Difficulties with Revised Shield Project

Stationed in Poland?

The visit of the American VP, Joe Biden, to Poland, his words and the revised anti-missile shield offer which he brought with him met with an optimistic response. However, there are still a number of issues that still need resolving.  As the American administration’s officials stressed yesterday, it still remains unknown just how many missiles would be located in Poland. What is known, however, is that the project’s implementation will start no sooner than 2015 and end before 2018. This timeline would reflect the successive stages of retrofitting the SM-3 missiles that have primarily been designed to be used solely on battleships. Such a distant date for implementing the revised plan is a cause for concern in Warsaw. There is also the matter of the still unresolved legal status of American soldiers stationed in Poland; an issue about which negotiations are still under way. Despite numerous declarations of the will to reach an agreement from both parties, a joint position on the soldiers’ liability is yet to be worked out. “There are some difficulties here but I hope that they will be resolved by making compromises on both sides,” said the Polish President after meeting with Biden. However, the head of the National Security Bureau (BBN), Aleksander Szczygło, was critical of the Polish PM’s optimistic declarations. “The perspective of 6 to 9 years needed for the shield to become a reality is a distant one. The PM’s statement is surprising. It is a shame that the government did not adopt the previous agreement this quickly. It is astonishing that it is agreeing to something that is very distant and drags on the talks on the status of American soldiers which is crucial for Patriot missiles to arrive in Poland along with any kind of American military presence on our soil,” commented Szczygło for Rzeczpospolita.
Rzeczpospolita

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Poland to Take New Shield

A Different Kind of Polish Patriot

After meeting American Vice-President Joe Biden, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirms that Poland will accept SM-3 launchers. Warsaw welcomed Joseph Biden in the cold and rain but the American guest had many warm words to say to the Poles. “Poland is one of our closest allies. We share the same values and ideals,” Biden said after the meeting with the Polish PM. Later on during the joint conference with the Polish President, Lech Kaczyński, the American VP said, “We have Poland in our hearts”. Biden came to Poland to neutralize the bad impression left by the unfortunate way Obama’s administration presented the new shield concept. He also came to confirm the US revised offer which Tusk later  declared that Poland will accept. “Poland is willing to participate in the SM-3 project,” he said. After the meeting with Biden, Tusk explained that “the new plan for the world needs Poland to be more than a country that just needs help”. He added, “For Americans we have become a partner expected to take action and joint responsibility for all the good that is supposed to happen in the world”.

His guest was clearly pleased with such a declaration. “The US appreciates Poland’s willingness to take this step and to have the system’s elements installed,” Biden said and went on to add that “the shield will not only work for America’s benefit but also to increase NATO and Polish security”. He assured the Polish authorities that the US treats its obligations to its allies seriously. Various Polish diplomats told Rzeczpospolita that Warsaw did not expect any specifics from this visit; rather a formal confirmation of the American will to locate the modified SM-3 missiles in Poland. Wess Mitchell, the head of the Center for European Policy Analysis in Washington, says that the significance of Biden’s visit is quite substantial. “It is a step in the right direction. The Central-European allies needed to be thoroughly run through the workings of the new anti-missile defence system. They also needed a specific offer inviting them to become a part of this system. The offer that was put on the table is very fair but for the time being it is too removed in the future for its details to be of any greater significance. What is important, however, is that America has shown its allies that it remains a credible partner which fulfils its obligations,” Mitchell told Rzeczpospolita. “We have good reason to feel satisfied,” according to Polish Foreign Affairs Minister, Radosław Sikorski, summing up Biden’s visit for Polsat News. He went on to say that he will be flying to Washington in November where, in all likelihood, he will meet up with the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.
Rzeczpospolita

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Crusade Against Madonna

As Innocent as a Virgin?

