BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

03/04/2008

Belarus Threatens "Adequate Measures" Against "Polish Charter"

Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrey Papou said in Minsk on April 2 that the so-called Polish Charter Law, which was passed by the Polish parliament in September and went into effect as of March 29, was adopted "without preceding consultations with the government of Belarus," RFE/RL's Belarus Service reported. Papou disclosed that Minsk suggested that Warsaw impose a moratorium on the law pending a legal assessment by international experts -- in particular, by the Council of Europe's Venice Commission -- but Warsaw paid no heed. "In the current situation, there is no other choice [for Belarus] than to reserve the right to take adequate measures [in response]," Papou added. The law provides people of Polish origin living in the countries of the former Soviet Union with the right to apply for the Polish Charter. The holders of this charter will enjoy extensive privileges, including a free multientry visa and the right to work, set up a company, and study in Poland. The charter will be valid for 10 years and extended for a further 10 years upon application. According to Polish media reports last year, approximately 900,000 people of Polish descent live in Belarus. JM

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