In a speech at the All-Belarusian People's Assembly (which took place
in Minsk on June 22-23), Belarus president Alexander Lukashenka
outlined the country's socio-economic development for the next five
years, and advised (somewhat puzzlingly) that it was time for
Belarusians to "strip down and start working".
Many users in cyberspace took Lukashenka's advice literally, posting nude or half-nude photos of themselves at the workplace.
Despite the taken decision on rising the retirement age, a deficit
may occur in the pension fund of Belarus in the future. Head of the
International Monetary Fund’s mission in Belarus Peter Dolman has told this, informs BelaPAN news agency.
Giving
a public lecture on June 20 at the gallery of the tut.by portal, he has
stated that the Belarusian economy stays in recession, that the country
is being affected by the “infavourable external shocks”, and that the
IMF recommends to hold a series of reforms in order to overcome the hard
times.
"We call on holding deep reforms for stabilization of the
economy and securing the economic growth and the growth of well-being in
the mid-term perspective,” — Dolman has said.
The fund’s
personnel notices that today the Belarusian authorities are more willing
to hold the reforms than before, he has noted. "We saw the decrease of
the wages’ growth pace, and the lending limitation policy, despite the
elections. We also observed the reduction in the scope of the price
regulation, and all these are positive steps, but we believe that it is
necessary to conduct a large-scale reform, "— Dolman has said.
He
cited the situation in the pension sphere as an example. According to
the IMF’s estimates, which Dolman showed at the diagram, by the year
2050 the pension fund deficit could reach 7% of the GDP, but, as a
result of the announced retirement age rise in Belarus, it could reach
5% of the GDP.
"They will have to cover the deficit at the expense
of either cutting down pensions, or granting budget subsidies,"— the
IMF representative said.
Upon that, he noted that the decision on
the retirement age rise, taken by the Belarusian authorities, “will
secure the pension fund’s equilibrium up to the year 2022”. "According
to our assessments and calculations, due to the taken decisions in the
pension sphere, the pension fund will remain balanced during the
upcoming 5-6 years, but the deficit will grow nevertheless due to the
negative demographic dynamics ,”— Dolman stated.
A few hours earlier the Belarusian military claimed that
they “know nothing” about the joint exercises with the Russian Air
Force.
The Ministry of Defence of Belarus recognized the fact of the joint
exercises with the Russian military aircraft. A few hours earlier the
head of the information management of the main military ideological
department Uladzimir Makarau said that he did not know anything
about the visit of Russian military planes to the airfield of the 61st
fighter airbase, and the Baranavichy military exercises, which were held
last week, BelaPAN reports. “The Air Force and Belarusian air
defense forces completed the stage of the joint command and staff
training within the unified regional air defense system of Belarus and
the Russian Federation, – the Ministry of Defense press service stated. –Some Su-27 and Su-34 planes of the Russian Aerospace Forces took part in the exercises.”
According to the report, “the
event is a planned one, and will increase the level of the overhead
personnel training on the management of subordinate units and
formations, as well as the coordination of joint actions of the two
countries’ flight crews.”
The second phase of the exercises is
being carried out at the moment, involving the Air Defense Forces of
Belarus, the Ministry of Defense reports.
The independent media
reported on arrival Su-34 aircrafts to Baranavichy and exercises
conducted with Belarus’ military aircraft during large-scale NATO
maneuvers in Poland.
The Belarusian authorities have reportedly
arrested several participants of the protest action condemning
‘justifying tyranny’ by the state-run Belarusian Television and Radio
Company (BT).
According to the Anarchist Black Cross of Belarus website,
on Monday evening, the Minsk police detained a girl and a young man
(their names are not disclosed) and took them to Pershamaiski district
police department in Minsk. They are suspected of involvement in the
action. At least two persons’ homes were searched; a criminal case for
‘hooliganism’ were opened against the youngsters.
