News from Belarus from Charter 97

Oktober, 12 1999

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

Deputies of the 13th Supreme Soviet Semen Domash and Anatoly Lebedko set off October 10 for Berlin to participate in the session of Interparliamentary union. As is well known, Lukashenko's Parliament is a member to IPU. It received its membership status under the pressure of Russian government. This institution is monitoring violations of Supreme Soviet deputies' rights. Present visit by Lebedko and Domash followed cancellation of visits to Belarus of IPU delegation by the Belarusian side, motivated by ridiculous reasons. It is expected that SS deputies will take the floor and enlighten colleagues of theirs on human rights situation in the country.Session of the Belarus government was interrupted October 12 by a phone threat. Anonymous caller warned the officials that there was a bomb laid somewhere in the building. Head of government Sergei Ling stopped the meeting and offered everybody to leave the place. All rooms were immediately examined. No mines have been found. False threats look more of a norm these

days. Following certain events in Russia, such calls can be heard in police stations on a regular basis. Interfax reports, that unidentified callers terrorize Minsk at least ten times a day.Minsk police attempted to search United Civil Party headquarters, located in Minsk. October 12, law-enforcers failed to enter UCP office, claiming there was a bomb there. UCP members didn't let them inside. They recalled that police had already looked for an explosive device in their office. Attempts are carried out to watch everyone leaving the building and check whether theygot anything "illegal".Session of the Supreme Council of Russia and Belarus Union, which will deal with final draft agreement on unification, is to be held November 25. This was mentioned October 11 by head of the Executive Committee of the Union in Minsk Sergei Shuhno, in his interview to Interfax.According to what he said, this date is defined by "the plan of activities on issues of publishing, discussing, amending, signing and ratifying" of the u

nification agreement, adopted by Executive Committee head - Vladimir Putin. In compliance with this plan, the draft agreement, published in press, will be subject of discussions in both Russia and Belarus until November 1. By November 5, all collected data shall be generalized by the working groups, under the guidance of Russian PM Putin and Chief of president's administration of Belarus Miasnikovich. It is expected that after this stage of work is finished, Russia and Belarus ' Vice Premiers Aksenenko and Kozik accordingly will switch on to preparing new amended version of the agreement on November 17, at the session of the Executive Committee. Shuhno believes that on November 20 governments of Russia and Belarus will present a coordinated version of the document to their presidents, who will "study or even sign" it at the coming session of the Supreme Council of the Union.Coordinator of Belarus League of police officers Vladimir Arestov and former investigator Oleg Volchek were welcomed, as representatives

of public commission on Zakharenko's disappearance, by Svetlana Boikova, official investigator responsible for the general's case October 11. BelaPAN reports that the two sides decided on the possibility of future cooperation. As for the investigation into Zakharenko's case, it involves resources of the Union of officers and the League as its affiliate. Volchek' s resources can also be helpful.