Chechen information centers allowed to continue, but under observation

President Kwasniewski announced yesterday that the country's Chechen information centers will not be closed down unless they infringe Polish law. The announcement followed receipt by the Foreign Ministry of a letter from the Russian authorities demanding the closure of Chechen information centers operating on Polish territory. Kwasniewski stated that, "the Polish authorities are observing the activities of the centers and if there were to be any signs or evidence of violating the letter of law, very severe measures will be taken," emphasizing also that, "we do not have any incentive to tolerate the functioning of institutions that propagate terrorism or threaten the internal or international equilibrium." However, Chechens are not given a warm welcome by border guards, who "impede access to refugee procedures" claims the High Commissioner for Refugees. To date, some 4,500 Chechens have petitioned for refugee status, of whom 382 have been granted asylum. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A5) A.C.