European Council censures Minister Giertych

He supported his decision yesterday during a press conference despite the opinion from the European Council. "I do not understand how teaching tolerance can be a reason for dismissal," announced Terry Davis, the Secretary General of the European Council which promotes democracy and human rights. Terry Davis met yesterday in Strasbourg with a Polish representative to the Council and demanded an explanation. "I made it clear that the Polish government can freely decide whether to use European Council publications for educational use. Selecting the publications is not mandatory, however, respecting the values and regulations which they describe is not optional," added Davis. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 4) A.K.