Polish Consulate...

Nato Summit in Turkey

Poland’s President Aleksander Kwaśniewski today arrives in Turkey for the two-day Nato summit beginning in Istanbul tomorrow. One of the main subjects to be discussed at the meeting is Nato support for the operation in Iraq. The summit also formally welcomes in seven new members. The Polish president is accompanied in Istanbul by foreign and defence ministers Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz and Jerzy Szmajdziński.

posted by: Oborski at 18:07 | link | comments |

Violence in the Polish Zone in Iraq

A car-bomb explosion in Al-Hilla has killed 40 people and wounded 22. Al-Hilla lies in the Polish stabilization zone in Iraq. The explosion happened in front of the city’s biggest mosque. All of the victims are civillians. Late last night a patrol of coalition forces which included Polish troops was fired at in the area of Al-Hindjia between Al-Hilla and Karbala but none of the soldiers were hurt. The recent wave of bombing attacks and violence comes days before administration in the province is to be taken over by Iraqis.

posted by: Oborski at 18:05 | link | comments |

Warsaw's Okęcie Airport Stall

Havoc finally ended at Warsaw’s main Frederic Chopin airport in Okęcie when the luggage system was restored to operation. On Saturday, passengers faced long delays when a new luggage security system refused to work and the airport had to revert to equipment which had been inactive for some time. A representative for Polish Airports said they had ‘no idea’ why the system, which was brand new, failed and that it took almost three hours before a specialist service team arrived. She added that it was the first time the airport had to deal with this kind of trouble.

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Volunteers are wanted for the 6th international white stork census to begin in July. During the last census it proved that around a quarter of the world’s white storks - that is some 40 thousand pairs - nest in Poland. Volunteers can apply to the National Coordinator in Wrocław. More details on the webpage www.bociany.pl.
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From Warsaw Voice

"In a democracy, parliamentary games are a substitute for battle; if the deputies could, they would be shooting at each other."
-Zyta Gilowska, a deputy from the Civic Platform (PO), on the atmosphere in the Sejm

"If the Poles are not playing, I support the Catholics, then the Christians, then the Jews, and then Muslims, and I always support anyone playing against the Germans."
-Marian Piłka, a deputy from Law and Justice (PiS), on who he roots for during soccer matches

"Once, I appealed, to my appendix to stop hurting, but that didn't help. It had to be removed."
-Maciej Rybiński, a well-known rightist political commentator and columnist,
on the recent appeals by Polish intellectuals for healing the state and overcoming the political crisis

"He returned to prison the same day and explained that he had thought everything over and wanted to serve out his entire sentence after all."
-Warden of a prison in Kikity (Warmia-Mazuria province) on a prisoner serving a 10-month sentence for burglary, who managed to escape

"Patients told the doctors that they had seen a small white bird at night, but everyone thought they were delusional."
-A worker from the Warsaw zoo about an albino wood owl born in the forest near a mental hospital in Konstancin near Warsaw

"I'm no angel; unfortunately, that's true."
-Pavlo Lazarenko, former prime minister of Ukraine, in a court in San Francisco, where he is facing charges of over 50 financial scams

posted by: Oborski at 14:57 | link | comments |

From Warsaw Voice

Instead of voting for Euro-parliamentarians, the Poles preferred to enjoy their weekend.

Instead of getting excited at their first opportunity to vote after joining the European Union, millions of Poles chose the excitement of the European soccer championship.

Barely one in five Poles marched to the polls. The rest stayed home, an expression of their delight with the beautiful weather and their revulsion for the political class.

The people that did go have provided Strasbourg with a decent contingent of Euro-skeptics, populists and bigots. Because, the grannies were all there, shuffling obediently to the polls after Sunday mass, to vote against the Freemasons, godless people and supporters of euthanasia in Europe, and to vote for the League of Polish Families (LPR), unexpectedly hiking it to second place nationwide.

