On the Move...

Some of you have probably already noticed that this blog now has two sites. This particular site is parked at uzar.wordpress.com but my other (new) address is uzar.mekabima.com. The wordpress site (which, thanks to your readership, has managed almost half a million hits!) will continue to function but no additional articles will be added to the archive. However, uzar.mekabima.com will now take over and will contain regularly updated articles.

After racking up so many hits, I’ve decided to give this blog a new look and new direction. Over the next few weeks and months, the ‘new’ blog site will slowly begin to evolve and take shape with new capabilities, tweaks and widgets being successively added to make it more interesting, more helpful and, above all, more reader-friendly. My blog is dead, long live my blog!

President Narutowicz with Józef Piłsudski

Gabriel Narutowicz, Poland’s first President, has been assassinated. The President was visiting the Zachęta art gallery in Warsaw. A few minutes after midday, President Narutowicz (who had only just been sworn in five days previously), arrived at Zachęta and was admiring a painting by Bronisław Kopczyński when the British ambassador William Grenfell Max-Müller together with his wife greeted him warmly. Müller’s wife addressed Narutowicz saying “Permettez-moi Monsieur le Président de Vous fèliciter” (Allow me to congratulate you, Mr President) to which he prophetically replied, “Oh, plutôt faire les condoléances” (Oh, rather offer your condolences). Narutowicz moved on to admire another painting – Teodor Ziomka’s Szron - after which three shots rang out.

Niewiadomski - Murderer

The perpetrator of this crime comes as a surprise to everyone. Eligiusz Niewiadomski, the assassin, is a painter, art critic, man of letters, and one of the many heroes who fought for Polish independence after 123 years of foreign domination. In 1918 he was nominated as head of the Art and Sculpture department in the Ministry of  Culture and Art by the regency Council government. He took an active part in the demobilisation of the German forces in Warsaw in early November 1918. Later, he worked for counter-intelligence demanding that the government step up its fight against communism. He was largely ignored in these demands. He is a right-wing nationalist and is a known critic of Józef Piłsudski and the late President. An impassioned anti-German and anti-Russian, he is vehemently in favour of a strong, nationalist Polish state.

Chjena - Attacking Like a Hyena

Divisive politics, the struggle between the left- and right-wings, has brought about this terrible moment for Poland. We are all responsible for this mindless act of violence. Things will never be the same again. Who can forget the words of the Christian Union of National Unity – ‘Chjena’ (ChZJN): “This President has been forced upon us and we need to fight him in order to maintain the nationalist nature of Poland”. The National Democracy (ND) declared that “it would not accept any government formed by this President”. Stanisław Stroński wrote in Rzeczpospolita that “this obstacle needs to be removed”. The Office of the President has been splattered with mud. President Narutowicz has been called a Jew, an atheist and a cosmopolitan. Now, however, the Office of the President is not only caked with mud but also soiled with blood.

R.I.P. Gabriel Narutowicz, the first President of the Republic of Poland.
17 March 1865 – 16 December 1922.

November Uprising Failure

Few people know that the Ottoman Empire (now Turkey) was the only major power to not recognise the Polish partitions and final dissolution of the state of Poland in 1795. What is more, Constantinople (now Istanbul) was the only capital city in the world to retain a Polish ambassador throughout the 123-year period during which Poland literally disappeared off the face of the map.

Czartoryski (with sons) - Founder of Adampol

With these conditions in place, it made it easy for a Polish community to be set up in the Ottoman Empire. After the failure of Poland’s November Uprising in 1831 against the Russian Empire, a group of Poles decided to escape to the generally pro-Polish and anti-Russian lands of the Ottoman Empire. It is at this point the wonderful story of the establishment of a Polish settlement in the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) begins. The village of Adampol (then known as Adamköy in Turkish, ‘the village of Adam’) was founded in 1842 by, and named after, Prince Adam Czartoryski, the head of the Polish National Uprising Government. The initial plan was to make Adamköy Poland’s most important emigration and expatriate hub after Paris. The plan was an ambitious one and was soon implemented by Czartoryski.

