Prague 2001 Photo by Ken LaRive
The 17th of September was the 70th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland. A Nazi-Soviet Pact was signed in Moscow on August the 28th, and all resistance was futile as both powers combined forces. Poland lost their Sovereignty, and as the years passed freedom became a distant memory.
Poles have always found a connection with the United States. It is much more than the promised anti-missile shield, it is about the similarities in attitudes of freedom and democracy. The United States was not only respected as the great liberator, but as a defender.
After 9-11 Poland expressed solid and empathetic solidarity with America, and without hesitation joined US-led coalition forces against terrorism.
Both Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Shroeder verbally assaulted them, but they stood fast making their intentions completely clear to the EU: Poland and the USA would fight common enemies shoulder to shoulder. They considered the US an ally, and though their forces were small, 80 percent of Poles was sympathetic to the union. They made it clear to France, Germany, and all of the EU countries that American interests were their own.
This is now a historical footnote. President Obama has betrayed a friend, and has caused great indignation and outrage. But there are some who still speak out for America in both Poland and the Czech Republic, and this is growing. They see that the emotional and fearful cries of their countrymen are based on a misunderstanding. Obama, they argue, is temporary: those policies are from the current government only, and will soon be reversed. As most countries who know the pain of Fascism, they see the same yoke taking shape in America and realize that the victim is not just Poland but the people of the United States.
Unlike the totalitarian enslavement Poland knew, America can fight back. Americans above any other nation knows the value of liberty, as do the Poles and Czechs, and can take it back by rule of law and the voting process. They know that Obama and his administration is not America, and as far as they are concerned, his days are numbered.
Note from the author: What is amazing and sad for a traveler as me... who has traveled to Czech and knows first hand the connection of culture. When we were there in 2001 America was sponsoring to teach the local businessmen and schools how to smile and laugh. So long under an iron handed government they had forgotten how! They took as their own our ways, from coffee houses to pizza, and again there was laughter in the streets. But then, there are those who I’ve heard shout “American imperialistic dog” in anti-US groups throughout Europe, who danced when the WTC fell, are saying now with great satisfaction: “Look , the US is moving back! Their policies have failed. They are finished.”
Comments
Ken: Great article. What is especially insulting is that the Obama administration sent a low-level offical to the 70th anniversary observation of the Nazi German attack on Poland on September 1, 1939. The next big offensive act was that the Obama administration decided to announce their cancellation of the missile plan in Poland on September 17th which is the 70th anniversary of the invasion of Poland by the Soviets. What sort of fools do they have in Washington. Don't they know history??? How insensitive !!!
That is sad. All Poles can hear now the Putin laughter.
Gates, ALSO President Bush's Defense Secretary, backs Obama's shorter range missiles because it can be implemented earlier and would be more effective (and less expensive). According to Gates, "It is more adapted to the threat we see developing, and takes advantage of the latest technology available to the U.S." Gates has made the following statements: "Those who say we are scrapping missile defense in Europe are either misinformed or misrepresenting the reality of what we are doing...The security of Europe has been a vital national interest of the United States for my entire career. The circumstances, borders and threats may have changed, but that commitment continues....The security of Europe has been a vital national interest of the United States for my entire career. The circumstances, borders and threats may have changed, but that commitment continues." It is also worth noting that "the Bush plan never moved beyond the blueprint stages" (CBS).
Kat, Information such as this seems good if true, but should have been presented before hand. Could be that the Polish Government was indeed notified, but failed to notify their media? I could find nothing of the sort published there but fear and anger, and my two contacts in Prague and the one in Brugge reflects that same sentiment, and it isn't because they want to play lip-service to me, they backed Obama before, but see he is a loose cannon,unpredictable, with an agenda not visible or understood. All of them see the similarities, and compare Obama to Hitler, who started out making the same plays for control, big government, and Nationalism. The low-level official representing the US during the anniversary ceremonies set the stage, the lack of communication, and this bombshell of seemingly unauthorized concessions has everyone on edge.
Thanks, Kat.
Given the timing he choose to appease resurgent Russia, Obama probably has more knowledge about Kenyan tribal wars and more interest in Indonesian madrasas than in foreign policy.
He is only incredibly naive and simply not up to the job to deal with ruthless Putin.
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