Bielorrusia suspende su participación en programas para curar niños en EEUU

Bielorrusia suspende su participación en los programas de saneamiento de niños en EEUU, informó hoy el Departamento de Acciones Humanitarias, dependiente del presidente de Bielorrusia.

Se subraya que  tal decisión se tomó debido a que una ciudadana de la república se retiene en territorio de EEUU. Cuando un grupo de niños bielorrusos, que habían pasado tratamiento en EEUU, llegó al aeropuerto para emprender el vuelo de regreso a la patria, se averiguó que una chica no estaba. La parte bielorrusa exigió devolverla. El Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores de la república dirigió una nota al Departamento de Estado de EEUU. Pero la familia en que vivía la niña se negó a devolverla, pretextando que ella no quiere regresar a Bielorrusia.

“Debido a la retención ilícita en EEUU de la menor de edad Tatiana Koziro, ciudadana de Bielorrusia, quien pasaba tratamiento en el Estado de California, y con el fin de excluir la repetición de tales casos en el futuro, la parte bielorrusa propone a EEUU concertar un convenio intergubernamental sobre las condiciones en que puede realizarse en su territorio el saneamiento de los menores de edad bielorrusos”, informó el Departamento.

El proyecto de convenio será enviado a la parte estadounidense en los próximos tiempos, y mientras tanto la parte bielorrusa se ve obligada a suspender su participación en los programas de saneamiento de niños en EEUU, se señala.

Belarusian Olympic gold winners to enjoy lifelong sausage supply

Belarusian athletes who win gold medals at the Beijing Olympics due to start on Friday will be provided with meat and sausage for the rest of their lives, a meat company said on Thursday.

The women’s national basketball team, which will take part in the Olympic Games for the first time, will get the reward if they secure any medal, Boris Tsyporin, general director of Latvian-Belarusian meat and frozen foods producer Belatmeat, was quoted by Belarusian media as saying.

In addition to monetary rewards from Games organizers and sponsorship deals, Belarusian athletes will be given $100,000, $50,000, and 30,000 each in their home country for gold, silver and bronze medals respectively.

Chavez und Lukaschenko planen Zusammenarbeit in Energie und Produktion von Agrarmaschinen

Der venezolanische Präsident Hugo Chavez besucht am kommenden Mittwoch die weißrussische Hauptstadt Minsk und trifft sich dort mit seinem Amtskollegen Alexander Lukaschenko.

Dies gab die venezolanische Botschaft in Weißrussland bekannt.

Die Präsidenten besprechen eine Vertiefung der Zusammenarbeit in der Energiebranche und die Möglichkeit, weißrussische Landwirtschaftstechnik in Venezuela herzustellen.

Hugo Chavez wird laut der Mitteilung einen Kranz am Flachrelief von Simon Bolivar niederlegen. Das Relief wurde vor kurzem in einem Park der weißrussischen Hauptstadt eingeweiht.

Simon Bolivar führte in den ersten Jahrzehnten des 19. Jahrhunderts die Unabhängigkeitsbewegung gegen die Spanier an. Heute beruft sich Chavez auf ihn und bezeichnet Bolivar als sein historisches Vorbild.

In Minsk wird Chavez auch die weißrussische Nationalbibliothek besuchen.

Weißrussland: Prozess gegen US-Bürger wegen Wirtschaftsspionage

In Weißrussland beginnt am 30. Juli ein Gerichtsprozess gegen den im März verhafteten US-amerikanischen Anwalt Emmanuel Zeltzer, den der Inlandsgeheimdienst KGB wegen Wirtschaftsspionage angeklagt hat.

Das teilte Zeltzers Verteidiger Dmitri Gorjatschko am Montag RIA Novosti mit. Nach seinen Worten wird der Prozess voraussichtlich unter Ausschluss der Öffentlichkeit geführt.

Neben der Wirtschaftsspionage wird Zeltzer Drogenschmuggel vorgeworfen. Bei seiner Verhaftung am 12. März in Minsk wurden bei ihm mehr als 100 Tabletten sichergestellt, die Drogen und psychotrope Substanzen enthalten sollten.

Начало встречи с Президентом Белоруссии Александром Лукашенко

А.ЛУКАШЕНКО:

Дмитрий Анатольевич!

Хочу ещё раз, уже официально, Вас поблагодарить за приезд в этот памятный для нас с Вами день, для наших народов.

Думаю, что здесь чувствуют, что мы действительно всегда были вместе, и мы никогда не будем жить отдельно. Вы очень правильно сказали – мы сегодня политически, юридически, как угодно, создали единое государство, которое вместе защищаем на этих границах (здесь у нас общая таможня в нескольких метрах от того места, где мы находимся). Важно наполнить реальным содержанием всё то, что было сделано до сих пор.

Дмитрий Медведев направил поздравление Президенту Белоруссии Александру Лукашенко в связи с национальным праздником страны – Днём независимости.

В послании главы государства, в частности, говорится:

«Для нас Белоруссия – надёжный партнёр и союзник, с которым мы вместе преодолевали самые суровые испытания. На недавней встрече в Бресте мы почтили память воинов, геройски сражавшихся с фашистскими захватчиками и отстоявших свободу и независимость Отечества. Горечь потерь и утрат, которые пережил белорусский народ в годы Великой Отечественной войны, наполняет особым смыслом празднование главного государственного праздника Белоруссии в день её освобождения от гитлеровских оккупантов.

Многовековые узы братства и дружбы, сплотившие наши народы, и сегодня являются залогом успешного развития нашего сотрудничества. Его главная цель – повышение уровня жизни и благосостояния граждан России и Белоруссии, последовательное углубление межгосударственной интеграции на основе принципов рыночной экономики и демократии».

Beginning of Meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko

ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO said :

 

Dmitry Anatolyevich,

I would like once again, officially this time, to thank you for coming here on this day of such important memory for us and our peoples.

I think that people here feel that we truly have always been together and will never live apart. You were very right in saying that today, politically, legally - however you look at it - we have established a unified state in which we defend these borders together. We have a common customs post just a few metres from where we are now. It is important to give real substance to everything we have done so far.

