FM MELLER SUBMITS RESIGNATION

UNCLAS WARSAW 000809

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PL
SUBJECT: FM MELLER SUBMITS RESIGNATION

REF: WARSAW 799


1. Widely anticipated, Polish Foreign Minister Stefan Meller
submitted his resignation on April 28. Meller said at a
press conference that he does not believe that the proposed
coalition between the governing Law and Justice party, Self
Defense and a break away group from the League of Polish
Families is in Poland's best interests. Prime Minister
Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz has not yet acted on Meller's
resignation. Meller's successor, the subject of press
speculation in the last several weeks, will likely be named
at the end of this week when the government announces a wider
reshuffling of jobs as part of the new coalition.


2. Meller, a professional diplomat, was never an insider in
the Kaczynski government. His resignation was expected, and
delayed primarily because no suitable replacement emerged.
Meller however did express his willingness to remain involved
in foreign policy. President Kaczynski may ask him to help
coordinate a proposed Polish-Russian summit later this year
with Russian President Putin. Immediately preceding his
appointment as Foreign Minister six months ago, Meller was
Poland's ambassador to Moscow.


3. President Kaczynski's tight circle of advisors ceded
little authority to Meller, who was frustrated by MFA being
sidelined on foreign policy issues. We do not expect any
radical change with Meller's successor, once named, although
note that MFA's role would likely expand if a close political
ally of the Kaczynski's comes in to the job.
ASHE