Poland

[Ant22]

Poland likes to call itself a "strategic partner" of the US. Hmmm...more like a glorified proxy pawn, in my opinion.

Given that it is the US countries around the world have to protect themselves from, and that Russia has a successful track record of coming to the rescue, aligning itself with the US to ensure security against Russian intervention is a bit of a flawed strategy:

Poland is ready to pay $1.5-2 billion for deployment of a permanent US military base in the country, a document called Proposal for a US Permanent Presence in Poland prepared by the Polish Defense Ministry said.

“This proposal outlines the clear and present need for a permanent US armored division deployed in Poland, Poland’s commitment to provide significant support that may reach 1.5 – 2 billion USD – by establishing joint military installations and provide for more flexible movement of US forces. Together, the United States and Poland can build an even stronger bond – one which guarantees the safety, security and freedom of its people for generations to come,” the document said.

The paper reflects the Polish readiness to share the burden of defense spending with the US government and to make the decision on deploying troops in Poland more cost-effective for Washington.

From the Polish Defense Ministry’s point of view, deployment of the US troops in Poland would send a message to Russia that Washington is ready to protect its allies in Eastern Europe.

“Permanent US troops in Poland will send a clear message to Russia of US support for its Eastern European allies,” the document added.
The country's authorities have confirmed the authenticity of the paper later in the day.

NATO has been significantly increasing its presence in Eastern Europe after the eruption of the Ukrainian crisis in 2014 using alleged Russian interference in the Ukrainian internal affairs as a pretext.

Moscow has many times voiced its protests against the NATO military buildup saying that this move will undermine regional stability and result in a new arms race.

 

[angelburst29]

Poland likes to call itself a "strategic partner" of the US. Hmmm...more like a glorified proxy pawn, in my opinion.

Given that it is the US countries around the world have to protect themselves from, and that Russia has a successful track record of coming to the rescue, aligning itself with the US to ensure security against Russian intervention is a bit of a flawed strategy:

Mon May 28, 2018 - Russia on US Base in Poland: Moscow Ready to Respond to NATO Infrastructure Expansion
Farsnews

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow is prepared to respond to the expanding NATO infrastructure towards Russia’s borders, commenting on Warsaw’s plans to build a US base in Poland.

"In general, when we record gradual expansion of NATO military structure towards our borders, when NATO infrastructure directly approaches our borders, this certainly does not contribute to security and stability on the continent in any way," Peskov stated, TASS reported.

"On the contrary, these expansionist steps, certainly, result in counteractions of the Russian side to balance the parity which is violated every time this way," he noted.

The creation of the US military base in Poland is a sovereign decision, but the consequences for the entire security on the continent are evident, Peskov added.


28/05/2018 - Russia vows to respond if US builds new military base in Poland
Russia vows to respond if US builds new military base in Poland

The Russian Defense Ministry is ready to respond to the creation of a U.S. military base in Poland, the First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security Yevgeny Serebrennikov told RIA Novosti.

Earlier, the publication Politico, referring to the documents of the Ministry of Defense of Poland, reported that Warsaw is ready to pay two billion dollars for the creation of a permanent U.S> military base inside the country, explaining there is “an urgent need for a permanent U.S. military division in Poland.”

The publication claims that Poland is ready “to share the burden of defense spending and make the decision more cost-effective for the U.S. government.”

“The Russian diplomatic community continues its work in this direction, hoping to warn this decision or persuade Poland to abandon it, but despite diplomatic efforts, the Russian Defense Ministry is ready to oppose (in case a base appears) and, as far as I know, such measures already conducted,” said Serebrennikov.

He refused to explain what these measures are, noting only that they are aimed at “strengthening Russia’s security in this direction.”

 

[Ant22]

Poland has made a number of smart moves recently, such as refusing to accept a $9.2bn credit line from IMF as angelburst29 reported in this post, but the cosy US/NATO relationship is certainly a toxic one.

"In general, when we record gradual expansion of NATO military structure towards our borders, when NATO infrastructure directly approaches our borders, this certainly does not contribute to security and stability on the continent in any way," Peskov stated, TASS reported.

"On the contrary, these expansionist steps, certainly, result in counteractions of the Russian side to balance the parity which is violated every time this way," he noted.

Naturally, Russia will act to defend its own security and if its borders aren't threatened there is no danger that would justify such expenditure. I find it interesting that Poland is willing to pay such amounts of money to be NATO's playground. Last time I checked it wasn't exactly a rich country. One parallel which can be drawn between the US and Poland is that both are countries with healthcare and social systems that could do with some more funding whilst they prefer to spend money on their military.

The publication claims that Poland is ready “to share the burden of defense spending and make the decision more cost-effective for the U.S. government.”

And from the article I quoted above: Poland offers $2bn for permanent US base, Moscow warns of ‘dangerous’ consequences

Poland is reportedly willing to pay $2bn for permanent presence of US troops in the country.