In order to block Madonna from playing a concert in Warsaw, public prayers and field masses will be held each day for two consecutive weeks between 31st July and 15th August. This ‘crusade’ is being led by Mazovian regional councillor Marian Brudzyński who is a former prominent member of the League of Polish Families (LPR). Together with his own Committee of Defending Faith and National Heritage Pro Polonia and supported by parish activists, councillor Brudzyński wants to “veto” Madonna’s concert. According to Brudzyński, “the obscene artist”, as he calls Madonna, is at odds with the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary church festival and the anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw, also known as the so-called Vistula Miracle. Both of these celebrations will take place on 15th August, the very same day Madonna appears live in Warsaw.

The Pro Polonia committee has already petitioned Allegro.pl to withdraw from sponsoring the concert, but Allegro.pl has declined. After the fiasco of warning letters and petitions submitted to local and government authorities, Pro Polonia decided to actively demonstrate its opposition. It is preparing a “public praying crusade”, which is to take place in front of Warsaw’s City Hall. The slogan for this protest is “If victory comes, it will come through the Virgin Mary!”. In a manifesto signed by Brudzyński and entitled “Is Warsaw a trash bin?” we can read: “We start with a small gathering of  maybe several hundred people and I believe it will end with the whole square filled with ordinary Poles praying.” Brudzyński also adds that: “We have approached church authorities for permission to hold a field mass and received the necessary approval. The former chaplain of Solidarity Reverend Stanisław Małkowski will lead the mass”. The script for the first day is as follows: public prayers will begin with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy; then “on the image of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa we will place a sign with a question to the authorities ‘Will you not be afraid to look into the eyes of the Queen?’” states the councillor. After mass, there is going to be a rosary procession under the banner of the Virgin Mary,” he adds. Pro Polonia also requested help from catholic priests, Law and Justice (PiS) and the President of Poland Lech Kaczyński. In a letter submitted to priests we can read that: “For their thousand-year-old service to Rome Poles do not deserve to be abandoned by their own priests. Let us act together – the victory of the Virgin Mary will be spectacular!”. The councillor says that he is uplifted by the reaction of the clergy and disappointed by PiS and President Kaczyński.

Causing a Stir

Brudzyński’s pledge for aid has fallen on deaf ears and no local PiS politicians have answered it. The Chancellery of the Polish President said that this matter falls outside its jurisdiction. “Lech Kaczyński is a declared patriot and Piłsudski-ite. I am greatly disappointed that the concert of such an obscene artist, which will take place on the same day as a Polish army holiday and the anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw, is not outrageous to the head of the armed forces and a person who adheres to national traditions,” says Brudzyński. Also, despite an explanation given by the city authorities that it is not City Hall that organises the concert, representatives of the protesting committee are considering asking the Archbishop of Warsaw Kazimierz Nycz to suspend Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz’s membership of the catholic community, i.e. to excommunicate her. “This is a temporary exclusion from the Church for the Mayor of Warsaw. It is to be used when Catholics work to the disadvantage of the faith. An excommunicated person can enter the vestibule, but cannot receive the sacraments,” explains the leader of the committee.
Gazeta Wyborcza

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European Summit after 440 Years

New Nation

On July 1, 1569, during the General Sejm in Lublin, the Kingdom of Poland formed a union with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was created, with one monarch, one parliament and a common foreign policy. For a few months now, Lublin has been preparing for the anniversary celebrations. The Monument of the Union of Lublin and Jan Matejko’s painting Unia Lubelska (The Union of Lublin) have been renovated. The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL) invited the Prime Ministers of the member states of the EU and the Presidents of Poland, Lech Kaczyński; Lithuania, outgoing Valdas Adamkus; Latvia,  Valdis Zatlers; Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko; Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves and the former President of Belarus,  Myechyslau Hryb (Lukashenko’s predecessor).

