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Belarus
Overview
Country Overview
Belarus is bordered by Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine and the Russian Federation. The country is covered largely by forests and lakes, is rich in wildlife and crossed by major rivers such as the Dnieper.
Minsk, the capital of Belarus, was first mentioned in 1067, but little of the old city survives except a few 17th-century buildings. Modern Minsk is symmetrically designed with wide embankments flanking the Svisloch River. The cultural scene is very diverse with the Belarusian Ballet and museums such as the National Museum of Belarusian History and Culture. The suburb of Troitskoye Predmestye gives an insight into the way Minsk once looked; 19th-century houses with colourful façades line the streets.
When visiting the city of Brest, a tour of the Brest Fortress, used to repel the German forces during World War II, is recommended.
Local dishes worth trying are dracheny, a tasty potato dish with mushrooms, and draniki which is served with pickled berries. A favourite drink is chai (black tea).
Minsk has a thriving cultural scene with opera, ballet, theatre, puppet theatre and a circus. Brest also has a renowned puppet theatre.
General Information
Area: 207,595 sq km (80,153 sq miles).
Population: 10,335,382 (2002).
Population Density: 49.8 per sq km.
Capital: Minsk. Population: 1,725,100 (1999).
GEOGRAPHY: Belarus is bordered by Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine and the Russian Federation. It is covered largely by forests and lakes which are rich in wildlife and is crossed by major rivers such as the Dnieper.
Government: Republic since 1991. Head of State: President Aleksandr Lukashenka since 1994. Head of Government: Prime Minister Henadz Navitski since 2001.
Language: The official languages are Belarusian and Russian.
Religion: Christian, mainly Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic with small Protestant, Jewish and Muslim communities.
Time: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz. Adaptors are recommended.
Telephone
IDD is available to all major cities, including Minsk (17) and Brest (162). Country code: 375. To make international calls it is necessary to dial 8, wait for a tone then dial 10. Calls from Belarus to some countries must be booked through the international operator. Public telephones take cards. Grey booths are for internal calls and blue ones for international calls.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 network covers Minsk and other towns. Main operators are Velcom (website: www.velcom.by) and MTS (website: www.mts.by). Coverage is limited to main towns. Handsets can be hired at the airport (Belcel office) and in Minsk.
Fax
Services are available in all larger hotels in Minsk and other big cities. Faxes can also be sent from any of the state telegraph offices or from business centres. There are some public fax facilities.
Internet
There are a few Internet cafes in Minsk. Access is also available at some post offices. Local ISPs include Belpak (website: www.belpak.by) and Solo (website: www.solo.by).
Telegram
These can be sent from hotels and telephone offices.
Post
Airmail to Western Europe takes a minimum of ten days. Larger hotels offer Poste Restante services. The Central Post Office (Minsk, Skoriny 10; open 0730-2300) and the Yubileynaya and Planeta hotels in Minsk offer express mail services. DHL Worldwide Express and Federal Express also have branches in Minsk.
Press
The English-language paper Belarus Today is published weekly. The principal dailies are Narodnaya Hazeta, Belorusskaya Niva and Respublika, all printed in Belarusian and Russian. Sovetskaya Beloroussiya is printed in Russian. Zvyazda is printed in Belarusian.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.
BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice):
Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov):
Passport/Visa
| | Passport Required? | Visa Required? | Return Ticket Required? | | British | Yes | Yes | No | | Australian | Yes | Yes | No | | Canadian | Yes | Yes | No | | USA | Yes | Yes | No | | OtherEU | Yes | Yes | No | | Japanese | Yes | Yes | No |
PASSPORTS: Passport valid for six months after departure required by all.
VISAS: Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of the CIS (except nationals of Turkmenistan, who do require visas);
(b) nationals of Cuba, Malaysia, Mongolia, Poland and Yugoslavia, provided arriving from their country of origin, holding return tickets and travelling for touristic purposes for up to 30 days;
(c) transit passengers continuing their journey to a third country provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.
