Breaking up is hard to do
More evidence has come to light this week that Poland's relationship with America has fallen on stony ground.
A "Letter from Poland" feature published in The Nation presented a Polish view of the USA that was as worrying as it was concise. In an adroit and extremely well-written piece, the author presented his case using quotes from some of this country's leading opinion-formers and commentators. The result is that the damage the current administration's policies have done is substantial-and growing.
Starting from recent history, and how Poles have admired deeply the last few presidents, the author says, "George W. Bush has managed to do what 45 years of Communist rule could not: puncture the image of essential American goodness...," and goes on to bemoan the fact that in 25 years of visiting Poland, he has never heard the kind of criticisms that are being leveled at his country now.
Unsurprisingly, the turning point has been the Iraq war. From Poland's willingness to be an ally of vassal proportions two years ago, the country is now scratching its head and trying to figure out where it all went wrong. Despite the neo-cons' Disney-esque fantasy that the situation in Iraq is "getting better," on the ground it is clear that a brutal, savage dictatorship has been replaced by a U.S.-induced brutal, savage civil war. Warsaw's expectation that its fealty would be handsomely rewarded in reconstruction contracts and less-stringent visa requirements have come to naught and, on top of all this, Polish commentators agree that Poland's reputation in Europe has never been as bad as it is now. Poland is no Britain, they say, and can't afford to choose whether it is in Europe or not. From being the obvious leader in the recent EU expansion, Poland's position is now one of alienation, and even its former communist neighbors don't support it.
But while voices of dissention are being raised, things are not changing officially. This year, according to the article, while the budget deficit teeters on the edge of constitutional crisis, Polish taxpayers will fork out $85 million to maintain their country's presence in Iraq, while Poland will get just $12 million in military aid from the USA.
The author was also at pains to point out that the negativity and accusations come from those Poles on whom America has always been able to rely. Leading journalists and former ministers, among many others, that had previously advocated unequivocal support, are now the ones shouting the loudest in the Polish press.
The overall tone of the article, in particular these quotes, did however carry an air of naivety. But this is not the whole picture, and Poles are not generally naive. Poland has been very trusting, and it is the perceived betrayal of that trust that promises to be the most damaging legacy.
As with any relationship in which trust is betrayed, the prospects for the future are at best uncertain.
A "Letter from Poland" feature published in The Nation presented a Polish view of the USA that was as worrying as it was concise. In an adroit and extremely well-written piece, the author presented his case using quotes from some of this country's leading opinion-formers and commentators. The result is that the damage the current administration's policies have done is substantial-and growing.
Starting from recent history, and how Poles have admired deeply the last few presidents, the author says, "George W. Bush has managed to do what 45 years of Communist rule could not: puncture the image of essential American goodness...," and goes on to bemoan the fact that in 25 years of visiting Poland, he has never heard the kind of criticisms that are being leveled at his country now.
Unsurprisingly, the turning point has been the Iraq war. From Poland's willingness to be an ally of vassal proportions two years ago, the country is now scratching its head and trying to figure out where it all went wrong. Despite the neo-cons' Disney-esque fantasy that the situation in Iraq is "getting better," on the ground it is clear that a brutal, savage dictatorship has been replaced by a U.S.-induced brutal, savage civil war. Warsaw's expectation that its fealty would be handsomely rewarded in reconstruction contracts and less-stringent visa requirements have come to naught and, on top of all this, Polish commentators agree that Poland's reputation in Europe has never been as bad as it is now. Poland is no Britain, they say, and can't afford to choose whether it is in Europe or not. From being the obvious leader in the recent EU expansion, Poland's position is now one of alienation, and even its former communist neighbors don't support it.
But while voices of dissention are being raised, things are not changing officially. This year, according to the article, while the budget deficit teeters on the edge of constitutional crisis, Polish taxpayers will fork out $85 million to maintain their country's presence in Iraq, while Poland will get just $12 million in military aid from the USA.
The author was also at pains to point out that the negativity and accusations come from those Poles on whom America has always been able to rely. Leading journalists and former ministers, among many others, that had previously advocated unequivocal support, are now the ones shouting the loudest in the Polish press.
The overall tone of the article, in particular these quotes, did however carry an air of naivety. But this is not the whole picture, and Poles are not generally naive. Poland has been very trusting, and it is the perceived betrayal of that trust that promises to be the most damaging legacy.
As with any relationship in which trust is betrayed, the prospects for the future are at best uncertain.
