NEWSBRIEFS (09/01/96)

NEWSBRIEFS

Belarusians granted asylum in U.S.

WASHINGTON - Belarusian Popular Front leaders Zyanon Paznyak and Syarhei Navumchyk received political asylum in the U.S. on August 23. The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service said "it has been determined that you have established a well-founded fear of persecution were you to return to your county." Mr. Paznyak said this will help his "work to save democracy in Belarus." Vladimir Zametalin, the deputy head of Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's administration, said the decision "only arouses amazement and regret," and that he hopes it does not signal U.S. backing for political "adventures" to undermine Belarusian authorities. This is the first time that leaders from a former Soviet republic have been granted asylum since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. (OMRI Daily Digest)

Donetske miners disbanded by court

DONETSKE - The Donetske Workers' Committee was disbanded by the Donetske Court of Arbitration on August 20. The court ruled against the committee for organizing illegal miners' strikes in July, blocking roads and railroad tracks, and causing huge losses for local mines and railroads. Videotaped interviews by local TV reporters with the imprisoned committee leaders were used as evidence. The leftist Civic Congress of Ukraine issued a protest against the court's ruling, calling it a sign of the "advance of totalitarianism...based on a nationalist ideology." (OMRI Daily Digest)

World Bank loan to Ukraine confirmed

KYIV - The World Bank confirmed a $300 million loan to restructure Ukraine's agriculture industry, Western agencies reported on August 26. Agriculture Minister Anatoliy Horishko signed the protocol, which will now be submitted for government approval. After the approval, the World Bank will give its final go-ahead for the loan. (IntelNews Economic Review)

Kuchma makes additional appointments

KYIV - President Leonid Kuchma re-appointed Serhiy Osyka as minister for foreign economic relations, Ukrainian agencies reported. Valeriy Borzov has been named chairman of the new State Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports, while Volodymyr Kuznetsov has been relieved from his duties as a presidential adviser and appointed chairman of the State Credit and Investment Co. Mr. Kuznetsov replaces Borys Sobolev, who was fired from that post several months ago. President Kuchma also dismissed Oleksander Savenko as president of Ukrainian State TV and Radio, and named Zinoviy Kulyk as acting president. Ukrainian Radio reported on August 26 that President Kuchma liquidated the State Tax Inspection Agency and formed a new, more powerful Institute of State Tax Administration. (OMRI Daily Digest)