Opposition parties unhappy with Cimoszewicz's foreign policy statement

"The year 2001 was a turning point not only for the world, but also for Poland. The feeling of security that was enjoyed in the 90s is under threat," said Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz in a speech to the Sejm yesterday, outlining the government's foreign policy. The Foreign Minister stressed that, in the face of global terrorism, the countries belonging to NATO must change the structures and doctrines of the organization, intensify their international cooperation, including contacts with Russia, and accept new members. He said that Poland intends to strengthen its position as "the main partner of the USA in Eastern Europe". Turning to the negotiations with the European Union (EU), Cimoszewicz said that, in his opinion, they should be completed before the end of the year, making the desired accession date of 2004 a realistic possibility. "The government is seeking such conditions that would allow Poland, as an EU member, to play a role that would be appropriate for its location and significance in Eastern Europe," he said. Politicians from the opposition parties found important parts of the speech unsatisfactory, or simply misleading. The greatest controversy was generated by the subject of EU accession, especially with regard to recent discussion on the sale of land to foreigners. "The statements by the Minister are as outdated as support for the USSR was back in 1990," said Roman Giertych from the Polish Families' League (LPR). (Gazeta Wyborcza, pp. 4, 5; Rzeczpospolita, p. A4) M.K.