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