November 18, 2003
SURPRISE STRAW POLE WINNER:
Straw signs surprise deal with Poles on EU veto (Stephen Castle, 19 November 2003, Independent)
Britain surprised its European Union partners yesterday when it struck an alliance with Poland in an apparent effort to stop France and Germany getting their way with the new EU constitution.The move, announced by Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, in an unprecedented briefing to journalists from Poland alone, was made a week after plans were floated for a closer union between Paris and Berlin in foreign affairs, defence and economic matters.
The formation of an informal London-Warsaw axis was disclosed as negotiations reached a climax over the new constitution for the EU, which is due to be finalised next month. Although Poland does not join the EU formally until May, it has veto rights over the constitution which must be approved by the governments of all 15 member states and the 10 nations that join next year.
Under the deal, Britain will back Polish demands for concessions on moves to change the number of votes it will get in EU decision-making. This is seen as the main roadblock in the negotiations on the constitution. It is a subject in which Britain had played no substantial role until yesterday, although Germany and France oppose the Polish position.
In exchange, Poland said it would support British efforts to change a draft text of the constitution on defence, and in its attempt to stop moves to end the national veto in areas of limited taxation policy.
Once again, it's the Poles to Britain's rescue: For Your Freedom and Ours. Posted by Orrin Judd at November 18, 2003 11:00 PM
In downtown Los Angeles, where I worked as a federal prosecutor, there is an area called 'Bunker Hill.' It is now a major part of the Los Angeles skyline, but historically was run-down residential hotels and shot-and-beer bars. A narrow street still runs through it: Thaddeus Kosciuszko Way. That's how I happened to look him up; I was curious. Today, when I meet a Pole (and there are quite a few in the Bay Area), I relate this story and my resulting knowledge of how important he was to American independence. The Poles are always thrilled. We may have forgotten, but they haven't.
Fred Jacobsen
San Francisco
Fred, you are correct.
Kentucky has a Pulaski County. Named for Count Casimir Pulaski who emigrated from Poland to assist General Washington in the Revolution. After fighting at Brandywine, Pulaski was ranked brigadier-general and chief of cavalry by Congress.
He was mortally wounded in combat at Savannah in 1779.
Poland has contributed much to world freedom. It Looks like Jack Straw is taking advantage of some some well-known talent.
Posted by: John J. Coupal at November 19, 2003 2:33 PM