Note: All foreign nationals must register their passports at the local police station within three days of their arrival. If staying at a hotel, reception will do this automatically.
Types of visa and cost: Visitor: £40 (single-entry); £200 (multiple-entry). Business: £40 (single-entry); £72 (double-entry); £104 (triple-entry); £200 (multiple-entry for one year). Tourist: £19 (individual); £10 per person (group). Transit: £15 (single-entry); £50 (multiple-entry); £10 per person (group). Student: £25 (single-entry). Express visas are available for a higher fee. Tourist visas are only available to those booking through a travel agency in Belarus or from a travel agency in another country which has an agreement with Belarus state travel and can supply state travel vouchers.
Note: (a) Children travelling on their parents’ passports do not need a visa but must be accounted for on parents’ visa application form. (b) Visas for other CIS countries are no longer valid for transit through Belarus; a Belarusian transit visa must be obtained.
Validity: From date of entry to date of exit. Those with Tourist visas may arrange to stay for up to 30 days. Multiple-entry Business visas are valid for up to one year. Transit visas are valid for two days. Length of visa depends on reasons for visit and expiry date of passport (ie visas cannot be given for longer than the validity of the passport).
Application to: Nearest Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Visas can be obtained at Minsk-2 International Airport in exceptional cases only, provided the traveller is met at the airport by their official sponsor with the original letter of invitation or tourist vouchers. In this case, the fee may be higher.
Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) One application form. (c) One passport-size photo. (d) Fee (cash or cheque only). (e) Stamped, self-addressed envelope for return of passport if applying by post, sent by recorded delivery. (f) Formal invitation from organisation in Belarus stating nature and purpose of visit. Tourism (a)-(f) and, (g) Accommodation vouchers. Business: (a)-(e) and, (f) Invitation from Belarus company, written on headed paper, including official name of the inviting party, exact purpose of visit, proposed dates of stay and details of funding. Visitor: (a)-(e) and, (f) An invitation from Belarus national endorsed by a local Belarusian Visa and Registration office. Transit: (a)-(e) and, (f) Visa for destination country.
Note: Applicants may be asked to supply other documents supporting their application.
Working days required: Five to ten.
Money
Currency: The Belarusian Rouble (BYR). The Belarusian Rouble was devalued by a factor of 1000 on 1 Jan 2000 (1 new Rouble = 1000 old Roubles). Old banknotes are still in circulation, and are worth one-thousandth of their face value. Notes are in denominations of BYR50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000,1000, 500, 100, 50, 10 and 5.
Currency exchange: Foreign currency should only be exchanged at banks, money-changing kiosks and official bureaux, and all transactions must be recorded on the currency declaration form which is issued on arrival. It is wise to retain all exchange receipts. Most aspects of a tour, including accommodation, transport and meals, are paid before departure (through Belintourist or a recognised tour operator), so large amounts of spending money are not necessary. The US dollar or Euros are the preferred foreign currencies. Some foreign currencies may be hard to exchange.
Credit & debit cards: Major European and international credit cards, including Visa, American Express and MasterCard, are accepted in some larger hotels and at foreign currency shops and restaurants. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travellers cheques: May be accepted at larger banks, but cash is easier to exchange. To avoid exchange rate charges, travellers cheques should be taken in US dollars or Euros.
Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is prohibited. All remaining local currency must be reconverted at the point of departure. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival. Foreign banknotes and coins must be exported within two months of import.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Belarusian Rouble against Sterling and the US Dollar:
| Date | May ’02 | Aug ’02 | Nov ’02 | Feb ’03 | | £1.00= | 2582.33 | 2819.75 | 3018.10 | 3139.12 | | $1.00= | 1772.00 | 1854.00 | 1908.50 | 1971.50 |
Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1730.
