Russia and Poland clash over history
Published: 25 September, 2009, 15:41
Edited: 28 September, 2009, 21:03
Poland, Gdansk : Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (L) and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk chat prior to a joint press conference after their meeting in Gdansk on September 1, 2009. (AFP Photo/Wojtek Radwanski)
(17.9Mb) embed videoTAGS: Conflict, Russia, Politics, Europe
The Russian State Duma's international affairs committee has condemned the Polish parliament's claims the USSR had broken international law in 1939.
On the 23rd of September, the Polish parliament adopted, without vote of debate, a resolution labeling USSR’s actions towards Poland during World War II as having traits of genocide.
The parliament’s official message reminds the Polish side of Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Poland, which commemorated the tragic events which started on the 1st of September 1939 and marked the beginning of World War II.
It also noted that historic events should not be adapted to particular political leanings and ignite nationalist and aggressive moods in a country’s population.
“The whole position on disputable pages of our common history was clearly stated by the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, during his recent visit to Poland,” Igor Lyakin-Frolov, deputy head of Duma International Committee told RT.
“This visit itself demonstrated that our country intends to develop constructive and mutual steps for relations with Poland, including those concerning difficult historical questions,” he added.
Lyakin-Frolov also noted that matters of history should be left to historians, not politicians, and that the key aim should be to establish good neighborly relations between the two countries.
State Duma Deputy Andrei Klimov further explained Russia’s position on the issue:
“The Polish parliament’s resolution is not so much important for Poland as for Polish Russophobes who have no other arguments in their political life,” he stated.
“We are ready for round tables, seminars, for meetings of special groups so that we can explain our positions to each other, but let’s do it together, without any aggressive ideas,” he added.
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Alex - well said, the nonsense is well known. The Polish parliment's actions are very silly and to be frank childish and immature. But that seems to be the hallmark of eastern EU members. They mix politics and law which has always been a potent cocktail to instill hatred and division, But these east Europeans thrive on hatred and conflict. It is how they try to maintain power and control their people. Poland is a worrying country, it has been engaged in state terrorism for some considerable time. A big question needs to be asked by Russia, and that is why Poland have an Iraqi chemical weapons expert working for them? Russia must never trust the plotting Poles, they are eternal Russophobes, so Russia should bring international pressure to be applied to understand what chemical and other programs they are running. Ignoring state Polish state terrorism is not and never has been an option with Poland. We need be on our guard at all times.
Alex asks what would happen if Russia should apologise for crimes against humanity that Russians committed under the Soviet flag. Pretty much the same thing as happened when Germany made similar apologies. Individual victims and their loved ones found closure to their suffering, victimised countries were able to set aside their anger at and suspicion of Germany, a rogue nation redeemed itself from the shame of its history, contempt and fear amongst neighbours was replaced with respect and trust, genuine partnerships began to be established, political and economic co-operation started to grow, and a better future was created for everyone.
@Marzipan ... apologizing for well deserved "beating"seems" out of place to me ... hasn't Poland attacked us 1920 or 1921 ... have they apologized to us ???? and a few years later 1939 they were showing an aggressive attitude towards us again ... that's is why SU has attacked poland this time first ... and considering the fact that they have attacked us several times in the past .. the the decision was right. Apologize for your mistakes first and then we'll see ... lol ... stronger ties ... friendship. the germans are still being demonized to this day in every way possible from movies to videogames.