Poland: Radek Sikorski is Out
Written byVeronica Khokhlova
The beatroot and his readers are discussing the resignation of Poland's defense minister Radek Sikorski: “So it appears that the government will be losing the only internationally respected politician it has.”
Written byVeronica Khokhlova
Top World Stories
Cancel this reply
4 comments
Sikorski’s departure is significant, because it shows just how beholden the Kaczynskis have become to “hacks” within their own party, Law and Justice (Prawo i Sprawliwosci). Sikorski basically is a military enthusiast with a great passion for strategic thought, an independent thinker. From the start, he was concerned about the steady “hollowing out” of the Polish Army’s intelligence and counter-intelligence capabilities–a purge carried out in the name of “housecleaning” under the aegis of a Kaczynski loyalist. The housecleaning itself showed the degree to which anti-communist paranoia persists in Polish politics. Basically, it came down to a question of personalities, and Sikorski, who is not a party guy, confronted the PM on the issue, knowing that he would lose.
I had the opportunity to work on an international Karski Awards Program in Washington, DC where Radek Sikorski was a member of the committee. He served on a pro bono basis and provided valuable advice to us and made necessary connections on our behalf. He was highly regarded by everyone involved with the committee. It is disappointing to see that a recognized scholar with international credentials would be forced out of the Polish government. I am afraid his departure is a major loss for them.
Sikorski has a damn good op-ed piece in March 21/07 Washington Post.
rlc
Indeed, the Sikorski article is thought-provoking. While an African student in Poland, I read enough of Polish history. At best, it is replete with betrayal, broken promises, as the polish nation struggled for freedom and self-determination. Her friendly outreach with big powers have hardly paid off. It is high time that Poland asserted itself. Sikorski may well have captured the movment.