Adampol - Polish Colony in Turkey

Prince Czartoryski dispatched his aide Michał Czajkowski (who later converted to Islam and became Mehmet Sadık Paşa) to Turkey. He purchased a large forested area on which Adamköy was founded. It was initially settled by only a handful of people but quickly swelled after the end of the Crimean War and with emigrants from Siberia. Adamköy-Adampol’s population seemed relatively stable for a period of years. Following the end of the first World War and the re-establishment of Poland, however, many of its inhabitants decided to ‘return’ to Poland.

Polonezköy - Polish-Turkish Village

One might even claim that Adampol, now known as Polonezköy (Turkish ‘Polish village’) is a ‘Polish-themed’ village. Even though only one third of Polonezköy’s inhabitants are of Polish descent and of its 1,000 inhabitants only 40 people speak Polish, the head of the village is traditionally chosen from amongst the Polish community of Polonezköy. Unlike the ‘lost Polish tribe of Haiti’ (mentioned in a previous post), Polonezköy still retains a Polish flavour and due to its unique character has had the honour of hosting a variety of distinguished guests including Turkey’s national hero and President Atatürk (in 1937), the future Pope John XXIII (in 1941), Turkish President Kenan Evren as well as Polish Presidents Lech Wałęsa and Aleksander Kwaśniewski.

Has Grief Twisted Him?

After losing his twin brother Lech in the Smolensk air crash, Jarosław Kaczyński appears to be on a political suicide mission. His one goal in life seems to be avenging his brother’s death. Kaczyński’s grief seems to have twisted him to the point of believing that Russia/Prime Donald Tusk/President Bronisław Komorowski (delete where appropriate) are the perpetrators of this heinous alleged crime. One of his closest aides, Antoni Macierewicz, has even openly stated that discovering the culprits of the air crash is now the most important mission for Law and Justice (PiS) and Poland.

The Mask Removed

The first cracks began to appear following Kaczyński’s loss in the presidential election to Bronisław Komorowski. Kaczyński’s softly-softly approach was soon substituted by a more hardline and aggressive stance. The ‘mask’ of the presidential campaign had been removed, according to political commentators; the real Kaczyński was back. His first act was to boycott the presidential inauguration claiming Komorowski was only president due to the death of his brother.

Same Old Tactics

Kaczyński has since been adding fuel to the flames of the ‘cross scandal‘ outside the Presidential Palace in Warsaw with his fellow PiS-ites stoking up ill feeling and controversy. It was at this point that it became clear that his only aim was now to cause dissent, manipulate the truth and attempt to blame someone for the death of his brother on the back of pseudo-Catholicism and the worship of the Christian symbol of the cross.

Puppet Master or Master Fool?

On seeing this blind fervour and hate growing to monstrous proportions, Solidarity heroine Henryka Krzywonos exploded in a rant against Kaczyński. This was soon followed by Tadeusz Mazowiecki’s and Lech Wałęsa’s criticisms of Kaczyński and then Bishop Pieronek’s open attack on PiS. Seeing the farce that was threatening to ruin PiS, Marek Migalski, a PiS MEP, also dug into Kaczyński, after which he was thrown out of the party. The dust had not even settled and yet another PiS member, Elżbieta Jakubiak, was ostentatiously thrown out of the party.

Oblivious to All Around Him?

Events in and around PiS circles have escalated to the point that even his own party members have begun to question his political nous. Polls too are showing clearly that Kaczyński has simply lost it. The most recent TNS OBOP survey shows that ruling Civic Platform (PO) would claim 52% of the votes in a parliamentary election, PiS would score 25% (a massive 11% drop since April) and the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) would manage 20%.

]]> http://uzar.wordpress.com/2010/09/11/has-kaczynski-finally-lost-it/feed/ 13 Raf Uzar Has Grief Twisted Him? The Mask Removed Same Old Tactics Puppet Master or Master Fool? Oblivious to All Around Him? http://uzar.wordpress.com/2010/08/31/death-of-solidarity/ http://uzar.wordpress.com/2010/08/31/death-of-solidarity/#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:17:59 +0000 Raf Uzar http://uzar.wordpress.com/?p=2827 ]]>

Spotlight on Poland

Nobody could have envisaged that the thirtieth anniversary of the birth of Solidarność (in August 1980) would turn into a farce and sound the death knell for Poland’s first trade union. It is fair to say that the anniversary celebrations symbolically, yet unintentionally, brought about the end of the heroic Solidarność of August 1980. The Janusz Śniadek-led politically-distorted Solidarity of 2010 has absolutely nothing in common with the Solidarity of 1980 that brought together people of varying views, opinions and political allegiances. Lech Wałęsa’s refusal to attend the celebrations was a clear cutting of the umbilical cord and demonstration of the fact that the legacy of Solidarity 1980 is to be found elsewhere, not in Solidarity 2010.

