Belarus

Last modified: 1997-09-03 by zeljko heimer
Keywords: belarus | ussr | europe | commonwealth of independent states | national ornamentation | referendum |
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• Description of the national flag
• The white-red-white flag
• The referendum on 14 May 1995

Description of the National Flag

Flag of Belarus is red over green (2:1) with white stripe along the mast (1/9 length). On the white stripe is a red ornament (the same like on the flag of soviet era, but in inverse colors). Proportions of the flag are 1:2.
josh fruhlinger 16-Sep-1995

The White-Red-White Flag

The white in the flag is an allusion to the name of the country - 'White Russia' (or 'White Ruthenia'). The red is for national freedom and the rising sun. White and red frequently appear in the national costumes of White Ruthenians.
stuart notholt

The Referendum on 14 May 1995

Belarus had a referendum on Sunday, 14 May voting for stronger presidential powers and closer economic integration with Russia. Among the four questions put to the voters, was also one on national symbols. The OMRI Daily Digest reported that 75% of the voters (64.7% turn out) "supported the return of Belarus's Soviet-era state emblem and flag". The result is legally binding according to OMRI. No further details on the design of the new emblems are offered.
jan oskar engene

UK press reports today (16 May 1995) suggest the re-adoption of the Soviet Belarussian flag (ie with the stripes) but without the hammer and sickle. It is also suggested that the coat of arms will be the Soviet ones but without the slogan 'Workers of all Lands Unite.'
stuart notholt

posted by petr exner

Four polls were held, all of which were passed. Two concerned state emblems (crest and flag) the third the re-adoption of Russian as a state language and the 4th concerned with economic integration with Russia. The full power of the state media was deployed to ensure the correct result.
stuart notholt 17-SEP-1995

OMRI's coverage of Belarus' symbols continue. According to reports on 22 May, new banknotes with revised symbols will not be issued this year. Replacement will be too costly. However, tension over the question of the new flag has built up. A presidential aide destroyed the white-red-white Belarusian flag only a day after the referendum. OMRI also reports, on 25 May, of a student demonstration in the capital Minsk against the decision to replace the current national flag. 300 demonstrators marched to the residence of president Lukashenka, tore down one of the new Soviet-style flags and flushed it down a public toilet. Questions have been raised as to the legality of the new flag, since the referendum restoring it must be confirmed by Belarus' parliament.
jan oskar engene

The government claims it was a reaction to unpopular agitating by ultra-nationalist college students in Minsk. Treat with a considerable pinch of salt! The Belarussan government is run by old-style Reds who are on record as regretting the demise of the USSR. Having totally failed to introduce meaningful reforms and wrecked the economy, they now see cosying up to Russia as a means of bailing out the situation. The Russians, incidentally, are only luke warm!
stuart notholt 17-SEP-1995