BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

12/06/2007

Belarusian President Replaces Minsk Oblast Governor

President Alyaksandr Lukashenka on June 11 introduced newly appointed Minsk Oblast Governor Leanid Krupets to the regional administration staff, Belapan reported. Krupets replaces Mikalay Damashkevich, who served in the position for the past nine years. "The period when it was possible to govern the region using only administrative [mechanisms] is over. There is a need for new people who are serious-minded, level-headed, exacting, and competent," Lukashenka said while introducing Krupets. The Belarusian president noted that Damashkevich's "zigzagging from one idea to another without having successfully accomplished every undertaking" led to the regional government's failure to realize the region's potential. Lukashenka also blamed Damashkevich for being too severe with subordinates, exaggerating the performance of the region's agricultural sector, and exceeding his powers. However, despite these shortcomings, Lukashenka stressed that Damashkevich will continue to serve in the government. "If you think that the era of Damashkevich has ended, you are wrong.... Mikalay Damashkevich will not be thrown overboard. He will be given a serious job," Lukashenka said. JM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2007/06/3-cee/cee-120607.asp