tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528000.post9068009963255238999..comments2023-10-28T12:01:47.929+00:00Comments on Edward Lucas: Sikorski for President?Edward Lucashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369936559712607693noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528000.post-56222483713028109732010-03-17T18:21:44.304+00:002010-03-17T18:21:44.304+00:00Sorry, I meant to say "loosely defined views&...Sorry, I meant to say "loosely <b>defined</b> views".adskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04196014962059056067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528000.post-76415718584277181632010-03-17T15:34:07.658+00:002010-03-17T15:34:07.658+00:00Liz,
With Sikorski's rather shaky and loosely...Liz,<br /><br />With Sikorski's rather shaky and loosely undefined views, it's always hard to tell if he's really a hardcore neocon or not. I would have to read some of his opinion pieces, although it is clear to me that he is more of a conservative than a social democrat.<br /><br />But just his association with the AEI is worrisome. This "think tank" is home to some of the most hard headed neocons in the US. I don't know what business Sikorski had with them. Was it his views? Or was it that neocons were in power, so he jumped on the bandwagon and went for a ride? I'm leaning towards the latter.adskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04196014962059056067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528000.post-83156443641318447312010-03-16T08:44:41.405+00:002010-03-16T08:44:41.405+00:00http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/Wiadomosci/1,80269,766...http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/Wiadomosci/1,80269,7665156,Sikorski_u_Lisa___Nie_mozna_zrzec_sie_brytyjskiego.html?skad=rss<br /><br />This debate continues! <br /><br />However, I go along with you adsi and Piotr that Sikorski's apparent tendency to always try to bat for the winning side gives cause to question whether he can be a man of priciple. I too find his association with the neo-cons in the USA extremely worrying in a European presidential candidate.<br /><br />As regards dual citizenship, I am somewhat confused myself, but also annoyed, as indicated by my original question to Edward about his blog. It seems that if you are outside Poland you can enjoy dual citizenship. However, if you want to live in Poland as an adult you need an ID. You cannot have a Polish one unless you make it clear that you are resigning your other citizenship. This was what my son was asked to decide at 18 (last year). As he did not wish to resign his British citizenship he is as much a foreigner in Poland as everyone else, despite his Polish father, place of birth and education. This is what heppened! We checked the statutes at the time, and this seems to be in accordance with Polish law (although not, in my opinion, the constitution). <br /><br />The confusion over Sikorski only goes to show that the Polish citizenship laws need a thorough overhaul.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528000.post-31475901002825826332010-03-05T17:16:47.466+00:002010-03-05T17:16:47.466+00:00@Artur & @Piotr:
You guys make too big a deal...@Artur & @Piotr:<br /><br />You guys make too big a deal of Sikorski's dual citizenship. The fact that he swore allegiance to the Old Hog doesn't mean a thing. It doesn't mean that he will be less loyal to Poland. The Oath of Allegiance is just a bunch of words you have to spew out so they give your papers. In 1984, British citizenship would have been very valuable to Sikorski, as it allowed him to travel all over the world without any visa restrictions. I don't think it made him any less of a Polish patriot. Besides, I believe Sikorski has renounced his British citizenship in 2006 under pressure from L.Kaczynski who threatened to refuse to sign Sikorski's nomination for Minister of Defense if he kept dual citizenship.<br /><br />As Piotr noted, I would be more concerned with Sikorki's flip flopping (first he's with PiS, then with PO), but also with his neo-conservative views (he was a member of the ultra conservative think tank AEI) that don’t fit into the framework of left-wing European politics.<br /><br />But his pledge of loyalty to the Crown is a non-issue. I pledged the same oath myself, and it meant absolutely nothing to me in terms of loyalties or national attachment.<br /><br />Also, as an aside, I find the attacks on Sikorski's wife's Jewish origin despicable. That is a non-issue as well. Unfortunately, many of my compatriots get hung up on that. Sad.<br /><br />@Liz<br /><br />You said:<br /><br />"The point is that although Britain recognises British + Polish citizenship, Poland does not"<br /><br />Are you sure about that? I have dual citizenship (Poland and Canada) and both countries recognize the other. If Poland recognizes Canadian citizenship, why wouldn't it recognize that of the UK?