BELARUS: Scores Arrested In Minsk During Independence Day Parade.

ALJAZEERA


Police arrested at least 50 people for clapping inappropriately during an Independence Day military parade in Minsk...celebrating the end of Nazi occupation in 1944.


President Alexander Lukashenko told the crowd gathered that recent protests are an attempt to foment revolution and bring Belarus "to its knees" but this was "not going to happen".
An opposition group's page on a Russian social media site has also been blocked.

BELARUS: 450 Arrested In Minsk Riot During Social Media Inspired Protest.

REUTERS

Over 1,000 marched in the streets of Minsk... protesting the nation's severe currency crisis and continuing economic problems.
President Alexandre Lukashenko's police cracked down hard on this media inspired protest...arresting an estimated 450.
Cars also joined the protest, driving slowly down the main thoroughfare, honking horns.
For weeks, social networking sites there have called for new protests.

BELARUS: Russian Led Group Loans $3 bn Over 10 Years.

BLOOMBERG

   Some breathing room for clench-fisted President Alexandre Lukashenko (above)...as the anti-crisis fund of the  Russian-led Eurasian Economic Community  loaned it $3 bn usd over 10-years.
   Belarus will not have to make payments on the loan principal for three years,
   It is still seeking a separate bail-out from the IMF.
   The ECC members are Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
   Russia contributed $7.5 billion to the fund.

BELARUS: Lukashenko Pleads With IMF...For Up To $8 Bn In Loans.

BBC/

   Belarus needs an emergency loan from somebody and has gone to the IMF...asking for up to $8bn usd/5.6bn euros.
   It is suffering high inflation...and from financial sanctions by the EU and USA.
   Recently, a deal for $3bn usd annually from Russia also seems to have fallen through.
   "This is an SOS signal from the Belarussian government, which is losing control of the situation," claimed a former official.
    Belarus is suffering an extreme cash shortage from higher Russian energy charges and spending ahead of last year's presidential election.
    The IMF lent Belarus $3.5bn usd in 2009.
    The WSJ reports that authoritarian President Lukashenko prefers new "loans" from the IMF...over Russia...because of Putin's extreme privatization demands.

BELARUS: Minsk Raising Benchmark...By 200 Basis Points!...To 16%...Tomorrow.

BLOOMBERG

   Hoping to battle soaring inflation, Belarus will raise its main interest rate...by an astounding 200 basis points...from 14%...to 16%...on 01 June.
   Minsk has also frozen prices on some staples...for 90 days.
   Last week, the official exchange rate was slashed by 36% vs the usd.
   Its dollar bonds sank on the news.
  “The market doesn’t believe Belarus is doing the right thing, that’s clear,” an economist told BLOOMBERG. “The belligerent rhetoric coming from Lukashenko doesn’t help.”

BELARUS: Finally Allowed To Float...Ruble Drops 25%...In One Day.

NYTIMES / A.Kramer / Thursday Re-Post

    After the central bank lifted decades-long restrictions on the exchange rate, the Belarus ruble dropped
25% vs the usd.
    Long-time authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko finally allowed the fixed rate to float because imported goods had disappeared...as consumers began to hoard staples...causing inflation and more shortages.

BELARUS: Recent Subway Bombing, Possible Devaluation...Rattle Nation.

NYTIMES/ M. Schwirtz/

     This nation of 10 million is suffering the jitters after a recent subway bombing killed 13 and wounded over 200.
     Reportedly five have been arrested in this centrally planned former Soviet republic that still depends on the largesse of others nations to survive.
    But it's two main supporters, Russia and the EU, may have deserted Europe's so-called "last dictator," President Alexander Lukashenko.
   Sadly for his citizens, food prices are soaring, the ruble is losing value and long lines, reminiscent of the old days, are re-appearing at currency exchanges.
     People are seeking to trade-in their rubles for euros...or even the usd.
   “You remember the 1990s when people waited in line for bread,” said a housewife. “Now we wait in line for dollars.”

BELARUS: President Alexander Lukashenko Interviewed.