News from March this year: Poland agrees $4.75bn purchase of US Patriot missile systems for ‘unprecedented’ security

 

[angelburst29]

You are on the ball, Ant22 - in connecting the dots!

The Industrial Complex (Pentagon/US/NATO) wants "to use" Poland to set up another US Patriot missile system (pointed at Russia) but needs a permanent US base (for control and management) but in the process, wants to "enslave" the host Country, by footing the Bill - in it's start-up program of getting established ... and to push/pressure Poland to accept their agenda ... IMF waltzes in "with a loan" to cover
"initial costs" (for the permanent base and missile system).

Try not to over look - the small detail "permanent" - which includes land acquisition, to the tune of hundreds of acres/hectares and a steady stream of Military activities and troops (not subject to Poland's own Country's security apparatus and Constitutional Laws).

Land is only one acquisition, for within the Contracts for a permanent US Military base, there is legal insertion of entitlements to water resources (to support the Military base) and a separate legal clauses to access/right of way - to any large bodies of water - for transport of Military equipment and supplies.

Where this situation differs from the Military base arrangement made between Syria and Russia, Russia "shares an existing Syrian Military base" in a contract which specifies the arrangement as "a leased military installation" with a legal clause that enables Russia to negotiate a longer term contract with Syria, as an extension to the main agreement. Russia isn't taking over a tract of land, demanding Syria supplement (pay for) the development (building) of a new Military base and take on the financial burden of the initial cost to get it set up and functional?

******
Khmeimim (air base) - Wikipedia
Khmeimim air base was built in mid-2015 adjacent to the Bassel Al-Assad International Airport to serve as "the strategic center of Russia's military operation against Islamic State".[3] The existence of the Russian strategic base was revealed by the United States in early September and American officials expressed concern over the possibility of escalation of the conflict in Syria. The airbase became operational on 30 September 2015.[4][5][6]

On 26 August 2015, in Damascus, Russia and Syria signed a treaty, effective forthwith, that stipulates terms and conditions of use by Russia of Syria's Hmeimim airport, free of charge and with no time limit [7][8][9][10] The treaty, ratified by Russia′s parliament and signed into law by president Vladimir Putin in October 2016, grants Russia′s personnel and their family members jurisdictional immunity and other privileges as envisaged by Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.[11][12] The Syrian military is in charge of protecting the base perimeter, while the Russian side is responsible for air defense and internal policing of base personnel.[9] The treaty was amended by signing a protocol to the treaty on 18 January 2017.[13][14]

In late December 2017, Russia announced it had set about ″forming a permanent grouping" at Khmeimim as well as at its naval facility in Tartus, after president Putin approved the structure and the personnel strength of the Tartus and Hmeymim bases.

On 18 January 2017, Russia and Syria signed an agreement, effective forthwith, where under Russia would be allowed to expand and use the naval facility at Tartus for 49 years on a free-of-charge basis and enjoy sovereign jurisdiction over the base.

The Russian naval facility in Tartus is a leased military installation of the Russian Navy located on the northern edge of the sea port of the Syrian city of Tartus. Up until 2017, Russian official usage classified the installation as a Material-Technical Support Point and not as a "base". Tartus is the Russian Navy's only Mediterranean repair and replenishment spot, sparing Russia’s warships the trip back to their Black Sea bases.

******
The proposition that Poland is facing, with the installation of a US Military base, is much like the scenario that South Korea was faced with in NATO's determination to build a Ten Million dollar Military base and all that went with it - to install a US Patriot missile system.
With North Korea and South Korea wanting to unite and form a close bond now - how does that work out with South Korea having part of it's land mass and water rights compromised by a permanent US Military base?

Poland should really consider Russia's warning ... seriously! Poland's economy will be the first to suffer, if Poland goes ahead with allowing this US Military base.

What I find interesting, the set up and protocols of establishing a US Military base in a foreign Country - is very much in tune with setting up a separate Principality in a Host country. It's the establishment of a private enterprise (Corporation) under it's own mandated laws and legal apparatus. On a much bigger scale, think of "The State of Israel" and how it acts as a parasite to the Host Country, funded entirely by the US?

 

[angelburst29]

29.05.2018 - Polish Foreign Ministry Warns About Danger of Visiting Russia for FIFA World Cup
Polish Foreign Ministry Warns About Danger of Visiting Russia for FIFA World Cup

The Polish Foreign Ministry has warned its citizens about the dangers of traveling to Russia for this summer's FIFA World Cup.

"There is a threat of terrorist attacks in Russia. It can increase due to the FIFA World Cup that will be held from June 14 to July 15. It is impossible to exclude [the possibility of] attacks in the host cities," the ministry said in a statement.

According to the statement, particular caution should be observed at stadiums, fan zones and in public transport.

Poles were also strongly advised not to visit Crimea.

