The crisis roiling Poland's government arose from a fight over the budget. However, it has brought into stark relief a growing uneasiness about the direction of Poland's foreign policy vis-?-vis the United States.
During a recent visit to the U.N. by Polish President Lech Kaczynski, Defense Minister Radek Sikorski announced the decision to send Polish troops to Afghanistan in January. While in the United States, Mr. Kaczynski met also with President Bush - who gave the Polish president five minutes of his time.
That meeting is said to be the most expensive gift Poland could offer America, since it will cost Poland 1,000 troops and millions of dollars. The caption on the cover of a recent Polish edition of Newsweek reads: "Do We Need This War?" After Mr. Sikorski's announcement, the Taliban warned Poland against supporting the United States in Iraq.
As America has not achieved the expected quick victory in Iraq, and as the Taliban has re-emerged in Afghanistan, Poles are not too comfortable talking about their support for American ventures. During his visit to Poland four years ago, Mr. Bush promised Poland - now a member of NATO and the European Union - military equipment and visa waivers to the United States. Neither promise has been fulfilled, despite the fact that Poland, after Britain, has the third-largest contingent of troops in Iraq. The general feeling is one of humiliation and growing skepticism over American politics. The five-minute meeting between the two presidents made Poles think the United States treats Poland not as a partner but as a pawn.
Mr. Sikorski argues that having a modern army is essential, considering the rise of militant Islam. However, while expressing gratitude for the $30 million the United States gave Poland in military aid, he points out that Poland will receive $100 billion from the EU as part of a modernization package. Critics observe that the American military aid must be repaid with 6 percent interest. In other words, Poland is supposed to pay for American ventures with its own money. Poland is also considering accepting on its soil space interceptors that are supposed to protect the United States against long-range nuclear missiles. The installation of this "shield" means that Poland could become a target for terrorist attacks.
