PANEL: President Lech Kaczynski: Poland in Globalization
Introduction:
David A. Andelman, Editor, World Policy Journal
Featuring:
President Lech Kaczynski, Republic of Poland
Panel summary by Max Currier, World Policy Journal
Amid glazed sea bass and raspberry chocolate purse, David Andelman introduced Lech Kaczynski, president of the Republic of Poland, as “the leader of perhaps the single most dynamic nation to emerge from the Warsaw Pact.” President Kaczynski agreed, pointing out through a translator that Poland is a large geographic nation with an emerging economy that will soon be the sixth largest in the European Union in terms of GDP growth per capita. Poland, he later added, should be the 20th member of the G-20 because it is robust economically and it seeks to “contribute” as an engaging and productive member of the global economy.
Before a mixed European and American audience, President Kaczynski praised “the new U.S. administration” for taking “momentous decisions” regarding missile defense. “What we’re seeing is a new offer of American leadership in the world” based on “universal negotiations” for which “I wish all the best.” He characterized the U.S. “offer” in “the context of a changing multilateral world,” implying a difficulty in engaging both Europe and the United States, as well as Russia. “Reconciliation is better than conflict. … Development is always better than going backwards,” he said. “We will see in the coming years if this offer is doable.”
President Kaczynski suggested that Poland’s current strategic dilemma between East and West is rooted in the 2003 American invasion of Iraq, which Poland supported to the chagrin of much of Europe, especially France and Germany. He said his nation supports the fight in Afghanistan “in the name of solidarity and to protect certain values.” And in Iraq, “Poland had its autonomous interests to pursue.” As for embracing the United States, “Poland wants the presence of the U.S. in its territory” because it “feels threatened by missiles” from Iran and North Korea (he did not specify Russia). Ultimately, the nations of Central Europe are seeking to prosper in a firmly embedded independence while moving toward nations who are willing to assure their security. “We have to be realistic about our goals,” he said, referring to Poland’s energy, political, and economic independence. “But we cannot compromise on certain values.”
In a concluding conversation, Andelman asked the president about Poland finding itself “in a situation of considerable risk and great opportunity as straddling,” geographically and strategically, the space between the West and Russia. President Kaczynski suggested that Poland does not fear any direct threat, at least not in the near future. While several projects to solidify independence by diversifying natural gas resources have proven difficult to implement, he remains optimistic about Poland’s economy. Finally, Andelman asked if President Kaczynski believes Russia should be a member of NATO. After a long sigh, and a nervous laugh from the audience, President Kaczynski replied with a Polish proverb that it is not always wise to invite the fox into the chicken coop. What about Russia’s ascension to the World Trade Organization, Andelman asked. “This is entirely different,” he said, because he believes Russia could play a constructive role, though he believes the Kremlin leadership has not yet signaled a willingness to do so.