GERMAN THREATS TO POLAND OVER IRAQ
Date of Report 9 February 2003
Translated 3 March 2003
WARSAW: The eastern and south eastern European client states of Germany
are using the German-American disagreement as support against the
blatant German attempt to assert hegemony. Many European countries
"would defend themselves energetically if a European power laid
claims to leadership", warned a prominent Polish foreign policy
expert. These states are hoping for public support from the USA. It
is said that they have no problem in accepting the leading role of
America.
The declaration by eight European heads of state and government,
who placed themselves alongside the United States, was signed by the
Prime Ministers of Poland and Hungary as well as by the Czech State
President. A similar declaration in support of the USA was drawn up
by a further ten eastern and south eastern European states (Albania,
Bulgaria, Estonia, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Rumania, Slovakia
and Slovenia).
"EUROPE" AS "A VEHICLE
FOR NATIONAL AMBITION"
The rapprochement with the United States is a public indication
that these countries are covering their backs against Germany's expansionist
ambitions towards eastern and south eastern Europe. The former Polish
ambassador to Germany and current president of the Warsaw Centre for
International Relations, Janusz Reiter, warned against the all-too-obvious
German bid for hegemony. "Whoever tries to make Europe into a vehicle
for its own national ambitions must reckon with the fact that neighbouring
states will refuse their support". Thus Reiter, a highly influential
policy expert wrote in the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung".
Amongst other things, the Polish press is already speculating
on plans to remove US military bases from Germany and to resite them
in Poland. For some time Poland has been aiming to have a NATO headquarters
based on its territory.
"ANTI-GERMAN THREAT"
Up to now the German Federal Government has appeared unworried
and has tried to play down these dissensions. The "Frankfurter
Rundschau", which is close to the government in matters of foreign
policy, spoke slightingly of an "anti German threat" and said
that "Loyal addresses" would not count "as soon as the
first gunsmoke appeared over Iraq"..."Then only economic strength
and political weight within the EU will count. For without Europe the
USA cannot successfully sustain the post war era in Arabia. Berlin will
play a key role in that and Washington will be compelled to come to
an accommodation."
Sources
Troop transfers to Poland? Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung 01.02.03
Janusz Reiter: Anti Americanism is unsuitable building material for
Europe.
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung 05.02.03
The Vilnius Group supports America. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung 07.02.03
Threat of anti German Cabal ..Frankfurter Rundschau 08.02.03
