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Democracy News
CCD Honors Poland’s Loss
April 15, 2010
By: Paul Larson and Benjamin Russell | Printer Friendly
The crash of Poland’s presidential aircraft en route to a ceremony commemorating the 1940 Katyn massacre resulted in the death of 97 people, many of them government and military officials.
Among the victims were Polish president, Lech Kaczyński and his wife, Maria, as well as the country’s national bank president, deputy foreign minister, leaders from all branches of the military, Deputy Parliament Speaker, 12 members of Parliament, two presidential aides and many others. Activist and independent labor organizer Anna Walentynowicz was also killed in the crash. Walentynowicz, 80, was seen as the “grandmother of Solidarity” and the “conscience of the movement” that brought democratic reform and the end of communism to Poland.
The ability of the Polish state to channel the country’s sense of loss in a forthright and productive way is a testament to the strength of its democracy, and the Polish state’s commitment to the constitution remains unflinching despite great damage done to the highest levels of government. Officials are being calmly and effectively replaced within the confines of law. Polish interim President Bronislaw Komorowski says the date for Poland's presidential election will be announced next week following President Kaczynski’s funeral. In the words of New York Times columnist Roger Cohen, “Poland’s democracy has scarcely skipped a beat.”
Andrew Kureth, editor of the Warsaw Business Journal, warned that “Polish politicians must keep a cool head… The true test of a democracy is how well its laws are adhered to in crisis.” Poland has faced this challenge with extraordinary grace. Professor and Polish native Jacek Lubecki confirmed, “The democracy in Poland, though barely 20 years old, is strong.”
President Lech was a powerful advocate for democratic reform in Poland. Lech worked with his twin brother Jaroslaw in the Solidarity movement that helped topple communism. In the first election, they helped Lech Walesa win the Presidency and Lech Kaczynski became justice minister. Jaroslaw founded the Law and Justice Party in 2001, which later turned into the party that propelled Lech Kaczynski into the presidency. Jaroslaw was named Prime Minister shortly after Lech Kaczynski took power.
Council for the Community of Democracies’ President Robert LaGamma and Chairman of the Board Robert Hunter issued a letter to Ambassador Kupiecki of Poland to the United States that expressed condolences for the loss stating:
“Many of us, having been long associated with the quest for freedom of the Polish people, enthusiastically entered an era of partnership with Poland when its liberty had been secured. Perhaps no event better exemplified that partnership than the launching of the Community of Democracies in Warsaw by Foreign Minister Geremek and Secretary of State Albright ten years ago. Since that historic moment we have worked closely with your government to seek to spread freedom around the world through the framework of the Community of Democracies. At this time of great sadness, Mr. Ambassador, we want you and your government to know that we stand in the closest solidarity with the people of Poland.”
Sources:
New York Times - Anna Walentynowicz, Polish Provocateur Who Spurred Communism’s Fall, Dies at 80
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