Deutschland, Deutschland uber Poland

The Times of London ^ | May 8, 2003 | Roger Boyes

[Piranha]

May 08, 2003

Germany loath to let troops take Polish orders From Roger Boyes in Berlin

GERMANY has responded angrily to a proposal that its troops be deployed in northern Iraq under the command of Poland, one of the newest members of Nato. The United States recommended that Poland take over the military administration of northern Iraq, in charge of peacekeeping duties. The force under its command would number about 7,000, including contingents from Nato members such as Romania, Bulgaria and possibly Germany.

Peter Struck, the German Defence Minister, said he would “look into” the proposal, but was clearly opposed.

Poland, which contributed 200 men to coalition forces in Iraq, had promised 10,000 men for a peacekeeping force. This has shrunk to 1,500, with troops from other countries added. The US will be responsible for central Iraq and Britain for the south.

Neither Germany nor France had expected to take a leading military role in postwar Iraq, but the idea that Poland could take charge has stirred a hornets’ nest. President Kwasniewski of Poland will try to resolve the matter when he meets German and French leaders tomorrow, but there is no mistaking the dismay in “old Europe” as Poland flexes its muscles.

“We would like to have German troops,” Jerzy Szmajdzinski, the Polish Defence Minister, said after talks with Donald Rumsfeld, the US Defence Secretary. “I’m sure the United States would be interested in that.”

The comment was intended to be practical rather than polemical. Poland recognises that it has no experience in leading a multinational force. But there is a Polish-German-Danish brigade based in Szczecin in northwest Poland that could be deployed in Iraq.

The German press has been particularly dismissive. Perhaps Gerhard Schröder, the Chancellor, should use the summit in Wroclaw to “remind President Kwasniewski who exactly has been the strongest champion of Polish entry into the EU and Nato,” Süddeutsche Zeitung sniffed.

The Poles have responded in kind. “Germans and French, leave the Poles in peace!” was the headline in Superexpress. “We were right about the war, you do not have to teach us what to do in Iraq.”

France and Germany do not find it easy to accept the Nato and EU newcomers as equals. This was clear when President Chirac chided Poland and other former members of the Soviet bloc for signing a letter of support for the US ahead of the Iraq war. “They had lost,” he said at the time, “a good opportunity to stay silent.”

The Germans also suspect that the US is again trying to drive a wedge between “old” and “new” Europe.

Poland has been taken aback by the Germans’ surly response. Where Germany sees conspiracy, Poland sees a chance to bring Germany back into the loop. “I’m afraid there is some misunderstanding,” Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, the Foreign Minister, said. “We would like as many European partners as possible.”

Deep down most German politicians are unwilling to accept the concept; from the days of Bismarck until 1945, the Poles were seen as a subject people by Prussians and by Germans. The notion that a Polish captain would ever be allowed to give orders to a German soldier would take some getting used to.

[Piranha]

Some things never change. Imagine letting a group of Ubermenschen control the Aryan army!

[goldstategop]

Yup. The Germans have always looked down on the Poles as a lesser race.

[dinok]

It would be worth it top bring a platoon of germans just to see the film of them saluting the Polish general.

Serve them right. They have learned nothing apparently.

[grapeape]

I've said it here several times to a mute response, we are going to have to protect Poland with force. Both from Germany and Russia. Niether country has learned they they are no better than anyone else. Their peacenicks are like ours they majically dissappear when they feel they are going to benefit from the death, torcher, and the subjegation of others.

[dinok]

“They had lost,” he said at the time, “a good opportunity to stay silent.”

Does it get any worse than that?

Go Poland...

My father fought in North Africa with Polish troops, he said they were worth 5 Frenchmen and 4.5 Italians each.

[vbmoneyspender]

Some things never change. Imagine letting a group of Ubermenschen control the Aryan army!

I'm kind of hazy on the Third Reich lingo, but shouldn't that be Untermenschen

[Poohbah]

You are correct.

Uber = above

Unter = below

[rudypoot]

“...remind President Kwasniewski who exactly has been the strongest champion of Polish entry into the EU and Nato.”

Maybe the germans should be reminded that the US gave Poland the responsibility of Northern Iraq. That's the deal, take it or leave it.

"France and Germany do not find it easy to accept the Nato and EU newcomers as equals."

But they want to be equal to the US. I am getting dang close to giving up Bratwurst...

[ricpic]

Nostradamus: Forces will come out of the east.

Ooowooowooowoooo.............................................

[B-Chan]

Das typische Deutsche offensichtlich hat kein Selbstironiegefühl.

(Ich bin ein typische Deutsch-Texaner...)

[Piranha]

You're right, I confused my ubers and my unters. I'm glad there are so many knowledgeable people on FreeRepublic. The free exchange of ideas in the marketplace comes through yet again.

[billl]

don't worry about the bratwurst.
its probably made fresh and local to your town.
its the imported french wine or the german beer that would benefit the weasels.

[Jim Noble]

von der Maas bis an die Memel

von der Etsch bis an dem Belt

doesn't leave too much room for Poland...

[Poohbah]

But if he insists on giving up bratwurst, kielbasa makes a fine replacement.

[RJL]

The axis of the unwilling, France, Germany and Russia, all three of them think they are going to be the boss.

It's going to be a hoot to watch.

[mc5cents]

Just because you believe that weinerschnitzl is superior to kielbasa is no reason to go on a sniff. Come on boys, be nice.

[SoDak]

This is entertainment.

[Stultis]

Time for the U.S. to revive the Warsaw Pact, and then join it. (Russia can take our place in NATO, and let them put up with the French.)

[Poohbah]

You should realize that forcing the Russians to put up with the French is only SLIGHTLY less of an "unfriendly act" than a full US strategic nuclear strike...

[RJL]

The Germans also suspect that the US is again trying to drive a wedge between “old” and “new” Europe.

France's Chiraq already drove the wedge home, with his infamous comments against the new EU candidates.

The US doesn't have to do anything but be a friend to our new Eastern European allies.