“The Georgia crisis stands in the way of our political interests,” said President Lech Kaczynski in an interview for Rzeczpospolita.
Press reviewed by Alicja Baczynska
Monday’s EU summit on Georgia has brought about an open condemnation of Russia’s conduct in the country, a stand perceived as too drastic by some countries. Polish President Lech Kaczynski in an interview for Rzeczpospolita commented on these opinions by saying that the outcome was still great progress. Asked about the expectations pertaining to President Nicolas Sarkozy’s upcoming visit to Moscow, Mr. Kaczynski said it was hard to predict what steps Russia would take in result, yet if Moscow honored the peace plan, the decision would restore friendly EU-Russian relations. Initially, the EU summit was to focus solely on Georgia, but then expanded onto two other matters. Though discussed briefly, it was a success that energy security made its way to the summit agenda, as is the fact that a unanimous stance on Ukraine was reached, said the president. He was also glad the summit has brought about support for the country’s accession into NATO, and a certain approval of its future EU membership. Asked about Russian President Dmitri Medvedev’s policy, Mr. Kaczynski was quoted as saying: “he must first have real power, and then we can talk.”
A new street newspaper, Wspak, will soon be launched in Warsaw, writes Gazeta Wyborcza. The joint project of two foundations, financed by a state programme, the Citizens’ Initiative Fund, is a member of the International Network of Street Newspapers operating in 37 countries across the world. The paper is to cost 5 zlotys, (a little over one euro), with 50 percent of the proceeds going to the vendors, and the other 50 to cover the expenses of publishing the magazine. The monthly will be centered on social and cultural issues, and shall promote diverse community projects, voluntary and non-profit activities, as well as an eco-friendly lifestyle. Recruitment is soon to commence with the objective of hiring persons with no fixed address, immigrants, disabled persons, or unemployed caretakers of disabled persons. The periodical will be available at special outlets located close to major subway stations and malls. Street newspapers are fairly new phenomenon in Poland. A similar initiative has already caught on in Poznan, where periodical Gazeta Uliczna has been published since 2004. “We want to show that rather than wait for help, you may take life in your hands,” said the editor-in-chief of Wspak cited by the paper.
The spectacular crackdown of the police on football hooligans, with over 740 arrests, following a match of Warsaw’s two major teams earlier this week, is tangible proof of a new zero-tolerance policy of Warsaw police. The Ministry for Internal Affairs has given them a go-ahead for applying even the most drastic measures of combating hooliganism, that is legal ones. This might finally bring better results compared to the previous rather feeble attempts at overcoming the problem. For example, during a previous action in May 2006, when a violent riot of Legia fans swept through the streets of Warsaw’s Old Town, the police managed to arrest 236 people, yet less than a half was charged with an offence, and just 15 were convicted. Also, in March this year only 39 out of 500 assailants stood trial after a violent attack on the local police. Meanwhile, 189 participants of the recent riot in Warsaw already voluntarily submitted to penalty during yesterday’s interrogation – which is not bad for a start. Also, new stricter law on mass events should help tackle the problem, with much heavier fines, longer sentences, and better supervision of offenders.