Belarus threatens to sever ties with Moscow

Russian Journal ^ | February 16, 2004

[RussianConservative]

MOSCOW - A one day suspension of Russian gas supplies to Belarus on February 11 prompted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to make another verbal attack against Moscow.

According to the Vremya Novostey newspaper, Mr. Lukashenko demanded that Belarus' Beltransgaz be allowed to re-export and produce gas in Russia. He also threatened to break agreements between Russia and Belarus. "Kasyanov said he had suspended some provisions. If they pull out of one agreement, this will lead to Belarus' withdrawal from other agreements. Neither we nor Russia need it," the Belarusian leader said. Russia suspended a provision of the agreement on gas supplies to Belarus at domestic prices because a related provision, about the creation of a joint venture of Gazprom and Beltransgaz, has not been implemented.

On February 13, Mr. Lukashenko inspected Beltransgaz. At the same time, he briefed reporters on the treacherous behavior of 'friends' from Moscow and Belarus' plan of action. So far, it does not include the point "to agree".

"The country will not be left without fuel. This is ruled out, and there is nothing to fear. The atmosphere at the talks is heavy, not even a working one, with elements of blackmail," the Belarusian President said. "They offer us to sell the company at book value (about $300m to $400m). However, in the estimation of international auditors, Beltransgaz costs about $5bn. We are not rich enough to make such expensive gifts - to sell our national heritage to another country at book value. I cannot commit a crime against the people of my country," he stressed.

Meanwhile, Gazprom rejects the mentioned price of $5bn as groundless. According to a source in the Russian gas giant, there was no international audit of Beltransgaz. "We suggested that our Belarusian colleagues choose any audit company from the "Big Four", but they insist on some unknown audit firm, and the evaluation process stalls," the source said. According to him, it is very difficult to build joint businesses in this situation. At the top of the agenda is the signing of a contract on gas supplies and transit between Gazprom and Beltransgaz.

"In Minsk, they continue to invent reasons why we should sell them gas at Russian prices," a Gazprom official says. Mr. Lukashenko gave three reasons last Friday: Belarus is not allowed to participate in gas production projects in Russia; Beltransgaz is not allowed to re-export gas; otherwise, Minsk will begin reviewing agreements between Russia and Belarus.

Russia has resumed its supplies of natural gas to Belarus for another 5 days. According to Transnafta, Belarus has signed an additional contract to buy 360m cubic meters of Russian gas. But no one knows what awaits Belarusian consumers after this short contract expires.

[RussianConservative]

Never to happen. If it does happen, Belaruss socialist economy collapse from paying of market prices for Russian oil/gas...which Russia subsidize for 12 years now...Luka quickly find self dead.

[GeronL]

This could lead to a world war...

not really, I think a gas pipeline being shut down caused a war in a book I read years ago.

[FormerACLUmember]

Belarusian "President" Alexander Lukashenko is a two bit tyrant as I recall. This might be the ticket to democracy in Belarus.

[Cronos]

I think I've asked you this before, but what's the difference between belarus (white Russia) and Russia? THey both speak Russian, both belong to the Russian Orthodox church and are both Russian ethnicity. There's never been a separate Belarus kingdom (has there?) like the Baltic states or poland or Armenia. Why was it made a separate republic in the Soviet union?

[goldstategop]

Belarus is angry Mother Russia hasn't annexed them yet.

[Jmouse007]

Having lived and worked throughout the former USSR since 1996, your asssesment of Belarus is absolutely correct. Belarus is one of the last Soviet style dictatorships left in that part of the world. The people basically live in a giant prison without walls and their economy is in shambles.

"President" (dictator for life) Alexander Lukashenko had promised free elections then outlawed them. This creep rules with an iron/Stalin hand and the citizens are a pitiable lot. Anyway, were this dolt to sever ties with Moscow, Belarus would go right down the toilet (they are already circling the bottom of the bowl). Their economy has been in serious trouble for years, all because Lukashenko will not give up Soviet communism and it's failed political and economic system. He knows if he did he and those who run this dog and pony show would experience a "Chauchescu" moment in a heartbeat.

