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Vladimir Putin arrives in Minsk

Vladimir Putin arrived in Minsk on Thursday evening. The Russian president, who flew in from Moscow with nearly two hours` delay, was met at the airport by Prime Minister Syarhey Sidorski.

On December 14, Mr. Putin is scheduled to have a face-to-face meeting with Alyaksandr Lukashenka and then the two are to take part in a session of the Supreme State Council of the Belarusian-Russian Union State.

The Council held its previous session in Moscow as far back as December 2006. The last session in Minsk took place in 2003.

The agenda of the meeting reportedly includes more than 10 items. In particular, participants are to discuss the 2008 Union State budget, the implementation of joint programs in machine-building, construction, and high technologies, joint efforts to minimize consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, and relations in the fuel and energy sphere.

The Kremlin’s press office warned earlier on Thursday that Messrs. Putin and Lukashenka would not discuss the draft Constitutional Act of the Union State. “Despite media reports, the Constitutional Act of the Union State is not on the agenda and therefore there will be no discussion about the issue,” the press office said.

A week ago, Russia`s Ekho Moskvy radio station said with reference to an unnamed source close to the Belarusian leader that the Constitutional Act was expected to be signed during Mr. Putin`s visit to Minsk. According to the report, under the Act, Mr. Putin would head the Union State after the expiration of his term of office as president of the Russian Federation, whereas Mr. Lukashenka would chair the parliament of the Union State.

Both the Kremlin and the Belarusian government denied the report, but it however triggered anti-Russian protests in Belarus. Several dozen opposition activists staged an unsanctioned demonstration in downtown Minsk on Wednesday evening in protest against the feared damage to Belarus’ sovereignty. They displayed Belarus’ historically national white-red-white flags and chanted “Long Live Belarus!” and “No to alliances with imperial Russia!”

The demonstration was dispersed by police and one participant was seriously injured.
Anatol Lyabedzka, leader of the opposition United Civic Party and co-chairman of the United Pro-democratic Forces, urged Mr. Putin to confirm Moscow’s readiness to honor a 1994 accord that guarantees security and independence to Belarus. The agreement was signed by the Russian, UK and US leaders after Belarus promised to give up nuclear weapons.