28/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - The Slovenian EU Council Presidency has condemned the use of violence by the Belarus authorities (EUROPE 9630) in dispersing peaceful demonstrators in Minsk on 25 March. In a declaration issued on Friday 28 March, the Slovenian EU Council Presidency expressed its strong disappointment at the arrest of a large number of participants, and called for their immediate release. The EU reiterates its expectation that Mr Aliaksandr Kazulin, the last remaining political prisoner, will be released unconditionally and without delay. This would enable the European Union to start engaging progressively with Belarus, the Presidency adds. It states that the nationwide round-up of local journalists connected to foreign media, which started on 27 March, is particularly worrisome, as is the recent treatment of the US Ambassador to Minsk and many of her staff who have been obliged to leave Belarus at very short notice. (A.B.)