Poles urged to evacuate Central African Republic

As the situation in the Central African Republic grows more violent, the Polish foreign ministry has called for Poles present in the country to “leave immediately.” The move is supported by Poland's defense ministry, which is monitoring the situation in the CAR. At least 75 people have been killed within the last 24 hours in clashes between Muslims and Christians, according to Western news agencies. “As early as last week, we recommended Polish citizens leave the country immediately. Right now there are 35 Poles there, mostly missionaries and others supporting the missions,” Marcin Wojciechowski, the foreign ministry's spokesperson, told TVN However, the missionaries have so far been reluctant to desert their flock. “We don't want to evacuate, we want protection. Our presence here is meant to make those living here feel safer. I don't know what would happen if we were to leave,” Father Benedykt Pączka told the station. /ra/jb