Nor were the pro-Europeans—young, wealthy and educated—a disappointment. It was to them that the liberal-conservative Civic Platform (PO) owes its top result, though its 24 percent looks rather pale when compared to the nearly one-third of the votes won by the anti-European populists from the LPR and Samoobrona.

The elections to the European Parliament caused an outbreak of whining about Polish citizens’ political passivity. True, the 20-percent turnout is a poor result. But remember that in the elections to the Sejm, which are far more important to the average person, not much more than half the voters go to the polls, while the historic election of 1989 that led to the democratic transformation saw 40 percent of people staying at home.

Most of the whiners are the people who contribute the most to the burnout of the Poles’ political energy—Polish politicians. The compromised parliament, the fierce and brutal party fighting, the heavy fog of corruption scandals, the low quality of people making a living from Polish politics—the kind of people you wouldn’t invite home to mother: this is the main reason why decent people don’t feel like making the effort to choose anyone from this bickering mob.

The Poles like their political theater to feature polite, composed actors in peaceful, dignified plays.

If they see a rough rabble tearing at one another’s hair, nipping at one another’s heels and doling out sharp nudges in the ribs—they don’t buy tickets and just stay home.

■ The Euro-parliamentary elections are considered a kind of primary election to the Sejm.

Will the trends revealed during the election to the European Parliament—the success of xenophobes and a turn to the right—strengthen during the national elections?
First of all, the Euro-election ended in a surprisingly good result for parties that have an extreme but clear attitude toward the united Europe. On one hand—the LPR, on the other—the noble but defunct Freedom Union (UW), a party of liberal and eloquent do-gooders that set the tone in politics in the 1990s, but is not represented in the Sejm today. Neither the tiger’s leap of the LPR’s nationalists nor the galvanization of the UW’s venerable veterans should repeat itself in the national elections where the attitude to Europe is a secondary consideration.

Secondly, xenophobic populism plays a greater role in the European election than social populism. Hence the better result of the LPR than Andrzej Lepper’s Samoobrona—the party of social frustration, mouthpiece of the lower middle class whose flirtation with capitalism is not working out. Lepper’s electorate has a negligible awareness of the European Parliament’s significance, and is much more into an extreme-leftist, anti-capitalist welfare program there was no place for in this campaign. To those who are celebrating the end of the expansion of the hated Samoobrona, my advice is—don’t chill the champagne just yet.

Thirdly, the low turnout means that groups with a small but steady electorate get a bonus. The better-than-expected result of the LPR, UW or the Polish Peasants’ Party (PSL), which is fighting to retain its place in the Sejm, is precisely the effect of this.

The European election in Poland also brought an unexpected return of some dinosaurs. The best result in Poland was that of the former and unfortunate rightist prime minister, Jerzy Buzek, whose beauty in the eyes of his compatriots has obviously increased in the course of the leftists’ three years in government. Not much worse was the result of another venerable dinosaur, veteran of the anti-communist opposition and ex-foreign minister—Bronisław Geremek, the super-Cato of Polish politics.

These two noble gentlemen, supported by a few other veterans of Polish politics, form a Jurassic team of very high quality.

This is Poland’s most valuable contribution to the Euro-parliament, balancing out the bunch of populist cavemen that Polish voters decided to present to Strasbourg.

■ The Euro-election has shown a clear shift to the right in Poland.
Rightist parties won more than half the votes and this is an expressive reaction to the leftist rule and its disastrous reputation.

The overwhelming success of the opposition is yet more proof that millions of Poles are convinced that their country is drowning in crisis because of the leftists. It’s a paradox that this deep pessimism has appeared just as the economy has gotten off to a new jump start and the growth of the gross domestic product, exports and industrial production are worthy of the most vigorous economies around the world.

A satisfactory result—given the size of the catastrophe after three years in government—has been achieved by the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) which is licking its wounds after its breakup and the secession of some of its leaders. If it weren’t for the breakup, the socialists’ 7 percent would probably have been somewhere around 15 percent. It seems that despite predictions that the SLD wouldn’t be able to climb to its feet after its disintegration, this party has a guaranteed place in the future Sejm as a solid opposition, while attempts to draw the leftist electorate to the new party that is dissociating itself from the hideous inheritance of Leszek Miller’s government, have brought the defectors success only in the rightist media.

