RFE/RL NEWSLINE 
Vol. 1, No. 110, 4 September1997

SOROS CLOSES OPERATIONS IN BELARUS. Hungarian-born U.S.
financier and philanthropist George Soros on 3 September said he is
closing down the Soros Foundation in Minsk, RFE/RL's Belarusian
Service reported. In a statement, the foundation said the closure is
the result of harassment by tax authorities in Minsk, including
"politically motivated investigations, unjustified and exorbitant fines,
and the seizure of its bank account." The statement accused
Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka of conducting a
campaign to destroy civil society and independent mass media. Soros
denies accusations by Belarusian authorities that the foundation has
been involved in opposition political activities. Foreign Minister Ivan
Antonovich told state television on 3 September that the closure is
an attempt to provoke a "sensational" political reaction. Soros's Open
Antonovich told state television on 3 September that the closure is
an attempt to provoke a "sensational" political reaction. Soros's Open
Society Institute has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to
former Communist countries to promote democracy and a free press.

TURKEY SUPPORTS HUNGARY'S NATO ACCESSION. Visiting Turkish
President Suleyman Demirel told his Hungarian counterpart, Arpad
Goencz, that his country backs Hungary's NATO membership,
Hungarian media reported on 3 September. Earlier this year, Turkey
hinted that it might veto the admission of new NATO members
unless its own application to join the EU was not treated more
favorably. Goencz told Demirel that Hungary supports Turkey's drive
to join the EU. Accompanied by a 130-strong business delegation,
Demirel said the volume of bilateral trade could reach some $100
to join the EU. Accompanied by a 130-strong business delegation,
Demirel said the volume of bilateral trade could reach some $100
million in the future. Demirel is scheduled to address the parliament
on 4 September.

HUNGARIAN INTERIOR MINISTER CRITICIZES ANTI-ROMA DECISION.
Gabor Kuncze has criticized the Satoraljaujhely local council for its
recent decision to expel a group of Gypsies on charges of endangering
law and order in the town, Hungarian media reported on 4
September. In a meeting with Mayor Karoly Laczko, Kuncze said the
council should pass a new resolution on the issue. He added that it is
regrettable that an "ethnic debate has developed in public over a
serious social problem." Laczko countered that "from a distance of
270 kilometers, the minister sees many things differently from how
we see [them] on the spot." Meanwhile, the government's minority
ombudsman has accused the town of "local apartheid."

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