EU seeks Russian energy boost Nov 18, 2009
The EU is concerned about Mr Putin's threat to widen Russia's WTO bid to include its neighbours Belarus and Kazakhstan, with whom it plans to form a customs union. Sweden, currently holding the EU presidency, says the Russian plan complicates the bid and Sweden's EU Affairs Minister Cecilia Malmstroem warned that "major delays in the Russian accession will affect our bilateral relations". (BBC News -- Europe)
Afghanistan slips in corruption index Nov 18, 2009
Afghanistan worsens on corruption index. Second only to Somalia in annual survey; Iraq improves a bit. (MSNBC -- International)
- Viewpoint: Stories should not go untold 0 Nov 9, 2009
Iryna Khalip has been a journalist for more than 15 years in the former Soviet Republic of Belarus. She worked at several newspapers that have been shut down by the government, but continues to denounce the excesses of the dictatorship. (El Centro Imperial Valley Press, CA)
Swine flu scare tightens borders around Ukraine Nov 4, 2009
The government has already urged cafes, cinemas and theaters to close indefinitely in Lviv, and roughly a third of the people in the streets on Tuesday wore surgical masks to avoid inhaling the virus, as did the Ukrainian guards on the border with Belarus. But the emergency ward of the central hospital in Lviv saw no shortage of available beds, even as patients trickled in complaining of flu symptoms on Tuesday. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Letters to the Editor Oct 29, 2009
My husband's family, because his father fought for freedom for Belarus, had to flee their home in Vilnia when it was occupied by Soviet troops during World War II. The alternative was the Gulag, or worse ... In Belarus, for instance, the media is controlled, an elected Parliament was disbanded, official election results were announced before the close of balloting, people are jailed by the KGB for peaceful protests, and friends of ours are among the "disappeared." Smear campaigns are even... (Christian Science Monitor)
Twittering The Tyrants: New Media's Role In Authoritarian Regimes Oct 25, 2009
In Belarus, where the state tightly controls the media, Calingaert said most people with access to the Internet turn to nonstate sources of news. Only three of the 20 most viewed websites in Belarus are state-run ... In Belarus, the authorities conduct surveillance on Internet users and require cybercafes to register everyone s browsing history. (EurasiaNet.org)
Facial fluff Oct 17, 2009
After picking up the man-of-the-match award as a substitute for England in their final World Cup qualifying game against Belarus at Wembley, he was asked the inevitable question. His reply. (BBC News -- UK)
Favourites win in Beijing Oct 5, 2009
Ninth seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus advanced, easily defeating compatriot Olga Govortsova 6-1, 6-3. The men's main draw gets under way on Monday, with Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick leading the charge. (iAfrica.com)
On the sidelines of the summit: G-20 leaders Barroso and Medvedev talked candidly at Pitt Sep 30, 2009
He then got a zinger on Russia-Belarus relations. He said he would meet soon with the president of Belarus, a "sister" nation, "not a junior or a senior sister," he said. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
India steps into economy class Sep 18, 2009
Krishna, meanwhile, has reportedly chosen to fly economy class on a commercial airliner on an official visit to Belarus and Turkmenistan instead of the exclusive government plane that is usually used by the country's foreign minister. To save on expenses, his entourage has been reduced considerably. (Asia Times Online)
The great austerity race! Sep 16, 2009
And the external affairs minister of five-star fame will be going to Belarus on a commercial airline and not a special flight. It need not be a coincidence that, barring Mamata, the more austere ministers are all from the Congress. (India Times)
Ahmadinejad, Chavez Vow Stronger Ties Sep 6, 2009
The leftist Venezuelan leader is also to visit Belarus, Russia and Spain in the trip he has described as a bid to build a "multi-polar world" and counter U.S. influence. After landing in Tehran late Friday his eighth visit to Iran so far Chavez said Iran is "a true strategic ally, a staunch ally" to his country and defended Iran's right to a nuclear program. (Fox News)
* Chavez visits Syria, calls government of Israel genocidal Sep 6, 2009