The Euro-election has shown a marked shift to the right, but at the same time it has shown very clearly that it will be terribly hard to form a sensible coalition in the future Sejm. First, the rightist parties will have a hard time obtaining a stable majority. Second, more divides than unites the rightist parties—PO, Law and Justice (PiS) and LPR—today: starting with their attitude to Europe through their ideas for the economy to personal dislikes among the leaders.

The main conclusion from the Euro-election for the Poles is as simple and straight as the spire on the Palace of Culture: the more time passes between the European election and the national election, the better. The Poles need time to heal their pessimism and bitterness with economic prosperity, and their politicians—to tidy up the props scattered all over the political stage.

posted by: Oborski at 14:54 | link | comments |

From Warsaw Voice

After six months of work by the European Convention and nine months of tense negotiations, June 18 at a summit in Brussels, leaders of the 25 EU states adopted the text of the European Union Constitutional Treaty. The move provoked a new political storm in Poland.

Prime Minister Marek Belka is proud to be the only leader who, as he puts it, defended the Polish motions "up to the last second." According to Belka, the Constitutional Treaty provides Poland with a much stronger position than the Nice Treaty did, even if the new constitution limits Poland's ability to entirely block decisions. As the prime minister assures, the only motion by the Polish delegation which was not implemented concerns a reference to God or Christianity in the Treaty's preamble.

In the coming months, the Treaty has to be put into its final shape, translated into the EU's official languages and signed. It will then be subject to a ratification procedure which, according to many commentators, might turn out to be much more dramatic than the negotiations. Ratification referendums will be held in at least one-third of the member states, most probably including Poland.

The adopted constitution does not differ significantly from the draft adopted last year by the European Convention. Its main asset is that it puts together all previous EU treaties in a single document, formulating them in the most concise and transparent way possible and making them easily comprehensible to the average citizen. The Basic Rights Charter has also been included as part of the constitution.

The heads of EU states have also finally approved the decision-making system in the Council of the European Union by a double majority of states and citizens defined as at least 55 percent of states (15 or more) representing at least 65 percent of the population. These numbers refer to cases in which there the veto right does not apply. For a decision to be blocked, therefore, over 45 percent of states or 35 percent of the population from at least four states will be needed.

Poland has secured the right for states inhabited by at least 26.25 percent of the EU population to delay decisions for a "sensible period of time." In the domains of justice, internal affairs and foreign and monetary policy, the consent of 72 percent of states with no less than 65 percent of the population will be needed to make a decision.

The new voting system will be implemented Nov. 1, 2009 when the Nice Treaty will have been in force for five years (the Treaty will start functioning Nov. 1, 2004).

"The compromise achieved in Brussels is good for Poland and for Europe," says Aleksander Kwaśniewski. "The extended Europe has won a more solid basis and the patience, determination and consistent action of Polish negotiators have brought the best possible result for Poland." According to the president, the compromise is most likely criticized only by those members of the opposition who did not consent to Poland's accession to the EU at all.

"The Constitutional Treaty is a great success for Poland and Europe, it is a positive contribution to the consolidation of our country's position on the international scene," said Prime Minister Belka in a televised speech on the occasion. "I am bringing good news from Brussels. The European Union has a Constitutional Treaty. We Poles, we Europeans have a Constitutional Treaty. Poland has consolidated its position in Europe."

The leaders of the governing coalition consider the compromise arrived at in relation to the European constitution a success for Poland and, as they emphasize, no better position could have been won. Opposition parties claim they will not let the constitution be implemented. Some of them even call the compromise a disgrace.

