Hotel Belarus Minsk
Maximum Travel Per Diem Allowances for Foreign Areas
The maximum per diem rates for foreign counties are based on costs reported in the Hotel and Restaurant Section (Form DSP-23W) submitted by foreign posts. This report includes prices for hotel rooms and meals at facilities representative of moderately priced and suitable hotels and restaurants most frequently used by typical Federal travelers. The lodging portion of the allowance is based on average reported costs for a single room, including any mandatory service charges and taxes. Where breakfast or other meals are included in the reported lodging charge, these costs have been adjusted to exclude meals. The meal portion is based on the costs of an average breakfast, lunch, and dinner at facilities typically used by employees at that location, including taxes, service charges, and customary tips. The M&IE rate is based on these meal costs plus an additional amount, equal to 10% of the combined lodging and meal costs, to cover incidental travel expenses. ... [Read More]
2002
1111--10/03/02 Belarus: Future of an OSCE Presence in Minsk; Stephan M. Minikes, U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; Statement delivered to the OSCE Permanent Council; Vienna, Austria ... 1111--10/03/02 Remarks to the U.S.-Russia Business Council; Secretary Colin L. Powell; Willard Inter-Continental Hotel; Washington, DC ... 1111--10/17/02 Belarus: OSCE Presence in Minsk; Douglas Davidson, Deputy Chief of U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; Statement delivered to the OSCE Permanent Council; Vienna, Austria ... [Read More]
Europe and Eurasia
We have witnessed some improvements in human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in many European and some Eurasian countries, though serious problems remain in others. Across the region, even in countries where non-governmental and political-opposition groups have been the targets of government repression, civil society continues to develop. In Europe, progress has been made on regional conflicts and refugee/internally displaced persons (IDP) returns. The international community, including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the United Nations, has played a major role in achieving these results. However, the conflict in Chechnya and associated violations of human rights and international humanitarian law continue, with little meaningful accountability. Pro ... [Read More]
October
1111--10/03/02 Belarus: Future of an OSCE Presence in Minsk; Stephan M. Minikes, U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; Statement delivered to the OSCE Permanent Council; Vienna, Austria ... 1111--10/03/02 Remarks to the U.S.-Russia Business Council; Secretary Colin L. Powell; Willard Inter-Continental Hotel; Washington, DC ... 1111--10/17/02 Belarus: OSCE Presence in Minsk; Douglas Davidson, Deputy Chief of U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; Statement delivered to the OSCE Permanent Council; Vienna, Austria ... [Read More]
Belarus
Following March 24 Freedom Day demonstrations in Minsk and Grodno, police beat a number of demonstrators. On March 25, a judge of Minsk's Sovetsky District Court sentenced two police investigators to prison terms for beating suspects. The following day, a judge of Minsk's Oktyabrsky District Court convicted five police officers of torture and brutality. ... The voting and vote counting processes further restricted the rights of citizens to change their government. The OSCE/ODIHR report found that the voting procedures, including mobile ballot boxes, early voting procedures, and handling of voting lists provided several possible avenues for vote manipulation. However, most of the irregularities were not immediately reported. The OSCE/ODIHR also observed that the Electoral Code did not allow a transparent audit by election observers, which raised questions about the overall integrity of the process. This was a particular concern in light of the total domination of voting commissions, which were charged with conducting the election, by regime supporters. In some cases, members of the precinct electoral commission themselves openly expressed disagreement with the final announced tally, suggesting that it did not reflect the count conducted; however, they were silenced rapidly. The physical speed with which some of the counts were ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Minsk has two airports. Minsk I is within the city limits and primarily serves smaller domestic flights. Minsk II is an easy 40-minute drive outside the city and serves international flights. The airlines that service Minsk are: Lufthansa, Austrian Air, LOT, Estonian Air, El Al, and Belavia. The major connecting cities into and out of Minsk are Frankfurt, Vienna, Warsaw, and Moscow. Communications Telephones and TelecommunicationsLast Updated: 11/28/2003 10:13 AM ... [Read More]
Belarus
There were a number of acts of vandalism against religious groups during the year. In February, unknown vandals spray-painted anti-Muslim graffiti in downtown Minsk. In May and June, unknown assailants vandalized both Jewish and non-Jewish gravesites at three Gomel cemeteries. On August 25, unknown individuals broke into a private apartment and vandalized religious paraphernalia that belonged to the "Light of Kaylasa" which was using the apartment for religious services. On August 27, unknown vandals threw a Molotov cocktail on the front entrance of a Minsk synagogue. The attack resulted in minor damage to the entrance and no injuries. Throughout the year, unknown assailants also vandalized Holocaust memorials throughout the country, including the Yama Holocaust memorial in Minsk on May 26 and a new Holocaust memorial in Lida on October 13. ... [Read More]
Belarus (10/04)
According to the constitution, citizens are free to travel within the country and to live and work where they wish; however, the authorities sometimes restrict these rights in practice. The authorities issue internal passports to all adults, which serve as primary identity documents and are required to travel, obtain permanent housing, and for hotel registration. ... The U.S. Embassy in Minsk, Belarus is located at Starovilenskaya 46; tel: (375-17) 210-12-83; fax: (375-17) 234-78-53. ... [Read More]
2004 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Belarus
On October 2, police interrupted a meeting of a group discussing plans to register a new NGO, started videotaping the participants, and arrested former parliamentarian and prominent independent union leader Sergey Antonchik, the group's leader. Antonchik was sentenced to 15 days of administrative detention for authorizing an unregistered assembly, even though the meeting was held in Antonchik's office. Several venues in Minsk refused the request of the opposition Five Plus coalition to a hold a conference; the IBB Center, a hotel conference hall in Minsk, reneged on a December 19 agreement to hold the conference on the next day. Credible sources claimed that the government, a part owner of the center, ordered the IBB to refuse to rent its space to the coalition. ... [Read More]
Belarus
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Traveler's checks are not widely accepted in Belarus. Most hotels accept either American Express or Visa credit cards. In addition, one hotel in Minsk, “The Planeta,” provides cash from Visa credit cards during business hours. Travelers face arrest if they attempt to buy items with currency other than Belarusian rubles. Authorized currency exchange centers are widely available throughout major cities. ATMs are also available for use. Travelers should be aware that there is a high incidence of credit card fraud in Belarus. If they choose to use credit cards, they should regularly check their account status to ensure its integrity. ... [Read More]
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