Washington, DC – Administration Slams Belarusian President for Anti-Semitic Comments

Washington, DC – The Bush administration called on the president of Belarus to retract anti-Semitic remarks.
"We have seen reports of President Lukashenko's disturbing and irresponsible comments," a State Department statement said. "We find them deeply offensive and call upon him to disavow these remarks. World leaders have a special responsibility to combat anti-Semitism, not perpetuate it."

In an Oct. 12 broadcast, Alexander Lukashenko said of Bobruisk, a Belarusian port city: "This is a Jewish city, and the Jews are not concerned for the place they live in. They have turned Bobruisk into a pig sty. Look at Israel — I was there."

Lukashenko was apparently soliciting favorable reaction from Iran, which has increased trade with Belarus in recent months. [jta]