Duty Free
The following goods may be imported into Belarus without incurring customs duty by persons of 18 years and above:
600 cigarettes or 1000g of tobacco products; 3l of alcohol; a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use; other goods up to a value of US$10,000; 20l of petrol.
Note: On entering the country, tourists must complete a customs declaration form which must be retained until departure. This records the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables. Customs inspection can be long and detailed.
Prohibited imports: Weapons and ammunition, narcotics, photographs and printed matter directed against Belarus, and fruit and vegetables. Contact the Embassy for further details of import restrictions (see Contact Addresses section).
Prohibited exports: Weapons and ammunition, precious metals, works of art and antiques (unless special permission has been granted by the Ministry of Culture) and furs.
Public Holidays
Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Jan 7 Orthodox Christmas. Mar 8 International Women’s Day. Mar 15 Constitution Day. Apr 18-21 Catholic Easter. Apr 25-28 Orthodox Easter. May 1 Labour Day. May 9 Victory Day. Jun 15 Radaunitsa (The Holy Trinity). Jul 3 Independence Day. Nov 2 Dsiady (Remembrance Day). Nov 7 Day of the October Revolution. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Jan 7 Orthodox Christmas. Mar 8 International Women’s Day. Mar 15 Constitution Day. Apr 9-12 Catholic and Orthodox Easter. May 1 Labour Day. May 9 Victory Day. May 30 Radaunitsa (The Holy Trinity). Jul 3 Independence Day. Nov 2 Dsiady (Remembrance Day). Nov 7 Day of the October Revolution. Dec 25 Christmas Day.
Health
| | Special Precautions | Certificate Required | | Yellow Fever | No | No | | Cholera | No | No | | Typhoid and Polio | 1 | N/A | | Malaria | No | N/A |
1: Immunisation against poliomyelitis and typhoid is sometimes advised.
Other risks: Extensive epidemics of diphtheria were reported in the 1990s and immunisation may be recommended. There may be some risk of tick-borne encephalitis. Long-staying travellers should take precautions against hepatitis A. Certain foods should be avoided, especially dairy produce, mushrooms and fruits of the forest, as they may contain high levels of radiation as a long-term legacy of the Chernobyl disaster. Tap water should be filtered and boiled before drinking.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information consult the Health appendix.
Health care: There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Hospital treatment, some dental treatment and some other medical treatment is normally free. Visitors can expect to pay for prescribed medicines. A UK passport must be shown to receive medical treatment. It is advisable to take out adequate health insurance. If the visitor does not have insurance, then medical insurance must be purchased from the State for US$1 per day. It is also advisable to carry an adequate supply of prescribed medicines which may be unobtainable in Belarus.
Travel - International
AIR: The national airline is Belavia (B2), 5 Hobart Place, London SW1W 0HU, UK (tel: (020) 7393 1202; fax: (020) 7393 1203; e-mail: england@belavia.by). Other airlines serving Belarus include Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, El Al Israel Airlines.
Approximate flight times: From Minsk to London is 3 hours, to Frankfurt/M or Vienna is 2 hours 25 minutes, to Moscow is 1 hour 30 minutes and to Zurich is 2 hours 50 minutes.
International airports: Minsk 2 (MSQ) is 43km (27 miles) east of the city centre. Buses and taxis are available to the city centre (travel time – 60 minutes). Airport facilities include banks and bureaux de change, bars, car hire (Avis), duty-free shops, nursery, post office and restaurants.
Departure tax: None.
RAIL: There are several lines from Berlin via Warsaw and Brest with connections to Minsk. Another line runs from Vienna via Warsaw and Brest. Further direct trains are available from other cities including Moscow, Kaliningrad, Riga, Vilnius and Odessa.