On June 9, three masked men threw
bulbs filled with paint at the building of the state-run Belarusian
Television and Radio Company (BT) in Minsk. Later, the Belarusian
anarchist movement took responsibility for the action and published the
video of their protest against the ‘propagandists who help the regime to
commit crimes’.
The committers may face up to six years in prison. The Television and Radio Company also promised to reveal their names on air.
***
On April 29, about 35 cyclists, including anarchist
Dzmitry paliyenka, gathered in central Minsk to take part in a social
event that was aimed at ‘reclaiming the streets’, i.e. asserting their
rights. As a result, at least six people were detained by
the police. The detainees were reportedly thrown into the bus, forced
to face the floor, and suffered blows in their stomachs and faces.
Later the most of them were released, but Dzmitry Paliyenka is still under arrest. Charged with using violence against a police officer (Article 364 of the Criminal Code), the activist is facing up to 6 years in prison.
Human rights defenders should recognize the creator of the web site 1863x.com Eduard Palchys a political prisoner.
In Minsk near the detention center number 1 on Volodarsky Street
A picket of solidarity with the creator of the web site 1863x.com and blogger Eduard Palchys,
who was arrested by the FSB of Russia and extradited to Belarus, was
held near the detention center № 1 on Valadarsky Street in Minsk.
Eduard
Palchys, known in the Internet under the nickname of John Silver, has
been kept at Valadarka center for two weeks already. The blogger, who
spoke against the Russian occupation of part of Ukraine and for the
independence of Belarus, is accused under three articles of the Criminal
Code. He is charged with inciting hatred, distribution of pornographic
materials and violation of his recognizance not to leave.
According to the co-chairman of the organizing committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party Pavel Sevyarynets,
Russian FSB and the Belarusian KGB joined their actions against Eduard
Palchys as the blogger alone was doing more for the sake of independence
of Belarus than most of the opposition. Also, according to Sevyarynets,
Palchys became a target for persecution for his uncompromising position
regarding the Russian occupation of the Crimea and the eastern part of
Ukraine. “John Silver alone fought like a whole aircraft carrier, that’s why the FSB and the KGB didn’t forgive him,” – Pavel Sevyarynets assumes.
As
for the charges of distributing pornographic materials against Eduard
Palchys, Sevyarynets believes that this was a provocation of
intelligence agencies. “They acted the same way during the
Soviet era – they need not only to arrest, but also to sully reputation
of those who struggle against them,” – Sevyarynets told in his interview to Radio Svaboda.
The
politician urged to express solidarity with Eduard Palchys, and to
recognize Palchys a political prisoner in case the Belarusian court
convicts him.
A meeting of the Committee of Solidarity with Eduard
Palchys will be held in the BPF office at 18 o'clock on Monday, June
13, Pavel Sevyarynets said.
Designer Uladzimir Tsesler joined the fashion for embroidered T-shirts.
Designer Uladzimir Tsesler has posted his version of an embroidered T-shirt on his Facebook page.
The
artist, known for his unconventional view of common things, dedicated
his new work to the 10th anniversary of the High Technology Park. As a
result, Tsesler’s embroidered T-shirt has got a programmer binary code.
Journalists visited the camp of the 28th brigade of Russia in Klintsy near the Belarusian border.
During the last week the information about redeployment of the 28th
separate motorized rifle brigade of the Armed Forces of Russia from the
Ural to Klintsy (a small town 40 km away from the Belarusian border and
120 km far from Homel) did not subside. It is known that officers had a
significant combat experience in a number of campaigns: from the Second
Chechen War to Tskhinvali and Syria. Tanks, BM-21 "Grad" and a few
thousands of soldiers are 40 km away from Belarus. What can it result
into?
Correspondent of Radio Svaboda visited the camp in Klintsy.
The author of the investigation on Informnapalm Dzyanis Ivashyn
is sure that the army locates along the border with Belarus precisely.
The highway Homel - Bryansk, and the railway Homel - Unecha go through
Klintsy, Ukraine has no such transport connection here.
