Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko's recent visit to the United States and his declaration that these two countries would work together to bring about regime change in Belarus caused shock waves in Minsk and brought about an immediate official protest (Belarusian Television, Vokrug Planety, April 9).... MORE

Recent events in Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan clearly affected the traditional "Independence Day" demonstration in Minsk on Friday, March 25, when the Belarusian authorities reacted with a fearsome display of force and intimidation along the central street of the capital city. The march, dubbed the "Day... MORE

Protests by Belarusian entrepreneurs against the imposition of an 18% value-added tax (VAT) on all imports from Russia have continued for the past two weeks. The reaction of the Lukashenka government has been described aptly as a "stick and a carrot" policy: a combination of... MORE

On February 10, entrepreneurs staged a one-day strike in various cities across Belarus to protest the introduction of a value-added tax (VAT). The authorities reacted by detaining strike leader Anatol Shumchanka, head of the public organization "Perspektiva," for a 10-day period. However, the businessmen have... MORE

On January 18, the organization "Free Belarus" nominated Mikalay Statkevich as a candidate for the next presidential election, stating that its campaign must adopt the flag of the European Union and that its symbol should be a cornflower. The nomination followed two others from the... MORE

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka has accused Russia of failing to fulfill its agreement on prices for gas delivered from Russia to Belarus and has threatened to retaliate by amending the prices for the transit of Russian gas through Belarusian territory. The dispute has once again... MORE

Already the opposition victory in the presidential election in Ukraine has had repercussions in neighboring Belarus. In turn, the Lukashenka regime has taken several repressive measures against real and perceived opponents in Belarus. Several observers have made the link between the events in Kyiv and... MORE

With two weeks remaining from the OSCE's 2004 budgetary authorization, Moscow threatens to block adoption of the 2005 budget unless the organization introduces Russian-proposed "reforms." Those proposals seek to: boost the OSCE's role in the military-political and security sphere, where Russia can and does manipulate... MORE

With the resignation of his chief of staff, Ural Latypau (Latypov), and his subsequent appointment of Viktar Sheiman, President Alexander Lukashenka brought back to high office a trusted lieutenant who is also thoroughly discredited outside the country. The motives behind the new appointment have been... MORE

Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenka has ordered drastic measures in support of the "Belarusian path" of development. These, in turn, are accompanied by official depictions of remarkable economic growth and demands for an end to "foreign" intrusion in domestic life, including hostile actions against Belarus, adoption... MORE