ROAD: Visitors are advised to stay away from military establishments. Tourists may drive their own cars or may hire cars from some larger hotels. Those entering by car should have their visas registered at the hotel, motel or campsite where they stay for the first night and are advised to insure their vehicle with a Belarusian insurance company, some of which have offices at crossing points and in major cities. There are also a number of other national and international insurance companies. The petrol supply is restricted and only 4-star and diesel are available. Petrol stations accept cash. Up to one tank of petrol in canisters can be imported duty free. The supply of petrol and service stations is best on the major routes (Europa highways/motorways) through the country, such as Brest–Minsk–Smolensk–Moscow–Tver–St Petersburg–Vyborg; Brest–Minsk–Vilnius– Riga–Tallinn–St Petersburg–Vyborg and Berlin–Warsaw–Brest–Minsk. Contact the Embassy for information on the temporary documentation required to import a car. The following are approximate road distances from Minsk; Moscow: 690km (429 miles); St Petersburg: 900km (563 miles); Kiev: 650km (407 miles). Bus: Services run to Vilnius (Lithuania) and Bialystok (Poland).
Travel - Internal
RAIL: There are 5488km (3410 miles) of track in use. Services run regularly from Minsk to all other towns. For more information contact Belarus Railways (website: www.belrw.com).
ROAD: Belarus has a road network of 51,547km (32,219 miles), most of which is hard-surfaced, although there are potholes and lighting is bad. Traffic drives on the right. Regulations: International traffic signs and regulations are in use. Driving under the influence of alcohol is strictly forbidden. Speed limits are 60kph (37mph) in towns and cities and 90kph (55mph) on country lanes. There are frequent radar traps. Documentation: International Driving Permit required.
URBAN: Public transport is cheap and efficient. The city of Minsk has an underground system with two lines that cover central Minsk (16 stations). It is in the process of being expanded. Trains run between 0600-0100, buses, trams and trolleybuses between 0535-0055. Tickets for buses, trams and trolleybuses can be purchased at news-stands or kiosks and are to be punched on board. Entry to the underground is by tokens which are obtainable from stations. Taxis are available and carry a maximum of four passengers; fares can vary greatly.
Accommodation
HOTELS: There are 1-star hotels in Pinsk and other district centres of Belarus. Minsk, Brest, Gomel, Grodno, Mogilev and Vitebsk have 2- and 3-star hotels. At the end of December 2002, the first 4-star 'Minsk' hotel opened. The following organisations provide information on accommodation in Belarus: Belintourist (see Contact Addresses section); or Minsktourist Association, Tankavaya Street 30, Minsk (tel: (17) 223 7360; fax: (17) 223 9868; e-mail: minsktourist@solo.by).
CAMPING: There are limited facilities for camping in Belarus. However, camping is permitted outside towns anywhere in the countryside, provided consideration is shown for other countryside users.
Minsk
The capital of Belarus, situated 340km (213 miles) northeast of Warsaw and 120km (75 miles) southeast of Vilnius, was first mentioned in 1067, but little of the old city now survives except a few 17th-century buildings. The city grew to be an important axis of communication and suffered badly during World War II. Modern Minsk is symmetrically designed with wide embankments flanking the Svisloch River. The cultural scene is very diverse with the Belarusian Ballet and good museums such as the National Museum of Belarusian History and Culture, the National Arts Museum, the Museum of History of the Great Patriotic War and the Museum of Old Belarusian Culture. Other interesting museums deal with the major Belarusian writers Kolas, Kupala, Bogdanovich and Brovka. Icons form a large part of the National Gallery. Museums generally open Tues-Sun 1000-1900. The suburb of Troitskoye Predmestye should not be missed; it gives an insight into the way Minsk once looked – 19th-century houses with colourful façades line the streets. There are also excellent examples of Baroque architecture such as the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (1642), the Cathedral of St Peter and Paul (1613) and the Maryinsky Cathedral, which has been rebuilt to its original shape.
