INDEPENDENT PRESS MONITORING September 9 - 15, 1996
POLITICS
The conclusion by some observers that «members of Parliament
(MPs) may celebrate their complete victory as a result of the first working
week of the Supreme Soviet», may sound surprising taking into account
present rather complicated political situation in the republic. «The
BELARUSKAYA DELOVAYA GAZETA (literally: Belarusian Business Newspaper)
puts this opinion in plain words. «The first alarm signal sounded
for Alexander Lukashenko on September,4. On that day, while President was
busy «working with people’s deputies», promising them posts
and promotions, the parliament made important amendments to the law «On
Referendum». By doing so it removed any chances of manipulating or
rigging the results of the ballot. The right to vote by using movable ballot
boxes was annulled, as not complying with the Constitution. Another amendment
forbids the use of any funds, unless they are specified by the budget,
for financing a referendum ... The question of electing the Chairman of
the Central Electoral Commission was raised and put on the agenda, which
was a surprise for the President and his supporters ...
Alexander Lukashenko’s reaction to the results of parliamentary work
was significant in a way. He came to the Supreme Soviet on September 6
and declared that «deputies betrayed the President» because
they voted for Victor Gonchar. Alexander Lukashenko had to play an unusual
role of a person who asks. (The BELARUSKAYA DELOVAYA GAZETA, No 55,
9.09.1996). During the last two weeks two important events have taken
place. The first was the Republican Conference held on September, 10, where
the President of the Republic made his report «The main Direction
of Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Belarus for the Period
up to 2000». The second event was the article by S.Sharetski, Chairman
of the Supreme Soviet, under the title «People, be Cautious! It Smells
of Fascism in Our Republic», published in «The Narodnaya Volya»
(THE NARODNAYA VOLYA, No 81, 10,09, 1996)
It is possible to say that the political crisis in Belarus has reached
its climax. The Organization committee on holding a Belarusian National
Congress in support of the Constitution, and against dictatorship was set
up. Among members of this Committee are well-known politicians: Karpenko,
Tarazevich, Buravkin, Bukhvostov, Zakharenko, and the leaders of major
political parties. The aim of this forum will be to draw the attention
of citizens towards the national tragedy of Belarus, where lawlessness,
adventurism, and lies reign today. (The NARODNAYA VOLYA, No 81, 10,09,
1996)
PRESIDENT
The President of the Republic said in Stolin (a town in Belarus) that
the aim of his visit (to Moscow) was meeting «practically all Russian
leaders. In particular, he met with Boris Yeltsin, President of the Russian
Federation, with Viktor Chernomyrdin, The Prime minister, with Alexander
Lyebed, the Secretary of the Security Council, with Igor Rodionov, The
Defense Minister, with Yevgeny Primakov, the Foreign Minister, and with
Alexander Zavierjukha, a Vice-Premier (The ZVIAZDA, No 223, 10.09,1996)
According to Alexander Lukashenko, his initiative to alter the Constitution
of Belarus was supported by Anatoly Choubais, the head of the Administration
of the President of the Russian Federation. But Anatoly Choubais actually
repudiated his statement – he gave a negative assessment of the idea of
adopting the Constitution through a referendum. And he is sure that Primakov
holds the same view. (The SVOBODNYIE NOVOSTI PLUS, No 36, 6-13.09.1996)
During his last «rendez-vous» (we cannot apply the word
«a visit»to this short-term trip) President Lukashenko allegedly,
met with Boris Yeltsin. The press-service of the Russian President had
to disavow this misinformation (The SVABODA, No
President Alexander Lukashenko declared that the parliament of the
country, which embarked on the road of confrontation, is already «feeling
for» a possibility of purchasing arms, of creating its own system
on security. (The ZVIAZDA, No 223, 10, 1996)
Aman Tuliyev, the Russia Minister for cooperation with CIS countries,
says: «I fully support the ideas of Lukashenko concerning rapprochement
between Russia and Belarus. It is desirable that Lukashenko worked there
in contact with the parliament. He sometimes overdoes it. (The TOVARISCH,
No 37, 13.09.1996)
PARLIAMENT
Many observers connect the unexpected Lukashenko’s visit to Moscow
with his desire to have Russian guarantees of support in his struggle with
the parliament. The well-informed «Russian paper» writes that
«the second session of Belarusian parliament may become the last
one». In this connection, Semyon Sharetski, the Supreme Soviet Chairman,
declared that «if they ‘seal’ the Supreme Soviet, it, still, would
hold its session in another place». (The NARODNAYA VOLYA, No 81,
10,09,1996)
The information service of the US Embassy in the Republic of Belarus
