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