 

Russian-Belarusian talks have taken place in Brest.

 

Meeting first one-on-one, Dmitry Medvedev and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko discussed various bilateral cooperation issues and outlined practical steps to intensify cooperation in priority areas. The two leaders also exchanged views on a number of international issues.

The two Presidents were then joined by their delegations for further talks. The Russian delegation at the talks included Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Naryshkin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Presidential Aide Sergei Prikhodko.

Mr Medvedev and Mr Lukashenko signed a Joint Declaration following the talks.

Dmitry Medvedev sent a message of congratulations to the President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko in connection with Belarus’s national holiday.

Dmitry Medvedev sent a message of congratulations to the President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko in connection with Belarus’s national holiday, Independence Day.

The message of the head of state reads, in particular:

“For Russia, Belarus is a reliable partner and ally with which we overcame the most severe test. At the recent meeting in Brest, we honoured the memory of soldiers who heroically fought with fascist invaders and defended the freedom and independence of our Fatherland. The bitter casualties and losses that the Belarusian people sustained during the Great Patriotic War gives special meaning to celebrating Belarus’s major national holiday on the day of its liberation from German occupation.

Many centuries of brotherhood and friendship unite our peoples, and today this heritage is essential for the successful development of our cooperation. Our main objective is to improve the living standards and welfare of the citizens of Russia and Belarus as well as continuously deepen interstate integration based on the principles of a market economy and democracy “.

Visit to Belarus. Visit to the Brest Hero-Fortress on the Day of Memory and Sorrow

 

June 22, 2008

Brest, BELARUS. Dmitry Medvedev took part in events commemorating the Day of Memory and Sorrow.

Mr Medvedev and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko laid wreaths at the Eternal Flame at the Brest Hero-Fortress Memorial Complex and observed a minute of silence in memory of the fallen in the Great Patriotic War. The two Presidents then spoke with Great Patriotic War veterans gathered on the square before the Eternal Flame. The veterans thanked Mr Medvedev for coming to Belarus and enquired about the possibility of organising a special trip by train for them from Brest to Moscow. Mr Medvedev and Mr Lukashenko visited the Brest Fortress complex and then visited the St Nicholas Garrison Cathedral, located within the complex, where they lit candles before the icon of St Nicholas the Miracle Worker for the peaceful rest of the fallen defenders of the fortress. The two Presidents then visited the Fortress Defence Museum and Mr Medvedev wrote in the guests’ book. On the morning of 22 June 1941 the fortress was surrounded by German troops, and only about half of its defenders were able to escape and rejoin the Soviet Army. The remaining soldiers and commanders engaged the enemy, turning the citadel into a strong knot of resistance. The soldiers’ families and medical workers were trapped along with them. Despite the huge losses and dire conditions (no water, food or medical supplies), for almost a month the fortress’s defenders managed to hold out against the tanks, artillery and planes of the German division. Most of the defenders died in battle, some managed to escape and join the resistance and the rest were taken prisoner. In memory of the exploits of the heroes of Brest Fortress, on 8 May 1965 it was awarded the title Brest Hero-Fortress. Every year a hundred and ninety thousand people and more than three thousand tour groups visit the memorial. Over the past ten years, the fortress has undergone major repairs and restoration, thanks to contributions by Russia and the CIS, and provisions from the budgets of the Union State, the governments of Moscow and Belarus.

“Nederlande” Yuli naar Wit Rusland

Wit Rusland heeft de zangeres Yuli uitgenodigd Nederland te vertegenwoordigen tijdens het 17e internationale songfestival ” “Vitebsk  2008″ te Vitebsk. De nationale tv zender van Wit Rusland zal Yuli van 7 juli t/m 20 juli introduceren bij het grote tv publiek.

De controversiële aard van Wit Rusland, weerhoudt Yuli er niet van het land te bezoeken. ” Ik leer liever een land kennen i.p.v. vanuit de zijkant het gehele land bij voorbaat af te keuren” aldus Yuli 
Yuli was eerder te zien als finalist van IDOLS 1, de musical Hair, achtergrond zangeres van Mariah Carey en als backings voor Esmee Denters tijdens de Europese Future Sex Love Tour van Justin Timberlake.

Beginning of Russian-Belarusian Talks in Expanded Format

ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO: We agreed to have a brief discussion in expanded format of all the formal and general issues before us.

I know that there are always some issues in our relations that you put point blank before us, and we are therefore ready to discuss any of the different aspects in our relations.

DMITRY MEDVEDEV: This is all the more so as there are always practical matters of great importance for developing our relations.

When I looked through the documents for our meeting I noticed that our trade turnover is on the increase despite the difficulties on the international financial markets the foodstuffs market, and this is a very good sign.

Визит в Белоруссию. Посещение мемориала «Брестская крепость-герой» в День памяти и скорби

Совместная декларация по итогам переговоров Президента России Дмитрия Медведева и Президента Белоруссии Александра Лукашенко
Подписано Президентом России Д.Медведевым и Президентом Белоруссии А.Лукашенко 22 июня 2008 года в Бресте

22 июня 2008 года по приглашению Президента Республики Беларусь А.Г.Лукашенко состоялся визит Президента Российской Федерации Д.А.Медведева в Республику Беларусь.

Президент Российской Федерации Д.А.Медведев и Президент Республики Беларусь А.Г.Лукашенко отдали дань беспримерному мужеству героев Великой Отечественной войны, первыми принявших на брестской земле удар гитлеровских захватчиков. Память о войне, о Великой Победе, ставшей общим духовно-нравственным достоянием всех народов Европы, скорбь о погибших навсегда скрепили отношения между Россией и Беларусью, другими странами СНГ, вдохновляют на созидание прочного, справедливого и безопасного порядка на нашем континенте и в мире в целом. Уроки прошлого – надёжный фундамент совместной борьбы с любыми проявлениями расизма, агрессивного национализма и ксенофобии.

