Belarusian authorities imposed outright ban on recuperation holidays in EU
- 13.11.2008, 9:59
European politicians find the decision of the Belarusian authorities irrational and inhumane.
The Belarusian government imposed an outright ban for recuperation of children in European countries in the frames of Children of Chernobyl program. In this connection Jim Higgins, member of Irish Fine Gael party and member of the European Parliament, is going to raise a question of this ban in the European Parliament, “Yezhednevnik” reports refereeing to Fine Gael press service.
“This decision came like a bolt from the blue. There was no official explanation for the ban from the Belarusian authorities. Not alone is it a major setback for the hundreds of young Chernobyl children who thought they would be coming to Ireland and other EU countries for Christmas holidays, it has created considerable disappointment for the many communities and families who look forward to hosting the youngsters,” he said commenting on the decision of the Belarusian authorities.
Jim Higgins appreciates that Irish minister of foreign affaires Micheál Martin is to resolve the situation.
“I think it will require the collective voice of all EU member states in order to persuade the Belarus authorities to reverse the decision. I have tabled a Question to the French Presidency and I will be urging their Foreign Minister to lead a delegation from the EU in order to bring about a change of heart for what would seem to be a totally irrational and inhumane decision,” Jim Higgins said.
Ireland is the fourth among the western European countries, rendering considerable humanitarian aid to the Republic of Belarus. More than 2,000 Belarusian children from regions, suffered from the Chernobyl disaster, go to rest in Ireland annually.
Around 40 Irish charity organisations grant humanitarian aid to Belarus. But now the Belarusian authorities are breaking this fruitful humanitarian cooperation without any reasons. This may also affect the ties in policy and economy. Besides, Belarus is losing its prestige in the eyes of the international community.
Other courtiers are also concerned about the problem of recuperation. English Northern Echo daily reports that David Dodd, Darlington Building Society director and general manager, set himself an unusual target of running 1,168 miles to raise money for youngsters from Chernobyl.
"My aim is to raise sufficient money to be able to bring more children to Britain for recuperation in 2009. According to my calculations it is 1,168 miles from Darlington to Minsk. I will attempt to run that distance before the children are due here for their 2009 summer break. Although the target may seem daunting, I am really looking forward to completing the challenge,” David Dodd said.
It costs £450 to bring a child over from Chernobyl; Mr Dodd hopes to raise at least £1,800 to allow four children to visit.
But may it happen so that these endeavours will appear to be vain in the light of the ban of the Belarusian authorities?