"Poland, like other states, considers Crimea an inalienable part of Ukraine. The illegal annexation of this part of Ukraine makes it impossible to provide Polish citizens with consular assistance there. In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically does not recommend trips to Crimea," the statement said.

Crimea rejoined Russia in 2014 following a referendum, with over 90 percent of the residents voting for the reunification. However, Kiev still considers the peninsula Ukrainian territory. Russian officials have repeatedly pointed out that the reunification took place via a referendum, in line with international law.

Russia will host its first World Cup from June 14 to July 15. The fixtures will be played at 12 stadiums across 11 cities.

 

[angelburst29]

A new development for Poland .... US Military Reaper drones.

The Reaper's are the one's they eventually load missiles on. I hope, Poland "knows" what it's getting itself into? Just a week ago, Greece was the first to get the Reaper Drones, now Poland. The US military have plans to use Greek bases to store its nuclear weapons. They might be lining up Poland as another storage area? There are rumors, NATO wants to relocate it's nuclear weapons from Turkey's Incirlik Military base? Last report that I came across last Fall, stated that US/NATO had a least 50 Nuclear Warheads stationed at Incirlik? It was during the same time period - Germany and Turkey were in the middle of Political problems and Germany was considering pulling it's troops off the Military base.

01.06.2018 - US air Force Begins Operating Reaper Drones in Poland
US Air Force Begins Operating Reaper Drones in Poland

The US Air Force’s MQ-9 Reaper drones were recently stationed at a Polish air base and have now initiated operations, the second deployment of the drones in Europe since March.

Just over two months ago, the service placed unarmed Reaper assets at Greece's Larisa Air Force Base to surveil threats "emanating from the south" and conduct reconnaissance operations, a Pentagon spokesman said March 25.

"US Air Forces in Europe, the air component of US European Command, is operating MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft at Miroslawiec Air Base as a visible expression of US efforts to enhance regional stability," a short May 21 release from the US Air Force announced.

While the mission started in May, according to the statement, the military did not state when the unmanned aircraft arrived in Poland.

The Aviationist reports that the Reapers landed in Poland May 9, citing unofficial information. A pair of An-124 strategic lift airplanes were said to have transported the General Atomics-made drones.


24.05.2018 - US Air Force Stations MQ-9 Reaper Drones in Greece for First time
US Air Force Stations MQ-9 Reaper Drones in Greece for First Time

The US Air Force is stationing MQ-9 Reaper drones at Greece’s Larisa Air Force Base, the first time the unmanned aerial vehicles will be making a home there, it was reported Thursday.

According to Defense News, the drones, which are unarmed, will be based in Greece temporarily while their usual base in Africa is under reconstruction.

The specific home of the Reapers hasn't been disclosed, though they are speculated to be based in Niger.

"These aircraft are unarmed and are only used for reconnaissance. Due to operational security considerations, however, we do not release details on specific missions," Pentagon spokesperson Eric Pahon told Defense News. He noted that the drones are critical to addressing security threats "emanating from the south."

The drones are being stationed at the Larisa Air Force base under an International Military Education Training program established between the US and Greece in an effort to fight Daesh militants.

Auburn Davies, chief of media operations for the USAF Air Forces Africa, informed Defense News that the reconnaissance drones will only be traveling through Greek airspace routes that have already been approved by the Greek government. While in use, US officials will be required to stay in contact with Greek Air Traffic Control officials throughout the entirety of flights.

Authorities operating the take-off and landing of the drones will also be stationed at the Greek base while operators over yonder in the continental US handle normal flight operations via satellite, according to reports.

In related Reaper news, General Atomics, the designer of the surveillance drone, was awarded a $206 million contract on May 17 by the US Defense Department to retrofit MQ-9 Reaper drones. The new upgrades are expected to improve range and communication capabilities of some 122 MQ-9 Block 5 Reaper attack drones, Military Aerospace reported. This contract is in addition to a $14.2 million award the company won January 2017 for upgrade kits.


23.05.2018 - Turkish General Explains Why US Wants to Relocate Its Nukes to Greece
Turkish General Explains Why US Wants to Relocate Its Nukes to Greece

Commenting on reports about the US military's plans to use Greek bases to store its nuclear weapons, retired Turkish Air Force General Erdogan Karakus told Sputnik that all this reflects Athens' push to develop its ties with Washington.

Erdogan Karakus, a retired lieutenant-general of the Turkish Air Force, said that "against the background of the events in the Eastern Mediterranean and tensions in Turkish-Greek relations, Athens is seeking to render every support to NATO."

"The goal is to obtain Washington's support, something that was confirmed by a [recent visit] by a NATO official to Greece's Araxos Air Base," Karakuus said.

Recalling the "confrontation of US and Russian interests in the Eastern Mediterranean region," he noted that Washington cannot rely on Turkey in this confrontation.

