US State Department and Congress criticizing Lukashenka for anti-Semitic remarks

President Bush’s Administration called on Aliaksandr Lukashenka to retract anti-Semitic remarks. According to the US State Department representatives, the Belarusian president’s comments at the meeting with Russian journalists 12 October arouse concern.

“We find them deeply offensive and call upon him to disavow these remarks. World leaders have a special responsibility to combat anti-Semitism, not perpetuate it”, - said in the US State Department’s letter.

The correspondent statement concerning Lukashenka’s anti-Semitic remarks are preparing the representatives of the US Congress. According to Republican Mark Kirk, “Anti-Semitic acts are only sporadically investigated and the Government allows state enterprises to freely print and distribute anti-Semitic material. Anti-Semitic acts of vandalism are on the rise”. As Mark Kirk thinks, amid this climate of anti-Semitism, the Belarusian ruler’s statements are very dangerous, Radio Svaboda reports.

Yesterday the European Parliament and the Council of Europe criticized the Belarusian ruler’s statements. These European organizations advise Lukashenka to apologize for his “disgraceful words”.