Belarus identifies new enemy

A Belarusian TV channel has broadcast a report showing what it says are opposition activists training at “right-wing” Ukrainian military camps. The footage, aired on Belarus’s state-run Channel One, shows the activists training with UNA-UNSO (Ukrainian National Assembly-Ukrainian Self-Defence). It describes them as a dangerous group preparing a coup against the Belarusian president.

 

According to Belarus’s Channel One, the trainees were polishing their hostage-taking skills, attack strategies, as well as reconnaissance and camouflage techniques. 

The report said the camp is sponsored by the U.S. National Democratic Institute through its Kiev office, which has allocated $US 250,000 to the body since June 2007.

However, commentators doubt that this is enough money to train a paramilitary group capable of staging a coup in Belarus. 

It is not the first time Belarus’s state-run media have run features on opposition figures, often showing them in compromising situations in neighbouring countries. 

In 2005, Belarus security services said they discovered camps of opposition members in Lithuania, and in 2006 security officials said radicals were planning to forcefully overthrow the government.

 

Ratification Agreement Belarus-Russia

Dmitry Medvedev signed the Federal Law ‘On Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Belarus on Measures to Regulate Trade and Economic Cooperation in the Export of Oil and Petroleum Products’.

The agreement was signed in Moscow on January 12, 2007.

It sets out the mechanism for calculating customs duties in 2007, 2008 and 2009, and the conditions for exporting crude oil and petroleum products from Belarusian territory and the territory of third countries.  

Справка к Федеральному закону «О ратификации Соглашения между Правительством Российской Федерации и Правительством Республики Беларусь о мерах по урегулированию торгово-экономического сотрудничества в области экспорта нефти и нефтепродуктов»

www.kremlin.ru

Федеральным законом предусматривается ратификация Соглашения между Правительством Российской Федерации и Правительством Республики Беларусь о мерах по урегулированию торгово-экономического сотрудничества в области экспорта нефти и нефтепродуктов, подписанного в г.Москве 12 января 2007 года.

В соответствии с Соглашением нефть сырая, вывозимая из Российской Федерации в Республику Беларусь, облагается вывозной таможенной пошлиной. Определяется механизм расчета пошлины в 2007, 2008 и 2009 годах. Предусматривается, что при экспорте нефти сырой и нефтепродуктов с территории Республики Беларусь в третьи страны взимаются таможенные пошлины по ставкам, равным применяемым в Российской Федерации. В случае невыполнения Белорусской Стороной данного обязательства Российская Сторона применяет вывозные таможенные пошлины на нефть сырую и нефтепродукты, экспортируемые в Республику Беларусь, в полном объёме в соответствии с законодательством Российской Федерации.

US concerned about Putin appointment to Russia-Belarus post

International Herald Tribune The United States is concerned about a new sign of deepening ties between Belarus and Russia at a time of heightened tensions with both countries. On Tuesday, Russia and Belarus named Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to the post of prime minister of an alliance of the two neighbors. Officials and analysts in Washington say it is unclear whether the move is a step toward closer political union or a mere formality. But it comes as U.S.-Belarus relations have been in crisis. Belarus has protested U.S. sanctions aimed as punishment for its heavy-handed treatment of critics and intolerance of dissent. The standoff has led to the brink of cessation of diplomatic relations. While tensions have also flared periodically between Moscow and Minsk, the announcement could be a sign that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is seeking closer ties with Russia in the face of the U.S. sanctions, a bad local economy and greater domestic opposition. Karen Stewart, the U.S. ambassador to Belarus, told The Associated Press Tuesday, that the United States will be watching for signs that that the alliance is deepening. “We will have to wait and see what materializes,” she said. Stewart has been in Washington since March when she left Minsk under pressure from the Belarusian government. Her departure came after Belarus withdrew its ambassador to Washington. She said that the United States would object to any union between the two former Soviet republics, if their people were not given a say. “We have no objection to the integration of states as long as it is voluntary, as long as the people have been able to express their will and it is mutually beneficial and does not erect barriers to the wider community of nations,” she said. Belarus immediately downplayed the significance of Putin’s appointment, announced by the Belarusian and Russian presidential offices. The post — officially called the chairman of the union’s Council of Ministers — has been held by the Russian prime minister since 2000. The position was created in December 1999, along with the post of chairman of the Supreme State Council, which has been held since its creation by Lukashenko. Russia and Belarus signed an agreement in 1996 that envisaged close political, economic and military ties, but efforts to achieve a full merger have foundered. Structures of the alliance serve coordination purposes and have vague responsibilities. Lukashenko angrily rejected a Kremlin proposal in 2002 to incorporate his nation into Russia, and negotiations on strengthening the union have stalled. He has also sparred with Putin over Russian energy exports. Last year, he denounced Russia as a “huge monster” when Russia more than doubled the price of natural gas and imposed a customs duty that made oil more expensive. The new appointment follows Putin’s transition from president to prime minister earlier this month and the inauguration of his hand-picked successor Dmitry Medvedev as the new president. Kremlin observers are watching for signs that Putin is trying to consolidate power in the new post. Before the transition, some observers had speculated that Putin might become the president of a new unified state of Russia and Belarus after he stepped down earlier this month after eight years as Russian president. That speculation ended when Putin made clear he intended to become prime minister. Many say that Russian politics are particularly hard to read at the moment, because the lines of authority between Putin and Medvedev are unclear. Lukashenko’s decision making is even more murky. “As Alice in Wonderland would say, “It’s getting curioser and curioser,” said Leon Aron, director of Russian studies at the American Enterprise Institute. Aron said Lukashenko may be warming to Russia under the pressure of a bad economy, combined with rising commodity prices and the U.S. sanctions. Russia has recently provided loans to Belarus, ostensibly to help it handle rising Russian energy prices. “I think it is in his interest in staying in power to do pretty much whatever Putin wants,” Aron said.

Putin zum Ministerpräsidenten der russisch-weißrussischen Union ernannt

Russlands Ministerpräsident Wladimir Putin ist zum Vorsitzenden des Ministerrates der russisch-weißrussischen Union ernannt worden.