<br /><br />It doesn’t make any sense.adskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04196014962059056067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528000.post-73726248176928236702010-03-01T07:32:25.515+00:002010-03-01T07:32:25.515+00:00I wonder if David Cameron has had time to consider...I wonder if David Cameron has had time to consider the kind of captions that might accompany press photos of him as PM with Sikorski as President of Poland. If so, I would guess that he has very mixed feelings about Sikorski's candidacy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528000.post-58962237755450356222010-02-28T21:04:43.245+00:002010-02-28T21:04:43.245+00:00Edward – citizenship of a country is not a joke, i...Edward – citizenship of a country is not a joke, it is not a passport of convenience. Taking British citizenship means taking an Oath of Allegiance to the Sovereign. It is very serious undertaking contradictory to being the President of Poland. This is not a joke again. The fact the communists did not want to renew passport of Sikorski is not an excuse. Lidia Ciolkosz had the same problem after WWII but never took British citizenship as she was not prepared to swear loyalty to any country apart from Poland. She took herself as a serious Polish dissident politician in exile. So she travelled for a great part of her life on so-called Nansen’s passport. But then Ciokosz and Sikorski cannot be compared: intellectual and moral upstairs v downstairs.<br /><br />Sikorski could not have renounced British citizenship as there is no way of doing so. One’s citizenship may be revoked if it “is conducive to the public good". And even if Sikorski managed to do it somehow his Oath of Allegiance still stands.<br /><br />PS. It is as much OK for Estonia and Latvia and Lithuania to have naturalised American citizens as heads of state, as for them to have ex-KGB spooks in important state and civil service positions. I am sorry, I am not buying that. Either way.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11849754576386999127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528000.post-47446252685338489782010-02-28T18:19:35.416+00:002010-02-28T18:19:35.416+00:00artur--if it is OK for Estonia and Latvia and Lith...artur--if it is OK for Estonia and Latvia and Lithuania to have naturalised American citizens as heads of state (ie Ilves, Freiberga, Adamkus) what's the big deal with Sikorski. Yes he became a British citizen in the 1980s--but so did most refugees to the UK, because the Polish consulate wouldn't renew their passports. Now he has (also quite legally and normally) renounced that citizenship and is just as Polish as you are. Incidentally the time when the queen gave anyone orders is goneseveral centuries ago (the last one who tried it had his head chopped off in 1649).Also, I am not campaigning for Sikorski. After 25 years of travelling around and writing about the region it would be surprising if I didn't have some friends and some of them are quite prominent. But I have strongly criticised his policies in the past when I disagree with them and will do so again in future if necessary.Edward Lucashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11369936559712607693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528000.post-3984452639461982892010-02-28T11:18:35.133+00:002010-02-28T11:18:35.133+00:00Mr Lucas, Sikorski's problem is not that he is...Mr Lucas, Sikorski's problem is not that he is (or was) a citizen of another country, UK, but that he swore an Oath of Allegiance to the Head of another country, Queen Elizabeth the Second. She is his real boss and will be able to give him orders when Sikorski is President of Poland (for example through the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs). And he will have to obey them. <br /><br />Liz suggested in the first comment that you are a friend of Sikorski. So you should not campaign for him: Polish people hate nepotism.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11849754576386999127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528000.post-86567378612925995942010-02-21T06:54:20.294+00:002010-02-21T06:54:20.294+00:00I perhaps emphasised the individual case too much....I perhaps emphasised the individual case too much. The point is that although Britain recognises British + Polish citizenship, Poland does not. The fact that my son had a British passport has, in the eyes of the Polish authorities, excluded him permanently from Polish citizenship, despite his Polish birth and education. (Just as well for Poland he is unlikely to be another Chopin). My question is, why has Sikorski been treated differently? I also share Piotr's view that dual citizenship seems an unlikely qualification for the highest office.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528000.post-82544956459922056792010-02-20T22:23:57.828+00:002010-02-20T22:23:57.828+00:00Sorry--in answer to Liz, I can't comment on in...Sorry--in answer to Liz, I can't comment on individual cases but I do know that Polish-born children of British parents quite often do have British passports so I don't know why it wasn't possible in your case. Have you tried asking the British consulate for a birth certificate and then a passport?Edward Lucashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11369936559712607693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528000.post-44397237511876060672010-02-20T22:22:52.840+00:002010-02-20T22:22:52.840+00:00I have no interest in tweaking my coverage of Pola...I have no interest in tweaking my coverage of Poland to promote sales of my book and I find the suggestion that I would do that rather insulting. <br /><br />If Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania can have presidents who have at times been citizens of other countries I don't see why Poland can't. (Also Czech foreign minister, Slovene finance minister, Bulgarian prime minister--it is not that unusual in the region). <br /><br />I should also note that I have declined the Bene Merito medal that I was awarded by the Polish Foreign Ministry. <br /><br />Finally may I urge people posting comments here to try to maintain a minimum level of politeness.Edward Lucashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11369936559712607693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528000.post-31771027494724024532010-02-17T17:31:24.031+00:002010-02-17T17:31:24.031+00:00@Edward Lucas