"While Greece is making efforts to use America's support against Turkey when it comes to the issues related to Cyprus and the Aegean Islands, the US, in turn, is seeking to derive maximum benefit from this situation. So it is safe to say that the NATO official's visit to Araxos is sort of Washington's warning to Ankara," Karakus pointed out.

He also recalled that Albania is currently making efforts to join the EU and NATO, with the US trying to gain control over part of its sea and air space in an apparent bid to create an exclusive economic zone in the area.

"The US is considering Araxos exactly through this prism. So on the one hand, Greece is trying to win the US' support and on the other – Washington makes Athens take steps that meet US interests in the region," Karakus concluded..

Last week, the Greek media reported that the director of the NATO Nuclear Policy, Fred Frederickson, visited Greece's Araxos air base in the Peloponnese, where the sites suitable for storing nuclear weapons are located.

The visit came amid reports about a possible relocation of US nuclear warheads from Turkey's İncirlik base to Greece.

 

[angelburst29]

It might just be my impression but the sudden appearance of Reaper drones in Greece and now Poland, and a recent report that the US
wants to set up "Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems in Germany, sounds like the US European Command & NATO
are planning something big? If Syria goes after the Golan Heights and Israel starts bombing Syria - NATO protects Israel?

02.06.2018 - Amid NATO-Russian Tensions, US Pushes Germany to Siting Air Defense - Reports
Amid NATO-Russian Tensions, US Pushes Germany to Siting Air Defense - Reports

Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal is said to have prompted Washington-Berlin talks on sending US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems to Germany. Despite the odds in the recent transatlantic tensions over trade and the Iran deal, the Pentagon’s plan has been well-received.

The US military has reached out to Germany with a plan to install a missile defense system on its soil to reinforce European defenses, the New York Times has reported. According to the media, the preliminary discussions about testing the High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system took place before US President pulled out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

A US military official told the newspaper that there had been preparatory talks with Germans over the relocation of a THAAD system to Rammstein Air Base in Germany, where the US Air Force in Europe and the NATO Allied Air Command have their regional headquarters.

The existing base contracts imply that the US doesn’t need German approval, but that formal notification should be sent.

The pulling out of the accord alienated the transatlantic allies, as the Germany, France and the European Union supported it. This has reportedly given the momentum to these talks about sending the missile defense system to Europe. Although the US military has unsuccessfully pressed the European NATO allies for years, the parties allegedly came closest to the deal over growing fears of the Iranian missiles, which can allegedly reach countries in Southern Europe.

The newspaper has cited an anonymous high-ranking German military official as saying that more radar are needed across Europe to better monitor potential threats and intercept them. An unnamed US military source has also confirmed to a newspaper that German government is open to the move, which could protect their people. However, Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon refuted the plans to deploy the THAAD systems in Germany at the time. The German foreign ministry also hasn’t confirmed that any signals about a possible deployment had been sent.

The discussion about the use of a THAAD system in Europe was also conducted in the context of increasing tensions between the NATO and Russia. The US media points out that although NATO insists that the European-stationed air defense units are not directed towards Russia, the recent talks came amid disagreement over NATO’s expansion in the Eastern Europe. NATO has been significantly expanding its presence there after the outburst of the Ukrainian crisis in 2014, using alleged Russian interference in the Ukrainian internal activities as a pretext. In May 2018 the Polish government has revealed it’s thinking over deploying a permanent US military base in Poland, which will cost the country $1.5-2 billion.

Both the US and European countries have also repeatedly expressed their concern over Russia's advanced weapons systems in Kaliningrad, including the S-400 air defense system. Moscow explained their stationing there with a desire to protect its exclave on the Baltic Sea at a time when the NATO forces are increasingly active in the region.

Tom Karako from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, cited by the New York Times, said the new US defense strategy highlighted a need to deter Russia, and an upcoming Pentagon missile defense review, which will be released in June, may connect this goal and the European-stationed air defense system.

 

[angelburst29]

08.06.2018 - 15,000 US Troops to be Deployed in Poland?
15,000 US Troops to be Deployed in Poland?

The Polish government is interested in establishing a large, permanent US military presence in their country and they are willing to pay large sums of money to help cover the costs, to safeguard Poland from the "threat from the East." The deal has been canceled but serious questions have been raised regarding Polish-Russian relations.

Magdalena Szmidt: a Polish lawyer and women's right activist, joins the program.

Moscow considers the establishment of a US army base in Poland to be a breach of the 1997 NATO Founding Act, whereby, Moscow says, NATO agreed not to deploy permanent forces in Eastern Europe.

Magdalena starts the program by saying that she does not think that the troop deployment is going to happen: "Yesterday we found out that the US's ambassador to the UN said that this is not going to happen. The threat that it might still happen is there, but the immediate, direct threat is not there."

