News from Belarus from Charter

97 Oktober, 15 1999

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

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17MINSKMARCH OF FREEDOM

12.00 - Yakub Kolas square

14.00 - Bangalor square

Action of solidarity of Belarusian political immigrants with the MARCH OF FREEDOM was held September 15 in Brussels. It was prepared by Brussels affiliate of Charter'97. Over 30 participants, having come from Brussels, Gent and Antwerp picketedtwo embassies - Belarusian and Russian. The protests were dedicated to the March of Freedom. The activists held up banners: "Stop Luka!", "Stop political killings in Belarus!", "Presidential elections in 1999" - at the Belarusian embassy, as well as "No cooperation with the criminal regime!" and "By supporting Lukashenko you support repression!" - at the Russian embassy. Neither Belarusian nor Russian ambassador welcomed the protestors. The latter showed his disgrace at the action and recommended everybody in an unpleasant tone to leave the place. The only person who welcomed the picketers and shared his compassion with Belarusian democratic opposition was American ambassador in Belgium, who by lucky coincidence chanced to be on a visit to the Russian embassy.Independe

nt Trade Union of entrepreneurs started October 14 a national preliminary strike Over 90% of country's businessmen took part in the protest. For instance, no one was working at "Zhdanovichi" marketplace, but the Vietnamese, who always abstain from striking. The retailers demanded that the authorities guarantee them safe working conditions and supported the MARCH OF FREEDOM of October 17.Belarusian citizen Vladimir Sakovich committed an act of self-immolation on October 14 in the town of Stolbzy. BelaPAN reports that Sakovich used to be the owner of some private firm. Around 3 a.m. he entered his company's office and looked through his family photos. After this he drove to the building of Stolbzy executive committee, poured gasoline over himself and stroke a match: Vladimir Sakovich died on the spot from numerous burns. The root-causes of this act aren't yet clear. According to unverified information, the man had serious family problems.On October 12 Liosno residents found in their mailboxes anti-governmental

newspaper "Popular President". As reported by "Vitinformbureau", the authorities reacted to the incident in a strange way. They detained editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Vybor" Boris Hamaida and local resident Vladimir Sobolev. It happened at the bus terminus, from where the two were planning to take a shuttle to Vitebsk. Police searched famous local oppositionists but failed to find any proof of their guilt and set them free.