From: "nigel allen" <nigel.allen@canrem.com>
Subject: cemetary in belarus
Reply-To: "nigel allen" <nigel.allen@canrem.com>
Organization: Canada Remote Systems
Distribution: soc
Date: 14 Nov 92 00:36:19 EST

 Moratorium on Apartment Construction at Jewish Cemetery in Belarus
follows Intervention by U.S. Commission
 To: National Desk
 Contact: Joel Barries of the United States Commission for
          the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad,
          202-254-3824

   WASHINGTON, Nov. 12   -- A moratorium on construction
of apartment buildings at a Jewish cemetery in Pinsk,
Belarus, (of the former Soviet Union) has followed recent
intervention by the United States Commission for the Preservation
of America's Heritage Abroad.
   "The rapid response by the government of Belarus, the Mayor of
Pinsk B.M. Timoshchenko, chairman of the city soviet, and his city
administration are extremely encouraging," said Rabbi Arthur
Schneier, chairman of the commission.  "The quick reaction to the
commission's intervention is a clear indication that respect for
the cultural heritage of their citizens still prevails in Belarus
and Pinsk."
   "A letter from the Embassy of Belarus in the USA regarding my
intervention with Foreign Minister H.E. Pyotr K. Kravchanka,"
Schneier said, "informed me that the Pinsk government has halted
construction 'to work out the modalities of a definite, cessation of
construction activities on the site.'"
   City authorities pledged to upgrade the condition of the
cemetery, to "define its real and accurate boundaries...to work for
the preservation of Jewish heritage in the city and its suburbs of
the memory of Jews perished at the hands of fascist invaders."  A
monument to the Jews killed in World War II will be erected in
Pinsk (and) three memorial plaques to the victims of Nazi
atrocities are already unveiled in (the) Pinsk area at the sites of
mass Jewish killings, according to the letter.
   The commission acted after receiving calls from members of
Congress who noted constituents' alarm at the construction and
alleged desecration of the historic Pinsk cemetery, which "is
a legitimate concern of Americans whose ancestors hail from
Belarus," the commission chairman said.
   "While it would be important for governments to take
preventative measures to avoid the anguish and costs involved when
historic and cultural sites are disturbed, the mayor is to be
praised for his recognition of the need to preserve the heritage of
Jewish citizens remaining in the former Soviet Union and of those
in other countries whose ancestors once lived in Pinsk," he said.
The Commission, a federal agency, has embarked on a program of
negotiating agreements with European governments to work with US
groups, and the commission itself, to identify and describe
buildings and other sites which have cultural significance to
American citizens, and to work with appropriate authorities in
those countries to preserve the sites.
   "Construction of buildings and roads, on important Jewish
cultural sites, often unintentional because unmarked areas have
been desecrated or left to decay, is an increasingly serious
problem in Eastern Europe as years dim the memories of well-
intentioned persons and governments," Schneier said.
   "Americans and others seeking to preserve their heritage have
become aware that the Nazi regimes and official policies of the
former communist regimes left few recognizable relics, even
cemetery stones, of their forefathers," he added.

Disclaimer: I found the above press release on another system, but I
don't have any additional information about the situation or the group
that issued the press release.
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