Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Poland's loyalty to US a one-way street?
polskieradio.pl ^ | 10.07.2008 | Aleksander Kropiwnicki

Posted on 07/12/2008 1:39:19 PM PDT by lizol

Poland's loyalty to US a one-way street? 10.07.2008

The Poles feel that their country is not perceived as an equal partner by the Americans in terms of politics, which translates to waning enthusiasm for the United States.

By Aleksander Kropiwnicki

Do Poles still love America? According to some publicists, their attitude to the US is definitely getting less enthusiastic. Warsaw still wants to see America as its partner but not a Big Brother. Poland has never been rewarded for its assistance in Iraq. Washington is reluctant to help significantly in modernising the Polish army, even though it’s keen to situate its anti-missile shield in Poland.

At the same time, the American economy has been weakened while the Polish one is flourishing. Unlike in the past, it doesn’t make sense to leave Poland and look for jobs in America, as nowadays Polish zloty is more expensive and US dollar cheaper than ever in the past. On the other hand, Poles still have to apply for visas if they want to travel to the United States.

Poles can love America or not. However, they now realize that America has never loved Poland. It’s time, moreover, to learn that the membership of the European Union, not the alliance with the United States, is the future of this country. And that’s exactly what the vast majority of Poles is likely to answer, if asked.

Such is the Polish mood in the recent months. Has it changed for forever? In 1945, Poles probably felt much worse bitterness about the then pro-Soviet attitude of the United Kingdom and the United States, two superpower states which had sold Poland in Yalta. However, next decades changed this attitude. The Soviet oppression was so annoying, that the Polish feelings about America, Britain, France or even West Germany could be nothing but friendly. In 1980s, the humanitarian and political assistance of the West, particularly America, became an important factor in the nation’s life.

Finally, the collapse of communism was caused mainly by the assertive policy of the United States governed by two consecutive Republican presidents. One of them was father of the current one. George H. W. Bush is still alive and he hasn’t been forgotten in Poland.

Times change. Today, Poles can feel a little disappointed when thinking of their American allies. Sometimes the Americans behave as if they have never heard about Poland. Even if they have, they don’t care, such is the impression. In the future, though, there is place for the Polish-American friendship. The recovery of both American economy and political common sense is possible, so that giving up this relationship would be naïve. Poland can still play more than one piano.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: allies; allypoland; geopolitics; poland

1 posted on 07/12/2008 1:39:22 PM PDT by lizol
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: lizol

BTTT


2 posted on 07/12/2008 1:47:59 PM PDT by varon (Allegiance to the constitution, always. Allegiance to a political party, never.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Grimmy; Konrad_PL; Reform Canada; SLB; Neu Pragmatist; the lastbestlady; Borax Queen; ...
Eastern European ping list


FRmail me to be added or removed from this Eastern European ping list

3 posted on 07/12/2008 1:50:08 PM PDT by lizol
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

I think the Poles are right.


4 posted on 07/12/2008 1:51:37 PM PDT by villagerjoel (Unfortunately, Mr Worsley's crab will not be displayed in any museum. A friend has eaten it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

I think the Poles are right.


5 posted on 07/12/2008 1:51:49 PM PDT by villagerjoel (Unfortunately, Mr Worsley's crab will not be displayed in any museum. A friend has eaten it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lizol

The guy has a point...


6 posted on 07/12/2008 1:55:37 PM PDT by Konrad_PL (prouder than ever...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lizol
On the other hand,Poles still have to apply for visas if they want to travel to the United States.

Is that what it's all about? It is,isn't it.If experience tells us that a substantial number of citizens of a certain country fail to obey our immigration laws (overstaying their visas,for example) then steps must be taken to prevent that.That is as true when it comes to Americans disobeying Polish immigration laws as it is for the reverse.

It’s time, moreover, to learn that the membership of the European Union, not the alliance with the United States, is the future of this country.

Yup,EU membership will certainly be good for Poland.Because German,Belgian,Dutch and Spanish politicians love Poland's beliefs and traditions.And they absolutely *adore* Poland's reverence for the Catholic faith.What are the church attendance figures today in Germany,Belgium and Holland? Ten percent? Less?

