Rossia TV channel can be closed in Belarus

The Belarussian Foreign Ministry has postponed consideration of the question on extending the accreditation of the Rossia TV channel.

According to press secretary of the Belarussian Foreign Ministry, this decision was made "due to the repeated biased coverage of the Belarussian events and incorrect reports about unsanctioned protests of the opposition, held on July 21 in Minsk."

According to the press secretary, March 12, 2004 marked the expiration of the certificate on opening a representative office of the federal state unitary enterprise the All-Russian TV and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK) in Belarus.

The decision to close the VGTRK's office in Belarus was voiced by the Belarussian television with reference to the country's Foreign Ministry on Friday evening.

Official spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Yakovenko said that the Rossia coverage of the Belarussian developments could not be a serious ground for closing the office in Minsk.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stressed that the closure of the VGTRK's office in Minsk might have a negative effect on the Russians' ability to obtain information from that country."