POLES ISSUE STATEMENT CONDEMNING BOMBING OF THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 000297 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM KPAO PTER IZ PL SUBJECT: POLES ISSUE STATEMENT CONDEMNING BOMBING OF THE AL-ASKARIYA SHRINE REF: SECSTATE 28802 Classified By: Polcouns Mary T. Curtin, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Polcouns met February 23 with Krzysztof Plominski, MFA Director for Africa and the Middle East, and as per reftel requested that Poland issue a statement condemning the bombing of the al-Askariya Shrine in Samarra. Plominski said that a statement was under preparation that would condemn the bombing and appeal to political leaders in Iraq to speed up the process of government formation. ¶2. (U) An informal translation of the statement, issued February 23, reads as follows: A communique of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland in connection with the terrorist attack on the Golden Mosque in Samarra. Poland condemns the brutal terrorist attack on the Golden Mosque in Samarra--one of the holy places of worship in Iraq and in the world for Shiites. Terrorists operating in Iraq have once again demonstrated that their aim is to sow hatred and destruction and to strengthen divisions among ethnic and religious communities of that country. We also condemn all acts of revenge, which only deepen the atmosphere of fear, uncertainty, and terror, putting the process of stabilization and reconstruction of the Iraqi statehood in danger. We call upon all political forces in Iraq to take immediate steps to calm the situation, which should include the acceleration of efforts aimed at the quickest possible formation of a government of national unity that represents the interests of all Iraqis. Poland declares its will to further support the Iraqi nation in its efforts to build a democratic and united state. We will also continue actions to develop and strengthen a cooperative partnership between our two countries. End Text. KULAKOWSKI