Senior ranking officer accuses general staff and ministry of neglect

Ryszard Chwastek, a respected Colonel and commander of the 12th Mechanical Division held a press conference where he declared that he has no confidence in the General Staff and the Defense Ministry. He showed the journalists a open letter, which bears a list of accusations towards army commanders. Colonel Chwastek believes that the army, for the last ten years has been in a state of permanent reorganization, but the last two years rather than improving the military have only damaged it. He labeled the personnel policy as a "generals mafia", where top officers only care about their own interests and positions. The Defense Ministry was very quick to react. There was widespread criticism that he had made such a letter public rather than going through the established complaints system. Disciplinary proceeding have started against Chwastek, and he was immediately suspended from his duties. "It is really unpleasant to comment on such behavior. Especially when officers know perfectly well that this type of action contravenes all rules of conduct," commented Bronislaw Komorowski, a former defense minister. What impact this will have on Poland's NATO allies is still uncertain, but no doubt they will be asking many questions. (Zycie pp. 1, 4) A.L.