BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

Belarus Lifts Most Legal Barriers To Russians

29 December 2005 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka today lifted most legal restrictions on Russian citizens in Belarus.

The new rules make Russians exempt from rigid controls used to track foreigners in the republic.

Russians will now be able to enter Belarus without migration documents and to take up residence anywhere in the country without government approval. They also give Russians more time to register with police after traveling within Belarus.

Under the new rules Russians will also have access to free medical care and enjoy equal property rights with Belarusians.

(dpa)

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/12/78794E39-E00A-4136-A173-7EEF679C45C1.html