CET ON-LINE*5-APR-96
Friday, 5 April 1996 Volume 1, Issue 324
Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Schenk on Thursday lashed out at
the European Union after it criticised recent changes to
Slovakia's penal code. Three envoys representing the EU met
Schenk on Wednesday and told him that while the bloc welcomed
the recent ratification of a friendship treaty with Hungary, it
was concerned about recent changes to the Slovak penal code
establishing penalties for subversion and damaging the republic
abroad. He pointed out that such procedure was called for in
the EU association agreement in cases of misunderstanding or of
questions which needed to be further discussed. Since Prime
Minister Vladimir Meciar won elections in 1994, the European
Union has delivered two diplomatic notes expressing concern
about Slovak democracy and the United States has issued one. A
statement issued on behalf of the EU by current president Italy
voiced concern about Slovakia's new anti-subversion law. The new
U.S. ambassador to Slovakia Ralph Johnson, presenting his
credentials to President Michal Kovac on Thursday warned his
government would continue to criticise Slovak actions when it
considered necessary, TASR said.
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