Posted on 09/27/2005 1:49:02 PM PDT by twinself
WARSAW, Poland (AP) -- Center-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 -- which include 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 spiraled 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 percent of votes counted, the Law and Justice Party and the Civic Platform had a commanding combined majority, with 26.8 percent and 24.2 percent 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 percent, the highest in the European Union.
ping
Poland, you do it because it is the right thing to do -- not for what you can get out of it.
I'm rethinking about Poland now after reading this.
Believe me or not. We're both in it for the money. You even more than us. I think it is not a secret in a place like this.
I don't believe it...about this country anyway.
Same ol "it's all about the oil" crap? If so, who cares what you think.
So what about the oil? China is trying to secure Iran's oil fields and trying to intimidate Japan over its natural gas wells. We had several reasons to go in Iraq, and I am glad we did.
Infact we need to go into Iran to not only dispose the mullahs there (the ones who want nukes) but to deny China a massive chunk of its oil.
Sure thing. But this time the cry is gonna be sky high. China and Russia think they have secured their interest on Iranian oil fields and will do whatever they can to prevent the coalition.
Unless we want China to trample all over us or ISrael get wiped off the map by an Iranian atomic bomb, it is a risk we will have to take. We're gonna have to do something since the mullahs there want nukes and would not hesitate to fire them.
Unfortunately you are probably right. Iran + nukes = most probably Palestinians with nukes.
What's your point ?
285 out of 460.
My point is that if Poland only went to Iraq for what they could GET LATER instead of going there for the right reasons, Poland can shove off now as far as I'm concerned.
Poland's new Peadership comments were sickening and disgusting and self-serving and totally loathesome.
If we invaded Iraq just for the oil, we would be paying about .03 cents for it directly from Iraq...or better yet, just TAKE IT!
Everyone is using their oil now. If the United States couldn't get oil from Iraq, we'd drill for our own or invent something to replace it when the time comes.
That's just a total bullsh*t argument from the left and from loonies.
Besides, think of all the money we are spending in Iraq just to get cheap oil. Stupid argument by stupid people.
Whatever angry comment you publish against US staunchest ally - behind all the PR BS you so slavishly follow there's the truth and actual reasons you repeatedly deny. We did it in our best long-term interest, the same as the US - that should be enough of a clarification for a narrow minded person. If you think that we're in it for democracy and people's freedom - then it's your right. But one last question remains - why not Cuba, Belarus, North Korea...the list goes on.
15 was directed to you MR.BushIsTheMan. Sorry Grzesiek.
W (whatever!)
What ? You don't believe that those allies would help you ?
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