Chavez is on an 11-day trip to Libya, Algeria, Syria, Iran, Belarus, Russia and Spain in what he is describing as a bid to build a multi-polar world and decrease US influence in the region. The Venezuelan president has singled out Israel for criticism during his visit to Syria, slamming it for mistreating the Palestinians and being an agent of US imperialism. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Why Chavez is wooing autocrats abroad Sep 5, 2009
" Rafael Nieto, a political columnist for Colombia's main newspaper, El Tiempo, says Chavez had already lost ground in Latin America when Honduras' military forced Zelaya into exile at gunpoint on June 28, the same day that Argentine voters handed a stinging election defeat to Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, another of his allies. On top of that, Nieto added, Paraguay's Senate recently blocked Chavez's move to join the Mercosur trade bloc. And El Salvador's new leftist... (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Rigged the wrong way? Aug 30, 2009
Belarus's strongman leader has admitted rigging the country's last presidential election because, he says, his popularity is so vast that the true margin of victory was unbelievable and had to be lowered. Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko said in an interview published on Thursday that he took 93 percent of the vote in the country's 2006 presidential polls, but had the number reduced for "psychological" reasons ... Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus since 1994, has been dubbed... (iAfrica.com)
Political Grapevine Aug 29, 2009
The president of Belarus is admitting he rigged the last presidential election in favor of his opponent. Alexander Lukashenko says his popularity is so vast that the true margin of victory in the 2006 election was unbelievable and had to be lowered. (Fox News)
* World News Quick Take Aug 29, 2009
BELARUS President rigged vote. President Alexander Lukashenko has admitted rigging the last presidential election X because his popularity is so vast that the true margin of victory was unbelievable and had to be lowered, he said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Dear Viktor, you're dead, love Dmitry Aug 28, 2009
In the past decade, Russia has managed to alienate almost all the former Soviet republics, even undemocratic Belarus. Trade wars and energy cut-offs have become standard policy responses. (The Economist)
Belarusian leader says he's ready to work with West, but warns against imposing terms Aug 23, 2009
MINSK, Belarus (AP) Belarus' authoritarian president said Thursday he was willing to work with the European Union and the United States, but warned they should not expect him to leave office or to abandon ties with Moscow ... But in recent months he has adopted reforms that resulted in the EU lifting sanctions such as a travel ban for Belarusian officials; Belarus also has joined the EU's Eastern Partnership program ... "I would like to warn the Europeans that are mistaken if they think they can... (FOX61, CT)
President Says Belarus Ready To Work With West Aug 21, 2009
MINSK, Belarus, Aug. 20, 2009 ... Belarusian Leader Says He's Ready To Work With West, But Warns Against Imposing Terms ... (AP) Belarus' authoritarian president said Thursday he was willing to work with the European Union and the United States, but warned they should not expect him to leave office or to abandon ties with Moscow. (CBS News -- World)
Russia signs deal to open 2nd base in Kyrgyzstan Aug 1, 2009
Kremlin officials say the base would be used by a rapid-reaction force being formed by the Russian-dominated CSTO. Other organization members are Armenia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan ... Leaders of Collective Security Treaty Organization member states - which also include Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - have gathered at a lakeside town in eastern Kyrgyzstan for a summit that was supposed to also consider the creation of a NATO-style rapid-reaction... (Fresno Bee -- Local)
China dips its toe in the Black Sea Aug 1, 2009
There is already some evidence of this coordinated Western approach toward Russia in the European Union's "Eastern Partnership" project, unveiled in Prague in May, the geographical scope of which consists of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Belarus and Ukraine, and which aims at drawing these post-Soviet states of "strategic importance" towards Brussels through a matrix of economic assistance, liberalized trade and investment and visa regimes that stop short of accession to the EU but... (Asia Times Online)
Russia Wants 2nd Base In Kyrgyzstan Jul 30, 2009
Other CSTO members are Armenia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The reports did not specify how many troops would be at the base or exactly where it would be located. (CBS News -- World)