stressed in its explanation, in connection with a letter by some «American»
to Belarusian Speaker, «We do not understand, how the referendum,
officially declared in August only, could be a matter of any discussion
during Speaker Sharetski’s stay in USA in May (The BELARUSKAYA DELOVAYA
GAZETA, No 55, 9.09.1996)
A split in the deputies’ body is an accomplished fact today. The divide,
widening with every hour, lays between the groups of deputies that share
their deputies’ seats with the seats of directors of enterprises and the
seats of chairmen of collective farms. (The SVOBODNYIE NOVOSTI PLUS,
No 36, 6-13,09,1996)
«People in the countryside were shocked when the Supreme Soviet
adopted a good decision - first of all, to give people the money they earned,
but the President did not sign the bill. Tax payment is at the first line
in the bank papers, but where this money goes? Who can tell?» Anton
Yountsevich, deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Council of Collective Farms
wonders. (SVOBODNYIE NOVOSTI PLUS, No 36, 6-13,09,1996)
In the opinion of Youri Malumov, the Vice-Speaker, the political opponents
of the President, both «right» and «left» are uniting
motivated by purely pragmatic considerations. They practice shadowing the
«moves» of the head of state, which in not quite ethical. Youri
Malumov also considers the initiative of Social-Democrats to hold the congress
of deputies of Soviets of all levels simultaneously with the Belarusian
People’s Assembly to be shadowing such «moves». (The ZNAMYA
YOUNOSTI, No 168, 11,1996)
A.Lyebedko, MP, Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, was
promoted candidate to a 1996 title of «The outstanding young personalities
of the World» Programme. (The SVOBODNYIE NOVOSTI PLUS, No 37,
13-20,09,1996)
THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
«The day of opened doors» ... This form of contacts with
broad public circles will be realized at The Constitutional Court on September,25,1996.
Such positive step will, no doubt, put into a difficult situation those
who are trying to blackmail its honest work. The more people know about
its work, the more difficult it would be to mislead them on. (The NARODNAYA
VOLYA, No 81, 10,09,1996)
Valeri Tikhinya, The Chairman of the Constitutional Court, said in
his interview to The Narodnaya Volya: I have all reasons to say that my
telephone conversations are being overheard, although it is illegal. Moreover,
I know, that instructions have been given to collect compromising materials
on myself, on my family members, and on my relatives ...« Valeri
Tikhinya says, estimating the new variant of The Constitution, suggested
by the President: «My estimate is like this: this document in legally
insignificant in the conditions of a democratic state. It sounds harsh,
but it is just. The proposed draft (Constitution), in its essence legalizes
the dictatorship of one person». (The SVOBODNYE NOVOSTI PLUS,
No 36, 6-13,09,1996)
ECONOMY
The parliament considered the draft law on amendments and additions
to the law on 1996 state budget, submitted by the Committee on Economic
Policies and Reforms. The new document envisages an adjournment of tax
payments for subjects of the economy. The total debt of enterprises to
the budget amounted to 2.5 trillion rubles, that is, 11 per cent of the
tax revenue. Debts to non-budget funds are also very impressing. Financial
sanctions have been applied to 57 thousand taxpayers, for the total of
1,5 trillion rubles. Less than 35 per cent of the debt has been collected.
It is evident, that the remainder will hardly be paid, whatever tax inspectors
might do ... The authorities’ policy follows the way of pinpoint granting
tax reductions to individual enterprises, instead of radical reforms in
the taxation system itself. For example, 76 orders were issued by the Cabinet
of Ministers on granting tax reductions and tax adjournment ... By granting
tax adjournment to all enterprises the parliament is trying to save what
may be saved. (The BELARUSKAYA DELOVAYA GAZETA, No 55, 9.09.1996 ã.)
The Ministry of Finance allotted 1013 million rubles for the purchase
of devices for controlling trade marks, and checking if tobacco goods and
alcoholic drinks are legal. (ZVYAZDA, No 223, 10.09.1996 ã.)
The National Bank of Belarus reduced the rate of refinancing from 55
to 35 per cent annually. The new rates are in force since September,2,1996.
This decision of the directorate of the National Bank was made because
of the lowering rate of inflation, which was 2 per cent in June. According
to the prognostic calculations of the Statistics Ministry, inflation in
August should not exceed the July level. (SOVETSKAYA BELORUSYIA, No
176, 12.09.1996 ã.)
One million 482 thousand tons of grain have been sold to the state
by September,9 (the plan is 1.9 million tons), which is 78 per cent. (SOVETSKAYA
BELORUSYIA, No 176, 12.09.1996 ã.)
Translated by A.Devkin, Philology
Dr.
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