E-bulletin of IISEPS Center for Documentation, N 7, 2003 (only Russian)
Content:
Introduction
Theme of the month:
Resignation of the government: punishment for falsifications or PR-campaign?
Person of the month
Sergey Sydorsky: new chief in the same condicions?
Document of the month:
PA OSCE Resolution: returning to the previous life?
Organization of the month:
Closure of IREX representatives: defense of state interests or “cleaning” of political field?
From IISEPS working table
Double Belarusian consciousness: “globalizm” against “federalism”?
Introduction:
Dear readers!
The next issue of e-bulletin of IISEPS’ Center for documentation is represented to your attention. The main event of the past month, undoubtedly, is the resignation of the government. July, 10 the prime minister G. Novitsky, vice-premier A. Popkov, Minister of Agriculture M. Rusy and the head of concern “Belgospishcheprom” A. Kuz’ma were sent in resignation by the Decree of the President.
As A. Lukashenko has declared, the decisions was accepted by him because of “inefficient work of the government, failure to meet requirements of the president concerning protection of the population, and also because of falsification and distortion of the facts”. He emphasized: “There will be no forgiveness for anyone who fool the president”.
Whether the debts to the agriculture is really the main reason of the resignation of G. Novitsky and other officials? Or is the resignation of the government a PR-action aiming to show the president is adherent to principles and firm, to improve his image for his main voters – countrymen – on the eve of referendum? You can read about it in the comments of M. Chigir, ex-premiere and the chief of National Press Center Informational and Analytical Department P. Akulov.
Shifts in the government make new political players come from a shadow. In particular, S. Sidorsky who was assigned to the post of prime minister earlier worked as the first assistant of the prime minister. He is represented in the section “Person of the month”. Why S. Sidorsky is appointed to a post a premiere, what are his professional qualities and political prospects? The comment of known Belarusian politician P. Kravchenko, the former ambassador of Belarus in Japan, is on this topic.
In the section “Document of the month” we represent the Resolution of Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE on Belarus. The resolution accepted on July, 9 in Rotterdam specifies political problems existing in the country, violation of human rights and the election code of laws. It is remarkable, that the resolution was accepted soon after the recognition of National Assembly of Belarus power in PA OSCE. What does acceptance of the resolution means for Belarus, whether it will affect work of OSCE office in Minsk? These questions are mentioned in the comment of the deputy of the House of Representatives, the leader of deputy group “Republic” S. Skrebets.
After some non state mass media, in particular “Belorusskaya Delovaya Gazeta”, were closed – in previous issue we wrote about it – now is the turn of international organizations to be closed. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs refused IREX representatives – Council on the international researches and the exchanges – to prolong the term of its accreditation. So it’s our “Organization of the month”. The head of IREX office in Belarus R. Ortega discuss the real reasons and consequences of IREX close. What concerns the opinion of official structures neither in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nor in the Council of Ministers they gave us exhausting comments what has induced authorities to stop accreditation of IREX.
Some materials based on results of national poll carried out by IISEPS are also included to the issue. We hope, offered materials will be interesting and useful for you. We are waiting for your responses, remarks and offers!
IISEPS executive board