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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."
So about 50% of US citizens is anti US ?
Lukasz,
I'm retired now, but I still work at a military installation. We just had one of ours found guilty of terrorism on the post. And if you'll remember, it was an American soldier that rolled grenaides into tents in Kuwait killing American soldiers just prior to the start of the Iraq offensive. If we can't be completely trustful of our own people to include our soldiers, how can we trust immigrants that have no alliance with the US and nothing to lose? They should respect our needs to protect ourselves as not all his countrymen are good guys, just like ours.
Red
FWIW, when I visited Russia, I had to get a visa.
We are treating Poland no worse than many countries treat the USA today. Complaints are not fair; we have some borders to protect.
Guys, I think it is reasonable to ask every person who enters our nation to identify themselves and go through certain formalities.
If we didn't do so, it would be possible for terrorists to claim they were entering from countries other than middle easters countries, thereby circumventing their own visa requirements.
Doesn't Poland have Visa requirements? What stops people from entering their nation and carrying out terrorist activity?
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I agree on all counts. Further, it has amazed me that our northern European immigration seems to be almost nil, while our middle eastern immigrations seems out of control.
Don't even get me started on Mexico. As far as I am concerned we've already gotten our quota for the next 100 years.
"Guys, I think it is reasonable to ask every person who enters our nation to identify themselves and go through certain formalities."
You don't understand that people in Poland have little chance to get even a tourist VISA to the USA.
"Doesn't Poland have Visa requirements? "
Not for US citizens.
My cousin lives in Chicago well after his visa expired. While I ordinarily do not condone flaunting the law, he is here because he sees opportunity to have a career here, which in poland would be difficult. While Poland has come a long way, the economy still sucks compared to here, especially for tech sector jobs. He is brilliant and like most Poles, a very hard worker. The BS he had to go through just to come visit was ridiculous. He eventually had to get a J1 visa and participate in a work program which was demeaning for him. But he wanted to experience the USA. While in Poland and about to come over to Canada on a visa (he could not get a tourist visa here), the terrorists attacked us and the airlines were shut down and he could not fly to Toronto from Berlin. He only intended to stay for a short time in Canada, and we were going to meet him in Niagara Falls. While he has overstayed his welcome from an INS standpoint, he is a productive member of society, pays his taxes, and works hard for decent wages. He wants to go to school here and maybe live here. Because of his status he can't go home and be able to return. Poland is right to be outraged. We do not require visas for many other countries. Poland has gone out of its way to prove its loyalty and friendship to the USA and what they are asking for is not much. I doubt there are many Muslims living there. Unlike France and Germany.
Tourist Visas for American are for free, and it isn’t any problem to get it. To America situation is completely different. You know like all my compatriots I don’t identify with Russia, relations between US and Russia it is not our problem. The same with other countries which are treated like Poland. It is case between USA and Poland, others don’t have any meaning here. Look how Poland treat you, we are not responsible for others… US politicians should think who is good and who is bad, in another way for couple of years they will be alone, or rather with allies like France. For own wish.
Poland has gone out of it's way for the United States and we shouldn't treat our friends this way.
Before EU extension in Western European countries tabloids wrote that workers from Eastern Europe in the number of few thousands of them flood European job market. In effect only few old EU members like UK open their job market from Eastern workers. Now we know that this case was exaggerated to the maximum and nothing special happened, some peoples went work there, but this not change drastically situation in job market. Whole EU afraid of that and in fact three or four countries which didn’t closed their markets manage it calmly.
But the main problem is not the fact, that the Poles have to apply for a visa if they want to go to the USA. At this difficult time that would be understandable.
The problem is, that - at the same time - we have to do it, and the Germans, the French, the Spanish and many other "friends" of America don't - because they're under visa waiver programme.
This is something that I'll never understand and - believe me - it's considered here as simply not fair.
As Matthew Paul pointed above - some second class American oficials are trying to explain to us, that it's very comlex problem, and that visa requirements for the Poles will be abandoned, if the percentage of visa denials for the Poles drops below something like 5%. Today it's about 30% and guess what - even Saudi Arabians are better than we are. At least for the US Immigration. Do you think it's fair treatment of an ally? I don't think so.
And something more. The main reason of such high percentage of denials for the Poles is not the terrorism, but the fact, that many of them tend to stay longer and work illegaly. Yep - real crime, hurting American economy really badly (sarecasm). And teh Saudi Arabians are much richer than we are and they go to the USA for other purpose, like learnig how to stear Boeing.
It is little difference between the FACT that someone really stayed there longer and that some officials tell you that you WILL stay there longer.
Lizol, I do want Poles treated fairly. You mentioned that Spain and a few others have Visa wavers. Today, I think that's a lousy idea. Spain has their Baske Separatists. England has it's Moslem immigrants, some of which are very problematic. So does France. I'd sooner tighten up an these other nations than loosen the restrictions on other nations.
As for 30% of the Pole visa holders overstaying their visa applications, you must realize that is a problem. The United States, just like the sovereign government of Poland, has a right to set immigration limits as it sees fit. When we have honored guests, we expect them to act honorably within the limits of their visas.
Now I'll grant you that the U.S. doesn't enforce it's immigration laws evenly. Frankly, some of us in the U.S. are furious about that very fact.
I personally have a lot of respect for Poland, it's people and their devotion to freedom. I am sorry that we disagree on this to a certain extent.
Poland should receive some of the best treatment we extend, when it comes to nation to nation relations. There's no doubt about that in my mind.
You're probably right, but this situation is annoying anyway.
Of course - I don't expect America to close the waiver visa programme for other nations - just because it can't be open for us. That would be nothing but pure stupidity of me. But - try to get in our shoes. It's really a bitter experience.
Think about this - I've been to the USA twice, using J1 visa. It was in 1996 and 1997. Neither time I stayed longer that I was entitled to. My country is supposed to be cosidered as one of the staunchiest allies of the USA. I'm personally a big fan of America and the Americans. And - if I decided to go to the USA once again I'll have to take a risk, that I'll be humiliated by some American Immigration officer - as I've witnessed once (thanks God it didn't happen to me).
At the same time some French will just go through the Immigraton booth just showing his passport - only because his wallet is probably thicker.
It's strange isn't it?
"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…"
Dzieki Lukasz. Thank you.
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