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WEEKLY DIGEST
OF BELARUSIAN NEWS
April 30, 2004
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POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
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Belarus Marks 18th
Anniversary of Chernobyl Disaster
Belarus is marking the 18th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant
disaster.
The world witnessed the catastrophe of the fourth power unit of Chernobyl
nuclear plant at 1:23 a.m. on April 26, 1986. A series of thermal
detonations destroyed the reactor and emitted radioactive substances into
the atmosphere. Experts believe, that the impact of the explosion is equal
to the explosion of 300 nuclear bombs similar to the one dropped onto the
city of Hiroshima (Japan) in 1945.
At present 21% of the Belarusian territory is polluted with caesium-137, 10%
— strontium-90, and 3% — transuranides. Scientists predict that the
situation may worsen by 2058.
According to the State Chernobyl Catastrophe Consequences Committee, 137,600
people from polluted areas were resettled. 66,000 apartments and houses were
built in 239 towns for the resettles. At present over 1.5 million people
inhabit the contaminated areas. 2,800 settlements are left there as well as
340 industrial enterprises.
Nowadays Belarus has 210,000 people disabled by Chernobyl Catastrophe.
Compensations and privileges will take over BYR 214 billion from the BYR 431
billion allocated for overcoming Chernobyl consequences in 2004. Every year
250,000 people, including 212,000 children, receive free treatment and
rehabilitation.
(2,153 Belarusian rubles are 1 USD)
President of Belarus Visits Gomel Center of Radiation
Medicine
On April 26 President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko visited the National
Scientific and Practical Center of Radiation Medicine and Human Ecology in
Gomel where medical assistance provided to residents of the areas that were
affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
The Center has an international importance – not only citizens of our
country receive treatment and diagnostics there, but also the CIS countries’
citizens.
On April 27, Alexander Lukashenko continued his large-scale working trip
across the areas which were hardest affected by the Chernobyl disaster. He
visited agricultural enterprises and medical establishments of the Pinsk
region. The attention was focused on the issues of effective use of
reclaimed lands, medical rehabilitation of population and problems of
developing industrial enterprises of Pinsk.
Belarus Signs UN Anti-Corruption Convention
Belarus signed the UN Anti-Corruption Convention in New York on April 28.
Belarus became the 107th country that signed the Convention, which aims at
strengthening international struggle against corruption. The anti-corruption
Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 31, 2003. The
document includes measures to prevent and fight it.
The membership in the convention will allow Belarus to enhance its
international authority and will confirm the consistent position of this
state in the struggle against corruption. |
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ECONOMY
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Prime Minister of
Belarus Said That Government Will Carry Out Agriculture Reform in 2005-2010
The Belarusian Government plans to carry out a full-scale agriculture reform
in 2005-2010, Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky stated while
presenting government’s action plan to the Parliament.
“The Government will provide financial support for agriculture accounting
for the strategic nature of the sector,” Mr.Sidorsky stated.
The Government suggests focusing on two directions for a more effective
usage of budget means. The directions include financing of priority state
agricultural programs and providing allowances for purchase prices for
agricultural output.
IFC May Partake in Belarus’ Dednovo Brewery Upgrade worth
$31 Mln
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering participation in
the upgrade of Belarus-based brewery Dednovo, according to IFC materials.
The IFC Board of Directors plans to discuss the issue of investments in the
project on May 28, 2004.
Open joint-stock company Dednovo Brewery was the second largest Belarusian
brewery in 1990-s, however, in September 2002 the company suspended
production due to the absence of floating assets.
The upgrade project is worth a total of U.S. $31.3 million. IFC may invest
$10 million, including a $7 million loan and $3 million contribution to the
charter capital.
Belarusian Scientists First in the World to Develop a
System of Protection of Notebooks
The specialists of the Scientific and Research Institute of Computers have
developed the system of protection from unauthorized access for notebooks.
According to Deputy Director of the Institute Vladimir Vitar, the system
secures the complete protection of information, control of unauthorized
access and differentiation of access to hardware of portable computers.
Personal identifiers can be used as password. The access can be granted by
scanning fingerprints or verifying voice parameters. In the attempt of
physical penetration in a notebook (breaking a computer case, unloading
CD’s) all the information will be automatically destroyed. The system also
protects such specific types of penetration as attempts to read the
information with the help of electromagnetic radiation.
Deputy Director of the Institute said that similar systems have previously
been developed for stationary computers only. Belarusian experts were the
first in the world to develop such system for notebooks. Most likely, the
system will be of interest to businessmen, bank employees, and officials of
special services.
It took the experts of the Institute two months only to develop the system
within. Tests organized by the Institute have proven the appropriateness of
the research. The Institute will organize the production of the system.
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CULTURE AND SOCIETY
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On Cooperation between
Belarus and USA in Cultural Sphere
On Friday Belarusian Minister of Culture Leonid Guliako and US Ambassador to
Belarus George Krol discussed the Belarus-US cultural cooperation.
Although Belarus and the USA lack a contractual-legal base regulating
cultural cooperation, the meeting has proved that the sides are eager to
develop cultural contacts.
Leonid Guliako thanked the US Ambassador for the organization of
apprenticeships in the USA for Belarusian specialists in museum, library and
theatre spheres. The Minister also expressed gratitude for the invitation of
Belarusian movie Anastasia of Slutsk Director Yury Yelkhov to the
International Cinema Festival in Houston. Leonid Guliako appreciates the
assistance rendered to Belarusian cultural institutions by the American
Embassy and George Krol personally. The Minister calls for expanding
bilateral cooperation in the sphere of culture and art. Leonid Guliako also
informed the Ambassador about the course of preparation for the celebration
of the 60th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from the Nazi fascists.
George Krol discussed several ideas about promoting Belarusian culture in
America as well as directions of the US support of cultural projects in
Belarus.
Film “Anastasia of Slutsk” Wins Two Nominations at World
Film Festival in Houston
The film “Anastasia of Slutsk” was awarded with a platinum prize and a
diploma in the category of “Adventure film” at the World Film Festival in
Houston.
Elena Igrusha and Zhanna Kapustnikova were awarded with a golden prize and
diplomas in the best costumes categories.
A total of 59 films from over 20 countries were presented at the festival.
Within the framework of the Festival “Anastasia of Slutsk” was shown and
conferences with film’s Director Yuriy Elkhov were held. |
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