Ivashyn
reminds that mass invasion is not necessary to destabilize the situation
in a separate region, Crimea is a good example. It is alarming that
soldiers of the 28th separate motorized rifle brigade were mentioned in
the Donbas, they uploaded their photos made there.
According to the bloggers' investigation, "in 2014 Russian troops attacked Ukrainian territories using "mobile squadrons"
- BM-21 "Grad" were used in frontier regions of the Rostov region and
in the Ukrainian territory and then returned quickly to the Russian
territory.
"Something is about to happen"
The tank row in Klintsy
railway station catches the eye. Ten combat vehicles stand several
meters far from the place the train stops.
"The unit from Yekaterinburg was deployed here a few days ago, everyone takls about it. The event of the century."
A taxi driver says with confidence: "Finally,
people will be safe! From whom? From NATO, of course. From Ukrainians.
Ukraine is next to us, it is a great danger. Earlier, units constantly
deployed in Klintsy, but the government ran out of money and units were
removed. Now they are being restored: it is said about 7 000 soldiers
are to arrive before the end of the year. Missile troops, helicopter
pilots, infantry will be here. They will deploy not only in Klintsy but
in Novozybkov. As long as there is no war it is good. And what will you
do if it starts?
Novozybkov locates a few tens of minutes from the border. Amid this situation Dmitry Peskov's statement that the reinforcement near the Belarusian border is nonsense sounds strange. "Rumour
has it that some provocation of Ukrainians is expected: they provoke
us, Russia will have to respond and Russia will be presented as an
aggressor again. Guys from the Ural are here only for three days, they
try to pick up our girls," a student says.
Analysis of social
networks (local group on VKontakte) reveals common concern of
inhabitants of the region. Here are some comments: "I'm scared... Is something really to happen?", "Can me and my family die?". People address soldiers so that could calm them down: "Should we go far from the border?"
When population is concerned about the issue, regular soldiers are specifically kidding and upload photos of tanks: "Equipment is ready! We are going to take Germany."
In the evening the local guide of journalists said soldiers
constantly go spare to the town and gave a piece of advice to visit the
"Horseshoe" club to communicate with them unofficially. There we met a
few regular officers dressed in the uniform. We got acquainted with
Major S. He sits down on the porch and slowly starts smoking looking
into the distance: "Do you know what is more frightening? To receive
order No. 1. I remember the times in Rostov, we were waiting for days.
You're not asked, just ordered." "Lukashenka has started to
turn his face to the West and uncle Vova's decided to make him nervous.
Until he's deciding what position is better. We don't want war, but he
was advised not to let NATO in. Homel is less than 2 hours from here,
the border is 40 km away. Does it make a difference now? It looks like
we dropped into Lukashenka. Do you know the firing range of Grad, for
example?," a major says.
Major S. is sure that the Russian base is to appear in Belarus: "Lukashenka
says it to calm you down. They have already decided upon it and just
for a good moment to come. Do you really want to see NATO?!"
The
major is a veteran of the Second Chechen War. When he was 18 he
survived in the Argun Gorge and decided to stay in the army. Then he
left for the South Ossetia. His friend, a senior lieutenant, has
recently been in Syria. Senior sergeant E. confirmed many of people
there had participated in combat operations: "Before 2007 they
did not think for long where to send us. Chechnya - ok. I haven't showed
photos made in Chechnya to my wife. It is hard to recall".
It looks like the soldier tries to justify himself when telling about Syria: "What? Events in Syria are official, not like in Ukraine!"
In
two hours darkness fell, dinner was over and officer ordered vodka. As
soon as it was over the company decided to go to the Russian sauna.
Starlei complained: I spent my money on sports betting.
Earlier
mass media wrote that soldiers lived in mobile tents. But there were
none. They were sleeping on the ground, without sleeping bags. The fire
was dying, dogs were walking around.
