Posted on 10/30/2004 10:41:48 AM PDT by anonymoussierra
Letter from Poland By Peter Gentle
The whole world will be waiting for the result of the presidential elections in the United States on November 2. But how would Planet Earth, and, more particularly, Poland vote if it had the chance?
When I was very young, I remember being with my dad when he was watching the evening news. Apropos to nothing in particular, my dad suddenly said: “When America sneezes everyone else catches a cold.”
I was only about five years old at the time, so the significance of what my dad had just said positively boggled my young mind. For years afterwards, if I saw someone sneezing in the street I assumed that they were an American – and immediately starting pestering my parents for a day off school.
What my dad meant, I now know of course, was that if something happens to America, it will have consequences everywhere else. And I reckon my old dad is right. That’s why everyone is so interested in this year’s US Presidential Elections in a way that they never have been before.
So it’s a shame that we, who do not live in America, can’t vote this time. But how would we if we could?
An opnion poll taken in 23 European countries in the first week of October asked people just that. The results won’t surprise many. A majority in 22 of the countries asked said that they would vote for the challenger, Senator Kerry.
The only country to muster a majority for the incumbent was Poland.
Actually, George W. Bush’s lead in Poland is very small. Twenty-eight percent said they would vote Republican, while 25% said they would vote John Kerry.
Though the lead is small here, it still is a lead. So what makes Poland different from other countries in Europe?
The usual explanation trotted out to such a question is one of history. The US lead the fight against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Poles trusted the direct American approach better than they did the less direct ‘realpolitik’ of the Europeans. Since the Iron Curtain fell, Polish politicians of all persuasions have nailed their colors to the mast and supported America as the best way of safeguarding Poland’s national security.
But John Kerry didn’t help himself either when he made what is commonly referred to as ‘a gaff’ in one of the presidential debates. Kerry was criticizing Bush’s unilateralism and lack of international support for the war in Iraq. He said that Bush’s much proclaimed international coalition during the initial invasion consisted of only, “Britain and Australia.”
Bush immediately bit back by saying that, “President Kwasniewski of Poland will be surprised to hear that,” referring to the fact that Poland has 2,500 troops in Iraq and actually controls the south-central region of that war torn country. After he made his gaff, you could see Kerry’s eyes glaze over for a second and then his foot move slowly towards his mouth.
Ooops.
Indeed, President Kwasnieswski was not impressed with John Kerry’s remark. The day after the debate he said that, “ I feel that it is sad that a senator of 20 years parliamentary experience is unable to notice the Polish presence in the anti-terror coalition.”
By the way - Poland has been the subject of gaffs by presidential hopefuls before. In the 1975 campaign, the non-elected incumbent, Gerald Ford, had a clear lead over his Democratic opponent, Jimmy Carter. And then during the televised debate Ford made a remark that seemed to suggest that he thought that Poland was not dominated by the Soviet Union, was not behind the Iron Curtain at all, and that the people of Poland were, “free.”
Ooops.
After that remark Ford’s lead in the polls started to slip and he finally lost the election to the peanut farmer from Georgia.
Another gaff five years later involved Jimmy Carter during his battle with Ronald Regan, but it wasn’t really his fault. During a press conference, Carter mentioned America’s “love for Polish people.” Unfortunately, an inept Polish interpreter translated his remark here as,” America’s lust for the Polish people.”
Oops again.
So, Bush’s support in Poland is not surprising if we take into account Poland’s historical American loyalty, plus Kerry’s gaff factor.
But the support for Bush is surprising if we take into account the hostility here to the war in Iraq. In recent opinion polls, around 70% of Poles regret Poland’s involvement and think that their troops should come home, right now. And opposition to the war from Polish politicians is growing and becoming more organized.
Since the beginning of hostilities, 17 Poles have lost their lives in Iraq.
President Kwasniewski has voiced his disappointment over the lack of reconstruction contracts coming Poland’s way. At the beginning of September these amounted to only 70 million dollars, the majority of which are in the housing sector.
One of the parties that make up the ruling coalition - the Labour Union - is currently pushing the government to announce a definite date for the withdrawal of troops. The Labour Union favour a time limit of no more than six months. Even members of the cabinet are joining in. On October 3, Defense Minister, Jerzy Smajdzinski voiced his opinion that Polish troops should withdraw when the current United Nations mandate runs out at the end of 2005.
But another matter has angered many here. Poles are still required to apply for visas before entering the United States, as part of a general crackdown on security in the US after 9/11. Lech Welesa, no less, has led the campaign to get this restriction lifted, as a way of saying thank you to Poland for its support for Bush’s ‘war on terror’.
So Poles have complicated feelings towards the US elections and who to support. And this is why Kerry and Bush are just about neck-and-neck in the opinion polls here. Poles, like everyone else, will be on the edge of their seats when the results are announced early on November 3. Or will they? It looks very possible that, like the election of 2000, the result may well be decided, not at the ballot box, but in the law courts.
America
"The usual explanation trotted out to such a question is one of history. The US lead the fight against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Poles trusted the direct American approach better than they did the less direct ‘realpolitik’ of the Europeans. Since the Iron Curtain fell, Polish politicians of all persuasions have nailed their colors to the mast and supported America as the best way of safeguarding Poland’s national security." Thank you America
A more palatable foreign perspective here:
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/30/1099028260699.html
ping
Thank you
Thank you what is "ping" Thank you
Dziekuje bardzo, Polska!
"Dziekuje bardzo, Polska!" Thank you/dzieki
LOL. As beautiful as Polish women are, one can understand the reason for the remark.
I am sorry (zapomnialam o was przepraszam)
Thank you
Thank you
I am new to FR too - what IS ping? Thanks, Beth
"Ping" means they are sending a message to others letting them know this is a VERY important article to read, especially since there are many articles that are posted and this one might be pushed back to page 2 quickly.
God bless Poland!!! This is one Texas gal who loves our Polish allies very much!
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