News from Belarus from Charter 97

Oktober, 11 1999

Read details on web-site http://www.charter97.org/English

CALL AND COME

New leaflet, calling upon everyone to join the MARCH OF FREEDOM, appearedOctober 17 in Minsk.It reminds those people who had never participated in mass protests of their responsibility for the destiny of Belarus before their own children. Authors of the message consider March of Freedom the first step towards democratization and return to normal life. They offer everybody to invite 10 friends of theirs to the March. "If each of us brings ten friends to participate in the action - the whole city will be on the streets" reads the leaflet. "Deals" section was updated. Judge Vera Tupik turned down Andrei Klimov's request to release him from detention. This happened October 8 at a trial over the deputy of 13th Supreme Soviet, dismantled by Lukashenko. Mass detentions of soccer fans, who had come October 9 to watch the game between Belarusian and Italian national squads, were carried out at Minsk "Dynamo" stadium. Reason for that was "white-red-white" national flags, which the fans were waving. They were held in

custody till late at night, after which police sent them home. Despite this unpleasant incident members of the "Youth Front" claim they will keep bringing Belarus national flags to all soccer matches. Same evening our flags were lifted up high by Belarusian fans during the game between Russia and Ukraine at Moscow stadium "Louzhniki".October 7, huge picture of Alexander Lukashenko with picked bones in his mouth, appeared in ancient Vitebsk downtown. The drawing was followed by an inscription: "Shklov Dazhynki - 99". This peace of art was hanging over the headquarters of "Slavic bazaar" for more than 24 hours.Telegram on behalf of Valery Levonevsky, Chair of the union of businessmen, was forwarded October 11 to Mr. Alexander Lukashenko. Following is its full text: Alexander Grygorievich!!! We invite you to join the March of Freedom, which will be held October 17, 1999 in Minsk. An authorized protest will commence at 2 p.m. on Bangalor square at the crossroads of Syrganova and Bogdanovicha str. If you prefer

to reach the place of gathering in a company of other dissenters - come to Yakub Kolas square at 12 sharp. Workers, teachers, physicians (or as you call them "ragtag") and businessmen ("lousy fleas" according to your slang) will be there at the meeting. October 17 we'll be many. The March of freedom will be visited by MPs from many Western countries, as well as international observers from human rights NGOs. A range of actions of solidarity with democratic Belarus will be held in world's biggest cities. At the meeting you'll get a unique chance to explain everything to the people. May be together we will find a piece of common sense in your behavior, decrees and orders. We believe that you will follow our invitation and come, preferably without riot police and bodyguards (you didn't comelast time, when invited to visit a Grodno meeting. We waited for you there!). Sorry for not referring to you as "president" (you know true reason for that, don't you?),

Valery Levonevsky