POLISH AMBASSADOR UPSET BY USG

C O N F I D E N T I A L CHISINAU 000729 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/UMB E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/19 TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL PINR PL MD SUBJECT: POLISH AMBASSADOR UPSET BY USG DECISION ON MISSILE DEFENSE IN EUROPE Classified by: Ambassador Asif J. Chaudhry for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) In a September 22 meeting with several third country diplomats and Moldovan Ministry of Defense (MOD) officials, Polish Ambassador to Moldova Krzysztof Suprowicz told Defense Attach that Poland did not understand the logic or the mentality of the recent U.S. decision concerning the changes to the Missile Defense Shield in Europe. Suprowicz stated that he personally felt betrayed by this change and that his colleagues were in shock when the decision was announced on television. He added that the decision to not deploy the missile defense shield would have long term implications in the countries' bilateral relationship and would not soon be forgotten. ¶2. (C) Although he personally felt betrayed, Suprowicz rationalized the American decision, mentioning that the Poles needed to remember that the U.S. was a very large country with diverse opinions that invariably changed from time to time. Suprowicz continued by noting that the U.S. and Poland shared a long historical friendship dating back to the U.S. Revolutionary War. He further added that the U.S. had never lived under communism and that during those dark days for the Poles, the U.S. had stood as a beacon of hope. Suprowicz went on to emphasize that the U.S. did not understand the Russian threat. He concluded by stating that the countries' relationship would continue, but then repeated that Poland would not soon forget this decision. Chaudhry