Poland’s plans to send another four hundred soldiers to Afghanistan is a top story in several papers. GAZETA WYBORCZA quotes a Polish general as saying: ‘We have to react in a situation in which our patrols are attacked every day’. The daily says that as of next month the Polish contingent will number 2, 000 troops, of which 1, 200 will be involved directly in combat operations. RZECZPOSPOLITA writes that the Polish contingent – in control of Ghazni Province – is likely to be reinforced by two hundred Mongolian troops.
Press reviewed by Michal Kubicki.
In an article headlined ‘The guilt of innocent Germans’ RZECZPOSPOLITA examines the different perceptions of recent history in Germany and Poland in the context of the planned museum in Berlin documenting the suffering of Germans following World War Two. The daily observes that in both Germany and Poland, the Germans who were forcefully resettled after the war are described as ‘innocent victims of World War Two’. ‘If so’, RZECZPOSPOLITA writes, any debate about their guilt is out of place.’ According to the daily, the German authorities want the suffering rather than guilt to be at the centre of public debate. Poland, on its part, should come up with its concept of historical policy. The dispute over Erika Steinbach, Head of the Expellees’ Federation, should be replaced by a serious debate about Poland’s past. Poles should present their vision of their history in the their own Museums of Polish History and of World War Two, concludes RZECZPOSPOLITA.
In the context of the economic crisis, DZIENNIK looks at a Central Statistical Office report on average salaries under the headline ‘Forget about pay rises’. Last month, the average salary in Polish companies grew by a mere five percent, just about keeping pace with inflation. The situation is most likely to deteriorate later in the year. And GAZETA WYBORCZA writes about a skyscraper in crisis. What was going to be Warsaw’s architectural gem – is likely to remain a concrete skeleton for some time. The daily reports that construction of Daniel Libeskind’s futuristic project of the 54-floor residential tower has come to a halt due to some financial problems of the contracting companies.
On the sports pages, the attacks on the home of Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc of Celtic Glasgow take up much space in all the papers. DZIENNIK claims that the Polish Football Association should give Boruc special security protection for the forthcoming game against Northern Ireland in Belfast.