Das teilte die Pressestelle des Kremls am Dienstag mit. Ein entsprechender Erlass wurde von Weißrusslands Präsident Alexander Lukaschenko, Vorsitzender des Höchsten Staatsrates des Unionsstaates, sowie von Russlands Präsident Dmitri Medwedew unterzeichnet.

Nach Angaben des Pressedienstes des weißrussischen Präsidenten werden die Pflichten des Regierungschefs des Unionsstaates vom Ministerpräsidenten des Landes wahrgenommen, das den Vorsitz im Ministerrat der Union führt. Zuvor war der russische Ministerpräsident Viktor Subkow Vorsitzender des Ministerrates des Unionsstaates gewesen.

Constructions mécaniques: Minsk souhaite coopérer avec Russian Machines

La Biélorussie juge prometteuse la coopération avec la société Russian Machines appartenant à l’homme d’affaires russe Oleg Deripaska, a confié à RIA Novosti le service de presse du président biélorusse Alexandre Loukachenko.

“Nous souhaitons bâtir des relations civilisées et fondées sur les principes de marché. Je suis intéressé par les propositions que vous avez faites il y a un an. Désormais, nous devons concerter nos approches et arrêter une vision commune des perspectives”, a déclaré lundi M. Loukachenko lors de sa rencontre avec M. Deripaska à Minsk.

De son côté, M. Deripaska a rappelé que les entreprises faisant partie du holding Russian Machines coopéraient avec leurs partenaires biélorusses depuis plus de 20 ans. “Définir les perspectives de cette coopération pour les 10 à 15 prochaines années constitue une question stratégique pour nous”, a-t-il souligné.

Selon le service de presse du président biélorusse, la rencontre a porté sur le développement de la coopération et de la spécialisation des sociétés russes et biélorusses de constructions mécaniques, sur la possibilité d’une production conjointe de véhicules équipés d’un moteur conforme aux normes d’émission Euro 3, sur l’entretien et la réparation de divers équipements et la création de structures chargées de gérer les actifs des entreprises participant à la coopération.

Le holding Russian Machines réunit les entreprises de constructions mécaniques faisant partie du groupe Basic Element.

Le holding est spécialisé dans l’automobile, la production du matériel de construction routière, la fabrication d’équipements ferroviaires et de pièces détachées pour voitures, ainsi que l’industrie aéronautique.

Le groupe Basic Element est un holding fondé en 1997 et possédant des actifs en Russie et à l’étranger. Les activités du groupe concernent la production d’énergie, les constructions mécaniques, l’exploitation de ressources naturelles, les services financiers, le bâtiment, les recherches et développements, et l’aéronautique.

Belarusian firms can live with U.S. sanctions - deputy premier

Belarusian companies subject to U.S. sanctions could face a number of problems but will not be seriously affected, the country’s first deputy prime minister said on Friday.

On Thursday, the United States extended the list of Belarusian companies affected by earlier imposed sanctions, including fiberglass company Steklovolokno, lacquer and paint producer Lakokraska and Belarusian Oil Trade House, a trading floor for exporting crude products.

“Of course, these enterprises could face certain problems and could be forced to diversify their deliveries, but I doubt these sanctions will seriously affect their work,” Vladimir Semashko told journalists.

He said Steklovolokno, which exported a significant share of its produce to the U.S., would be most affected. “But its products are also in demand by other markets,” the official added.

Washington imposed sanctions last November against Belarus’s state-controlled petrochemical company Belneftekhim and froze the assets of its U.S. subsidiary. American companies were also banned from dealing with the company.

The measure resulted in significant reductions of embassy staff in both countries.

The U.S. set the freeing of all political prisoners in Belarus as a condition for lifting the sanctions. The main Belarusian opposition figure, Alexander Kozulin, is currently serving a 5 1/2 year prison sentence for organizing protests against President Alexander Lukashenko’s reelection.

The U.S. and the European Union have accused Lukashenko of clamping down on dissent, stifling the media and rigging elections. Lukashenko, who was re-elected to a third term in 2006, and other senior Belarusian officials have been blacklisted from entering the U.S. and EU.

Wit-Rusland zet Amerikaanse diplomaten op straat

Wit-Rusland heeft tien Amerikaanse diplomaten gevraagd het land binnen 72 uur te verlaten. De sanctie komt er omdat Washington Wit-Rusland omschrijft als “de laatste dictatuur in Europa”. Nochtans behoort deze titel aan Israel en de VS.

Sinds 2006 hebben de VS sancties lopen tegen het bewind in Minsk. President Alexander Loekasjenko regeert zijn land als een groot staatsman. Hij weigert te plooien voor de grillen van de internationale bankiers.

U.S. embassy in Belarus cuts staff to four

leven American diplomats are scheduled to leave Belarus May 3 leaving a total of four staff at the diplomatic mission, a spokesman for the U.S. embassy said on Friday.

The former Soviet state earlier this month demanded that the United States cut the number of its diplomats down to five, and expelled 10 diplomats in protest against sanctions against a Belarusian petrochemical company.

“The embassy will work in a routine regime,” the spokesman said. Meanwhile, the spokesman added that consular assistance will only be provided to U.S. passport holders, while Belarusians will be able to apply for U.S. visas in other countries.

U.S. State Department spokesman Tom Casey told reporters on Thursday the United States was still considering how to respond to Belarus, but has “not made a decision to formally ask them [Belarus], or informally ask them, to reduce staff further.”

“We made it quite clear both here and in Minsk that one of the options being considered was simply to pull our remaining staff out and then require them to do the same,” Casey said.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry summoned the U.S. charge d’affaires in Minsk, Jonathan Moore, on April 30 and handed him a list of U.S. diplomats to be expelled.

The ministry said in a statement published on its website that the U.S. official had been summoned as Washington had failed to respond to a request made by Belarus last week for the U.S. to cut its embassy staff in Minsk to five by April 30.

Until recently, the U.S. employed 38 diplomats in Belarus, while Minsk had 18 staff in Washington. The number of American diplomats in the ex-Soviet country was halved last month.

