Poland to Take “Imminent Measures” Against Belarus for Diplomat’s Expulsion :: Charter'97 :: News

The Polish embassy in Minsk has officially confirmed that its deputy head Marek Bucko has been asked to leave Belarus within a month, Radio Polonia reported Wednesday. The Polish side says it is considering “imminent measures” in response.

The embassy spokesperson told Polish Radio ambassador Tadeusz Pawlak had been requested by the Belarusian Foreign Ministry to recall Bucko by June 15.

Marek Bucko has been in charge of contacts with Belarusian political parties, NGOs and the media. He also had working ties with the Association of Poles in Belarus.

Last week’s move by the Justice Ministry in Minsk invalidating the March election results of the ethnic Polish organization’s top posts have triggered strong protests and condemnation by Poland.

Foreign Minister Adam Rotfeld announced in a statement on the official government’s Web site that a Polish reply to the diplomat’s expulsion is imminent. He disclosed that the Polish side is considering refusing visas to all Belarusian politicians involved in the campaign targeting the Association of Poles.

At the same time, Rotfeld underscored the action would not be directed against Belarusian society, but the members of the regime in Minsk, above all, against President Lukashenko’s regime.