Poland. On April 17-19 an International conference took place in Warsaw. It was devoted to the beginning of constructing a Museum of History of Polish Jews. The professor Israel Gutman from the Jewish University in Jerusalem heads the scientific council of a would-be museum. The council cooperates with the Association of Jewish Historic Institutes. A monument to heroes of the Warsaw ghetto rebellion will be constructed in front of the museum. Audio and video presentation of the Museum project was shown to the conference participants.

Poland. The police of Krakow have reinforced the patrols around the historical places of Jewish history in the Kazimezh district - the lower part of the old city, where Jews had once settled. A recently restored Kazimezh is nowadays one of the most popular touristic routes. Now the historical scenery is amended by reinforced police patrols in body armors and "wounding around" men in civil clothes. "I don't think any place connected with the Jewish history can be safe now, - said the director of Jewish cultural center Robert Gondek. - It is better to play safe now than to regret later".

Romania. The government has approved a bill strengthening the responsibility for racism and xenophobia. The bill envisages imprisonment for the period from 5 to 15 years for the creation of racist groupings. Moreover, the punishment in the form of imprisonment or fine is envisaged for: the denial of mass extermination of Jews by Nazis, sale of fascist and racist symbols and extolling figures guilty in the crimes against the humanity.

Czeck Republic. Hundreds of Prague residents left their houses on April 17 to celebrate the Israel Independence Day. The demonstrators carried Israeli flags, banners with the slogans glorifying Israel and portraits of victims of terror. The Jewish community of Prague organized the event. During the demonstration the representatives of community gathered signatures to the declaration proclaiming solidarity with the Jewish people.

Lithuania. The press-service of the Lithuanian government informed that the reconstruction of six quarters of a Jewish ghetto would start in the nearest future in Vilnius. Some days ago the Prime Minister of Lithuania Algirdas Brazauskas held a meeting at which he offered to assess the amount and succession of forthcoming works, preparation of projects, customer's functions and financial questions. The Jewish community and the Lithuanian Foundation of Jewish Cultural Heritage will participate in the realization of the project. They will also have to solve the questions concerning a synagogue's restoration.