WaPOST/ SLATE/ L. Weymouth
3 Screen Read...Combined/

    Three more men were just sentenced for up to four years for their roles in December protests over the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko.
    In a three-hour interview with Washington Post senior associate editor Lally Weymouth, Lukashenko ranged from combative to plaintive.
   The taped interview was conducted in English, with a Lukashenko aide interpreting, then transcribed.
  Here are excerpts.

BELARUS: Young Dissident Gets 4 Years For Protesting Election.

BBC /

   Dissident Vasily Parfenkov, 28, was convicted of breaking a parliament window during  last December's protest against the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko ...and will be jailed for four years.
   Five ex-candidates are among 42 people charged with inciting mass disorder and awaiting trial.

BELARUS: 7 Protestors Released As EU To Raise Pressure With Sanctions.

NYTIMES/ M. SCHWIRTZ /

     There are reports that at least 7 imprisoned opposition leaders arrested after December's protests have been freed, including presidential candidate Vladimir Neklyaev (pictured), who was badly beaten and later dragged from his hospital bed and taken to prison.
    But two dozen or more opposition leaders still remain in jail.
   This week, the EU may impose sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes against President Lukashenko and 158 other officials.
    The seven may be out of prison but face lengthy prison terms and are under constant surveillance.
    Belarus has threatened counter measures to the sanctions but still has not disclosed what those measures might be.

GERMANY / POLAND / BELARUS : Lukashenko Gets Combative.

AFP/

    President Alexander Lukashenko has vowed retaliation if the EU imposes sanctions on Belarus-- but did not give any details of what that might mean.
   With an aggressive tone, he again accused Germany and Poland of trying to oust him through election protests.
    "No one will ever be allowed to speak to Belarus from a position of strength, using the language of ultimatums. ... we do not intend to bow before anyone," Lukashenko said. "If someone tries to impose economic or any other kind of sanctions we must react swiftly and prepare retaliatory measures, right up to the very toughest."
       Lukashenko has been nearly invisible since he won his fourth term in a disputed 19 December election.
       Meanwhile, Poland and Germany have led global condemnation over recent electoral violence and arrests in Belarus and wants more travel restrictions on officials.

 ALSO SEE:  Poland has already tightened sanctions against Belarusian officials. Its foreign ministry unilaterally imposed a travel ban on officials entering the country and wants it extended to all EU members. It  is also proposing that EU funds be blocked and meetings be suspended until pro-democracy activists are released.
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12216619

BELARUS/ POLAND/ GERMANY: Minsk Claims Warsaw, Berlin Planned Coup.

REUTERS/

   The state-controlled media accuse Poland and Germany's intelligence services of organizing a coup during December's presidential election.
   They claim "Poland became a launch pad for organizing forces capable of overthrowing the legitimate authorities of Belarus. Special training camps were set up there for activists. The future ruling class was trained there."
   And another said : "Hundreds of thousands of dollars were brought to Minsk in suitcases, accompanied by happy smiles and assurances of correct behavior."
   The troubled re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko saw widespread protests and hundreds of arrests. Four presidential candidates still remain in custody.
   International election monitors denounced the election and its vote count as flawed.
   Belarus has ordered the monitor, the OSCE, which criticized the police crackdown, to leave the country.
   A Polish official has called the charges "absurd."

BELARUS: At Least 4 Presidential Candidates Face 15 Years In Prison For "Organizing Mass Disorder."

GUARDIAN/ Tom Parfitt /

   At least 4 presidential candidates face up to 15 years in prison charged with "organizing mass disorder" during this month's protests over the disputed re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko.
   Another candidate in custody may be charged and as may two who are free but barred from leaving Belarus.
   The charged candidates include poet Vladimir Neklyayev, 64, (pictured) and former deputy foreign minister, Andrei Sannikov, 56.
    Both were badly beaten by police during the protests.
   At least 600 people were sentenced to short jail terms for the protests. About 20, including the jailed candidates, are being investigated for criminal charges that carry longer sentences.

VENEZUELA: Chavez Praises Belarus' Lukashenko For "Extraordinary Day In Democracy"; Internet Content Law Passed.