[FierceDraka]

I have heard of this Alexander Lukashenko fellow. He's an old-style Stalinist, am I correct? What I have read about him is not very pretty.

Does his government stage missile parades?

[RussianConservative]

Why was Terek Cossak land given to Chechin scum? Because it Soviet interest to break down everyone into seperate group and play one on other to control power...same as for Belaruss is for Ukraine.

[RussianConservative]

Very correct adn true...he want unity with Russia when Yeltsin old and drunk in power...because he see self as new dictator of Stalin level....but along come capitalist Putin...ooops now what? Putin and Luko hates each other. Putin say, if Belaruss want unity, then as 4 more oblasts of Russia not as EU style federation of equal vote.

[dfwgator]

Lukashenko wants to control all of Russia not just Belarus, that's why he wanted Russia to "annex" Belarus.

[Cronos]

So, what's hte difference between a Belarussian and a Russian?

[RussianConservative]

Small linguistic difference...not really, same as of Ukrainian...artificial seperation by first Mongol and Poles/Lithuanians.

[RussianConservative]

bump list

[Destro]

Time for Belarus to come back into Russia proper and end this communist era fiction.

[MomwithHope]

Thanks for the bump on this. The people of Belarus are the real victims. It's not too late to sign up for their summer program which brings Belarussian poor children to the US for 6 weeks to get healthy and be in a loving environment. Trust me they also get a nice dose of capitalism and a great impression of America. This will be our 3rd summer sponsoring Anya. Costs are tax deductible. Web site is www.abro.org They are a non-profit, non-government Christian group and have been doing this for many years. The children come in a group and with a insurance policy. ABRO brought over 600 kids to the US last year. Write them to see if there is a group in your city. For west Michigan Freepmail me. Thanks!

[Sender]

I hosted ABRO kids for 6 years, it was a very good thing for them and for my family. I went over to Belarus and did the el cheapo tour of the countryside in 98. The only reason we have not hosted for the past 2 years is that we now have 3 generations in our house and we don't know where we'd put them.

I found it interesting that the kids enjoyed the US very much while they were here, but mostly they don't want to move here. They like Belarus, with or without Luka. Mostly they just want a better standard of living, more $$$ to buy stuff with. It is a beautiful country over there, I would be proud of it too.

[MomwithHope]

Hey thanks for the post. We have seen some of the ABRO kids who would very much like to live here. Our girl would love to stay. Have brought up adoption to my hubby but he is cold to the idea. I have not given up hope. She fits in with our family like a glove.

[Sender]

Did you host orphans, or kids with very poor home situations? I imagine they would definitely like to live over here...and to have a good family!

Most of the kids we hosted already had good homes or at least one good parent, and were doing OK. We did have a few that 'lived with my uncle' or gave vague explanations, we suspect they didn't have much of a home. None of the kids we hosted were adoptable. Some of the parents became very attached to kids, they wished they were adoptable! I miss the ones we had. I have slacked off on my letter writing lately, I should keep in touch with them better. I had been calling them occasionally but with the time difference, poor sound and audio delay, and limited Russian the phone calls didn't work too well. Email is out for most of the kids too. So that leaves the old way...pen and paper.

[MomwithHope]

ABRO will translate your emails and wtite snail mail letters to your kids in Belarus.
We have only hosted the same girl, abandoned by her birth mother an alcoholic about at the age of 6 into an orphanage. She spent about 4 years there and is now in a foster family who had 3 kids of their own, took in 9 kids from the orphanage. They all live in a house with one bathrooom and the 80 year old grandmother. Most of the kids who have come with the group are either from orphanages or poor families, like you saw where they live with an aunt or uncle or grandparent. I only know of one girl who had an intact nuclear family.