EXCURSIONS: About 22km (14 miles) from the capital is the picturesque village of Raubichi with an interesting ethnographic museum housed in a disused church. Not far from Raubichi (10km/6 miles) is the idyllic Minsk Lake dotted with numerous islets and surrounded by dense pines. The Museum of Folk Architecture is situated in Ozerto (15km/10 miles southwest of Minsk), and features original pieces of century-old buildings from different regions in Belarus. The Dudutki Museum of Material Culture is to be found 40km/25 miles from the capital city and is the only private museum in Belarus showing traditional crafts and ways of life. The onion-shaped domes of Russian Orthodox churches dominate the landscape throughout the country, but especially around Logoysk (40km/25 miles from Minsk), Krasnoe (60km/38 miles from Minsk) and Molodechno (80km/50 miles from Minsk). The memorial at Khatyn commemorates its destruction by the German army during World War II.
Beyond Minsk
Wide plains, picturesque villages, ancient castles and monasteries, deep forests, scenic landscapes, and thousands of lakes await visitors. Belintourist offers several one- and two-week itineraries with different themes catering for nature-lovers, culture fans and sport enthusiasts.
The village of Zhirovitsa, 190km (119 miles) from Minsk, is renowned for the beautiful 15th-century Monastery of the Assumption. Part of the monastery complex is a convent and a theological seminary (17th-18th century).
One hundred and twenty kilometres (75 miles) from Minsk is the small town of Mir where one can see the Jewish Cemetery and the 15th-century Mir Castle (a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site). Nearby, historic Nesvizh still retains its old buildings. The former residence of the Radzivill family is one of the most attractive palaces in the country. It is surrounded by a large park with numerous lakes and elaborate gardens. Only a short walk away is the imposing Catholic Church designed by the 16th-century Italian architect Bernardoni.
Vitebsk, situated 270km (169 miles) from Minsk is the birthplace of the painter Marc Chagall. There is a cultural centre named after him, and his family house has been turned into a museum.
The centre of Christianity during the time of Rus (the first Russian state) lay in the Slavic town of Polotsk. An excellent example of architecture of the period is the Church of St Sophia. Also worth a visit are the two castles nearby.
Brest is a popular place to visit. One of the highlights is a tour of the Brest Fortress which was used to repel the German forces during World War II. Inside the Fortress is a museum which chronicles its history back to the 13th century. This history is further illustrated by a fascinating selection of exhibits in the Museum of History and Archaeology. In the surrounding countryside, time appears to have stood still for centuries; 500-year-old trees can be found in the nature reserve Balvezhskaya Pushcha. Wild European bison roam the area. Brest also has a famous puppet theatre that is worth seeing.
In Grodno, the fifth-largest city of Belarus, major sites are the Old Town centre, the Kalozh-Church and the Old Castle (both from the 11th century).
The north and northwest, near the borders of Lithuania and Latvia, are dominated by the Braslav Lake District. It is a good area for watersports, with a total of 30 lakes situated in an atmospheric forest. Accommodation in the area is usually in small dachas along the lakeshore. Belavezha Wood is one of the last sites where rare animals such as bisons, bears and wolves can still be seen living in their natural habitat. Long scenic hiking trails are scattered throughout the Nature Reserve of Berezinsky, stretching from the source of the Berezina to Palik Lake. Primeval forests, marshland, deep rivers and a rich fauna and flora dominate this unique region, hence its UNESCO listing as a protected biosphere.
Sport & Activities
Minsk was one of the venues of the 1980 Olympic games and has excellent sports facilities. Tennis, gymnastics, athletics, swimming, football and ice hockey are just some of the sports which are on offer. Excellent cross-country skiing is available in the nature reserve near the Minsk campsite. Skating is also popular. Hiking is possible throughout Belarus. The Braslav Lake District situated in the north and northeast of the country is ideal for boating holidays. Several of the 30 lakes are connected by canals.