Jan Rokita, head of the Civic Platform's (PO) caucus, coiner of the controversial "Nice or death" slogan, is critical of the compromise and plans to make a comparison of the Constitutional Treaty and the Nice document. According to Rokita, Belka's government has not managed to satisfy the Sejm's expectations concerning the shape of the European constitution. Rokita declares his party will "do everything" to prevent the compromise achieved in Brussels from coming into force.

Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of Law and Justice (PiS), describes the Constitutional Treaty as Poland's "disgraceful capitulation." As Kaczyński declares, after the elections his party will not enter a coalition with any of the parties which will have recognized the document. According to the politician, by agreeing to the compromise, Belka's government failed to use its chance to present Europe with the actual position of Poland.

The prime minister's assent to the constitution is referred to as "a day of disgrace for the Polish government" by Roman Giertych, head of the League of Polish Families (LPR). According to Giertych, his party has already initiated preparations for a referendum campaign aimed at defeating the constitution. The LPR also plans to bring Belka before the Constitutional Tribunal. This week the party intends to present the Sejm with a draft bill appealing to the prosecutor general to launch an investigation concerning the prime minister and the whole Polish delegation to Brussels. According to Giertych, the Polish negotiators are guilty of acting to the detriment of Poland's interests.

Andrzej Lepper believes the European constitution is unfavorable for Poland. According to the leader of Samoobrona, the Polish delegation returning from Brussels has lost. If a referendum is held, Lepper declares he will encourage Poles to vote against the constitution.

The text of the Constitutional Treaty adopted at the Brussels summit is referred to as a "misrepresentation of the historical truth and a conscious marginalization of Christianity which has for centuries been the religion of a vast majority of Europeans" by the Polish bishops. "In spite of the opinion of a vast majority of the European population, which has many times been expressed in numerous appeals issued by the Holy Father and national episcopates, including that of Poland," write the bishops, "and contrary to the official stand of authorities of other Christian faiths, the text of the Constitutional Treaty for Europe adopted at the summit in Brussels does not contain any reference to the Christian roots of our continent." In stressing their indignation, the bishops are calling "all people of good will to reflect upon the future of Europe constructed with no regard for basic values."

"I thank Poland, which at the European forum faithfully defended the Christian roots of our continent from which the culture and the civilization development of our times have emerged," said John Paul II June 20 in ending his noon Angelus prayer. "One should not cut the roots from which one has developed," added the pope. June 19 Joaquin Navarro-Valls, director of the Vatican Press Office, issued a statement in which he expressed the pope's "regret" at the lack of a mention of Europe's Christian roots in the EU Constitutional Treaty.

posted by: Oborski at 14:52 | link | comments |

After a long illness, Jacek Kuroń died at the age of 70 in Warsaw June 16. Kuroń was a politician and journalist, one of the most famous figures of the democratic opposition in People's Poland. He was one of the architects of the Round Table agreements.

After the systemic change of 1989, Kuroń became a Sejm deputy and remained in the parliament for 12 years. He was the nation's favorite minister of labor and social policy in two governments: in the first non-communist government of Tadeusz Mazowiecki (1989-90) and the government of Hanna Suchocka (1992-93). It was under his term that the first law on unemployment was adopted in postwar Poland; the Labor Fund was also established then.

In 1995, Kuroń unsuccessfully ran in the presidential elections (he came in third and did not make it to the second round) as a candidate for Freedom Union (UW), a party he led when the party was still called Democratic Union.

Kuroń was born March 3, 1934, in Lviv. He majored in history at Warsaw University. In the 1940s, he belonged to the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association, in the 1950s he was an activist in the Polish Youth Union and the Polish United Workers' Party (PZPR). He was removed from the party twice: in 1953 for refusing to submit self-criticism and in 1964 for an "Open Letter" he wrote with Karol Modzelewski. In 1975, Kuroń was a co-initiator of a letter of 59 intellectuals who stood up for the defense of human rights in People's Poland.