In a sign of possible discord within the Polish government, the defense ministry confirmed that the proposal was sent to Washington without the knowledge of the president, Andrzej Duda. "I would not rely on anything the Polish Ministry of Defense says; it is really difficult to follow what the Polish government is doing at the moment. But it is all governed by the Atlantic Treaty, so they cannot just decide like that, decisions have to be approved by all members of the North Atlantic Treaty. If it is outside of NATO then it is a bilateral matter, and the US has expressed that it will not go ahead with this. Politics however change so much at the moment so I don't dare to say what will happen," said Magdalena.

There have been reports in the Western media that the US government is trying to support far right governments in Eastern Europe. "This is difficult to work out; there have been reports in the media that the Polish government has been working with the Russian government. Now they are saying that the Polish government has been reaching out to the American government. There is a huge discrepancy within the reports that the Polish media publish about this matter," Magdalena stated.

John Harrison asked the Polish people what they think about their government's attempt to request a significant increase in the US military presence in Poland. Magdalena answered, "I am not aware of any signaling that people are afraid of Russia invading. Of course you cannot predict everything but I don't think that Polish people are immensely concerned about this."

Many people think that most Poles are anti-Russia. According to Magdalena, this is untrue. "I'm part Russian, my grandfather was Russian, I come from the North East of Poland, I come from an area where all cultures and religions were mixed up together. I don't feel that amongst my friends, family and people that I know that there is fear. I may be biased; I come from the east of Poland, the people that I know are quite liberal." John Harrison asked whether there is a cultural split between the east and west of Poland as there is in Ukraine. Magdalena replied, "Most Russian Orthodox followers live where I come from, and it [Russian Orthodoxy] is officially tolerated, so that's OK. The rest of Poland is Catholic, but I don't see that contrast. I don't see it." Regarding the differences in culture between Poland and Belorussians, Magdalena said, "This is another matter; there were some bad things that happened in the Second World War between Poland and Ukraine, so that is quite a sensitive area, but relations are not as sensitive between Poles and Belorussians."

So if we can believe the US ambassador to the UN, it seems that the deployment of some 15,000 US troops to Poland will not happen. However, judging by the way the US government is making U-turns in its foreign policy, such a deployment remains a possibility.


09.06.2018 - 71 Years of Tough Rhetoric: American Diplomacy 'Manifests' Itself in Poland
71 Years of Tough Rhetoric: American Diplomacy 'Manifests' Itself in Poland

President Donald Trump's pick for the new US ambassador to Poland, Georgette Mosbacher, will be approved by Warsaw despite Mrs. Mosbacher “concerns about respect for democratic institutions in Poland.” Former Sejm deputy Andrzej Rozenek told Sputnik that the future ambassador's stance could complicate relations between the countries.

Sputnik: Georgette Mosbacher, appointed as US ambassador to Poland by Donald Trump, addressed the US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee and the statement caused confusion among Polish politicians and mainstream media, as Mosbacher criticized Poland despite even being formally approved. What can we expect after she takes up her post in Warsaw?

Andrzej Rozenek: Yes, the issue is difficult for Poland, for our diplomacy and for relations with the United States as a whole. On the one hand, these remarks must be taken seriously, and on the other hand, if someone is an envoy nominee to a new country, then it would be good not to complicate future relations at the very start or future steps of this ambassador. Strange behavior, although some of the comments were essential.

Sputnik: The head of the presidential office, Krzysztof Szczerski, and Deputy Foreign Minister Bartosz Cichocki had to comment on Georgette Mosbacher's remarks, downplaying them or justifying them. Was this done to calm the public opinion?

Andrzej Rozenek: It's not a secret for anyone that our relations with the United States play a key role in determining the security of Poland. The aggravation of these relations is not in the interest of Poland. Therefore it is necessary to somehow downplay this. Of course, Americans often do not behave correctly, and this applies not only to Poland, but also to other countries. But I would prefer everything to calm down and not add fuel to the fire. (The views and opinions expressed by the speaker do not necessarily reflect those of Sputnik.)


09.06.2018 - Polish Parliament Could Amend Controversial Holocaust Law - Foreign Minister
Polish Parliament Could Amend Controversial Holocaust Law - Foreign Minister

The Sejm, the lower house of the Polish parliament, could make amendments to the law that criminalizes statements accusing Poland of complicity in the Holocaust, as the bill affects Warsaw's talks with its international partners, Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said Saturday.

"There is a need to define our position because there is a permanent mistrust and concern over this situation. It is a problem for relations with the United States and Israel and we should agree that a certain move should be made here… We should agree that this issue has an impact on our talks. We can act differently here through the Sejm, which is independent and can amend the law," Czaputowicz said as quoted by the RMF FM broadcaster.

The diplomat added that Duda had vetoed the bill but then sent it to the Constitutional Court for consideration.

The law that criminalizes any accusations against Poland of complicity in war crimes during World War II, including the Holocaust, as well as any denials that Ukrainians killed Poles during the same period, and banished the Ukrainian nationalist ideology, officially took effect on March 1 after being approved by the Polish parliament and then signed by Polish President Andrzej Duda.