Georgia to ask Biden for weapons, observers Jul 23, 2009
Ukraine supplied weapons to Georgia during last summer's conflict with Russia, and Belarus has expressed support for Georgia's claims to two Russian-backed breakaway regions at the center of last year's war. Both former Soviet republics have military ties with Russia. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Rethinking Russia Jul 10, 2009
Russia was equally unqualified to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), which may explain why PM Putin appeared to overrule his own president and decided that the whole WTO effort should be abandoned in favor of a customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan. This is perhaps the clearest signal that Moscow has no real interest in being a partner with the West--and that on more than one issue Medvedev's authority as president is little more than ceremonial. (CBS News)
America and Russia: Welcome to Moscow Jul 3, 2009
Since then he has slammed the door on the World Trade Organisation, opting instead for a no-doubt-mighty customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan. Russia has long criticised the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe for daring to highlight election malpractice. (The Economist)
Iran's Ahmadinejad scraps African summit trip Jul 1, 2009
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad smiles during an official meeting with Belarus Parliament speaker Semyon Sharetsky in Tehran June 24, 2009. (REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl). (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
Putin tells Russian casinos to cash in their chips Jul 1, 2009
Many casino owners say they'd sooner take their business to nearby Belarus and Kyrgyzstan than relocate to the zones. Bettors, meanwhile, are expected to turn in their thousands to online gaming or poker, which is classified as a sport. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Stop feeding the monsters: hate, paranoia, and intolerance (57) Jun 29, 2009
Snake Eater wrote on Jun 28, 2009 8:27 AM:" Mrs. Oxley,Let us review LEFTWING extremism. -60's and 70's: bombings of the Pentagon and Dept. of State by the Weathermen and the Students for a Democratic Society. -burning of several cities during '67 and 68' riots.-80's and 90's: Arson attacks by "Animal Rights" and environmental groups. Let's not forget the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, a former U. Cal. Berkeley professor.-Left wing extremist groups are making a strong comeback due to fears of climate... (Boerne Star, TX)
Tell us about your summer job Jun 26, 2009
Other color changes that did not work out, i.e. Belarus, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan (all in 2004) were not reported on (deleted as news items). The South American oil producing country of Venezuelas 2005 Marigold Revolution and then 2007 and again 2008 ones, all not producing the regime change were in contrast to the other failed revolutions were much reported on in US media. (Columbus Telegram, NE)
Obama told to keep quiet over Iran Jun 26, 2009
But Mr Ahmadinejad cut an isolated figure yesterday, meeting with officials from Belarus Europe's last dictatorship and seeing more than 100 of Iran's 290 MPs snub a party to celebrate his controversial election victory. Police and militia used clubs and tear gas on Wednesday to forcibly break up a demonstration in front of parliament after the nation's Supreme Leader denounced what he described as pressure tactics aimed at overturning the election result. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Belarus warms relations with EU Jun 23, 2009
The president of Belarus has told a top EU official that he "sincerely wants to build good relations" with the bloc, shrugging off Russian disapproval. EU External Relations chief Benita Ferrero-Waldner promised Belarus co-operation on "a wide range of areas of mutual interest" on Monday ... Belarus has been Russia's closest ally in the region since the collapse of the Soviet Union, but there are now real tensions between them, says the BBC's Russian affairs analyst Steven Eke. (BBC News -- Europe)
Doubting Twitter Jun 18, 2009
At the same time, Morozov understands the limitations of social media in overthrowing despotic states, writing, "[I]f you plan to overthrow the Castro regime and are discussing those plans on Twitter, well, perhaps, you shouldn't bother." Similarly, he says he opposed using LiveJournal to stage flash mobs in Belarus in 2006 because "this just seemed silly to me, as the KGB was essentially reading the same blogs as activists." (In another , Morozov observed how Twitter had misinformed the public... (Slate)
