By Howard Schneider
Washington Post Foreign Service
Friday, October 10, 1997; Page A31

Canada reinstated visa restrictions on the Czech Republic this week in hopes of discouraging immigration by Czech Gypsies, or Roma, after more than 1,200 arrived this year seeking protection as refugees.

Spurred by a positive television documentary about Canada, the Roma have asked for refugee status, claiming they were beaten up by skinheads and discriminated against by their government.

Most came in the last two months, straining social services in the Toronto area and taxing relations between Ottawa and Prague.

Immigration Minister Lucienne Robillard said in a statement earlier this week that because the arrival of Roma refugees shows no signs of slowing, the country had to impose restrictions.

"The dramatic increase in the number of refugee claims . . . presents Canada with a problem that it cannot ignore," Robillard said. "The situation is complex, and it is not an easy decision to make. However, action had to be taken."

According to the statement, "legitimate Czech visitors" will be able to obtain visas from the Canadian Embassy in Prague. In addition, Robillard said that Gypsies who still want to apply for refugee protection can do so at the embassy or other Canadian missions abroad.

In an effort to tighten ties with the former Communist country, Canada stopped requiring visas of Czech tourists last year, allowing them easy entrance to the country.

Within a few months, nearly 200 Roma had arrived and filed refugee claims, compared to only 29 the year before. By the end of September, the number for the year had reached 1,285.

Czech officials say they are taking steps to protect the Roma.