Before the bill was passed, US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said that it could have repercussions for freedom of speech, and Poland’s ties with the United States and Israel.

The Israeli leadership, including the country's prime minister, president, and the Foreign Ministry, expressed their disagreement with the law — which, according to them, distorted the historical truth — and demanded that it be reviewed.

 

[angelburst29]

The father of Poland’s prime minister, who was once a radical anti-communist dissident, slammed Warsaw for turning Poles against Russians, and said coming to terms with Moscow is in Europe’s and the world’s interest.

3 Jul, 2018 - Father of Polish PM calls for better ties with Moscow, despite years of anti-Soviet rhetoric
Father of Polish PM calls for better ties with Moscow, despite years of anti-Soviet rhetoric

Kornel Morawiecki, Poland’s oldest senator and father of current Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has made a series of unexpected statements in a blunt interview with RIA Novosti news agency. “I was very saddened by the fact that Polish government and media, as well as Polish elites are turning Poles against Russians,” he said, claiming Russia is also pursuing a similar policy.

This is very upsetting for our two great nations,” Morawiecki Sr. continued. “Our peoples have a very complicated history. Both of us were fighting for hegemony in recent times, and Russia won this battle. Nevertheless, I believe improving Poland-Russia ties is in the interest of our peoples, Europe and the rest of the world.”
“I would like to see it happen,” the Prime Minister’s father stated. “I don’t know how to have it done, but it seems to me every step and every gesture is of importance.”

The sitting Polish government does not seem interested in coming to terms with Russia, the news agency wrote, noting Prime Minister Morawiecki did not say a single word about improving ties with Moscow in his confirmation speech last year. This was “a mistake,” according to the prime minister’s father. “Many of our friends and partners do understand how Russia is important for the world,” he said.

Whereas Donald Trump is planning to meet with Vladimir Putin to try to improve bilateral ties, Warsaw is sitting on its hands, Morawiecki Sr. noticed. “I’m wondering why Trump can meet with Putin, but [Poland’s President Andrzej] Duda didn’t even try to arrange a meeting with the Russian President.”

“Europe needs Russia in strategic perspective, and Russia needs Europe,” he maintained. “Poland, in my opinion, is a natural bridge [connecting] Western Europe and Russia.”

Ties between Warsaw and Moscow have been strained for years, with Polish government accusing Russia of hostile policies, from harboring sinister invasion plans to orchestrating a 2010 plane crash that took the lives of then President Lech Kaczynski and his top officials.

In the meantime, Poland’s authorities have given the green light on demolition of Soviet World War II memorials in mid-2017, after the parliament passed a package of legislative amendments banning any communist or totalitarian regime propaganda, including any mention of names on buildings or other architectural sites. Since then, a number of the monuments have either been removed or desecrated.

Demolition of WWII-era memorial sites is “a petty doing,” Morawiecki Sr. said. The Soviet Union did install communism in Poland, but it has nothing to do with the Red Army’s sacrifice to liberate the country from Nazism, he believes. “Communism restricted our freedom, but Poland wouldn’t be able to free itself from the Germans,” he said.

Morawiecki Sr is the founder of Fighting Solidarity (Solidarnosc Walczaca), a radical anti-communist underground movement. Last year, he made headlines in Polish media by saying Jews moved to the ghetto during WWII to avoid non-Jews, including “nasty Poles.”


02.07.2018 - Warsaw to Abolish Criminal Penalty for Saying Poland Aided in Holocaust
Warsaw to Abolish Criminal Penalty for Saying Poland Aided in Holocaust

Criminal punishment of up to three years of imprisonment for accusations against Poland and its people in Holocaust complicity will be abolished starting from July 17.

The amendments were published by the official newspaper on Monday and the document will enter into effect after 14 days of its official release — on July 17.

Both chambers of the Polish parliament have approved the amendments on Wednesday, excluding the criminal penalty from the controversial law. Polish President Andrzej Duda signed a bill the same day.

The controversial bill, passed on March 1, provoked diplomatic tensions with Israel, Ukraine and the United States.

Tel Aviv, in particular, was concerned that the law could trigger the prosecution of Holocaust survivors if they testify against individual Poles who allegedly killed or gave up Jews to the Nazis.

For its part, Warsaw had considered the bill as a way to protect Polish people from false accusations of complicity in the Holocaust.

Both the United States and Israel have welcomed Poland's decision to abolish the criminal punishment last week.

The law that outlaws any accusations against Poland of complicity in war crimes during World War II, including the Holocaust, as well as any denials that Ukrainians murdered Poles during the same period, and banished the Ukrainian nationalist ideology, officially came into force on March 1 after being approved by the Polish parliament and then signed by Polish President Andrzej Duda.


