Mark My Words

Via Marius, a chilling resumé of what really lies behind recent developments in Europe, including the Beslan siege, the rise of Putin, Franco-German ambitions, the revival of Russian imperialism, and the projected withdrawal of U.S. troops from Germany. And all this seen from the perspective of modern Poland - a country historically well-acquainted with the plans and designs of its Western neighbour, and its Eastern one.

From the Polish daily newspaper Zycie - 20 September 2004 issue

[Excerpt from article by right-wing, independent journalist Krzysztof Czabanski: "Bringing What To Government?"]

http://www.krzysztof.czabanski.net

Meanwhile, despite what various, chiefly left-wing politicians and commentators have indoctrinated into the public opinion in recent years, our problem remains what it has been for centuries: Germany and Russia. German expansionism, although reigned in by the Americans, by the law, and by democratic state institutions, nevertheless does let itself be felt, as we recently experienced on the issue of expellees' claims and the European Constitution. When the United States reduces its presence in Europe, Berlin can demonstrate even more clearly who really runs things on our continent. Germany and France's unconcealed love for Russia, something menacing for Poland, is after all these countries' desire to divvy up power in this region of the world and to push away the United States. The leaders of France and Germany are criticizing President Bush up and down for the fact that in fighting against terrorism, he invaded Iraq and overthrew the dictatorship there. They support President Putin, on the other hand, for the fact that he is waging a genocidal war in Chechnya, the aim of which is to eliminate an entire nation. It would be hard to come by greater hypocrisy. What people won't do for the sake of realizing their own political ambitions!

The tragedy in Beslan, which bears traits of a provocation in the style of the Tsarist okhrana [security forces] or the Soviet security services, has not changed the position of Schroeder and Chirac. Even worse, Beslan demonstrated that Putin only has a single goal: to rebuild the empire, to return to the international game, holding on to everyone by the mug. "Enough of being carried away, it's time to serve reason. And all this, and all this abroad, all this Europe of yours, it's all just a fantasy, and all of us, while we're abroad, are just a fantasy... mark my words, you'll see for yourself!" (помяните моё слово, сами увидите!) - So writes Fyodor Dostoyevsky at the end of The Idiot, about possible changes in Russia. Unfortunately, Russia is a completely different civilization than Europe's. Dostoyevsky described this mentality best. Spiritual needs are satisfied in sentimental, drunken disputes over God and values. Actions, on the other hand, are ordinary, cruel, and cynical. People consider themselves to be nothing, and they want to be treated in such a way. A nation of slaves. Putin is a true son of Russia.

Nevertheless, practical political conclusions must be drawn from the fact that the border between light and darkness runs along the Bug River [Poland's eastern border]. Our foreign policy, torn between the world aspirations of the United States, the European ambitions of Germany in France, and reviving Russian imperialism, should set objectives and develop tools for the effective defense of Polish state interests in this new situation. This will not be done by state authorities who beg at the doors of the powerful of this world. This is the first task for the future governing coalition -- and who knows whether it is not the most important one.