41.   Last month Belarus authorities failed to renew the visa of the interim head of mission, Frenchman Michel Rivollier.

42.   No other correspondents have had similar problems and most stay longer than two years without having difficulties renewing their visas.

43.   No other correspondents have had similar problems and many have stayed longer than two years without having difficulties renewing their visas.

44.   The authorities granted illegal immigrants an amnesty of several months to allow them to leave without facing prosection or renew their visas.