28.06.2018 - Netanyahu Welcomes Poland's Decision to 'Rescind' Parts of Holocaust Bill
Netanyahu Welcomes Poland’s Decision to 'Rescind' Parts of Holocaust Bill

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netayanhu welcomed Poland’s decision late on Wednesday to amend the controversial Holocaust Bill, which Israel has strongly condemned.

Earlier in the day, Polish President Andrzej Duda signed a bill abolishing criminal penalties of up to three years imprisonment for accusations against Poland and its people in Holocaust complicity.

"I am pleased that the Polish government, the parliament, the senate and the president of Poland decided today to completely rescind parts of the recently legislated law that caused cause uproar and distress in Israel and in the international community," Netanyahu said, as quoted in the statement of his press service.

The prime minister also welcomed the works that both Israel’s and Poland’s task forces have done to settle the row.

"Our ties with Poland are very important and are based on trust. Israel and Poland share the responsibility of upholding the memory of the Holocaust. It is clear to all that the Holocaust was an unprecedented crime which was perpetrated by Nazi Germany against the Jewish nation, including the Jews of Poland. The Polish government has expressed understanding of the significance of the Holocaust as the most tragic chapter in the history of the Jewish people," Netanyahu underlined.

Earlier, in his address to the upper house of the Polish Parliament, Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki claimed that the initial version of the bill positively contributed to the discussion of the issue.

"Without it, there would be no statements of the German chancellor and foreign minister, which clearly point out Germany’s guilt," the official said.

Morawiecki also expressed hope that the amendment would lead to the improvement of Poland’s relations with the United States as the latter strongly criticized the Holocaust bill for repercussions for freedom of speech.

Meanwhile, the United States applauded the decision by Poland to to amend the controversial bill. "The United States welcomes the Polish Parliament’s passage of amendments to its Institute of National Remembrance Law. This action underscores Poland’s commitment to open debate, freedom of speech and academic inquiry," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

 

[Ursus Minor]

The Washington Post reports officials were analyzing the cost and consequences of shifting either some or all 35,000 US troops to the US or Poland.

President Trump had reportedly showed interest in shifting US forces during a White House meeting earlier in the year after he had voiced shock at how many US troops were in Germany, the largest contingent of US forces in Europe.

US mulls moving troops from Germany to Poland

Article by Tom Rogan (Washington Examiner) Feb 8, 2018

Time to head for Poland


The German public is still grateful to Mikhael Gorbachev for pulling Soviet troops out of Germany.

President Trump may gain similar popularity in Germany by moving U.S. troops to Poland, a move that should include all nuclear weapons stationed in Germany, which makes this country a target for a Russian counterstrike.

 

[angelburst29]

The Washington Post reports officials were analyzing the cost and consequences of shifting either some or all 35,000 US troops to the US or Poland.

President Trump had reportedly showed interest in shifting US forces during a White House meeting earlier in the year after he had voiced shock at how many US troops were in Germany, the largest contingent of US forces in Europe.

US mulls moving troops from Germany to Poland

Article by Tom Rogan (Washington Examiner) Feb 8, 2018

Time to head for Poland

The German public is still grateful to Mikhael Gorbachev for pulling Soviet troops out of Germany.

President Trump may gain similar popularity in Germany by moving U.S. troops to Poland, a move that should include all nuclear weapons stationed in Germany, which makes this country a target for a Russian counterstrike.

Both articles are a good find, Ursus Minor! Thanks for Posting them.

Chances are - that more US troops will be relocated to Poland? When you see large numbers of US troops, think in terms of NATO deployment. The Pentagon applied pressure to Poland to accept their missile system, with the excuse of defending Poland against the Big-Bad-Bear- Russia. Yet, there are absolutely "no indications - past or present" that Russia (in any way) poses any problems for Poland.

The build up in Poland might have something to do with supplying and using Ukraine - in the event that NATO/Pentagon try to attack Russia? In that line of thought, Poland is being used as a staging area and warehouse, for NATO's military, equipment and provisions.

 

[Azur]

My young son brought this to my attention:

He's a geopolitics nerd.

He showed me this, and we're commenting back and forth, and he says "remember the bear?' when Monte Cassino was referenced.

Excerpt:

Wojtek (pronounced VOY-tek) is legendary in Poland, Italy and Scotland, three places he was deployed during the war. But the international drive to raise funds for the statue brought his story to the rest of the world.

Wojtek was a brown bear that served with the Polish 2nd Corps in the 22nd Artillery Supply Company. He was found as a cub in Iran and sold to a Polish refugee who was escaping the Soviet Union. She gave him to Polish troops in 1942, and he accompanied them through Iraq, Syria, Palestine and Egypt.

Wojtek was more than a mascot; he was one of the guys. He drank beer, smoked (and ate) cigarettes, gave a modified salute when greeted, wrestled with other soldiers, showered with them. And like a good soldier, he fought alongside his comrades.