Fairytale ending May 18, 2009
So now a record deal and a tour await the Norwegian fiddler who was born in Belarus and speaks fluent Russian. His euphoria was matched by the European Broadcasting Union official hosting the press conference, who proclaimed Moscow 2009 as the best Eurovision Song contest there'd ever been, with the strongest line-up of finalists. (BBC News)
Russia signs gas pipeline deals May 16, 2009
This will lessen Russia's dependence on the existing pipelines, which cross Ukraine and Belarus, countries with which Russia over transit to European customers, a quarter of whose gas needs it supplies. South Stream is a rival project to another proposed pipeline known as Nabucco. (BBC News -- Europe)
Namibia: 'Women Are Born Leaders' May 15, 2009
Belarus, Spain and Macedonia elected more than 30 percent women members. Up on the top of the IPU list next to Rwanda are Sweden (47 percent, Cuba (43. (allAfrica.com)
7 Invisible Footnotes to State's Official Line May 15, 2009
Cuba and Belarus are just two examples. At the same time, the dominant nations shamelessly water down a mechanism for universal periodic review. (Human Events Online)
Central and Eastern Europe: No panic, just gloom May 15, 2009
That is quite different, officials stress, from the emergency rescues of Belarus, Latvia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. The IMF is also behaving more gently. (The Economist)
Malta returns to Eurovision final May 13, 2009
The eight countries which have now exited the competition are Montenegro, Czech Republic, Belgium, Andorra, Belarus, Switzerland, FYR Macedonia and Bulgaria. Andorra have now failed to make the final in their six attempts since entering the fray in 2004, while Belgium were last seen in the main competition five years ago. (BBC News)
Czech interim gov't faces uneasy mission May 9, 2009
The launch, meant to stabilize the EU's eastern borders and enhance multilateral and bilateral cooperation with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, was hailed by EU leaders. However, the plan's "sphere of influence" has irked Russia, which regards it as a potential security threat. (Xinhuanet, China)
Summit to draw ex-Soviet republics closer to EU May 7, 2009
The six ex-Soviet republics to whom the partnership would apply are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine countries with widely differing relationships both with Moscow and the West. Particularly problematic are Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine ... Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, and Vladimir Vorodin, his Moldovan counterpart, are sending lower-ranked deputies, trying not to rile Russia and recognizing that some EU government oppose their presence. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
Lithuania considers IMF lifeline to slow economic collapse May 1, 2009
To avoid an unmanageable budget deficit and painful cuts that could deepen an already severe economic downturn not to mention kindle further protests the government is considering a step many want to avoid: joining neighbors Latvia and Belarus as a recipient of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan. If Lithuania qualifies, one option could be a new flexible credit line program unveiled by the IMF in March. (Christian Science Monitor)
Belarus president visits Vatican Apr 28, 2009
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has been to the Vatican during a visit to Italy seen as another step towards ending his diplomatic isolation ... The Vatican said the talks with the Pope had been positive and had covered "internal problems" in Belarus ... Correspondents say the EU is dropping its previous policy of isolating Belarus and seeking broad engagement with its leadership and the democratic opposition. (BBC News -- Europe)
Will Twitter Bring Down Europe's Last Communist Regime? Apr 8, 2009
I've just spoken to a Moldovan friend who is himself a big technology fan; according to him, there is little to none cellphone coverage in the square itself (turning off cellphone coverage in protest areas is a trick that was also by the Belarusian authorities to diffuse 2006 protests in Minsk's central square), so protesters have to leave it to post updates to Twitter via GPRS technology on their mobiles ... Evgeny Morozov, originally from Belarus, is a fellow at the Open Society Institute in... (Slate)
Religion and human rights: The meaning of freedom Apr 3, 2009
