Posted on 02/11/2007 12:58:52 AM PST by XR7
Opponents of Poland's former communist regime reportedly want to pay a posthumous homage to US President Ronald Reagan by erecting his statue in the place of a Soviet-era monument.
In an open letter to the mayor of the southwestern city of Katowice, the former anti-regime activists said that the staunchly anti-communist Reagan had been a "symbol of liberty," the Polish news agency PAP reported.
As a result, they said, he deserved to become the centrepiece of the city's Freedom Square, replacing a monument to the Soviet troops who drove out the occupying Nazis in 1945.
They also said that they wanted the site to be rebaptised "Ronald Reagan Freedom Square."
City hall spokesman Waldemar Bojarun said that Katowice's councillors would consider the issue.
Bojarun said that he had "enormous respect" for Reagan.
However, he said, the proposal could cost an estimated 500,000 zlotys (128,000 euros, 168,000 dollars) and the city had "other pressing needs."
There are already separate plans to erect a statue in memory of Reagan in the centre of the Polish capital, Warsaw, which would be paid-for from private funds.
Reagan, who dubbed the Soviet Union an "evil empire," is widely credited by Poles with having driven communism to the wall.
The conservative Republican made fighting communism the cornerstone of his 1980-1988 presidency, and backed Poland's Solidarity trade union after it went underground when the regime declared martial law in 1981.
Reagan died in June 2004 at the age of 93.
Problem is, the US won't let 'em stay.
They're either the wrong color, or do not hail from south 'o the border.
Ronald Reagan Voted Greatest Americanhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4631421.stm
"Great man, great leader, great American. He was the one who had torn down the wall dividing peoples of Europe into slaves and free men. If it was not for Ronald Reagan, Poland would still be under Soviet-Russian occupation. Thanks to Mr Reagan I can now write these comments on my laptop, here in Warsaw. Thank you Mr President. May God bless you and may God bless the United States of America."
Marcin, Poland
On the other hand he is handing out "student" visas to hordes of Saudis, just for the asking. What of their 'security arrangements?'
no a visa to the US only costs as much as a visa for a US citizen to visit that country costs. For example if it costs $100 for an american to visit country X then it costs $100 for country X citizen to visit the US. Thats how us policy works. It may not always be the same amount, but a similar burden in the local currency.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/index.htm
If they will put the statue up and pay for part of it themselves I will bet Polish Americans (among others) will be happy to help pay for it.
W
I can bet that Putin will throw a massive hissy fit over this. Russia flipped out when Estonia dismantled a Soviet momument. The Russians will do the same here.
Most towns in Russia still fly the Sickle and Hammer next to the Russian tricolor. The Russian government has also said that Soviet symbols are still official state symbols of the Russian government.
Hmmm... Poland takes down its Heroic Soviet Soldier monuments and not a peep from Moscow.
Latvia (or Lithuania) proposes the same and Putin threatens to re-invade the place.
IOW, size matters,.....Da?
COOL I hear this this weekend
Leave to East europeans know what up and know who who was good for history
Let’s hope that future President Fred Thompson lives up to President Reagan’s standards.
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.