Oleksy tells EU deputies membership is Poland's historic right

Yesterday deputies and senators from the countries aspiring to join the European Union had their first chance to speak in the European Parliament. "EU membership is not a reward for us, it is our historical right. Your requirements were very strict but they will produce some benefits," Jozef Oleksy, the head of Sejm's European Commission told EU deputies. Polish deputies and senators had between 30 seconds to two minutes to state their opinion on EU enlargement. Self-Defense leader Andrzej Lepper gave an aggressive speech. "Polish trade, industry services, mines and agriculture have been ruined in the course of our preparation for membership. I'm warning Brussels and Strasbourg that if the elite decides on enlargement, Poles will find enough determination and courage to pull out of the EU. And this will be the end of the EU you know. We have our pride and will not accept alms. I'm saying "no" to Poles' enslavement. What counts is the human being, family, job and a respectable life," Lepper said. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A6) A.Z.