Belarus marking Independence Day

MINSK (Itar-Tass) - Republic of Belarus on Sunday marks
Independence Day and the 67th anniversary of liberation from the
occupation by Nazi troops during World War II.
A military parade and a re-enactment march by youth organizations will
be the highlights of Sunday's celebrations.
Russian airborne troops will take part in the parade. Their units will
follower the drummers of the Minsk Suvorov School of Young Cadets.
The mechanized infantry show, which is part of the parade, includes a
march-past of a ceremonial team of the air defense complex Pantsir-S of
the Russian Armed Forces.
Concert, sports shows and folk festivals will be held in all parts of
the country Sunday.
At nighttime, 'The World Says Hello to Belarus' gala concert will be
held in downtown Minsk.
"Thanks God we've managed to build a really independent Belarus
without a war and that's our joy and biggest achievement," President
Alexander Lukashenko said Saturday at a gala public meeting devoted to
Independence Day.
"Still, we continue undergoing harsh tests from the outside, as some
forces test us for endurance," he said.
"Belarus that contributed so much to the liberation of Europe from
Nazi slavery has turned into an object of political and economic pressure
and we'll yet have to fight to our independence," Lukashenko said.
"Independence has always cost much."
This country is marking its major national holiday amid definite
complexities this year, as the financial crisis still keeps the national
economy in its grips. It has made itself manifest in the shortage of hard
currency and a steep rise of prices.
The citizens who are discontent with the authorities' policies have
been getting together weekly on the main squares of Belarussian cities to
hold actions of protest, which are called 'A revolution through social
networks'.
Some of the actions have been scheduled for Independence Day, too.
The Belarussian government is having hard time trying to straighten
out its relations with the West that deteriorated sharply following last
December's presidential election, which the political opposition and the
Western political quarters declared 'flawed'.
The EU and the U.S. are subjecting Belarus to sanctions, as they
demand a start of 'democratic reforms' and the release of 'political
prisoners'.
In spite of this, Minsk is decorated with the national flags and
festive slogans. Four spectator stands have been installed by the 'Minsk
the Hero City' oblelisk, near which the main official functions will be
held.
During the parade World War II veterans will take seats at the stands
to watch the troops' march-past.
Late at night, the skies over the city will be colored with festive fireworks.