www.irex.minsk.by

I would like to direct the attention of the Moscow press corps to a website they may find interesting: www.irex.minsk.by

For anyone who may be writing about the presidential elections in Belarus, and wants background, there is an electronic archive of articles written in the Belarusian press (both private and state) going back to 1997. There are some useful links to other sites, as well.

Also, there is the office here in Minsk -- IREX/ProMedia -- which works with the independent media here in Belarus, helping it to survive in the very difficult conditions described by Masha Gessen in her excellent article in JRL 5370. If anyone is coming in and wants to chat, or needs contact info, I am perfectly happy to provide assistance -- it is in everyone's interests that the word about the elections gets out, and is accurate.

The story here is an interesting one, and quite complex. I hope we will see a lot of interest in Belarus over the next two months.

Greetings to all my old friends in Moscow -- I hope to be back one day soon!

Cheers,
Jean MacKenzie
Director
IREX/ProMedia, Minsk