Sentimental Education

The Kremlin's charge of "Russophobia" against those in the outside world who question or challenge its policies continues to resonate. Just where Moscow stands in the present world scene in the run-up to the May 9 commemorations was made abundantly clear not long ago by a RIAN correspondent, discussing - and encapsulating - the Kremlin's view of Poland. It appears that neither Poland nor the United States hold much appeal for the present Russian leadership:

While the European Union is successfully preparing for a summit with Russia on May 10, some new EU members consider it good form to occasionally demonstrate their anti-Russian sentiments.

Poland particularly excels here. A country with a large population, no small economic potential and a rich culture, it could be a key partner in developing a united Europe. Instead Polish diplomats have recently concentrated on two fundamental ideas. One is total orientation toward the U.S. and the other, rabid Russophobia. Adam Michnik, a well-known Polish author and editor of a newspaper, Gazeta Wyborcza, admits:

"Poland is the most pro-American country in the world. It is more pro-American than America itself." Warsaw's servile support for the American military invasion of Iraq prompted Jacques Chirac to publicly censure the "uneducated" young EU members from Eastern Europe "who missed a good chance to keep quiet."

The rest can be read here.