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Poland’s new conservative right wing government has recalled ten ambassadors believed to be linked with the former communist regime. Diplomats who have held posts in capitals including Berlin and Prague were among those called back.
Polish Foreign minister Stefan Meller has ordered the recalling of as many as 10 ambassadors. The ruling conservative right wing Law and Justice party is busy checking the credentials of envoys believed to be linked to communist–era military intelligence, secret police and those linked to the former communist party. The Left wing opposition SLD senior member and former defense minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski told Polish Radio that this recall is a mere house cleaning and nothing more.
'People that were ambassadors during Poland’s democratic process and served in various right wing and left wing governments are today being recalled by their friends in the Law and Justice Party. This is a political house cleaning.'
The opposition center right Civic Platform is in favor of such a move. Senior member Jan Rokita told Polish Radio that there shouldn’t be any room for communist era party members in present day Poland.
'People who have worked for military intelligence or publicly admitting that they collaborated with the communist era secret police shouldn’t be representing Poland abroad. '
Observers feel that Poland’s conservatives are doing what they promised before winning both parliamentary and presidential elections late last year. Journalist Robert Strybel from the Polish American Journal argues that the Law and Justice party want to start improving Poland’s image abroad.
The Law and Justice party are keeping to their pledge of ridding Poland of its communist past. Even if it comes at the cost of a shakeup in diplomatic circles.
| Source: Radio Polonia | Jan.5.2006 |
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