Belgian Interior Minister Asks Foreign Ministry To Issue Visa To Russian Family With Sick Baby

Belgian Interior Minister Antoine Duquesne has addressed the country's Foreign Ministry with a request that exception be made and a visa issued to the Russian family whose 9-month-old child needs a complicated liver transplant, said sources in the Belgian Interior Ministry. According to the sources, the Minister expects a positive solution to this problem, though the reaction of Belgium's Foreign Ministry has not so far been disclosed. The baby is due to undergo an operation in Brussels on May 14, 2001. Last week the Belgian authorities resolved to close the visa department of the consulate of the Belgian embassy to Moscow and stop issuing all visas except official ones until special instructions are given.