First Union in Europe

The authorities of Lublin and President Kaczyński also invited José Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission. However, he will not come, just like the Prime Ministers and Presidents of Estonia and Latvia. Instead, the former Chairman of the Supreme Soviet, Stanislau Shushkevich, will be present. Honouring the Presidents with Honorary Degrees of KUL will be the highlight of the day. The absence of Barroso is, paradoxically, quite convenient, as he would be the only one invited and not awarded a degree. A few months ago, KUL wanted to honour him but eventually decided against it. The official reason was that Barroso did not confirm his visit to Lublin, the unofficial reason is, however, his views are incompatible with the Church’s teachings. This concerns the Treaty of Lisbon and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which he approves of. The disputable matter is the lack of “invocatio dei” (reference to God) in the document. Although he was not invited, Lukashenko will appear in Lublin in some sense. The Lithuanian artist, Redas Diržys, has planted beets, carrots and radishes in the centre of Lublin. By July 1, the vegetables are supposed to form a portrait of Lukashenko.
Wyborcza.pl

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Kaczyński Looks for a Victim

Looking for Work?

Ludwik Dorn, former deputy head of Law and Justice (PiS) claims that there will be fast post-electoral deals taking place within the party. During Friday’s press conference Dorn said that Jarosław Kaczyński is looking for a scapegoat within PiS. “One can do nothing but wait for first blood. Of course, I am talking about someone’s political death,” explained Dorn. According to him, MP Zbigniew Girzyński will answer for the poor election campaign to the European Parliament. “I do not feel threatened within the party,” says Girzyński. “I have been working hard and I hope it will be noticed. I think Mr. Dorn is wrong and nothing will happen.” Nevertheless, Dorn holds that since the election there has been an atmosphere of fright and mutual distrust within Kaczyński’s party. The former Speaker of the Sejm recently met with MP Zbigniew Ziobro. Fakt published their photographs and called the meeting “a secret consultation”. “There was no secret consultation. We just had an official meeting where we talked about Janusz Kaczmarek,” said Ziobro on Friday. “Our discussions concerned our past disputes,” confirmed Dorn.
Rzeczpospolita

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Rioters at Solidarity Rally

Shipyard of Victory

Lech Kaczyński was delivering a speech when unrest broke out in front of the Monument of the Fallen Shipyard Workers in Gdańsk. Two men rolled out a banner which said “Get rid of political parties”. The riot was immediately stopped by members of Solidarity, who quickly forced the rioters to leave the rally. Today Gdańsk is hosting  anniversary celebrations commemorating the first free elections held on 4 June 1989. After a mass led by the Primate of Poland Józef Glemp, President Lech Kaczyński gave a speech. “Twenty years ago the sun started shining in Poland, the nation said ‘no’ to communism during the 4 June 1989 elections,” said Kaczyński. He added that the successes of the last 20 years are freedom, having a sovereign state, modernisation, whereas the failures are the current state of the shipyard in Gdańsk and high unemployment.
Dziennik

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New Power in Euro Parliament

Right-wing Trailblazer?

A week before the elections to the European Parliament the largest Polish opposition party, Law and Justice (PiS), has decided to present its vision of Europe and start a discussion on this issue. “Europe needs new initiatives. Europe needs this like people need fresh air,” said PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński during a Saturday election rally in Warsaw where he described PiS as “conservatives who want reform”. As Gazeta Wyborcza writes there were prominent foreign politicians present at the rally, including former Czech PM and leader of the Civic Democratic Party (OSD) Miroslav Topolánek, as well as David Cameron, leader of the British Conservative Party, tipped by many to become the future British PM. Together with Jarosław Kaczyński they declared that after the elections they will form a new group in the European Parliament.

