10 September 2002
Brest authorities pledge to address market traders' grievances

 Brest city authorities promised to do what they can within their powers to address market traders' grievances, during a conference with traders at the city government office on September 9. Vladimir Mazalov, chairman of the Brest Union of Entrepreneurs "Sodeistviye", at the conference urged the authorities to revoke a July 2 directive requiring private traders to move and keep their outlets away from the state-run shops. "Republican and local authorities have passed many regulations lately that created impossible conditions for businesses and are targeted against the consumers," Mr. Mazalov said. "We pay taxes and are entitled to humane attitude."
Traders told BelaPAN after the conference that they would go on an indefinite strike on October 1 if problems raised at the conference were not addressed. Taking part in the meeting with traders were Nikolai
Gordiyevich, head of the city's executive authority; Nadezhda Yashchuk, chairwoman of the Brest City Soviet (elected council); the heads of the district administrations, sanitary services, police, customs and border patrol services.