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 told nothing but the TRUTH!
ALL WE DEMAND IS NOTHING BUT RESPECT! IF THAT'S TOO MUCH FOR AMERICA, THEN....
....then, in return, we receive stupid smiles of second class officials, who tell us empty words about freedom and then when asked about visas, they say with a big smile on their faces while seeing out, "Visas? Sorry, guys! We can't! Strict procedures! But we love you, we love you so much, buddies!
Economically, we are in the EU and Europe hasn't been flooded by Poles so far. Politically, you won't find more pro-American country in the world. If US election were in Poland, GWB would win a landslide victory (the only country in Europe), etc.
Even for the countries from which terrorists usually come, your borders are open. For Poland? A big kick and a sweet, gentle "f..k off!"
That's not the way we understand the word 'respect'.
Matt from Poland "
Dobrze napisales. Dzieki (Thank you)
Well it's inexcusable that some contracts were not given to Polish firms. I'll grant you that.
If as you say, the Polish can roam around Europe at will, then the U.S. will have to address the problem. I do not think the U.S. has it out for Poland's citizens.
In this day and age though, it's shocking to me that any nation would open it's borders to entrance without full documentation.
If you guys have a major terrorist attack within your borders, you'll quickly learn why the U.S. is having to deal with this as it has. And I sincerely hope that you don't.
Please understand that the United States simply cannot open it's doors to every world citizen that wants to come here. Please understand also, that the U.S. can only handle so many new immigrants. It tries to handle immigration quotas in a manner that gives everyone a fair shot, but immigrants to the United States have always had to wait for long periods. You are not the only ones being singled out.
I do not know what America television talk, I do know, I want your President again!!!!!!!!
That is not good. Poland help America your country. France Germany did not help America.
That's not an excuse. Maybe I want your stereo, so should I break into your home and take it illegally, because "I can't do it legally"? I agree that our immigration laws are not applied fairly, and I would like to see all illegals and all foreigners who overstayed their visas kicked out. If it were up to me, I'd allow Poles to immigrate to this country before I'd allow Mexicans or Middle Easterners. But you're not earning any sympathy, and you're not doing a good job of making your case, when you seem to claim that it's justified for Poles to break American laws.
"Alexander Kwasniewski is quite a socialist" - absolutely right.
"he doesn't represent Poland government" - I think wrong. Maybe he doesn't represent the government, but certainly he does represent Poland - as the President, head of the State (no matter if one likes him or not).
I think there is quite easy explanation of his new stance. Next year he'll be out of the office, due to ending of his second (and last) term. So - he must take care of his own future and improving his relations with European "powers" is related to that goal.
I think Nea Wood is right.
Dura lex, sed lex.
9/11 attacks were horrible. I hope that it won't happen anymore. I understand that security is now the most important for the US government, however I doubt that Polish citizens could be danger for the USA.
France has 5 million Muslims, Poland has about 10.000. French citizens can travel to the USA without visas, Polish citizens unfortunately can't do it. I could find many similar examples. I think that US borders aren't enough secured and I even think that it's impossible to secure so long borders. That's why terrorists should be traced in Pakistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and everywhere else, before they reach US borders. I'm sure that terrorists don't care If they cross US borders legally or not.
Believe me that I wouldn't have said anything about this issue If I had known that Polish citizens without visas could be danger for the USA.
BTW They are in the USA anyway - legally or not.
Look at this:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1068085/posts
Post #18 is interesting. #26 is a little funny :-)
Lukasz,
Tourists or immigrants, anyone crossing the border into this country should be considered suspect. Again, like I mentioned in my post, even within our own people we cannot determine who is and is not a terrorist. The islamist that threw the grenaides was black, SPC Ryan Anderson at Fort Lewis, the soldier who was trying to pass troup movements to islamist, and was stung by feds, was white. You can't determine terrorist by any known way. It is a theory, not a race, color, or anything else except at this time, a religion meaning radical islamist. Anyone can play, and anyone can kill indisciminently. A visa is a way of tracking a person, not a black mark. Please afford us our safety.
Red
Thanks for the comments and the links. I have enjoyed communicating with you folks. Even as a kid of sixteen and seventeen (around 37,8 years ago), I was concerned with eastern European nations. Checkoslovakia, Poland, you guys have been on my mind for a long long time. I have wished you the best all along. That won't change for me. I am thrilled with your new freedoms. I appreciate your input on this matter.
Take care.
My cousin tried to get a J1 visa before 9/11 and was denied. Why? Because he is single and has a Software Engineering degree. All he wished to do was visit family he had never met in the USA and experience America. So, he is able to convince Canada to grant a visa and before coming over, 9/11 occurs and his flight is cancelled. The following year, he is able to get a J1 visa on a work program, and he overstayed his visa as he realized his education was not equivalent here and so he went to work in a trade and earns money so he can get his Masters degree here. From there, I do not know his plans. He is hoping for an amnesty or our rules to change as they apply to Poland, one of our best allies.
I don't think this is going to change overnight. We're trying, we're really trying.
Take the Saudis, the Pakis and all the other Muhammadan nations' visas and give them to the Poles, our friends and allies. 70% against? I'm not huge on polls, but...no pun intended either...
My ancestors on my father's line were from that part of the world. The Polish people have been through enormous pain and suffering over the years. Long Live Poland !
Keep trying, Polish friend. We're trying to help at our end, too.
Tuxedo,
Any time the situation like we have here occurs, there will be a certain amount of people that have to pay a price for the errors of others. Your cousin was denied because of a standard marked for everyone, not just him. He tried to side step the ruling by going after a Canadian visa, and was stopped by a situation not in the control of the US. Then, when he did apply and get the visa he was after, which with a little patience it seems he could have gotton without the side stepping, he illegally, and knowingly, overstayed and violated the contract he joined with the US. You don't mention if he reapplied for another type of visa or if he even contacted the government. And for all intents and purposes, he is being outsourced for the job he currently has because he is not supposd to be here holding it. Hence our problem with the borders.
I wish him well, just the same as you. But it is difficult for me to accept his actions, what with the outbreaking of terrorist cells being discovered in the US regularly, when they came through the door just like him and also overstayed their visas. Does an ally knowingly violate agreed policy? At that point, there has to be a question as to whose side the ally is on.
Red
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