BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

01/04/2006

Belarus Temporarily Recalls Ambassador to Poland

Belarus temporarily recalled its ambassador to Poland on Friday amid strained relations following criticism by Polish officials over the Belarussian presidential election and the detention of Polish citizens during opposition protests in Minsk.

Belarussian Ambassador to Poland Pavel Latushko was temporarily recalled to Minsk for consultations, the Belarussian Foreign Ministry told the Interfax news agency.

The Foreign Ministry also summoned Polish Charge d'Affaires to Belarus Aleksander Wasilewski to protest Poland's actions in relations to Belarus, saying they "have significantly worsened the climate of neighborliness between the two countries."

Poland has decided to impose visa restrictions and likely travel bans against Belarussian citizens deemed responsible for the alleged rigging of Belarus' presidential election, according to the Polish Press Agency.

Poland's former ambassador to Belarus Mariusz Maszkiewicz was sentenced on Monday by a Minsk court to 15 days in jail for taking part in an unauthorized rally in Belarus. Journalist Weronika Samolinska of the Gazeta Wyborcza daily was also jailed for 10 days.

Source:

http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/706/2006/04/01/189@69941.htm