Social Profile
Food & Drink: Belarusian borshch, a soup made with beetroot, is served hot with sour cream. Other excellent specialities are filet à la Minsk and Minsk cutlet. Regional cooking is often based on potatoes with mushrooms and berries as favourite side dishes. Local dishes well worth trying are dracheny, a tasty potato dish with mushrooms, and draniki which is served with pickled berries. Mochanka is a thick soup mixed with lard accompanied by hot pancakes. There is also a good selection of international and Russian specialities available.
Beloveszhskaya Bitters are made from over 100 different herbs and have an interesting flavour. A favourite drink is chai (black tea). Coffee is generally available with meals and in cafes, although standards vary. Soft drinks, fruit juices and mineral waters are widely available. Beer and vodka can be bought round the clock from all-night kiosks and food shops. Some bars are open until the early hours of the morning, while some close around 2100.
Nightlife: A thriving cultural scene with opera, ballet, theatre, circus and puppet theatre can be found in Minsk. Brest also has a renowned puppet theatre. Tickets can be bought in advance at underground stations or at the Central Theatre Ticket Office (Skoriny 13; opening hours: Mon-Sat 0930-2000, Sun 1100-1700). Same-day tickets are only available at the venue in question. Minsk now has a reasonable selection of restaurants, some of which offer live music. There are also discotheques, music venues and bars in the city. Many clubs are open all night.
Shopping: Wooden caskets, trinket boxes, straw items, decorative plates and other handicraft items are good buys. Typical Russian souvenirs like the wooden matreshka dolls and original samovars are also available. Scarina Avenue is the main street with antique shops and two department stores. Only Belarusian Roubles are accepted. However, nearly every shop has a currency exchange counter. Some shops are closed on Sunday, but tourist shops are usually open every day. Antiquities, valuables, works of art and manuscripts other than those offered for sale in souvenir shops require an export licence. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1900. In big cities shops are open daily and many open 24 hours a day.
Special Events: The following is a selection of the major festivals and other special events celebrated in Belarus in 2003. For a complete list and exact dates, contact the Embassy (see Contact Addresses section).
Jan National Convention of Belarusian Composers. Apr Expolingua, International Language Festival, Minsk. Jun Festival of Poetry, Lake Svityaz. Jul International Festival of Arts ‘Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk’. Nov Belarusian Musical Autumn, Minsk.
Social Conventions: Handshaking is the usual form of greeting. Hospitality is part of the tradition and people are welcoming and friendly. Company or business gifts are well received. Smoking is acceptable unless stated otherwise. Tipping: Ten per cent is usual. In some hotels in Minsk and other cities a ten to 15 per cent service charge is added to the bill. Porters expect a tip of US$1-2.
Business Profile
Economy: Despite a paucity of natural resources, Belarus enjoyed a relatively high level of prosperity during the Soviet era compared to other ex-Soviet republics. However, the last 12 years have brought continuous decline. The main agriculture crops are sugar beet, grain and potatoes; livestock breeding is also substantial. The manufacturing industry is focused on the production of agricultural machinery vehicles and chemicals, most of which have been exported in the past. Apart from a few oil and gas deposits, Belarus has no energy reserves and relies on imports, most of which come from the Russian Federation. Like other Soviet republics, Belarus suffered a sharp decline in output and a variety of other problems following the dissolution of the Soviet Union; this was then followed by a period of stabilisation which took hold during the mid-1990s as the Government and people adjusted to new economic circumstances. A new currency, the Belarusian Rouble, was introduced at the beginning of 1995. The Government’s reluctance to implement measures recommended by the IMF, World Bank and the EBRD (which Belarus joined in 1992) meant that the country has, for the most part, been cut off from these sources of finance. The Government has been looking to Arab states, including Syria and Iraq, to build foreign economic links to supplement its existing ones, which rely mainly on the most active members of the Commonwealth of Independent States – the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. However, in general, it faces a difficult future in developing its economy.