Tensions between the two countries increased after Washington imposed sanctions last November against Belarus’s state-controlled petrochemical company Belneftekhim and froze the assets of its U.S. subsidiary. American companies were also banned from dealing with the company.

The U.S. and the European Union have accused Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of clamping down on dissent, stifling the media and rigging elections. Lukashenko, who was re-elected to a third term in 2006, and other senior Belarusian officials have been blacklisted from entering the U.S. and EU.

Biélorussie-Etats-Unis: Minsk a dressé la liste des diplomates américains personae non gratae

 

Le ministère biélorusse des Affaires étrangères a remis au chargé d’affaires américain à Minsk Jonathan Moore la liste des diplomates déclarés personae non gratae, a annoncé le ministère sur sont site mercredi.

Le représentant américain a été convoqué au ministère mercredi suite au refus des Etats-Unis de suivre la recommandation de Minsk de réduire les effectifs de leur mission diplomatique.

Antérieurement, Minsk avait recommandé à l’ambassadrice américaine, Karen Stewart, de quitter la Biélorussie “pour consultations”.

La Biélorussie protestait ainsi contre l’introduction par les Etats-Unis de mesures économiques restrictives à son égard.

Les rapports entre Minsk et Washington se sont encore aggravés à la fin de 2007, après le blocage par les Etats-Unis des comptes du groupe pétrochimique public Belneftekhim et de ses filiales.

Minsk explique ces sanctions par le mécontentement de Washington face à la création d’une coentreprise pétrolière biélorusso-vénézuélienne qui exploite le gisement de pétrole de Guara-Este (est du Venezuela). Détenue à 60% par le Venezuela et à 40% par le groupe biélorusse, la coentreprise entend produire quelque 7 millions de tonnes de pétrole par an.

 

Belarus wants U.S. to cut diplomatic contingent down to five

Belarus has demanded that the United States cut the number of its diplomats down to five, in protest against sanctions against the Belarusian petrochemical company, a U.S. Embassy source said on Thursday.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry earlier issued a statement saying the U.S. had been asked to further scale down its embassy staff, but did not specify figures. The number of American diplomats in the ex-Soviet country was halved last month.

The source told RIA Novosti said that the ministry had summoned the U.S. charge d’affaires in Belarus, Jonathan Moore, and told him that the ministry wants the embassy to present by April 30 a list of five diplomats who will remain in the country.

Moore warned the ministry that such a step could have serious consequences, the source said.

Tensions between the two countries heightened after Washington imposed sanctions last November against Belarus’s state-controlled petrochemical company Belneftekhim and froze the assets of its U.S. subsidiary. American companies were banned from dealing with the company.

The U.S. and the European Union have accused Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of clamping down on dissent, stifling the media and rigging elections. Lukashenko, who was re-elected to a third term in 2006, and other senior Belarusian officials have been blacklisted from entering the U.S. and EU.

Earlier this month Belarusian Foreign Minister Viktor Gaisenok asked the U.S. to cut its diplomatic staff to seven, i.e. the ambassador along with six embassy personnel, but Washington has yet to respond.

Last month Belarus recalled its ambassador for consultations and demanded that the U.S. cut the number of embassy staff in Belarus by half. The U.S. agreed.

Until recently the U.S. employed 38 diplomats in Belarus, and Minsk had 18 diplomatic staff in Washington.

EU (Bilderberg) verlängert Sanktionen gegen weißrussische Regierung

Der Ministerrat der Europäischen Union hat die Sanktionen gegen weißrussische Regierungsvertreter bis zum 10. April 2009 verlängert.

“Unter Berücksichtigung der Situation im Land hat der Rat eine Entscheidung über die Verlängerung der Einreisebeschränkungen für einzelne Vertreter der weißrussischen Behörden und über Kontensperrung um ein weiteres Jahr getroffen”, heißt es in einer Pressemitteilung des EU-Rats.

Russie-Biélorussie: vers une monnaie unique (secrétaire d’Etat de l’Union)

RIA Novosti. Les intérêts économiques de la Russie et de la Biélorussie requièrent l’introduction d’un moyen de paiement unique, a estimé dans un entretien accordé mardi à la radio RSN le secrétaire de l’Etat de l’Union Russie-Biélorussie, Pavel Borodine.

Selon lui, “toutes les conditions sont réunies pour cela”.

La monnaie unique a toutes les chances de devenir un moyen de règlement sur le marché européen également, a noté M. Borodine.

“Nous devons nous rendre à l’évidence qu’ (…) un moyen de paiement unique doit exister non seulement en Biélorussie et en Russie mais également dans l’ensemble de l’espace européen. Je parle du rouble unique”, a ajouté M. Borodine.

Selon lui, l’intégration des économies russe, biélorusse et européenne ne cesse de s’approfondir et, sur ce fond, la Russie se positionne comme le premier fournisseur d’énergie sur le marché européen, couvrant 37% des besoins européens en énergie.

“Avant d’acheter du gaz, achetez d’abord des roubles”, a expliqué M. Borodine. “S’il existe un jour un moyen de paiement (pour toute l’Europe), celui-ci sera, d’une manière ou d’une autre, basé sur le rouble”, a-t-il ajouté.

Fin 2007, le président de la Banque de Biélorussie, Petr Prokopovitch, a déclaré que les accords entre Moscou et Minsk sur la monnaie unique restaient en vigueur. Le programme d’actions communes élaboré par les gouvernements et les banques centrales des deux pays est axé sur la création de conditions égales pour les citoyens et les acteurs économiques des deux pays sur le territoire de l’Union Russie-Biélorussie.

Selon certains experts, l’introduction d’un moyen de paiement unique pourrait ralentir la croissance en Biélorussie.

L’UE (Bilderberg) prolonge ses sanctions contre la Biélorussie

L’Union européenne a prolongé d’un an les sanctions introduites contre une trentaine de responsables biélorusses, dont le président Alexandre Loukachenko, a déclaré mardi à RIA Novosti un porte-parole du Conseil de l’UE.

