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German diplomats disadvise Bush visiting Poland
Anti-missile-shield negotiations days ahead of G8 summit in Heiligendamm will not faciliate but will only make relations with Russia even more difficult - believe former German ambassador to Poland Frank Elbe and former chief of strategic planning of the ministry of defense Ulrich Weisser. Georg W. Bush is supposed to pay a visit to Poland just before the summit scheduled on 6-8 June. Both authors called missing "secret consultation" with Vladimir Putin a "next cardinal mistake" of the American president. Washington should be aware of "particlular sensitivity" of Russia on moving military structures of the West towards its borders - Elbe and Weisser write. They confirm "mutual consens" about freezing NATO structures was clear in 1990 during negotiations about unification of Germany. Russia only approved this concept as Russian leaders were assured neither nuclear weapon nor major NATO facilities will ever be allocated on territories of new member states. Elbe and Weisser conclude that NATO proven to violate this mutual consens. Unlike Russia, NATO members never ratified 1999 novelty of Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) using "meaningless argumentation". Though Washington declares its ABM system is not aimed on Russia, both Warsaw and Prague want Patriot missiles what may eventually be used against Russians. Elbe and Weisser call this policy "naive and erratic". They see no room in Europe for bilateral military agreements between EU member states and the USA "going against vital interests of Europeans". "Europe is not a foreroom of America! EU member states must not make any bilateral agreements with US in case consequences are important for all Europe." - they wrote. "ABM controversy is like litmus paper test for common EU diplomacy and its efficiency." "We need solution under NATO umbrella and open dialog with Moscow." - they addmitt - "and Heiligendamm summit give us excellent opportunity for discussion. President Bush should avoid direct talks about ABM system in Warsaw as it will only antagonize partners." Frank Elbe is a professional diplomat, chief of staff for Hans-Dietrich Gensher in 1987-1992. He was German ambassador to Poland during 1999-2003. Admiral Urlich Weisser was chief of strategic planning for the Ministry of Defense in Helmut Kohl government during 1992-1998. Original German text is available here. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commentary by Zbigniew P. Szczęsny: It was always hard for Warsaw to accept special respect our German partners keep for Moscow. But it is the very first time high range German officials confirm the existence of informal contract between "old Europe" and Russia affecting Poland (an other new EU member states). Here we are the explanation of this unbelievable difficulty NATO has with expanding eastward with its installations and facilities. It is clear Poland can not be happy to notice again it was manipulated by its big neighbours. It is also hard for Poland to accept this annoying assymetry of German attention - Weisser and Elbe see it compulsory to seek compromise with Russia about ABM system but they were mute while Schröder and Putin were forging agreement about Baltic gas pipeline - highly criticized by Poland. Elbe and Weisser represent letter and spirit what divides Europe into "sovereigns and wassals" - these who are more and these who are less important. Definitely this is way of thinking Poland must reject. In fact, bilateral ABM agreement with the USA is the right way to counterreact.
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Two high-range officials of former German goverments disadvice president Bush visiting Poland and warn against "provoking Russia" in their article for "Welt am Zontag".