I understand that as a British cit...@Edward Lucas <br /><br />I understand that as a British citizen you would like to see Sikorski in chair of Polish president. Just remember almost every reader you Have in Poland is "Law and Justice" supporter. <br />This support may have effect on number of copies you sell. :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02756952418896634191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528000.post-4231180236532692552010-02-17T14:09:25.179+00:002010-02-17T14:09:25.179+00:00Three problems with Sikorski:
1. He does not have...Three problems with Sikorski:<br /><br />1. He does not have any views on anything apart from looking after his personal career and some childish but catching slogans “De-communised zone”, “Knock down the Soviet Palace of Science and Culture” etc.<br /> <br />2. Sikorski, as an adult, swore allegiance to the British Queen.<br /><br />“I, Radoslaw Tomasz Sikorski, swear by Almighty God that, on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs, and successors, according to law.”<br /><br />It would be quite extraordinary if a head of a state had previously and willingly made himself a subject and subordinate to another head of state.<br /><br />3. Sikorski is not loyal: his transfer from PiS to PO looked really bad, in bed test and highly non-diplomatic. Considering this, and all the above and the fact that Sikorski has his sights on an international post (after being President of Poland), like the UN Secretary General, he can even be quite dangerous to Poland: he can trade Poland’s interests for increasing his chances of getting a good “job” later. In the circumstances, whether it is right or wrong is one thing, but it is a realistic risk.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00057871009855761505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528000.post-31477676633597886972010-02-16T13:14:06.424+00:002010-02-16T13:14:06.424+00:00J, your comment is a rather good illustration for ...J, your comment is a rather good illustration for the "Prickly Poles" article, isn't it..<br /><br />I think what often happens (to unfamiliar readers) is that Mr Lucas's views need some adjusting to. They're outside the usual domestic discourse.<br /><br />I used to share your view on the value of Mr Lucas's opinion pieces, about my own country (which lies to the north from yours). I don't anymore. I find them very valuable, <b>because</b> they're outside the usual domestic discourse. <br /><br />Food for thought, perhaps. <br /><br />Certainly, that's what I've got from reading this blog.Johnny S. Camerushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04198499188652998035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528000.post-14088407043501188262010-02-15T19:13:45.240+00:002010-02-15T19:13:45.240+00:00I don't know where from you get your informati...I don't know where from you get your information about polish politics, but you should consider changing you sources. Your article is full of flaws and mistakes, for example: <br />" He is widely believed not to want a second term, but to have been pushed into it by his bossy twin brother, Jaroslaw, who leads the main opposition party, Law and Justice."<br />Believed by who? Where did you get that info? Anyway its nonsense.<br />Another one:"Many criticise the government for its caution, and more recently for sleaze (a scandal about lobbying by the gambling industry is outraging Poland’s puritanical media)."<br />Sleaze? puritanical media!? your writing about biggest scandal since 2002 which put three important government ministers and leader of biggest political fraction in parliament out of office or was there another "sleaze" that i`m not aware of!?<br />I like your book but your comments on polish politics are a joke. Non polish readers may not be aware of this, but anyone who has at least some interest in whats happening in politics between Oder and bug rivers knows its one-sided bs.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02756952418896634191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528000.post-30988800403708423052010-02-14T08:56:22.854+00:002010-02-14T08:56:22.854+00:00Could you help me please? How has Sikorski managed...Could you help me please? How has Sikorski managed to emerge as a presidential "hopeful"?. When he first became part of the PiS government he had dual citizenship. I queried this to Polish friends (after all he was Minsiter of Defence!) but they did not seem to mind. In contrast, my son was born in Poland (in 1990) with a Polish father and was brought up and educated in Poland, although he is now at university in the UK. Last year he was informed that he had permanently lost Polish citizenship as a result of the declaration that his parents had made at his birth (when we had/were forced to declare one citizenship only). He cannot therefore reappear with his Oxford degree and aspire to government office (he cannot even vote!). I respect Sikorski as a very able man and as a former colleague of yours but am decidedly irritated at what appears his unfairly privileged position politically. How did he manage to "swing" it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com