Posted on 09/26/2005 1:48:45 PM PDT by lizol
New Polish government plans to talk tougher with U.S., but remain a close ally
Vanessa Gera Canadian Press
September 26, 2005
WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Centre-right parties victorious in Poland's weekend election are expected to keep their distance from Russia and retain a pro-U.S. stance but talk tough about what they want from Washington in return.
The conservative Law and Justice Party, which initial results showed in the lead Monday, and its expected coalition partner, the free market Civic Platform, support warm ties with the United States.
Both parties have also indicated they might extend Poland's deeply unpopular military mission in Iraq past a Dec. 31 deadline, although they did not campaign on the issue. They stress that in return they would demand more from the United States than the country's sacrifices, including the deaths of 17 soldiers, have brought so far.
"They will be asking the United States for more commitments," said Lena Kolarska-Bobinska, a sociologist and director of the Institute of Public Affairs, a prominent think tank. "They would want close relations with the United States, but close relations that would offer us something, for example the modernization of the Polish army or some other issue."
There is a widespread sense that the left-wing government, ousted in Sunday's vote, has neglected to fight for Polish interests in return for sending ground troops for the 2003 war and later leading an international force that now comprises 4,000 troops.
Although Washington made no concrete promises, Poles had hoped rewards might include more investments in the Polish economy, lucrative deals for Polish companies in reconstructing Iraq, or abolishing travel visas required for Poles visiting the United States.
U.S. Ambassador Victor Ashe said he hopes to see a continued Polish presence in Iraq.
"Clearly, Poland has made a great contribution to the security of the people of Iraq and the cause of democracy," Ashe told The Associated Press. "We hope that the next Polish government will continue this engagement at an appropriate level, based upon the political and military situation on the ground in Iraq."
Maintaining the strong friendship with Washington has taken on greater urgency as Poland's relations with Russia have spiralled downward over the past year, increasing Poland's need for protection by a strong ally, Kolarska-Bobinska argued.
The never-easy ties with Russia took a turn for the worse last year when Poland jumped into Ukraine's election crisis, taking the side of the pro-Western candidate against Moscow's preference.
Over the summer, the tone grew even more strident when the children of Russian diplomats were attacked in a Warsaw park. The incident sparked an angry reaction from the Kremlin and was soon followed by attacks on Polish diplomats and a journalist in Moscow.
The likely new prime minister, Law and Justice leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski, can be expected to take a tough tone with Moscow. Two days before the election, he referred to the attacks on Poles by comparing today's Russia to Nazi Germany.
Russia's recent cozy relationship with Germany, embodied in an agreement between the two countries to build a gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea, bypassing Poland, has also been perceived as a threat.
"People started to be afraid that there is something going on above our heads. In this situation, America is perceived as the ultimate friend who can help us," Kolarska-Bobinska said.
With 90 per cent of votes counted, the Law and Justice Party and the Civic Platform had a commanding combined majority, with 26.8 per cent and 24.2 per cent respectively. Projections gave the two parties about 285 seats in parliament's 460-member lower house, offering them a solid base from which to tackle problems that include a jobless rate of 17.8 per cent, the highest in the European Union.
abolishing visas, modernizing the military? These dont seem like big demands to me. And while we are at it, bases for the US military moving out of Germany. Poland has proven a trusty ally since 1989 and I hope that situation will continue.
It's unfortunate that they think they have to "talk tough" with us ... but we need to look past that and be supportive of a more conservative outlook.
Well the government won a strong mandate, I think they'll be talking tougher with everyone. The requests seem reasonable and possible, so it's not inappropriate to ask and negotiate. Not so much as a "this for that" thing for Iraq, but just as helping an ally who is doing the right thing.
Abolishing tourist visas for Poles would be a wrong decision. The restrictions placed on a country are based on the history of those who return after a visit, and are fair. Poles have a lousy record of returning home, and so do not look for any lessening of restrictions.
It is a Canadian news story though, you have to take this with a grain of salt.
The United States lets visitors from countries in western Europe which are often hostile to the United States to enter without visas. It is a shame that Poles who have demonstrated both friendship and commitment have to jump the visa hurdle. I hope this is soon corrected.
I'm half-Polish myself and do not tolerate such behavior. Waiving visas should not be a standardized policy for ANY country, even though we do it for Ireland, France, etc.
I am also in favor of abolishing travel visas for Poles visiting the US.
The biggest challenge for the Polish government is how to keep their best and brightest from pursuing careers outside of Poland and to make it economically feasible for them to stay there. If they can do that, then the country has a bright future. The low voter turnout is not an encouraging sign, however.
Regulated immigration yes, waiving of visas and illegal immigration NO!
The fact that you would support illegal aliens coming into the US, Polish or Mexican, shows you have little if any respect for our legal system. Additionally, it says worlds about your moral beliefs. That said, I have no problem with having bases in Poland, but suspect they will be in southeastern Europe as they are better located for our purposes.
There are already ways for highly educated Poles to come here without much of a problem.
That's ironic, because most Americans by birth fight illegal immigration, and in no way support of endorse it. They do not accept that as reality.
Bush is an American by birth..... < grin>
I have to admit you found one. :)
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