Kuroń helped create the Workers' Defense Committee (KOR), in which he was an activist from its inception in 1976 to 1981. In the following year, he was accused of attempts to overthrow the system. In total, he spent almost ten years in prison. He was an adviser of the Solidarity National Committee and the Temporary Coordinating Committee of the NSZZ Solidarity trade union when the organization operated in the underground.

In the 90s, Kuroń initiated a number of public campaigns, including the SOS Community Aid Foundation. The phrase "Kuroń's soup" (free meals for the poor) became a fixture of everyday Polish vocabulary.

He was one of the most popular figures in the political life of Poland. Even though Kuroń did not take an active part in social life in recent years, primarily due to his illness, he nevertheless occupied top positions in opinion polls concerning politicians that Poles trusted.

Jacek Kuroń was a holder of the highest distinction in Poland-the Order of the White Eagle. He also received the Great Cross of Merit of Germany, the French Legion of Honor and Ukrainian Order of Yaroslav Mudry.

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We very much welcome the fact that, after a change of heart, West Mercia Constabulary have now supplied us with the names and contact details of the three Polish citizens involved in the incident described below.

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The West Mercia Constabulary have informed us that they are not prepared to provide this Consulate with information about the three Poles injured in an attack in Kidderminster early this morning.

This is a matter of concern to us as it means that we are effectively unable to provide any support or assistance to the victims.

The attitude of the West Mercia Constabulary contrasts with the attitude of other Police Forces who are generally always extremely co-operative and helpful and are anxious to seek our assistance and support.

We are also extremely concerned about Police statements that the incident is being treated as a “racist attack”. If this is the case then we would like to know the Police assessment of the level of risk to Polish citizens in the area and what advice the Police are offering to Polish citizens and what action they are taking to minimise any risks.

We will be writing to the Chief Constable of the West Mercia Constabulary raising these issues and we would welcome an early meeting to discuss the various issues of concern.

posted by: Oborski at 15:47 | link | comments |

Jacek Kuron, one of the key figures in the anti-communist opposition in Poland, has died in Warsaw at the age of 70.
A historian and member of the communist party in his early years, he was one of the first intellectuals to openly criticise the communist regime in the late 1960s. He was a co-founder of the Committee for the Defence of Workers in the late 1970s and was involved in the establishment of the Solidarity trade union in 1980. He served a total of nine years in prison before the collapse of communism in 1989.
He was the minister for labour in Poland's first Solidarity-led government formed in the autumn of 1989. For his oustanding achievements in the promotion of the ideals of freedom and democracy Jacek Kuron had been decorated with some of the highest state dictinctions of many countries, starting from the Polish Order of The White Eagle to the French Legion of Honor, or the German Grand Cross of Merit. Recalling Kuron’s engagement, former Polish president and Solidarity leader Lech Walesa said, the victory of August 1980 which led to the establishment and legalization of the first independent trade union in the then communist Eastern bloc would simply be impossible. Pitty, he will be absent in these dificult times ahead of Poland, remarked Walesa. President Aleksander Kwasniewski described Jacek Kuron as a person void of any personal ill will – he was a tough opponent for many, but always showing understanding and respect. Lately, Kuron turned away from active political life, devoting most of his time to charity schemes and assisting the needy.

Jacek Kuron was for me a hero and an inspiration. I did not always agree with his views but that did not matter. He was a great hearted and tireless Polish patriot. He always said what he meant and he always stood his ground whatever the cost. He spoke out when the price of speaking out was high. He spoke out before it was easy. He did not count the cost. He spoke out. He combined humour and ruthless intelligence. He spoke both from the brain and from the heart.

He loved Poland and he loved Poles. He admired Polish virtues and condemned Polish follies. At times he was our hardest critic. At other times he spoke for all Poles. If he had his foibles and eccentricities they were always tolerated because he was one of the family - the Polish family - and at the end of the day, agree or disagee, his heart was always in the right place.

We have lost a Pole who was outspoken, intelligent, great hearted, sometimes entirely frustrating, individualistic and totally patriotic.

"Cześć!"

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