The 22nd was to be sent to Italy to join up with British troops in an effort to take Rome. Rather than leave Wojtek behind, the Polish unit made him a soldier, complete with name, rank and serial number, allowing him to ship out on a British transport.

The shining moment for "Pvt. Wojtek" came during the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy in 1944, where after watching his fellow soldiers moving ammunition, he joined in.

Orr described the bear's efforts in her book: "Although he had never been trained to handle the unloading of 100-pound boxes of 25-pounder shells, the fuses and other supplies, he simply observed what the men were doing and joined in. ... Standing upright, he held out his front paws into which men loaded the heavy boxes of shells. Effortlessly, he carried the munitions to their storage areas beside the artillery positions, and returned to the lorries to collect more."

 

[angelburst29]

Moscow is strongly against the state-level campaign to demolish monuments to Soviet soldiers in Poland, as such actions are ruining the two countries’ common history, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday.

05.07.2018 - Moscow Slams Demolition of Soviet Monuments in Poland as 'Crippling' History
Moscow Slams Demolition of Soviet Monuments in Poland as 'Crippling' History

"Unwilling to respond to our insistent signals and demands to stop this outrage, Warsaw says that the demolition of the monuments in honor of the [Soviet] liberator soldiers will continue… We strongly oppose the current line of Warsaw in military memorial affairs, it hits our common history, just trying to cripple it," Zakharova told a briefing.

Amendments to the law banning propaganda of communism or another totalitarian systems were enforced in Poland last fall. The law presupposes, among other things, the demolition of Soviet monuments in public places within 12 months.

According to the Polish Institute of National Remembrance, it will apply to more than 450 monuments throughout the country, 230 of which are monuments to soldiers of the Red Army.

In January, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that a war against monuments was being waged in Poland and Russophobia was being consciously, consistently, and broadly planted as a national idea.


Back-dated 31.07.2017 - Russia to Give Asymmetric Response to Demolition of Siviet Monuments in Poland
Russia to Give Asymmetric Response to Demolition of Soviet Monuments in Poland

Russia will give an asymmetric response the Polish authorities’ decision to demolish Soviet monuments, Russian media reported on Monday.

Early in July, Polish President Andrzej Duda approved a bill regulating the demolition of almost 500 Soviet-era monuments throughout the country, as well as renaming of objects associated with the Communist legacy.

“The Polish authorities must understand that their unfriendly actions in the memorial sphere will not be left without consequences. Adequate retaliatory asymmetric measures will be taken against Poland,” a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry told the Izvestiya newspaper.

According to the source, the issue is being discussed during the contacts with Poland and other foreign partners on various international platforms including the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

Following the Polish bill's approval, the Russian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Poland's actions. On July 19, the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, adopted an appeal to European lawmakers in connection with the Polish president's decision.

 

[angelburst29]

06.07.2018 - Polish Defense Ministry MiG-29 Crashes in the Town of Paslek, Pilot Killed
Polish Defense Ministry MiG-29 Crashes in the Town of Paslek, Pilot Killed

The circumstances of the accident are being studied by the investigative commission for aviation accidents, the Polish Ministry of Defense reports.

A Polish Armed Forces MiG-29 fighter jet crashed in the north of the country and the pilot perished, the Polish Defense Ministry said.

"During a night flight, a MiG-29 plane from the 22nd Tactical Aviation Base crashed. The pilot catapulted in the area of the city of Sakuvko, 18 kilometers (11 miles) from Malbork. The wreckage of the plane was found about 1.5 kilometers (0.62 miles) from the city. The emergency services doctor pronounced the pilot dead," the ministry said in a statement.

The late pilot had clocked more than 850 flight hours, including more than 600 hours on the MiG-29, on which he performed combat duty, repeatedly took part in national and international exercises, the Defense Ministry reported.

At the end of 2017, another Polish Air Force MiG-29 fighter jet crashed in the area of Minsk-Mazowiecki near Warsaw. The pilot survived, although he did not eject from the plane midair.

The Polish army has a fleet of 48 US F-16s as well as 32 MiG-29s, several of which have been grounded due to a lack of spare parts.

 

[angelburst29]

19.08.2018 - At Least 3 Dead, 38 Injured as Bus with Ukrainians Plunges Over Cliff in Poland (Photos - Video)
At Least 3 Dead, 38 Injured as Bus with Ukrainians Plunges Over Cliff in Poland

The bus had been traveling from the Ukrainian city of Lviv to Vienna late Friday when it missed a turn on a national highway near the village of Leszczawa Dolna, Southeastern Poland and crashed through the guard rail, AFP reported.

The bus plummeted off the road and overturned several times, Poland's fire service spokesman Grzegorz Latosekf was quoted by AFP.

According to the AFP report, Polish Prosecutors said earlier that the bus driver had been charged over the accident, with initial reports suggesting he had been driving at between 70 and 80 kilometres (between 40 and 50 miles) an hour in a 30 kph zone.