17 July 2002
Brest union leader refuses to step down

 Vladimir Mirochnik, chairman of the Brest regional trade union association, has rejected its presidium's demand that he step down as recommended at the association's plenary session held on July 11.
The presidium aimed to oust Mr. Mirochnik and Deputy Chairman Aleksandr Kavitsky, accusing them of failure to fulfill its directives and establish normal relations with regional governor Vasily Dolgolyov. Being treated in the hospital for a heart disease, Mr. Mirochnik was not able to
attend the meeting.
A final decision on Mr. Mirochnik now rests with a conference scheduled for July 26. Speaking to BelaPAN on Tuesday, he declined to comment on the presidium's decision, stressing, however, that he would
not resign of his own free will.