Belarus is For Sale?

(Investors Be Cautious!)

2007 New Year oil and gas conflict with Russia could cost Aleksandr Lukashenko more than simply a budget deficit. Belarusian Economy Ministry has prepared a vast program of state enterprises privatization. Belarus is getting ready for considerable foreign loans. So why foreign investors should be cautious?

Belarusian Economy Ministry is going to hold contests on selling large oil refineries and chemical enterprises in 2007, including "Naftan" oil refinery, Mozyr oil refinery "Polimir", "Belshyna", Grodno "Azot", Mogilev "Khimvolokno".

Also a possibility of converting enterprises into joint-stock companies with the further aim of selling to strategic investors largest Belarusian unitary enterprises, like Minsk Automobile Plant, Beltelekom (monopolist on communications and Internet market), Belarusian cement plant,
Grodno tobacco factory "Nyoman" is offered for consideration.

But analysts believe that in reality the development of such a vast privatization program was rather "a panic reaction" of Economy Ministry to the consequences of energy resources prices. Belarus remains a country which is very inhospitable for foreign investments. According to the national law, government can get control over earlier privatized enterprises back any time. That is why any "hard-driving" privatization campaign would be impossible without Belarusian legislation alteration first.

Under Aleksandr Lukashenko, who holds office since 1994, privatization has a pinpoint character in Belarus. All large enterprises are owned by the state. If implemented, the program of Economy Ministry would mean a radical change of economical policy of Belarus in general. Is it possible to invest in the country with no future profit guaranties? Where the main economic policy is: "You invest - But I (Lukashenko) and my pocket government, we'll pocket all your profits!"

As was mentioned once by the former Minister for External Economic Relations Mikhail Marinich: "To attract foreign investors, to make the domestic output competitive and to realize the country's economic potential, radical modernization of industry, new system of management, training of new managers, property rights guarantees are required. These ideas seem revolutionary to the present Belarusian authorities and I doubt that they are able to implement them. The issues of investment in Belarus economy have no perspective if the present power system and legislation remain untouched."

Dictator Lukashenko & His Hypocritical Lies to Reuters

(some comments)

Minsk, Belarus, February 6, 2007

Belarus would like to improve its relations with the West after deterioration of relations with Russia, which had offered "market relations". However, Belarus is indisposed to change of its political system, which had been defined as a condition for partnership demanded by Europe, Aleksandr Lukashenko said in an interview to Reuters (2/06/2007).

The Belarusian dictator believes political demands of the West leading to his dismissal in the long run are inappropriate, however he would try to show himself as a reliable partner for many years, considering his intention to run for the forth term.

Also dictator Lukashenko criticized the West for wooing the opposition in Belarus, saying his foes were outcasts who had failed in government and lived off foreign donations. As we know the European Union and the United States have halted dialogue and slapped visa bans on top Belarusian officials, saying Lukashenko has rigged elections and illegally imprisoned dissenters. And that's exactly what he and his pocket government did if put all the hypocritical rhetoric aside.

The European Union last November demanded that Lukashenko accept 12 conditions before dialogue could resume. These included holding free elections, releasing political prisoners and allowing freedom of expression.

Lukashenko rejected the "unacceptable" pre-conditions, saying Europe should instead learn from Belarus's policies of creating full employment for its people. Probably, all this "full employment" was subsidized by Russian oil? What Lukashenko's pocket government is going to do now in the year 2007?

The Belarusian "president" accepted in the interview that he was "faced with the need to rule in a tough manner" but said this was the only way to achieve results. Probably, Lenin, Stalin & Hitler were also "faced with the need to rule in a tough manner" killing one person in every 2 minute of their rulings?

Asked if he would run in Belarus's next presidential elections in 2011, the president replied: "May God help me to fulfill in these four years everything I promised the people. If I do that and if my health permits and if I remain the same active, businesslike man ... I have no intention of abandoning political activity. Let me be honest about that." And this is the only HONEST statement from the whole interview.

But, please, Dear Lord, do not help this guy to lead Belarus to political & economic starvation, poverty and misery.

