COUNCIL OF EUROPE WORRIES ABOUT BELARUS.

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Daniel Tarschys, told an international conference in Warsaw yesterday that Western countries are concerned over the political situation in Belarus and consider President Aleksandr Lukashenko responsible for violating human rights, suppressing press freedom, and using repressive measures against the political opposition and trade unions. Tarschys suggested that Poland play an active role in working with democratic elements in Belarus to help the country come out of its isolation. (UPI, May 23)

Democratic and pro-independence groups in Belarus tend to regard Poland as their country’s conduit to the West and favor working with Polish political forces and trade unions. Lukashenko and other pro-Moscow elements for their part have sought to rekindle and exploit age-old Orthodox-Catholic tensions as a tactic to counter Polish and generally Western influences.

Ford Establishes Joint Venture in Belarus.