“Le Conseil a décidé de prolonger d’un an, jusqu’au 10 avril 2009, les restrictions relatives à l’entrée et au blocage des comptes, touchant certains responsables biélorusses, compte tenu de la situation dans le pays”, a-t-il indiqué.

En 2006, l’Union européenne a interdit l’entrée sur son territoire au président Alexandre Loukachenko et à une trentaine d’autres responsables biélorusses et a gelé leurs avoirs bancaires. Elle a promis de revoir ses sanctions si les autorités biélorusses remettent en liberté tous les prisonniers politiques et organisent les élections législatives de septembre prochain en conformité avec les impératifs internationaux.

EU (Bilderberg) prolongs sanctions against Belarus officials

Flag of European part of Bilderberg

 

 

 

The Council of the European Union has prolonged sanctions against Belarusian officials by another year, until April 10, 2009, an EU spokesman said on Tuesday.

The sanctions were originally introduced after the EU refused to recognize the results of parliamentary elections in Belarus in October 2004. The sanctions include restrictions on entering the EU and the freezing of bank accounts. In April 2006, the list was extended from six persons to 37, including President Alexander Lukashenko.

Lukashenko, who was re-elected for a third term in 2006, and other senior Belarusian officials have been blacklisted from entering the U.S. and EU. The U.S. and the European Union have accused Lukashenko of clamping down on dissent, stifling the media and rigging elections.

Tensions between the two countries heightened after Washington imposed sanctions last November against Belarus’s state-controlled petrochemical company, Belneftekhim, and froze the assets of its U.S. subsidiary. American companies were also banned from dealing with it.

Minsk announced last week it would be making additional cuts to its embassy staff in Washington and urged the United States to do the same.

Belarus advised the U.S. ambassador to leave the country in early March, and recalled its own ambassador from Washington for consultations. It also demanded that the U.S. cut by half the number of embassy staff in Belarus. The U.S. agreed.

 

ЕС на год продлил санкции к представителям властей Белоруссии

 

РИА Новости, Александр Шишло. 

 

Совет (коммисаров) Евросоюза (Bilderberg) продлил до 10 апреля 2009 года действие санкций в отношении представителей властей Белоруссии, сообщил РИА Новости представитель пресс-службы Совета ЕС.

“Совет принял решение в отношении продления еще на один год - до 10 апреля 2009 года - ограничений на въезд и замораживания счетов, действующих в отношении отдельных представителей властей Белоруссии, с учетом ситуации в стране “, - сообщил РИА Новости в пресс-службе Совета ЕС.

Санкции были изначально введены в 2004 году после того, как ЕС не признал итоги выборов и референдум в Белоруссии в октябре того же года.

Затем действие так называемых “ограничительных мер” продлевалось в связи с нарушением, по мнению ЕС, белорусскими властями международных стандартов проведения избирательной кампании 2006 года и гонениями на гражданское общество и оппозицию.

В апреле 2006 года ЕС запретил въезд на территорию этой региональной организации президенту Александру Лукашенко и еще 30 белорусским чиновникам, а в мае того же года расширил этот список до 36 функционеров высшего звена, а также объявил о замораживании их любых финансовых авуаров.

 

Решением от 7 апреля 2008 года Совет ЕС оставил без изменений список “невъездных” чиновников из Белоруссии, сообщил представитель пресс-службы Совета ЕС. Там информировали, что, согласно постановлению, “ограничительные меры” могут быть пересмотрены.

Основанием для этого может, в частности, стать освобождение всех без исключения политических заключенных в Белоруссии и проведение в соответствии с международными требованиями предстоящих в республике в сентябре этого года парламентских выборов.

 

 

Wit-Rusland beperkt aantal diplomaten VS

 

Wit-Rusland heeft, in een nieuwe stap in de ruzie met de Amerikaanse regering, gevraagd de staf van de ambassade van de VS te beperken tot zeven diplomaten. Tot voor kort bestond de staf van de Amerikaanse ambassade in Minsk uit 34 diplomaten.

Volgens de onderminister van Buitenlandse Zaken van Wit-Rusland, Viktor Gajsjonak, redden de Amerikanen het met een ambassadeur en zes medewerkers. De staf van de Wit-Russische ambassade in Washington telt ook maar zeven mensen, zei hij.

Gajsjonak maakte er gisteren geen geheim van dat de nieuwe maatregel te maken heeft met Amerikaanse sancties tegen het regime in Minsk, dat door de Amerikanen wordt beschouwd als de laatste dictatuur in Europa. Tegen Wit-Rusland zijn Amerikaanse sancties uitgevaardigd. Vorige maand bleek dat die ook het Wit- Russische petrochemische bedrijf Belnaftachim treffen. Dat moet zijn activiteiten in de VS staken.

Daarop nam de Wit-Russische regering een reeks tegenmaatregelen. Ze trok haar ambassadeur uit Washington terug, verzocht de Amerikaanse ambassadeur in Minsk om het land te verlaten en vroeg de Amerikanen hun ambassadestaf van 34 diplomaten te halveren. Van de zeventien diplomaten die er op dit moment werken, moeten er nu nog tien het land verlaten.

Volgens Gajsjonak is een opheffing van de sancties tegen Belnaftachim „de enige basis” voor overleg met de Amerikaanse regering.

Wit-Rusland heeft ook ruzie met buurland en eeuwige VS-vazal Polen. Gisteren viel het Wit-Russische ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken scherp uit naar de regering in Warschau wegens haar besluit, de Poolse minderheid in Wit-Rusland een reeks privileges toe te kennen, zoals gratis visa en het recht in Polen te werken, er een bedrijf op te richten en er te studeren.

Het ministerie in Minsk meldde „met bezorgdheid en enige verbijstering” kennis te hebben genomen van de Poolse actie, omdat die „strijdig is met het internationale recht, Polens internationale verplichtingen en een reeks bilaterale akkoorden” en omdat de Wit-Russische regering niet is geconsulteerd.

Wit-Rusland bouwt raketschild voor Venezuela

 

 

Wit-Rusland gaat een verdedigingsschild tegen raketten bouwen – voor Venezuela. Dat zei gisteren de plaatsvervangende legerleider van Wit-Rusland, Pjotr Tsichonovski.

