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Presidential Administration replies to petition sent by motorists' association to Lukashenka

The Presidential Administration has replied to a petition that an association of motorists sent to Alyaksandr Lukashenka on May 4.

Drawn up by Za Awto, the petition urged the Belarusian leader to intervene and stop motor fuel prices from rising.

In its reply, the Presidential Administration said that an increase in the "prices of socially important goods" was under Mr. Lukashenka's personal control. It said that motor fuel prices could increase by three to five percent once in three months in the future.

The Presidential Administration promised that before approving motor fuel price hikes the government would consider their impact on households' well-being and the economy.

In an interview with BelaPAN, Za Awto leader Artsyom Sharkow said that the reply was a response not to the petition but to the "actions that were taken in the country afterward." "The reply seeks to bring a bit of calm, announce that there is a dialogue," he said.

Mr. Sharkow said that Za Awto would continue contacts with the Presidential Administration.

The activist suggested that motor fuel prices would hardly be raised within the next month and if an increase did take place, it would be limited to three percent.

Rumors have it that the Belarusian State Petrochemical Industry Concern (Belnaftakhim) has asked the government to approve a three-percent increase in motor fuel prices on July 1, citing the need to improve the financial position of the country's two oil refineries. //BelaPAN