Posted on 09/06/2004 12:54:34 AM PDT by SpikeMike
WARSAW, Sept. 1 - The president of Poland, one of America's closest European allies, has made a rare and impassioned plea to Washington to be "flexible, open and gracious." In a veiled criticism of United States foreign policy, President Alexander Kwasniewski said he did not want to see "America take the ideas of the neoconservatives of isolationism, to have full dominance in the world and to play a divide and rule policy. It is a mistake."
The president's remarks were made on Wednesday after a long interview in which he set out his view of Poland's role in Europe. When asked about Iraq and the United States, the president switched to a more reflective and personal mood. The decision to support the American-led war against Iraq, was "one of the most difficult decisions in my life," he said. "But I am sure it was the right decision." Asked if he has any regrets over it, he replied, "Next question, please."
With polls typically showing about 70 percent of Poles calling for bringing the troops home, Mr. Kwasniewski said he preferred to wait until Iraq had a new government installed. "That will change the role of the troops, from occupation to peacekeeping," he said, implying that under those circumstances it would be easier for other countries to contribute soldiers while some of the Polish contingent could go home.
[On Friday, the Polish defense minister, Jerzy Szmajdzinski, announced the withdrawal of troops from the province of Karbala, which has been the scene of fighting between the Americans and the Mahdi Army of the rebel Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr.]
The last few months have apparently weighed heavily on Mr. Kwasniewski, a popular public figure whose former career as a Communist youth leader and minister took place when Poland was sandwiched between two superpowers.
"America is not the first superpower we have known," he noted. "But sometimes, the character of a superpower is a problem, not so much for us but for the Americans to understand they are strong enough, clever enough, have enough influence and are creative enough to be accepted as a superpower."
The outburst, however mild, was extremely rare for a politician in a country that has been a staunch ally of Washington. But the twin acts of joining the European Union and a decision by Washington to impose visas on Poles have led to some soul-searching inside the presidential palace.
Mr. Kwasniewski said he felt "hurt" by the visa decision. "Of course, as a realistic politician I understand the situation. But as a man, a human being, a friend of America, I do not understand it. In my opinion, a big country should be open, and sometimes more flexible, more gracious."
Now that Poland is inside the European Union, it sees how Europe must play a greater role in defense matters, Mr. Kwasniewski said. He apparently sees the recent decision by the United States to withdraw tens of thousands of troops from Europe as a sign to Europe to spend more on defending its own interests.
"This policy means that it is necessary to spend more money to solve Europe's problems, not to wait for the Americans in the Balkans, or in Moldova, or for bringing democracy to Belarus. This is our task."
He seems to be commneting on our visa policy and NOT our Iraq policy.
Very clever and nuanced context smearing by the SLIMES.
May well be. He certainly has an interest in American immigration policy, given the enormous number of Poles who live in the US. I speak as a former resident of the second-largest Polish city: Chicago, Illinois.
bump/ping
Poland has gone out of it's way to be a good friend of the United States. This guy deserves some latitude to make some reasoned comments, even if I do disagree.
The Visa matter should be simple enough for him to understand. We are a target and we MUST protect ourselves. That doesn't mean we are not good friends with his nation, or wish to target his citizens unfairly.
Every visitor to the United States must have valid identification, and needs to processed in a professional matter.
As for Iraq, we shouldn't expect nations to stay there indefinately. At some point Poland should withdraw it's contingent.
It is pretty irritable when you feel that US officials comparing and treating your nation like Muslim terrorists. More irritable is the fact that other European countries with large Muslim population are treated better. That is why US politicians must think about it, what they expect from Poland and other Eastern European countries, they want isolate their allies? If yes how long that countries can live with this US attitude? Second case is that USA it is not only target for terrorists and geographical position is much better than other coalition countries. I understand that you must protect ourselves but politicians must decide who is really dangerous terrorists or allies…
huh?
If we can't show a preference for our friends, how can we keep them?
He is right and wrong at the same time.
We do need a better Visa policy. But as far as the EU and acting on a threat instead of screaming for the US to help, I cannot see that EVER happening.
The Poles may want to go but they cannot drag France along.
This is something that can be fixed, but it is not something over which we lose an ally. I don't know anyone who hates Poland, and we no longer here Polish jokes, in fact they are all French jokes now.
We DO respect Poland. WE have NO respect for France. Leave the fixing of problems like this to the policy makers.
Security is the goal. It just needs a little tactfulness. I say yes to Poles No the Frogs.
Hello MP -- I was in Poland last year -- people in the US have no understanding of what a big deal the visa issue is to the Polish people, and how insulting it appears to be. Seems to me we owe the Poles a favor or two for their support.
FRiend, our ears are beat upon everyday with UGLY from the rest of the world. The "world" that contained friends who we now find see themselves as competitors as the world's superpower or at the very least, resentful. Of course, this has been going on for years and through the media, seems to be at a cresendo. We don't stand by and wring our hands over the criticism anymore.
We respect Poland for what they are today, what they have been through in the past. We also thank them today and wish them well. We wait for the other shoe to drop when Poland falls in with France, Germany. 70% anti-US does not bode well.
cresendo = crescendo
should have waited for the caffeine to kick in :o)
Poland just might end up as the protector of the EU if other participating countries don't face up to their military responsibilities. Good luck, Poland!
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