Leaders of Belarusian Poles divide on Polish ambassador`s return :: Charter'97 :: News

Representatives of the Polish ethnic minority have commented on the return of the Polish ambassador to Belarus, Tadeusz Pawlak, to Minsk. The Polish Foreign Ministry recalled the diplomat to Warsaw for consultations on 28 July amid a Polish-Belarusian diplomatic conflict caused by the situation round the Union of Poles in Belarus [UPB]. Pawlak returned to Minsk and took office on 11 October.

Kazimir Znaydzinski, deputy chairman of the UPB, has welcomed the return of the Polish ambassador to Belarus. "This is normal because the situation regarding the Union of Poles has eased and the new political forces that will win the presidential election in Poland will have to establish a dialogue with the UPB leaders elected at the union`s repeat convention in Vawkavysk [Hrodna Region] in late August," Znaydzinski said.

The first UPB chairman, Tadevush Havin, said that the ambassador`s return to Minsk was premature, as the situation with regard to the union had not improved. "The Belarusian authorities have taken control of the union and installed their people there. These henchmen do not represent the interests of the Polish ethnic minority," Havin believes.

He added that the return would have been acceptable if the Belarusian authorities had recognized the union leadership headed by Anzhalika Borys that was elected at the union`s March convention.

[The Belarusian Justice Ministry invalidated the UPB`s March convention, which resulted in the election of Borys as UPB leader, and ordered a repeat election. At the repeat convention in late August, Iosif Luchnik was elected UPB leader. The Polish authorities have said that they will not recognize the election, while the Belarusian Justice Ministry has declared it legitimate.

At 1243 gmt today, Belapan quoted a department chief with the Belarusian Foreign Ministry`s press service, Maryya Vanshyna, as saying that the Polish ambassador`s recall for consultations and his return to Minsk "fit in a normal diplomatic procedure".]