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The Viewer
Analytical bulletin. Major topics of the week; comments and articles by economists, politicians and leading experts in other fields; statistics and sociology; forecasts and dossiers.
Weekly on Tuesdays.
Online, e-mail.

September 4-11, 2007
No. 36 (654)

POLITICS

Opposition unlikely to mobilize critical number of supporters in foreseeable future 

By Ales Uladamirski

Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka can catch his breath now that a parliamentary election has kicked off in Russia. The Kremlin turns its attention to internal politics. Gazprom, however, is likely to keep up pressure.

INTERSTATE RELATIONS

Lukashenka no longer a partner Russia can count on 

By Valery Karbalevich

The August 27 statement by Aleksandr Surikov that Russia may deploy its nuclear facilities to Belarus in response to the United States' antimissile plan made analysts wonder about the Russian ambassador's real intentions.

INTERSTATE RELATIONS

Belarusian diplomat avoids discussing democratization at conference in Brussels 

By Andrey Fyodaraw

Valery Varanetski, Belarus' deputy foreign minister, urged the European Union "to demonstrate goodwill toward Belarusians" during a conference on European neighborhood held in Brussels last week.

INTERSTATE RELATIONS

Syria is Belarus' largest trading partner in Middle East 

By Alyaksandr Tsikhamiraw

The rising trade between Belarus and Syria and the opening of Syrian diplomatic mission in Minsk are the most recent successes in bilateral relations.

ECONOMY

Government plans to start building High-Technology Park in 2008 

By Iryna Lewshyna

Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka directed on August 30 that the construction of a High-Tech Park (HTP) should begin in Minsk's Uruchcha neighborhood in 2008. The government is to select the contractor before the end of 2007.

ECONOMY

Failure to adapt economy to external shocks results in slowdown 

By Yaraslaw Ramanchuk

The statistics ministry's reports reveal the government's non-professionalism and suggest that it is wasting time needed for adaptation to external shocks.

SOCIETY

Patriotic education of youths: Clash of ideologies 

By Pavel Kirylaw

The most vocal youth groups celebrated their anniversaries in early September. Opposition Malady Front turned 10 and the pro-Lukashenka Belarusian National Youth Union (BNYU) is now five. Both have become popular brands among youths, promoting opposite views. Both are extremely politicized.

SOCIETY

Authorities reluctant to commemorate Stalin terror victims 

By Tanya Korovenkova

Akhvyary i karniki (Victims and Victimizers), a book by historian Leanid Marakow, came out in Minsk in late August. The book launch event is scheduled for October timed to coincide with "the darkest night in Belarusian history." More than 100 prominent scientists and cultural figures were killed in an NKVD prison on the night between October 29 and 30, 1937.