Tusk Called For Solidarity But Was Booed

What was shocking about the celebrations was the reception that Prime Minister Donald Tusk got from the trade union members. Tusk, a former Solidarity member and activist, was hissed and jeered at when he asked the audience what had happened to the old Solidarity which brought together religious people, atheists, opposition activists and communists alike all for the good of the country. There was no room for hate. To this the hall erupted in a chorus of whistles and boos. Likewise, President Komorowski was greeted with hostility. It was only when PiS head Jarosław Kaczyński took the stage that the hecklers finally settled down giving him rapturous round of applause.

Kaczyński Giving Tusk 'The Evils'

Why was Jarosław Kaczyński giving a speech in the first place? He neither espouses to the ideals of tolerance and solidarity nor was he an integral member of the original movement. His place at the anniversary celebrations was misplaced, misconceived and misguided. He had neither the authority not the right to stand up and talk about ‘solidarity’ with the views he holds. In his speech he talked about manipulation and lies whilst looking straight at PM Tusk. Unsurprisingly, he talked about his patriotic brother Lech Kaczyński who, he alleged, had struggled with Tadeusz Mazowiecki (Poland’s first non-communist post-war Prime Minister) and Bronisław Geremek (Minister of Foreign Affairs) who were ready to give up the fight.

Henryka Krzywonos Strikes Back

A hurt and shell-shocked Mazowiecki confronted Kaczyński afterwards telling him that what he had said was a complete pack of lies to which Kaczyński replied that he had a different view of what had happened. Mazowiecki retorted: “This has nothing to do with anyone’s views. It is about the facts and what happened. Gemerek’s no longer with us. How could you?! The facts are completely different”. However, what really rocked the celebrations was Henryka Krzywonos’ impromptu speech.

Henryka Krzywonos Saves The Day

The former Solidarity heroine and tram driver hit the headlines when she brought traffic to a standstill and initiated a Solidarity-led strike in August 1980 when she stopped her tram. After hearing Kaczyński and the jeers at Tusk, she ploughed into the audience and Jarosław Kaczyński claiming that the members of Solidarity had worked for the good of everyone and to boo at PM Tusk was simply out of order. As for Kaczyński, she said she did not know what had happened to him but he should stop stirring things up and let people get on with their lives. “It is you,” she said to Jarosław Kaczyński, “who is destroying Lech’s [Kaczyński] dignity”.

Solidarność began life as a movement fighting for the rights of workers. Sadly, this non-violent and tolerant institution, open for all, became embroiled in politics and has since become the lapdog of Kaczyński’s Law and Justice (PiS). As Henryka Krzywonos, one of the original signatories of the Solidarity Gdańsk Agreement (pol. Porozumienie Sierpniowe) said, “The name ‘Solidarity’ binds and obligates us”. It certainly does; solidarity obligates us to work together, in tolerance and openness with one another.

Cake of My Dreams

I know it’s rather self-indulgent but who can blame me! I’d just like to tell you all that today, the 26th of July, is my birthday. Whoopee! And on this wonderful occasion, I’d just like to take the opportunity to thank all of you for reading this blog, for all your splendid comments (that are far superior to anything I attempt to regurgitate onto the ‘page’) and for ‘sticking’ with me, despite my thoughts, ideas and views. You have, officially, all made my day. Thanks! I hope you’re all having a wonderful summer.

Raf

Division Reappears

Poland’s Smolensk tragedy has taken on ridiculous proportions. First of all, the Smolensk air crash seemed to have unified, albeit briefly, the entire Polish nation. Poland’s politicians joined hands in gestures of goodwill and to honour the dead; there was talk of a new ‘beginning’ in Polish politics. The world stood aghast as millions of Poles mourned the tragic death of their President, political and military elites. Law and Justice (PiS) leader Jarosław Kaczyński was said to be a ‘changed man’. However, little over three months after the crash and the squabbling, bickering and bile have returned with increased vehemence. PO (Civic Platform) and PiS are once again at loggerheads and Janusz Palikot and Jarosław Kaczyński have returned to their old ways.

