Europe marks anniversary of WWII beginning (Obama sends lower rank delegation)

AP ^ | 9-1-09 | By RYAN LUCAS and DAVID RISING

[icwhatudo]

GDANSK, Poland — Former enemies and allies somberly marked the 70th anniversary of the start of World War II on Tuesday, underlining the need to remember the bloodiest conflict in the 20th century so as not to repeat it.

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About 20 European leaders and officials, including French Premier Francois Fillon and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, were joining Merkel and Putin for the ceremonies.

The U.S. was being represented by National Security Adviser James Jones. The delegation, which is lower-ranking than that of most European nations, has disappointed some in Poland who view Washington as a historical ally.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said the delegation was no indication of a chill in relations between the two nations.

[icwhatudo]

"Westerplatte is a symbol, a symbol of the heroic fight of the weaker against the stronger," President Lech Kaczynski said. "It is proof of patriotism and an unbreakable spirit. Glory to the heroes of those days, glory to the heroes of Westerplatte, glory to all of the soldiers who fought in World War II against German Nazism, and against Bolshevik totalitarianism."

That must have made Putin feel all cozy...

[Godwin1]

It is Europe. The leaders aren’t Muslims. Not yet anyway.

[Joe 6-pack]

"The U.S. was being represented by National Security Adviser James Jones."

[KarlInOhio]

We’re ignoring WW II 70th anniversary commemorations until December 7, 2011. Then we’ll pay attention.

[moovova]

National Security Adviser James Jones is our Czar of Whatever’s Leftover.

[fujimoh]

Obama has no class and no respect for anyone ... simply put ... total narcissist!

[j-damn]

Hey, we were 2.5 years late to the party the first time, so perhaps we’ll send the heavy hitters over in 2013.

[Revolting cat!]

Whadya ‘spect from an Afrocentric regime? Them whiteys stole da civilization from them Egyptian brothers.

[lizol]

Eastern European ping list

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

[SLB]

"The U.S. was being represented by National Security Adviser James Jones."

Just don't drink the Kool-Aid.

[Verginius Rufus]

The problem with Poland is that Rumsfeld praised “New Europe” and Obama wants to reverse anything connected with the Bush years if possible.

[fso301]

The problem is most Russians of middle age and above learned history in the Soviet school system. Undoing that false education is no easy task so, some credit has to go to Putin for even admitting Russia might have some blame.