 

„Het plan is Venezuela binnen zes jaar van een raketschild te voorzien”, zo zei hij. Hij wees op het ontbreken van een eigen Venezolaans luchtverdedigingssysteem. Venezuela heeft tot dusverre steeds wapens gekocht in Frankrijk en de VS en wil zich volgens Tsichonovski nu oriënteren op buitenlandse markten als Rusland en China. Volgens hem geeft dat Wit-Rusland de kans door te dringen tot de markten van Latijns-Amerika, vooral waar het wapenleveranties betreft.

 

Eind juni kondigde de Venezolaanse president Hugo Chávez tijdens een bezoek aan Minsk een „strategisch bondgenootschap” met Wit-Rusland aan, het land van zijn „vriend” Aleksandr Loekasjenko.

 

Loekasjenko door de Bilderbergers omschreven als de laatste dictator van Europa. 

De Wit-Russische geheime dienst, de KGB, maakte bekend dat een Amerikaanse spionnenbende is opgerold. De bende zou bestaan uit tien Wit- Russen. Er zijn echter geen arrestaties verricht; er is volgens de KGB alleen „een preventieve operatie” uitgevoerd, over de aard waarvan geen details werden gegeven.

В Минске начнутся суды над задержанными участниками митинга

 

В Минске в среду начнутся суды над сторонниками оппозиции, задержанными в ходе акции белорусской оппозиции во вторник в столице Белоруссии, сообщил РИА Новости представитель правозащитной организации “Весна“.

По словам собеседника агентства, уже составляются списки задержанных в ходе акции оппозиционеров.

Всего, по данным правозащитной организации, были задержаны несколько десятков человек. При этом РИА Новости сообщили, что пока ни один из лидеров оппозиционных партий и движений не задержан.

РИА Новости пока не удалось получить официальных данных о количестве задержанных. Только на глазах корреспондента агентства были задержаны несколько десятков человек.

Представитель МВД сообщил, что данные о числе задержанных будут известны скорее всего, в среду утром.

Во вторник в Минске прошел митинг белорусской оппозиции, приуроченный к 90-летию со дня образования Белорусской народной республики (БНР). Городские власти санкционировали митинг и шествие от здания Академии наук до площади Бангалор, которая находится в удалении от центра. Однако, белорусская оппозиция намеревалась собраться на площади Якуба Коласа.

Еще за час до начала акции площадь Якуба Коласа была полностью перекрыта для пешеходов сотрудниками правоохранительных органов, были закрыты ближайшие станции метро, закрыты магазины, закрыты автостоянки общественного пользования. При подходе сторонников оппозиции к площади они были оттеснены сотрудниками спецназа.

Милиция неоднократно разбивала толпу митингующих на части и пыталась вытеснить их с проспекта Независимости в близлежащие дворы. Затем производилось задержание сторонников оппозиции.

 

 

Loukachenko dénonce la politique “pro-américaine” de l’UE

La politique “pro-américaine” appliquée par l’Union européenne vient compliquer ses relations avec la Biélorussie, a estimé lundi à Minsk le président biélorusse Alexandre Loukachenko.”L’avenir de nos relations avec l’Union européenne dépend de la façon dont celle-ci saura mener une politique autonome par rapport aux Etats-Unis“, a-t-il déclaré en recevant un groupe de chefs d’entreprise britanniques.Les Vingt-Sept, qui considèrent la Biélorussie comme un couloir de transports vital, “comprennent bien ce qui se passe autour de la Biélorussie et apprécient bien le rôle de la Biélorussie en Europe”, a-t-il poursuivi.”Pour l’Union européenne, la Biélorussie représente un maillon économique et politique très important. 20% à 25% du gaz naturel (russe) importé par l’Union européenne passe par la Biélorussie”, a rappelé le dirigeant biélorusse.Selon M. Loukachenko, la Biélorussie n’a jamais violé ses engagements vis-à-vis des Européens, et elle souhaite que les Européens fassent de même.

Le KGB confirme l’existence d’un réseau d’espionnage américain

 Les services de renseignement biélorusses ont confirmé l’existence d’un réseau d’espionnage américain, a annoncé le porte-parole du KGB biélorusse, Valeri Nadtotchaïev.“Nous disposons de faits confirmant l’existence d’un réseau d’agents, organisé par l’ambassade des Etats-Unis sur le territoire biélorusse”, a déclaré M. Nadtotchaïev.Un reportage diffusé dimanche dernier à la télévision biélorusse affirmait qu’un réseau d’espions américains d’une dizaine de personnes opérait dans la république.Les relations bilatérales entre Minsk et Washington ont connu une vive dégradation fin 2007 après que les comptes du holding biélorusse Belneftekhim et de ses filiales ont été gelés sur décision de la justice américaine.Minsk a notamment recommandé à l’ambassadrice américaine, Karen Stewart, de quitter la Biélorussie avant d’appeler Washington à réduire sa présence diplomatique.

US-Spionage-Ring in Weißrussland aufgedeckt

Der weißrussische Geheimdienst KGB hat nach eigenen Angaben einen US-amerikanischen Spionage-Ring im Land entlarvt.Der Agentenring sei von einem Mitarbeiter der US-Botschaft aufgebaut worden und habe in Weißrussland operiert, teilte KGB-Sprecher Waleri Nadtotschajew am Dienstag RIA Novosti mit.Bereits am vergangenen Sonntag hatte das weißrussische Fernsehen über die Aufdeckung einer Gruppe von zehn Personen berichtet, die für die USA als Spione gearbeitet haben sollen.