BLOOMBERG/
    While much of the world protested the irregular voting, violence and massive arrests following the re-election of Belarus President Lukashenko for the 4th time, President Hugo Chavez was instead lauding the event.
    “It was an extraordinary day for democracy, which resulted in the re-election of the great European leader,” said Chavez. “Lukashenko knows how to lead the glorious motherland to independence, putting the sacred interests of his people ahead of the narrow- minded intentions of the world powers.”

ALSO: The Venezuelan parliament passed a law that bans for the first time internet content that promotes "social unrest, challenges authority or condones crime." It expands 2004 restrictions on content in radio, television and print media. It also includes content from the internet and electronic subscription services, making webpage managers "responsible for the information and content" published on their websites."
 Opposition lawmakers call it an unconstitutional.
"It completely violates the constitution, freedom of speech and freedom of broadcasting in the country."
 FOR MORE DETAIL, SEE:
 http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hX8P0LZnd4XSj92ygla5HV0raXWA?docId=CNG.5e300c93ec9b464f061edc2145035df7.2a1

BELARUS: 21 Dec. UPDATE: "No More Hairbrained Democracy," States Lukashenko After Election Bedlam; 639 Arrested.

GUARDIAN/

     President Lukashenko doesn't need no stinkin' democracy after bedlam broke out following Sunday's presidential election. Of course, he actually said : "There will be no more hairbrained democracy."
    So ends, apparently, an outreach by Lukashenko, Europe's so-called "last dictator," to the EU/U.S. and away from Mother Russia.
   Security forces arrested 639 protestors after results from Sunday's presidential election were announced; many of whom could serve sentences up to 15 years..
    President Alexander Lukashenko was re-elected for a fourth term with almost 80% of the vote.
    At least seven presidential candidates were among those detained and some were beaten by police.
    The US and EU have condemned the crackdown. As did Belarus' highly motivated neighbors Poland and Lithuania.
     Lukashenko accused the opposition protestors of "banditry." "The vandals and hooligans lost their human face. They simply turned into beasts," he said. "There will be no revolution or criminality in Belarus."

BELARUS: 19 Dec. UPDATE: Police Violently Break-up Post Election Protest Rally; Wikileaks Cable Calls Lukashenko "Bizarre" And "Disturbed."

UPDATE/ NYTIMES/ Michael Schwirtz/
   Police in Minsk violently disrupted an opposition protest rally leaving candidate Vladimir Neklyaev (pictured) seriously injured. Neklyaev suffered head injuries after police used noise grenades and truncheons to break up the rally.
    Later, some 10,000 protesters gathered in central Minsk, calling the elections fraudulent, shouting: "For Freedom!" and "Down with Gulag!"

   ALSO: A Wikleaks cable from U.S. diplomats claims that  President Alexander Lukashenko is an increasingly "bizarre" and "disturbed" ruler who plans to stay in power indefinitely.
    Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with an iron fist for 16 years but some have taken to the streets demanding a fair vote before Sunday's election.
   Most expect Lukashenko, once a close ally of Russia, to easily win despite criticism of his methods.
    In  2006, Lukashenkowon 86% of the vote. Russia was Lukashenko’s benefactor for years,  selling Belarus cheap nat gas and oil. But recently Russia has harshly criticized him especially after he refused to  recognize the independence of two separatist Georgian enclaves.
   He does not tolerate dissent, has locked up opponents and is unapologetic about the violence suffered by demonstrators.  Lukashenko is the wealthiest individual in Belarus, with a personal fortune put at $9bn.
   “In general, Lukashenko badly needs money, and he knows that money will come from the West,” said candidate Andrei O. Sannikov. “That’s why he has to show some kind of liberalization on the surface.”

FOR MORE WIKILEAKS DETAILS:
 http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/17/wikileaks-belarus-leader-bizarre-disturbed 

VENEZUELA/BELARUS: Chavez Promises Oil For 200 Years.

AP/     Continuing his tour of Eastern Europe, in Belarus President Hugo Chavez says it "would feel no shortages of oil in the next 200 years."
     In March, he agreed to ship 80,000 barrels of heavy crude  there daily.
     President Alexander Lukashenko, whom critics label "Europe's last dictator," wants to diversify energy sources away from dependence on Russia.