They'll be ready.
Posted on 11/06/2009 3:33:53 PM PST by bruinbirdman
Poland has demanded that US troops be based on Polish soil in the wake of Russian war games which simulated a nuclear attack and invasion.
Radek Sikorski, Poland's foreign minister, said he was alarmed by recent military exercises conducted by the Russian army in Belarus, a country that borders Poland, and wanted the US military as a counterweight.
"We would like to see US troops stationed in Poland to serve as a shield against Russian aggression," he said.
"If you can still afford it, we need some strategic reassurance." Despite assurances given by US Vice President Joe Biden last month that Washington would stand by its Central-European ally there is growing unease in Poland that its interests have been sacrificed by an America eager to curry favour with Moscow.
Earlier this year, the US cancelled a missile defence shield that Poland was due to host, and details of its replacement remain scarce.
Mr Sikorski complained there were only six American soldiers on Polish soil.
"If you had on the one hand 900 tanks, and on the other six troops, would you be convinced?" he said of the recent Russian military exercise.
Russian politicians said they could not believe their ears. "Cold War reflexes are still alive in Warsaw," a Russian foreign ministry spokesman said.
The Russian foreign minister himself said he was astonished, while an unnamed Kremlin source told the Kommersant newspaper that Mr Sikorski needed his head examined. "It is better to ask the World Health Organisation for an assessment of Mr Sikorski's words," the official said.
If Washington agreed to Mr Sikorski's request, it would spark a diplomatic crisis with Russia at a time when President Obama is wooing Moscow to win its support on a range of international issues such as Iran.
Russian commentators said stationing US
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Poland has a reason to be paranoid considering how many times it has been thrown under the bus by the other great powers.
We should help our friend, Poland. So of course Bambi will do exactly the opposite.
God bless Poland.
FUBO.
Liberals hate Poland because they stand for Christian values and resist those who would normalize sodomy. They’re the new “South Africa” to the leftists.
Poland has good reason to build a serious military and a serious military culture among its people. If push comes to shove its going to be them and God.
They’ve been there before.
Wow, now that's a refreshing headline! Usually it's just the opposite, this country or that country demanding US troops get out.
I would be proud to be stationed in Poland.
I wonder what the results would be if they did “Does the World Love Obama” poll now?
I bet Zero is still sore the Poles beat back the Muzzies (Siege of Vienna) and the Reds (Miracle on the Vistula).
Ha! Fat chance with Zero in charge.
They'll be ready.
It is simply in a bad spot. Poland was under the bus (and the cart) many, many times. Usually it was treated just like a pawn on a chess board. Sometimes Poland tried to hit back, with poor results.
IMO, if Poland attempts to achieve military parity with other regional players it will be out of money in no time. If it tries to involve the USA in its affairs (which it does, as it seems) then it will drain US money instead, only to ensure that the other side does nothing. It's awfully expensive; maintenance of territories is what kills empires.
There’s a lot to respect about the Poles and what they’ve achieved, but Europe has to get a lot more serious about defending itself.
American soldiers are not made-to-order lives to be put at the disposal of the rest of the world (at the expense of the American taxpayer, no less, in money, blood and tears). Who does this guy thinks he is to demand Americans defend Poland. Where are the Poles?
It’s ultimately up to the Poles to defend Poland (consider a secret nuke program... Poland has or can amass the money and expertise and let’s face it, it’s the ultimate protection in a world where it’s everyone for himself).
They should build nukes. Oh wait, we are only going to let tinpot dictatorships do that.
I suggest that Poland and the rest of Europe scale back their socialist programs and raise Armies to defend themselves, I am tired of being the worlds police for and not even getting paid for it.
What was the saying about Mexico? So far from God, so close to the United States. That’s a Mexican lament from what I’ve read. The Poles probably have their own version... perhaps 2: one for Germany & the other for Russia.
Geography is a queen-b*tch!
Pray for Poland !!!
hahahahaha! Good luck with that!
Besides, we're already witnessing a full Internet propaganda aggression from Russia. Polish Internet forums are just bombarded with anti-Polish and anti-American propaganda by well Polish-spoken Russian so called ‘agents of influence’ They pretend to be the regular Polish and mock any Polish authorities, ridicule any defense efforts and call for actions and protests against “our irresponsible authorities” and any possible U.S. military facilities in Poland, as they “may only infuriate Russia and bring disaster on our country”
Is this to be a prelude to something much worse? I don't know...
Since 1968-1989 I lived under the Soviet tyranny, and almost got used to it, just like to something impossible to be ever changed.
Yes, we fought communism hard, we did our best to get them away from Poland, but actually never believed it would end up with success in our lifetime. Yet the miracle happened in 1989.
But now, after 20 WONDERFUL YEARS OF FREEDOM, after 20 years of watching my country resurrecting and thriving, rising from ashes of communism into a beautiful modern European state, I'd rather die together with my whole family than see my Homeland under the boots of those boozed savages again.
You know we would be glad to stand with you. Unfortunately we have Obama who is in the process of attempting to destroy our country. The citizens of the US are arming themselves in increased numbers. Is the Polish citizen allowed to own guns? If so, you might do as Americans are, and buy as many guns and as much ammo as you can.
GOOD LUCK with that....
You also have to remember that there are still some Poles in Poland who are sympathetic to the old People’s Republic of Poland and the “Former” USSR. These people, combined with outsiders from Russia, Belarus, and other “Former” Soviet states, are trying to turn Poland inside out.
Polish right is always pro-Western and differs only in accents, eg. withdraw forces from Iraq and bolster those in Afghanistan or keep forces in Iraq and bolster those in Afghanistan, agree to US Shield with hard negotiations or agree to US Shield without any substantial conditions, etc.etc. - anyway, when it comes to the crunch, they are always pro-American.
Two main Polish right-wing political parties are PO(Civic Platform) and P&S (Law&Justice). Polls can be different, but it never happened the two parties took less than 70% put together,.
I am the supporter of P&S, my Polish FReeper friend, lizol, votes for PO. Now, try to find any differences between us, as long as Poland's foreign policy is concerned. We differ only in domestic issues.
What's more, pro-EU, pro NATO left takes about 10% of seats, and these parties put together give HUGE foundation for Poland's pro-western policy.
Since 1989, the forces of ancient regime (KPP-Communist Party of Poland,etc.) although very active and noisy, esp. in the Internet, have never exceeded 5% of the votes to jump over the electoral threshold to get to the Parliament.
So, whoever wins in Poland, pro-NATO and pro-Western policy is as sure as taxes. :-)
Poland, as far as political stability is concern, is almost a monolith and even the biggest hordes of well Polish-well-spoken Belorussian or Russian communists who just bombard Polish Internet forums with their anti_NATO and anti_Polish are NOT ABLE to achieve anything.
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