But a closer look at the resolution s language, and the context in which it was adopted (with an unholy trio of Pakistan, Belarus and Venezuela acting as sponsors), makes clear that bigger issues are at stake. The resolution says defamation of religions is a serious affront to human dignity which can restrict the freedom of those who are defamed, and may also lead to the incitement of violence. (The Economist)
Kiev residents protest eccentric mayor Mar 27, 2009
Ukraine's competitive elections for president, parliament and Kiev mayor are a testament to the level of democracy in this former Soviet state of 46 million, a sharp contrast to the carefully managed elections in neighboring Russia and Belarus. But many Kiev residents have had enough, saying Chernovetsky's bizarre policies were bad before but have become unbearable during an economic crisis that is one of the worst in Europe. (AZCentral -- News)
The baleful BrettonWoods legacy Mar 18, 2009
3 billion, is to the wholly unreformed communist dictatorship of Belarus ... Countries with rich friends have no need of the IMF. Belarus can prop up its dictatorship using Russian taxpayers' money and oil revenues. (Asia Times Online)
EU offers compromise to Belarus Mar 17, 2009
European Union foreign ministers have agreed a compromise deal on the EU's relations with Belarus ... "The European Union remains ready to deepen its relations with Belarus, subject to progress made by Belarus," a statement said ... Belarus's foreign ministry gave a guarded welcome to the move, but said the EU should go further "with a full lifting of all restrictions". (BBC News -- Europe)
South Africa: United States May Boycott UN Racism Conference Mar 4, 2009
Created in 2006 to replace the discredited U.N. Commission on Human Rights, the council has been widely criticized for its repeated refusal to take action against documented abuses in Zimbabwe, North Korea, Iran, Belarus and Cuba. (See "Human Rights Report Sees Worldwide Demand for Greater Freedom"). (allAfrica.com)
`New Europe' Longs for Bush as Obama Returns Focus to Old Allies, Russia Mar 3, 2009
The IMF has already bailed out Latvia, Hungary, Serbia, Belarus and Ukraine ... It promised to lend Belarus $2 billion in November to bolster its economy and has already paid out the first half, Deputy Finance Minister said on Jan. 24. (Bloomberg)
Russia's ruling party claims support Mar 2, 2009
Communist Party Central Committee chairman Pyotr Romanov said United Russia's behavior in the western region of Bryansk bordering Belarus suggested foul play on a grand scale. "Tonight we are duty bound to shout about large-scale falsifications," he told Reuters last night. (Boston Globe)
Kremlin faces local vote test; opposition cries foul Mar 1, 2009
3 million people near Russia's border with Belarus and Ukraine. At a polling station in the regional capital Bryansk, 380 km southwest of Moscow, 70-year-old Kira Alexandrova had come straight from her work as a night janitor in a school to vote for the Communists. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Don't push the reset button yet Feb 26, 2009
It initiated a joint air-and-missile defense system with Belarus, which may cost billions. It also announced the creation of a $10 billion stabilization fund for the CIS countries, most of which ($7. (International Herald Tribune -- Ed/Op)
Belarus I: An artful balancing act Feb 24, 2009
Compared with most former Soviet states, Belarus has a lot going for it ... Belarus has no oligarchs, since the state never sold its big companies, and social inequalities are low ... Belarussians think their country is quite well-run and, as some of them put it, "almost Baltic.". (International Herald Tribune)
Exploding three myths Feb 24, 2009
As my colleagues at the Belarus Foreign Ministry and I engage with our counterparts in Brussels in anticipation of the European Union's planned new Eastern Partnership program, I want to tackle the misconceptions that still surround my country ... Nonetheless, many people in Western Europe cannot help but be influenced by a public discourse that applies negative and fundamentally wrong-headed stereotypes to Belarus ... There are three great myths that attach themselves to nearly all Western... (International Herald Tribune -- Ed/Op)
Election Puzzle Feb 18, 2009
Then, in a take-it-or-leave-it gesture, Lieberman, who has extensive business interests in Eastern Europe, flew off on what he said was a vacation to Belarus, a country not known for its tourist attractions, leaving the follow-up coalition feelers in the hands of Stas Misezhnikov, a respected Yisrael Beiteinu legislator who made his mark in the outgoing Knesset as head of the key Finance Committee. Lieberman's business dealings have attracted police attention, and he has been under investigation... (Jerusalem Post, Israel)