Business: For business meetings, visitors should dress smartly. English is widely used in management circles and knowledge of German might also be useful. Appointments should be made well in advance and should be confirmed nearer the time. Cards should have a Russian translation on the back. Business transactions are likely to take quite a long time. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1730.
Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Belarus, Masherava 14, 220035 Minsk (tel: (17) 226 9127; fax: (17) 226 9860; e-mail: mbox@cci.by; website: www.cci.by).
Conferences/Conventions: The 3-star Hotel Yubileynaya offers conference facilities for up to 250 persons, including simultaneous translation services. This facility is operated by Belintourist (see Contact Addresses section). The following organisation can also give information regarding conferences and conventions in Belarus: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ul Lenina 19, 220030 Minsk (tel: (17) 227 2922; fax: (17) 227 4521; e-mail: mail@mfabelar.gov.by; website: www.mfa.gov.by).
Climate
Temperate continental climate.
Required clothing: Medium- to heavyweights in winter. Waterproofs are advisable throughout the year.
History and Government
History: Belarus was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania during the 13th and 14th centuries. The Grand Duchy was united with Poland in the 1500s, and Belarus then became part of the Russian empire following the dismemberment of Poland at the end of the 18th century. The Republic became part of the Soviet Union after the Russo-German treaty of Brest-Litovsk in 1918 that ended World War I in eastern Europe. Between 1941 and 1944 Belarus was occupied by German forces invading Russia; the region bore much of the brunt of the German occupation: an estimated two million people – including virtually the whole Jewish population – were murdered during this period.
With the post-war settlement, Belarus returned to its former status as a Soviet republic, but (uniquely among Soviet republics) was granted membership of the United Nations in its own right as a concession to Soviet requests for greater voting power at the assembly. The post-war Soviet era brought comparative prosperity to the Republic as it became a major centre of manufacturing in the western USSR. Along with this came a sizeable Russian immigrant population who now account for about one-seventh of the total. Lacking the specific grievances that affected, say the Baltic republics, there was less pressure for reform during the Gorbachev era. The principal opposition formation, the Belarusian Popular Front, was formed in 1988 and achieved some success at the elections to the (now disbanded) Congress of People’s Deputies in Moscow.
As the USSR disintegrated in 1991, the Republic’s Communist Party (CPB) moved quickly to reassert itself as the dominant political force. The post-independence leadership was keen to maintain political and economic links with Moscow and was a leading proponent of the creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a loose alliance of ex-Soviet republics which came into being shortly afterwards and whose headquarters was in the Belarusian capital of Minsk. The current leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenka, originally came to power at the 1994 presidential election. An important element of his platform was a promise to end corruption (he was previously head of the anti-corruption commission). Unfortunately, Lukashenka’s rule became characterised by corruption, nepotism, censorship and arbitrary decision-making; it has since deteriorated further, and now uses death squads to silence critics and political opponents. In 1996, a dubious referendum endorsed Lukashenka’s intention to extend both his powers and his term of office to 2001. The former trade union leader, Vladimir Goncharik, stood against Lukashenka at the September 2001 presidential poll. However, despite extensive support from the USA (using the same techniques and many of the same personnel who ran successful opposition electoral campaigns in Nicaragua and Yugoslavia), Goncharik suffered a heavy defeat.
The Lukashenka government’s conduct has completely undermined Belarus’ relations with the West, which it had initially sought to develop. But Lukashenka’s sympathies clearly lie to the east and Belarus’ already strong relationship with Moscow has since been further bolstered by a series of security and economic agreements.
Government: The 1994 constitution, controversially amended in 1996, allows for legislative power to be held by a bicameral National Assembly (Verchovny Soviet). This comprises: a 110-member House of Representatives, directly elected for a four-year term, and a 64-member Council of the Republic, of which eight members are presidential appointees and the remainder elected by local authorities. The President, who is directly elected for a five-year term, exercises executive power assisted by a Council of Ministers answerable to the National Assembly.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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