that Belarusians have came a real gift of a history of a Euro- Uladzimer Arlou to the pean nation, which nation. Never before could serve them as the a pass into the fu- has been presented in ture”. such a splendid way. A thick colourful volume Arlou is a keen pro- travels occupy one of the first places is an exciting encyclo- moter of the “Polatsk in the hierarchy of my values”. As a pedia of the Belarusian mentality”. Polatsk, historian and a writer, he travels past, beginning with which used to be a both in space and in time. “One of the age of dinosaurs capital of the most the most valuable conclusions, and ending with the mighty Belarusian which I drew from this experience, declaration of indepen- principality on the st nd is that the world has merely changed dence in 1918. verge of the 1 and 2 millennium, its appearance since the times of An- was also a cultural centre of the cient Greeks and Romans. The man, The Belarusian regime never fa- land at that time. “I enjoy the pro- voured Arlou, but couldn’t help however, hasn’t changed a bit since fecy by Vasil Nyamchyn, Belaru- then”. liking his new book. A sales as- sian astrologer of the 16th century, sistant of one of the state-owned who said that in the 21st century bookshops told a story, which hap- Polatsk would first become the pened shortly after “Kraina Bela- spiritual and then maybe even the By Ales Kudrytski rus” arrived in their store. A couple administrative capital of the coun- For the Office for a Democratic Belarus of people with Presidential Ad- try”, says Uladzimer Arlou. That is ministration IDs in their pockets why, when asked which book he is Photos by arlou.org, ODB came storming into the bookshop, the most proud of, Uladzimer Ar- asking whether “Kraina Belarus” is lou names his “Mysteries of the already on sale. “It was probably a Polatsk History”. bad idea to order the book”, We on the WEB thought the assistant, but, surpris- Uladzimer Arlou is also famous for www.democraticbelarus.eu ingly, the officials ordered a dozen his travel essays, which are col- copies of the book “for official lected in three books “Ladybug th matters”. What these “official mat- from the 5 Avenue”, “Bite off ters are”, is not a mystery either. the Head of a Crow” and “The President Lukashenka presents Hannibal’s Elephants”. “There is