Poland’s loss of Lech Kaczynski

I have not been keeping track of Polish politics, but as a Europeanist, I certainly know about Poland as an irritation in the EU. The irritation that Poland in the European Union provided was in the form of “playing the German card” in a fashion that forgot about the purpose of the European Union in the first place. Poland also provided plenty of irritation with regard to Russia, which appeared in the form of attempts to “get back at Russia.”Lech Kaczynski and his brother were the main source of these irritations. However it has been said that the reason for Kaczynski’s visit to Russia and the Katyn forest massacre site was for reconciliation with Russia and to “turn another page.” The response of the tragic loss by Russia to this leader who was a sometimes irritant has been commendable and further evidence that Russia wants normal relations with the rest of Europe. This includes a statement by Dmitry Medvedev to the Polish people that conveyed a honor and great respect of President Kaczynski and sadness of the great loss to the Polish nation.Even as Kaczynski was usually a political opponent, we should all morn the loss of this leader. He and other top Polish officials were lost in the accident, which is a great tragedy for Poland. One political opponent said:

“Regardless of whether one agreed with his politics, or his views — and I didn’t — he was our president, and he died tragically. He deserves our respect and our homage. That’s why I’ve come.”

Agreed – as he was an opponent but he was also one that should be respected. He and his wife, along with other top officials – died in a tragedy that will be regarded in Poland as on the order of the loss of the 22,000 Polish officers who were killed at the Katyn forest massacre itself.Monday – tomorrow – will be a day of morning in Russia and the a week of morning in Poland. We should try, in our own way, to morn and show our respect with the Polish nation and people.BBC pictures -.We do need an East European nation that can transform relations with Russia for the better. What we should also hope for is that this horrible tragedy can help bring both Russia and Poland together. This appears to be starting, but let’s hope that the rational heads prevail, as, given the recent history of some East European politicians, there could be the Russophobia factor and accompanying conspiracy theories.  We should hope that a friendship grows between Russia and Poland that could transform how East Europe sees Russia. We should pray for this, we should hope for this and we should encourage this.