Action of Solidarity with Aleksandr Kazulin on December 10, 2006 in Minsk!

(Appeals to the Government of Belarus By EU and PES)

European Union appeals to the Government of Belarus to release Alexander Kazulin immediately. The Appeal to the Government of Belarus came from the German Embassy which executes functions of local presidency on behalf of the EU in Belarus.

The European Community expresses deep concern in a worsening state of health of the ex-candidate on a post of the President of Belarus: "We emphasize the responsibility of the Government of Belarus for the state of health of Alexander Kazulin. We demand from the Government of Belarus a permission to visit Kazulin in a colony by the Ambassador of Germany and an independent doctor. We shall remind, that the political prisoner starves in a colony for a 51 day already."

Also, on December, 8 2006 the Congress of the Party of European Socialists (PES) (http://www.pes.eu) has called the Belarus authorities immediately and certainly to release the ex-candidate for presidency Alexander Kazulin, Nikolay Statkevich and everyone who has been recognized as a political prisoner in Belarus and immediately stop prosecution and pressure upon democratic opposition, and also the organizations of national minorities, to respect civil rights and freedoms of the Belarus citizens". PES has condemned "severe methods of pressure upon political opposition".

Meantime the Political Council of the United Democratic Forces of Belarus has passed a decision to stage an action of solidarity with Aleksandr Kazulin and other political prisoners on December 10, on the International Day of Human Rights Defence. Leaders of democratic parties have called upon citizens to come to Kastrychnitskaya Square in Minsk, on December 10, at 2 p.m.

"One cannot stand by and look indifferent as the regime cynically and cold-bloodedly kills a person. It is clear that over the last 12 years many people have been covered by armour of fear and indifference, but fortunately, there are people for whom freedom is the most important thing," underlined the chairman of the National Committee of the United Democratic Forces Anatol Lebedko. He also highlighted that "it is a case when we should stay humans in the first place, and then politicians, civil servants, right, left politicians, Orthodox or Protestants".

As we said before Aleksandr Kazulin continues the hunger strike for the 51st day. The politician protests against total lawlessness in Belarus, and demands to consider the situation in Belarus in the United Nations Security Council.

European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) For Belarus 2006

(EU-Belarus Document, Nov. 21, 2006)

On November 21, 2006 European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner presented a document setting out what the EU could bring to Belarus, if Belarus would engage in democratisation and respect for human rights and rule of law. The document is being transmitted to the Belarus authorities both in Minsk and Brussels.

The paper makes clear that "the people of Belarus are the first victims of the isolation imposed by the country's authorities, and willl be the first to reap the benefits on offer to a democratic Belarus".

Commissioner Ferrero Waldner said: "The people of Belarus have a right to know what they are missing. Our message is that as soon as the country indicates a willingness to move towards true democracy, human rights and rule of law, we will be ready to enter into a full partnership with Belarus within the framework of the ENP.

The ENP is a special relationship between the EU and its neighbours, which supports political, economic and social reform in partner countries, and seeks to share the prosperity and stability enjoyed by EU member states with those on the EU's borders. The EU would like to build such a relationship with Belarus."

If Belarus respected human rights, democracy and rule of law, respecting its commitments as a member of the UN and of the OSCE, Belarus could become a full participant in the ENP. The EU and Belarus would work together to achieve improvements in people's lives including:

---new trade opportunities to boost the Belarusian economy and create more and better job opportunities;
---improve provision of healthcare and education and support for the most vulnerable in society;
---improved transport and energy networks, and management of environmental issues;
---reform of the legal and judicial system to ensure equal rights for all;
---greater cross-border co operation.
What can the Belarusian government do to open up these opportunities?

For these possibilities to be open to the Belarusian people, the Belarusian authorities
need to respect the right of the people of Belarus:
---to elect their leaders democratically;
---express themselves freely, and have access to independent information;
---to set-up associations,
---to fair and transparent treatment by the judicial system.

No one should be imprisoned for having expressed their opinion and no one should be denied the right to participate in the determination of their countries' future.