7 posted on 07/12/2008 1:58:53 PM PDT by Gay State Conservative (The problem with the rat race is,even if you win you're still a rat.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lizol

Hers one American thats damn proud to call Poland a friend!


8 posted on 07/12/2008 2:03:45 PM PDT by rrrod
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lizol

Heres one American thats damn proud to call Poland a friend!


9 posted on 07/12/2008 2:03:56 PM PDT by rrrod
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Konrad_PL
The guy has a point...

About what? The US not being appropriately appreciative for Poland's assistance in various ways? Yes...it's true.Any nation who is truly our ally should be shown appreciation.

Or is he correct about the EU.May I assume that you understand just what EU bureaucrats aim to accomplish in Poland over time? The same thing that they're well on their way to accomplishing in Ireland...a nation of fat,lazy atheists who hold every religion (except I Slam) in contempt.

10 posted on 07/12/2008 2:05:31 PM PDT by Gay State Conservative (The problem with the rat race is,even if you win you're still a rat.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: lizol

The Polish Air Force has already begun re-equipping with F16’s. Re-capitalizing their Army is going to be expensive - very expensive. Poland has to assess it’s own defense requirements as far as ground forces.

Strategic missile defense, oriented toward Iran, benefits all of Europe, not just Poland. You’d think that would be a nice chip to play in EU politics.


11 posted on 07/12/2008 2:06:46 PM PDT by Tallguy (Tagline is offline till something better comes along...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rrrod

And another.


12 posted on 07/12/2008 2:10:00 PM PDT by Humble Servant
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Gay State Conservative

Not to harp on an old saw, but nations don’t have friends, they have interests. If we make it into Polands interest to be friends, OK. If we don’t make it in their interest, who’s to blame?


13 posted on 07/12/2008 2:18:49 PM PDT by metesky ("Brethren, leave us go amongst them." Rev. Capt. Samuel Johnston Clayton - Ward Bond- The Searchers)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: metesky

America is sqandering the opportunity for a great alliance. Out gov’t negligence towards Poland is an embarrassment - especially when contrasted to the shameful fawning over the disingenuous Saudis .


14 posted on 07/12/2008 2:23:16 PM PDT by AIM-54
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: lizol
...membership of the European Union, not the alliance with the United States, is the future of this country.

...snicker...

Yeah, go with France and Germany instead of the USA. You can count on them for sure. So when will Europe be ponying up billions of dollars for Poland's defense? Should be soon, huh?

15 posted on 07/12/2008 2:24:03 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lizol

Since it’s American policy to throw money and technology around like confetti, I believe we should be helping the Poles with some of both.

If we reward out allies and punish our enemies instead of the reverse, then we might just have more of the former and less of the latter. We’re going to throw the money away anyway, why not do something that strengthens those who put themselves at risk on our behalf?

But rational approaches to international politics is not the strong suit of the State Department or of Washington’s infestation of politicians and other assorted lowlifes both with and without portfolio.


16 posted on 07/12/2008 2:44:44 PM PDT by Dr.Zoidberg ("Shut the hell up, New York Times, you sanctimonious whining jerks!" - Craig Ferguson)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dr.Zoidberg

I would much rather help the Poles than the Palestinians.


17 posted on 07/12/2008 2:58:02 PM PDT by panthermom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: panthermom

You and me both.

Seems we keep pushing money into black holes (yeah, I said it, black hole! now sue me.) and it just disappears. If we send it somewhere that it can do good and not finance terrorism, then that’s a big bonus in my book.


18 posted on 07/12/2008 3:05:12 PM PDT by Dr.Zoidberg ("Shut the hell up, New York Times, you sanctimonious whining jerks!" - Craig Ferguson)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: lizol

False patriotism is sickening. The EU is the modern prison of nations, except that it intends to actually destroy nationalities. The author is as bad as the communists who used slavophilia to try to dupe Poles into accepting Communist destruction and the Russian heel on its throat.


19 posted on 07/12/2008 11:09:22 PM PDT by rmlew (Liberalism is like AIDS; it destroys the natural defenses of a nation or civilization.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson