Poland hosts three-way summit with Germany and France

BBC News Online ^ | May 09 2003 | Ray Furlong

[knighthawk]

The Polish, German and French leaders are meeting for a regular three-way summit in the south-western Polish city of Wroclaw that may be marked by tension over the Iraq crisis.

Relations between Poland and its two partners soured after Poland supported the US-led attack on Iraq both militarily and diplomatically.

There has also been further friction over Polish plans to manage a sector in post-war Iraq.

These three-way meetings of the so-called Weimar Triangle have been largely formal affairs ever since they started in 1991.

Reception concerns

But this time there is an air of nervousness.

Poland has riled its two western partners by not following their lead over Iraq.

It is reported that a walkabout for the three leaders on the streets of Wroclaw has been cancelled after French fears that President Jacques Chirac might be jeered by local people.

At the height of the Iraq crisis, he suggested that Eastern European countries who supported the US-led military action should keep their mouths shut.

Poland has further ruffled feathers by agreeing to run a sector in post-war Iraq, even if there is no United Nations approval for the mission.

Its suggestion that Germany might help it, served both to injure German pride and exclude the French.

But it may well be that all sides use this summit to defuse the tension and focus on where they agree.

The key point here might be a new US-backed Security Council resolution to lift sanctions on Iraq.

[knighthawk]

Europe-list

If people want on or off this list, please let me know.

[dixiechick2000]

heheh I love Poland!

[Michael81Dus]

It was already reported here that the three head of states/governments agree "that nobody is interested in a humanitarian disaster in Iraq" and all want "appropriate solutions".

[longtermmemmory]

During WWII Hitler sent his most "friendly" troops to france. In fact he wanted a "friendly" occupation. Right now France and Germany are acting hand and glove. This is an effort to undermine the US by setting up the EU and the counter. France is folloing the doctrine of containment of the USA.

[gedeon3]

They would have done better to set up a 3-way with me and 2 blondes.

[husky ed]

Is to keep German from invading France? Or to keep France from surrendering to Germany?

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

But it may well be that all sides use this summit to defuse the tension and focus on where they agree.

Lets hope not.

Probably just the author's fear that the bad news keep coming for Franco-Germany and they just want everybody to get along and keep their pecking order intact.

I fear the EU might be able to strongarm them into dithering. Keep the faith Poland! We're with you.

[putupon]

Better the Reich/Vichy Alliance meet w/ the Poles in Poland than in Moscow about the Poles.

[putupon]

Better the Reich/Vichy Alliance meet w/ the Poles in Poland than in Moscow about the Poles.

[pepsionice]

What is strangely brewing in Germany...is a repeat of the European state-politic game of the mid-1800s. The non-players are acting like they are players. The big players are acting like they control the entire card game. Everyone is hitting on each other for poor sportsmanship. Poland was considered a non-player in EU politics as of last year. Yet, if you look at their economy...they are doing slightly better than Germany or France. They have room to talk. I also think the US perception is...Poland is a better friend than France...no matter what.

[Michael81Dus]

Awww, I don´t believe that history repeats itself. We´re embedded in Europe, and that European unification process must go on. As Kohl always said: the EU is the best guarantee that we won´t fight each other again!
The EU must not be splitted! This is important for the peace on the continent.

[reformedliberal]

You may not fight each other, but what assurance do we have you will not all gang up on the USA, either economically, diplomatically or militarily thru proxies and eventually perhaps by using your new EU military, if it ever gets off the ground?

As far as I can see, so far: we have zero assurances in the long term and perhaps very little in the short term. It just may be that the smaller nations of the EU also feel insecure about the entire process, as well.

[knighthawk]

That would be a Swedish summit.

[TalonDJ]

Exactly, sure they might not fight each other. Why would the 4th reich fight people they have already subjegated through the EU?

[Michael81Dus]

Keeping a essential and real-lasting friendship between our continents, with deep cooperation in business and security matters is the best to avoid conflicts between us. Hey, I cannot believe that one time Americans would fight against Germans again. Why should we?

[Paladin2b]

France in particular is PO'ed big time because Poland has been given a small control zone in Iraq. The subtext is..."what, the sh__y little country Poland gets to play the game and we DON'T?!? Are we THAT marginalized now?"

[Paladin2b]

France in particular is PO'ed big time because Poland has been given a small control zone in Iraq. The subtext is..."what, the sh__y little country Poland gets to play the game and we DON'T?!? Are we THAT marginalized now?"

[Malesherbes]

Look at the demographics ofthe three countries. The French and Germans are not reproducing themselves (except for Moslem immigrants) and face a demographic implosion. Poland, which has no Moslem immigrants, is producing baby Poles inenough numbers to maintain its present population of 40 million.