Poland Stops Financing of Weekly “Glos znad Niemna” :: Charter'97 :: News

Poles in Belarus have lost independent weekly “Glos znad Niemna”. Last Friday the newspaper was published by the old leadership of the Union of Poles in Belarus, which is dependent from the official authorities. The only author, who signed all texts, was Tadevush Kruchkouski, former chairman of the Union of Poles. His articles are smearing the Polish government and the new leadership of the UPB.

The reaction of Poland to the news from Belarus was forceful. Tomasz Lis from the Foreign Affairs Ministry told that Poland suspends financing of the “Glos znad Niemna”.

“Our only reaction would be liquidation of financing sources, as it is known that “Glos znad Niemna” was published only thanks to support of the society “Wspolnota Polska” and foundation “Pomoc Polakom na Wschodzie”, told Tomasz Lis to Radio Polonia. “It is possible that Belarusian authorities would start financing of the weekly themselves, if they want it to be issued. If the UPB leadership and the editorial office of the weekly would be recognized in the membership that had been elected at March congress of the UPB, we would return to the previous situation naturally”.