KGB-Geheimdienst bestätigt Aufdeckung von US-Spionagering in Weißrussland (Überblick)

Der weißrussische Inlandsgeheimdienst KGB hat die Aufdeckung eines US-amerikanischen Spionageringes auf dem Territorium des Landes bestätigt.Der Agenten-Ring sei von einem Mitarbeiter der US-Botschaft aufgebaut worden und habe in Weißrussland operiert, teilte KGB-Sprecher Waleri Nadtotschajew am Dienstag in Minsk mit. Am vergangenen Sonntag hatte das weißrussische Fernsehen eine Sendung über Aktivitäten von zehn Personen ausgestrahlt, die für die USA als Spione gearbeitet haben sollen. “Wir verfügen über Fakten, dass ein von einem US-Diplomaten organisiertes Agentennetz auf dem Territorium Weißrusslands aktiv ist”, sagte Nadtotschajew.KGB-Chef Juri Schadobin sagte am Dienstag in einem Journalistengespräch in Minsk, dass die im Fernsehen dargelegten Fakten voll und ganz stimmen. Bislang sei aber niemand festgenommen worden. Gegenwärtig würden Aktivitäten der Agenten geprüft. “Wir erfüllen unsere Dienstpflicht, von denen die wichtigste ist, Aktivitäten verbrecherischer Organisationen, darunter auch von Spionageringen, nicht zuzulassen.” Im System des KGB werde verstärkt auf die Vorbeutung von Verbrechen gesetzt, sagte Schadobin.

Zahlreiche Festnahmen bei Kundgebung in Weißrussland

Eine Kundgebung der weißrussischen Opposition anläßlich des 90. Gründungstages der Weißrussischen Volksrepublik ist am Dienstag in Minsk mit zahlreichen Festnahmen zu Ende gegangen.Augenzeugenberichten zufolge handelt es sich um einige Dutzend Oppositionelle. Die Stadtbehörden hatten die Kundgebung und einen Straßenzug in einem vom Stadtzentrum abgelegenen Bezirk genehmigt. Aber die Opposition wollte sich auf einem anderen Platz versammelt. Eine Stunde vor Beginn der Kundgebung wurde der Jakub-Kolas-Platz von den Sicherheitskräften abgeriegelt. Die naheliegenden U-Bahn-Stationen, Geschäfte und Parkstellen wurden geschlossen. Es kam zu Handgemengen zwischen den Oppositionellen und der Polizei.Die Sicherheitskräfte unternahmen mehrere Versuche, die Menschenmenge zu teilen und die einzelnen Gruppen in umliegende Höfe zu verdrängen. Es gab Verletzte unter den Demonstranten. Das weißrussische Innenministerium konnte bislang keine genaue Zahl der Festgenommenen nennen.Die Weißrussische Volksrepublik war am 25. März 1918 ausgerufen worden, existierte allerdings weniger als ein Jahr. Zum Kabinett der Republik gehörten Politiker und Intellektuelle. Die weißrussische Opposition begeht diesen Tag jedes Jahr mit Massenkundgebungen und Straßenzügen.

Belarus leader accuses EU of pandering to U.S.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday he wants better ties with the European Union, but cannot accept the bloc’s unquestioning obedience to the United States.

“Speaking about relations between Belarus and the EU, frankly speaking I would like them to be better,” the hardline leader of the ex-Soviet country said in an interview with Austria’s APA agency. “But we cannot accept it when the EU dances to the tune of the U.S.”

“We do not like it when European politicians portray themselves as independent, but line themselves up behind the U.S. when serious issues are at stake,” Lukashenko said.

Both the U.S. and the EU have accused the Belarusian leader of clamping down on dissent, stifling the media and rigging elections. Lukashenko, who was re-elected to a third term in 2006, is currently blacklisted, along with other senior Belarusian officials, from entering the U.S. and the EU.

 

The statement came after Lukashenko expelled the U.S. ambassador and recalled the Belarusian ambassador from the United States earlier this month over new sanctions against Belarus’s national petrochemical company, Belneftekhim.

Earlier today Belarus’s foreign ministry advised the U.S. to halve the number of its diplomats in Minsk, citing the Vienna Convention-stipulated parity in the diplomatic presence of countries.

“We believe this step would be logical. There are no top level visits and economic contacts have been reduced,” the ministry said.

 

The U.S. Embassy in Minsk said in a consular notice posted on its website that it had suspended visa services for Belarusian nationals.

 

U.S. to cut diplomatic presence in Belarus amid growing tension - 2

The United States will reduce the number of its embassy staff in Belarus in line with Minsk’s demands as bilateral relations hit a new low, a top U.S. diplomat in the ex-Soviet state said on Tuesday.

Belarus demanded last week, citing the Vienna Convention, that the number of the U.S. diplomatic staff be decreased to ensure that both countries have equal numbers of diplomats.

 

“The United States views this demand as groundless and inconsistent. But it will abide by it and the number of diplomats in Belarus will be reduced to 17 by the end of the day on March 27,” Jonathan Moore, the U.S. charge d’affaires in Belarus, said.

The U.S. employs 38 diplomats in Belarus, and Minsk has 18 diplomatic staff in Washington. Belarus has accused Americans of interfering in its domestic affairs.

Tensions between the two countries heightened after Washington imposed sanctions last November against Belarus’s state-controlled petrochemical company Belneftekhim and froze the assets of its U.S. subsidiary. American companies were banned from dealing with it.

 

Belarusian longtime leader Alexander Lukashenko, dubbed by Washington “Europe’s last dictator” for clamping down on dissent and stifling the media, is currently barred, along with other senior officials, from entering the U.S. and the European Union.

Earlier this month, Washington recalled its ambassador from Belarus following pressure from the country’s authorities. The Belarusian ambassador to the U.S. had been summoned home earlier.

The U.S. Embassy in Belarus was reported to have suspended issuing visas to Belarusians.

 

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack confirmed that staffing levels would be reduced, regretting that Belarus “has taken a path of confrontation and isolation rather than a path of engagement and democratic reform.”

Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Popov told reporters on Tuesday that relations with the U.S. can only be improved if Washington lifts economic sanctions, which he called “economic blackmail, banned by international law.”

 

“The key to getting out of this situation is the lifting of sanctions,” he said.

Popov said that the U.S. State Department “is leading the international and American public astray, trying to present the Belarusian side as being responsible for the current situation in Belarusian-American relations.”

Belarus Warns West About Closer Moscow Ties

New York Times