Posted on 03/15/2007 1:20:58 PM PDT by lizol
Steinbach draws German criticism on Polish jibes
13.03.2007
The latest negative remarks on Poland's ruling parties made by the head of the Expellees Union has triggered strong opposition of many German political quarters.
Slawek Szefs reports
The latest negative remarks on Poland's ruling parties made by Erika Steinbach, the head of the German Expellees Union, has triggered a wide protest among her own compatriots.
This has not been the first time Erika Steinbach addressed sharp criticism towards Polish authorities. However, her description of Poland's ruling coalition parties as reflecting German ultra right groupings has caused quite a stir among domestic political circles and German representatives in the European Parliament.
A call has been sounded for Ms. Steinbach's resignation, both from the post of the Expellees Union Chairman as well as her Bundestag deputy's mandate. Angelika Beer, foreign relations expert from the Greens Party, accused Erika Steinbach of 'mutilating political ties in Europe'. Silvana Koch-Mehrin, deputy head of the libaral fraction in the European Parliament, termed the statement careless in view of the sensitive nature of Polish-German relations, adding it is not only ill targeted, but simply absurd.
Lothar Evers, director of the German Association for Information and Assistance to Victims of Nazi Persecution in Cologne says political alignment of power in Poland and Germany has much to do with creating certain difficulties, but it should not be used for any type of games in relations between both countries.
'There are some things which make it obviously a little bit more difficult for conservative governments in contact with one another than the more social-democratic governments. And that has to do with the stronger closeness of conservative governments to nationalism, in general. But both sides should be very aware not to play any nationalistic tone or cards, because both of our countries have such a bad experience with nationalism. So, we shouldn't play it anymore.'
Eva Krafczyk of the DPA office in Warsaw says the critical reactions in Germany to the latest statement by Erika Steinbach are proof of a new awareness to the sensitivity of Poles to such manifestations.
'There seems to be a growing awareness not just of the words of Erika Steinbach, but her role here in Poland and the Polish public. For a very long time in Germany she hasn't been taken seriously at all. So, I think the sharp response in Poland and the Czech Republic over the past few years has raised awareness. When she speaks out like that again, German politicians react much faster than they did in the past, because they realize this can seriously hamper Polish-German relations.'
And looking from such a perspective, it might be said that the latest remark by Erika Steinbach has contributed positively to the development of Polish-German relations by raising awareness to their sensitivity in all aspects.
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