Minister of Information Vladimir Rusakevich of Belarus

200519:08 (GMT)Belarus Information Minister Vladimir Rusakevich has described plans to establish a radio station financed by the European Union to broadcast in Belarus as pointless, Russian media informs.

Around 5,000 newspapers and magazines of the Russian Federation are distributed in Belarus, Information Minister of Belarus Vladimir Rusakevich said at a meeting with representatives of the Russian media.

Information ministry last year issued suspension orders against 25 papers, sent warnings to 81, minister says12:48, 31/01/2005The Belarusian Ministry of Information last year issued 160 written warnings to a total 81 newspapers and temporarily suspended 25, Minister Vladimir Rusakevich said while speaking at the ministry’s board meeting on January 28.

Rusakevich said that “only these efficient measures will be resolutely uncompromisingly put in future in the way of any attempts to bypass the law or try our patience.