We fell into talk with 18 year-old regular soldier. The guy approached and started whispering: "We
were not ready for deployment here! We had neither a lecture on
ideology nor special meeting before the departure. We often go spare. Do
you know what we do here? Do you see a metal wire the locomotive is
bound to rails? A warrant officer orders to cut it and then sell. Then
we buy everything he needs - cigarettes, food. He lives at our expense!
And we feel good when we have one packed lunch for three of us. During
the trip we had one for five. Well, it is fun... I've always wanted to
be in the army, I'm a patriot."
The Russian Ministry of Defence calls the location of the 28th separate motorized rifle brigade "one of steps against increased intensity of NATO exercises". The Belarus' Ministry of Defence refused to comment on the situation.
A new nural in town depicts a
Belarusian boy with flowers in his hands and a Russian girl holding a
container with bubble soap. The Minsk City Administration came up with
the idea and Russian street artist Artur Koshak, famous in his country
for his patriotic grafitti, did the job.
The new 'masterpiece' triggered a storm on social media with critics
claiming that officials had once again created a truly tasteless piece
while modern street art objects had been painted over…
Euroradio reminds about the most high-profile 'pain-overs' recently.
Cat in a scarf
WHERE?
In Minsk along with other cats on transformer booths in backyards near the Central Children's Park. WHY? Ales Kontra's cat with a scarf was a hit that
attracted crowds of Minskers to make selfies. But in early May, the
grafitti, which in fact had been approved by the authorities,
disappeared: it was painted over. The officials pretended they were not
involved. “Prior to the Victory Day, we received an order to check all
backyards to make sure everything was beautiful Our workers spotted this
grafitti, it had crumbling paint and the traces of cigarette ends...
Unfortunately, the grafitti was damaged and had to be pajnted over. We
welcome everything that beautifies the city. The only thing is that
grafitti has to be approved by us first," Yury Mishuk from Minskenergo, the owner of the building at Sakharava 19 toldkyky.org.
Vasil Bykau
WHERE? On a transformer booth neat Victory Square in Minsk. The grafitti was painted over. The artist got a Br18 million fine. WHY? Officials treated the grafitti as a non-authorized act by four Minsk-based street artists from the HoodGraff group. They claimedBykau an ideology matter, which had no place in Minsk without their approval despite celebrations of 90 years since the writer's death.
Photo: tut.by
Дацэнт з фільма Гайдая “Джэнтльмены удачы”
ДЗЕ?
Год таму ў Віцебску таксама на трансфарматарнай будцы. Выява Дацэнта ў
момант, калі ён пагражае аўтарытэту Ніколу Піцерскаму “парваць пашчу” і
“выкалаць маргалы”, была створаная віцебскай стрыт-арт-камандай
"HoodGraff”. ЧАМУ ЗАМАЗАЛІ?
Па-першае, не быў узгоднены, па-другое, з-за малюнка… не бачна расколінаў: ““Ёсць такі момант, за гэтымі партрэтамі не бачна расколінаў, — тлумачыць намеснік дырэктара ўстановы Віцебскія электрычныя сеткі Андрэй Квачонак. — Калі
стары будынак, то мы адсочваем расколіны, каб, не дай Бог, фундамент не
пайшоў. Але зразумейце правільна! Мы ж не варвары якія! Калі прыгожа,
то яно прыгожа! Але калі пачынаюць прымалёўваць розную брыдоту…”
The Small Plane
In early June, several buildings,
including the house of aviation college with the 'small plane grafitti'
were demolished in Aeradromnaja street. The mural by Pinsk-based street
artist Mutus symbolized his nostalgy for the city's past and the airport which was to disappear soon. According to Urban Myths coordinator
who curated the mural, the author was aware what awaits his mural in
the future. At the moment, the artist has an idea for a new mural, which
will probably appear in Minsk soon.
Photo: facebook.com / Signal project
According
to Aleh Larychau, Housing and Communal Services painted over thousands
of street art objects across Belarus. Here are some of the most
interesting objects:
Hrodna. The crow survived. Only Kalozha Church was painted over.