According to PiS spokesman Adam Bielan the aim is to be the third power in the EU Parliament; just after the Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats), the Socialist Group and the equally strong Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. “We have made a considerable step towards a better Europe,” said Kaczyński. “European institutions should be effective, efficient and improve cooperation between countries. They should at no point challenge the rights of individuals and laws of the free market,” added the PiS leader. Topolánek mentioned the differences between OSD, PiS and the Tories; however, he said that all three parties share a common view of European integration and the slogan: “More freedom, more realism”. The former Czech PM also said that “The Lisbon Treaty is dead”. Cameron emphasised that “a strong centre-right group will emerge in the European Parliament, forming an alternative to federalist views”. “This is our vision of an open, modern and flexible EU. European nations expect a union of national countries, not a United States of Europe,” he added. “Only through common sense can we create good institutions and introduce moral standards, so they can serve the people. I believe that all three parties share a common sense approach,” said Kaczyński. Surprisingly, there was not a word said about Civic Platform (PO) or the Germans challenging Poland’s borders.
Gazeta Wyborcza

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Equality According to Kaczyński

Lech's Equality

During the official May 3rd celebrations, President Lech Kaczyński announced that Poland now needs to work very hard to reinvent itself so that it can protect the weak and not be afraid of the strong. In his speech he also assured everyone that as head of the country he will do everything in order to make Poland keep on the road of democracy, protect the weak, and treat all its citizens equally. “From the perspective of the nation, all citizens are equal. Regardless of whether they have billions or, as the majority of us, have nothing. All people are perceived the same,” said Kaczyński at Royal Palace square in Warsaw. According to the President all people have to use the protection that the country affords, “especially weaker people”. He added that those who have been successful should serve the country. “It is very good that a great number of Poles have achieved success in the last 20 years. It is their success. It is our common accomplishment since their success is the success of the entire nation,” said Kaczyński.
Gazeta Prawna

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Another Presidential Problem?

Loves His Problems

After revealing the President’s possible problems with alcohol (see here) and the expenses connected with it, the time has come to disclose to the public yet another one as well as the expenses of this problem. How much can one spend on pens in a period from November 2007? According to TVP Info, the President’s Chancellery has spent as much as PLN 300,000. Pens and fountain pens engraved with Kaczyński’s signature are given  to foreign delegations on special occasions.

TVP Info learnt that there were two tenders for producing these pens, in 2007 and in 2009, both won by the same company from the Lower Silesian region. It engraved 3,000 luxury pens made by such well-known companies as Stipula, Waldmann, Visconti, Waterman, and Sheaffer. Elżbieta Jakubiak, the former presidential minister, defends the idea behind the purchase and reminds the public that this was also the case during Mr Kwaśniewski’s term, though she admits the numbers were significantly lower. Stefan Niesiołowski, a Civic Platform (PO) MP and Deputy Speaker of the Lower House, is appalled at the amounts spent by the President’s Chancellery: “these are ridiculous amounts. The Chancellery’s budget should be reduced (…) especially during the worldwide financial crisis”. Jolanta Szymanek-Deresz, the former head of the Chancellery of President Kwaśniewski notes that during his term, special pens were given to heads of states, Speakers of Parliaments, winners of a number of competitions under the auspices of the then President, but not as marketing gadgets. She concludes, apparently Mr Kaczyński feels a pressing need to disseminate his own name, which is another alleged problem of his.
Dziennik

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Palikot To Waive Immunity?

Drinking Abuses

The Civic Platform (PO) MP Janusz Palikot demands he be punished for drinking alcohol at Lublin’s old town. When he learnt that both of his ‘drinking friends’ had been fined, he decided to cover it for them. “I strongly insist on being fined like the other two men. I am guilty to the same extent as they are, if not more,” says Mr Palikot while speaking to Dziennik. He believes that any MP attempting to mock the President’s alleged inclination to abuse alcohol (already mentioned here) deserves to be deprived of their political immunity. “If my immunity prevents me from being punished, I am ready to waive it,” he admits. The two men treated by Mr Palikot to vodka outisde on the street were quickly found by the police and fined PLN 100. Then, they asked the MP to cover the expense. According to Dziennik Wschodni, the Lublin police department has already sent the documents on Mr Palikot’s case to the Polish Police Headquarters. Then, most probably, they will be handed over to the Parliament.
Dziennik

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