"Is He Worthy Of Kings?"

The first ‘crack’ appeared when it was being decided where to bury Lech Kaczyński. A great deal of people were against the President being buried on the hallowed ground of the Royal Castle at Wawel but the decision to lay Kaczyński to rest at Wawel together with Poland’s kings seemed to be taken without consultation. The church said the family of the deceased had requested for Lech Kaczyński to be buried in Kraków, the family, on the other hand, said  it was the church’s decision.

Kaczyński-Komorowski Go Head-To-Head

The presidential elections clearly showed the fault lines running through Polish politics and the country as a whole. Jarosław Kaczyński together with his PiS colleagues made great use of the Smolensk tragedy for political gain but despite an amazing upsurge in support and post-Smolensk emotion, the PO candidate Bronisław Komorowski won the presidential elections. This was the tipping point for many. Kaczyński dropped his mask of ‘niceness’ and returned to his usual politics of negativity and ‘finding the enemy’ immediately calling for an inquiry into the death of his brother.

Cross of Contention

Soon after winning the elections, Bronisław Komorowski declared that he wishes for the cross erected outside the Presidential Palace in Warsaw commemorating those who died in the Smolensk tragedy to be removed and placed elsewhere. PiS politicians and supporters of Radio Maryja together with an organisation known as the ’10 April Group’ (who have elevated Lech Kaczyński to almost holy man status) are up in arms.

The Master - Macierewicz

For those who do not believe in the seriousness of this division, it is enough to listen to the rhetoric of the ’10 April Group’, who believe Kaczyński to be a martyr and the words of  Antoni ‘The Master’ Macierewicz, head of the recently-formed ‘Presidential Aircraft Crash Investigative Group’ made up entirely of PiS politicians. Macierewicz called the aircrash a “crime” which the “government were responsible for”. He also said that the work of the Investigative Group is the “most important activity we have ever undertaken in our life and is of major concern to all Polish people”.  Mountains out of molehills?

2010 Elections | (c) Krynicki

The first round of the Polish presidential elections are behind us. Civic Platform (PO) candidate Bronisław Komorowski manages 41% while Law and Justice (PiS) candidate Jarosław Kaczyński gets 37%. These two candidates will now battle it out for the Polish presidency in the second round on July 4. For many, Komorowski’s lowly 41% and Kaczyński’s impressive 37% are surprising but we have to take a few factors into consideration. Firstly, both candidates are substitutes: Komorowski was elected after Tusk decided not to run in the presidential elections whereas Jarosław Kaczyński only decided to run after the death of his brother, the then President. Secondly, the Smolensk tragedy has played its part in dulling the campaign. Thirdly, the recent floods have done little to help raise the profile of the elections.

PiS Underestimated | (c) Krynicki

Interestingly, year-in-year-out, the polls seem to be out of touch with reality. Every time we see the newest surveys and exit polls they all seem to suggest a greater margin of victory for PO over PiS. Every time, the margin of error is greater than we might expect. In other words, polls in Poland simply cannot be trusted, as come every election, PiS always manages to get around 5-10% more than the polls suggest.

Rail Network Division of Poland

However, it is neither Komorowski’s disappointing result or Kaczyński’s first-round turn-around that is intriguing. What is really thought-provoking is the fact that after centuries of turmoil and upheaval, Poland is still a country divided. In a previous post, we saw how the Polish partitions had done much to create ‘two Polands’ – Eastern and Western. Poland’s rail network can be divided along these lines with the east far less ‘dense’ than the west. These borders almost exactly match the partition borders of 1795!

2010 Division of Poland

Some of you may wonder what this has to do with the elections? Quite a lot. Poland was partitioned along the 1795 demarcation lines given above; Poland’s current rail network mirrors, almost perfectly, these same borders. What is surprising is the fact that after 215 years this East-West division still persists. When we look at the regions in which Komorowski  and Kaczyński were victorious, we see this same pattern is repeated. West voted for Komorowski, East voted Kaczyński. Not only is this East-West divide economic in nature but also political. Both candidates and parties should think long and hard about why this is happening and what can be done to address the ‘problem’.