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WEEKLY DIGEST OF BELARUSIAN NEWS

February 17, 2005

NATIONAL NEWS

The Republic of Belarus resolutely condemns the act of terror in the Lebanese capital Beirut which claimed the life of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Belarus conveys its sincere condolences to the family of Rafik Hariri who made a great contribution to the development of the Belarusian-Lebanese relations, as well as deepest sympathy to the Government of Lebanon in connection with the death of this outstanding politician and famous businessman. "There is no excuse to the crime," the Belarusian official MFA representative underlined.

Belarus supports Lebanon's determined actions against terrorism and believes that only the consolidation of international efforts against this global threat would make the world safer. 

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has conveyed condolences to President of Lebanon Emil Lahud.

Belarus Parliament to Have Plenipotentiary Representative of President

Belarus introduces an institution of Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Parliament. President Alexander Lukashenko appointed Valeriy Tsepkalo as the Plenipotentiary Representative in the National Assembly.

The Plenipotentiary Representative of the President is responsible for the interaction between the Parliament and the President. The Representative is to attend the sessions of the lower and upper chambers of the Parliament, the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic, in order to explain the position of the President on the bills considered. 

The House of Representatives consists of 110 representatives elected at parliamentary elections. Of the total number of senators in the Council of the Republic, 56 are elected by legislative bodies, and eight more are appointed by the President. 

President of Belarus Meets with Head of Roman Catholic Church in Belarus

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko met with the Head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, Cardinal Kazimir Swiatek. 

The Cardinal conveyed to the President a message from Pope John Paul II. 

According to Kazimir Swiatek, during his special audience with the Pope he had informed John Paul II of the Roman Catholic Denomination activities in Belarus. 

The Cardinal underscored that the State and the President of Belarus personally were giving great attention to the Catholic Church. "Not only do you recognize us, but you also give us opportunity to carry out active work," said Kazimir Swiatek addressing the Belarusian leader. 

Newspaper Russian America to Be Dedicated to Belarus

Some 12 pages of the Russian America newspaper, are expected to be dedicated to Belarus, editor-in-chief of the newspaper Arkadiy Mar stated. According to Mr. Mar the issue will include a full interview with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko as well as impressions of the journalist's visit to Belarus. 

"I profoundly appreciate Alexander Lukashenko, his manner of defending the Belarusian interests. He is really the people's president. I have longed for a long time to meet with him", the journalist said, - "It is my first visit to Belarus and I have never thought that it is such a nice and rapidly developing country". 

During his stay in Belarus the journalist intends to visit the biggest manufacturers and agricultural companies. He thinks that "it is not right to write about Belarus living in America. It is necessary to see everything with ones own eyes". Arkadiy Mar noted that in the USA "unreliable information about Belarus goes from one newspaper to another". He said that the attitude of the American mass media towards Belarus should be changed and truthful information should be published about this country.

The Russian America newspaper is edited by the Key publishing corporation and is one of the biggest Russian-language editions in America. Its circulation amounts to 20,000. It has been published since January 1997 and has 24 pages. A New York radio station "Our voice" is a part of the Russian America. The editorial board of the Russian America and Our voice called Alexander Lukashenko "The best politician of 2004".

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) plans to prepare recommendations for Belarus to bring its legislation in conformity with the World Trade Organization (WTO) accession requirements. The relevant agreement was reached at the meeting between WIPO's Deputy General Director Philippe Petit and Belarus' representative with the UN and other international organizations Sergei Aleinik in Geneva.

The sides also agreed to hold a joint seminar on meeting the norms and requirements of the WTO regarding intellectual property and organization of training of Belarusian specialists in the WIPO.

The WTO accession talks might be completed by late 2006 or early 2007, specialists say.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

Belarus GDP grew by 10.4% in January, Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky said at a meeting with President Alexander Lukashenko.

Industrial output rose by 13% on the year in January, and agricultural output increased by 12.7%. 

According to preliminary data, inflation rose by 0.8%.

Belarus GDP growth in 2005 is expected at 8.5-10% on the year to 58.5-59.9 trillion Belarusian rubles, while GDP's energy capacity is to decrease by 5-6% on the year. 

(2,169 Belarusian rubles are US $1)

Economy Ministry to Hold 3rd Investment Forum

The Economy Ministry of Belarus is going to hold the 3rd International Investment Conference in Minsk on April 21-22. 

The conference is organized under the aegis of the Belarusian Government and is aimed at informing foreign investors about economic and legal aspects of the investment process in Belarus. Belarusian companies will have a chance to present their investment projects at the forum, while the authorities, to outline priorities, tasks, goals and conditions of investment activities in Belarus.

The 3rd plenary sitting of the Advisory Board for Foreign Investments of the Belarusian Cabinet of Ministers, which is to be held within the framework of the conference, is to discuss government measures to create a favorable investment climate in Belarus, review 2004 results and plans for 2005. 

Minsk Automobile Works Hits List of 500 Largest European Companies in 2004

The Minsk Automobile Works (MAZ) was included in the 2004 list of 500 largest European companies. Such rating is annually drawn up by European companies. The Belarusian Metallurgical Works and the Production Amalgamation Belaruskaliy were also on the list.

To find oneself on such a list means that the enterprise is well-known in Europe and is acknowledged as a producer of technology and science intensive goods with constantly increasing output.

In 2005 the MAZ plans to increase the 2004 production volume by 9%. In 2004 the MAZ manufactured 19,712 trucks, in 2003, 16,856 trucks. Today the enterprise is undergoing a serious renovation. New shops are shortly to be put into operation and the foundry will be newly equipped.

CULTURE, SPORTS AND SOCIETY

Another Chagall Collection Comes Out in Vitebsk

Marc Chagall Museum in Vitebsk issued another Chagall Collection.

"The book is made up of over 50 scientific reports of the 6-9th Chagall Readings held in Vitebsk in 1996-1999," director of the museum Liudmila Khmelnitskaya said. The authors of the publications are scientists, critics, researchers of Chagall's works and modern art from the USA, Great Britain, Israel, Germany, Russia, and Belarus.

A third Chagall Collection will follow by late 2005. 

Lungs Cancer Treatment in Belarus is One of Best in Europe 

Belarus is one of the European leaders in terms of effective and successful treatment of lung cancer, Head of a Department in the Alexandrov Scientific Institute of Oncology and Medical Radiology, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Vladimir Zharkov stated. As a member of the group of oncologists from CIS member-states and the Baltic States he is taking part in the national conference "Pressing issues of diagnosing, classifying and treating of lung cancer". 

In advanced countries the results are good if 7 patients out 20 operated completely recover. In Belarus the figures account for 10 people out of 20, the Professor stressed. Every year, according to Vladimir Zharkov, the number of people who live longer than 5 years after the deadly diagnosis is made has been increasing. In 2003 their number grew to 35% from 29% in 2001.

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