EU Ministers Warn Belarus, Condemn Passport Theft In Dubai Killing

Belarus has received another slap on the wrist -- but no more for the time being -- for its crackdown on independent leaders of its Polish minority.

The issue was raised by Poland, which, diplomats said, used today's meeting of EU foreign ministers to brief other governments about its concerns. There followed a very brief discussion after which the EU's top diplomat, Catherine Ashton, was mandated to issue a brief and measured statement to reporters in Brussels.

"We are concerned about the police action against the Union of Poles in Belarus and their chairwoman, Anzhelika Borys. These developments constitute a setback in our relationship” with the Belarusian authorities, Ashton said.

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