SEJM SPEAKER KOMOROWSKI ON U.S.-POLISH RELATIONS

S E C R E T WARSAW 001250 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CE AND EUR/RPM E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2019 TAGS: NATO MARR MCAP PREL PGOV PL SUBJECT: SEJM SPEAKER KOMOROWSKI ON U.S.-POLISH RELATIONS Classified By: Ambassador Feinstein for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In his first meeting with Sejm Speaker Bronislaw Komorowski (Civic Platform - PO),Ambassador Feinstein heard that the Speaker sought U.S. help building public support for Poland's troop increase in Afghanistan. Komorowski also agreed that NATO contingency planning was a positive development, although not yet appreciated by the general public. ¶2. (C) Komorowski, who was forced underground during the period of martial law and is now considered a potential successor to PM Tusk, agreed with the Ambassador that recent developments in U.S-Polish relations were addressing concerns among Poland's political class that the United States had not placed enough emphasis on Central Europe. He said that Polish public opinion lagged behind elite opinion and that many Poles believe Poland has done more for the United States than the other way around. Komorowski said Poland "paid a high political price" by supporting the Bush Administration's Missile Defense program and, subsequently, by signing on to the Obama Administration's new approach. ¶3. (S) Komorowski discussed NATO contingency planning, noting that Poland had long been one of only four Allies with a NATO contingency plan. He said that developing contingency plans for the Baltic states and other NATO allies is ultimately in Poland's interest, but echoed the concern of other officials that expanding contingency planning should not delay planning efforts underway for Poland. Komorowski also agreed it would be unwise to prejudge the work of the "Wise Person's Group" led by former Secretary Albright, which includes former Polish FM Adam Rotfeld. Komorowski expressed his "personal confidence" that trends in NATO were heading in the right direction, while referring to the subject of public opinion. ¶4. (C) COMMENT: Komorowski is frequently mentioned as a possible successor to PM Tusk, either as party chair or as interim prime minister, in the event Tusk is elected president in 2010. Should Tusk decide not to run, Komorowski is PO's most likely "backup" candidate for president. Polish public opinion foreshadows the upcoming presidential campaign in which the Civic Platform will spar with its rivals over which government's policy toward Washington has best succeeded in strengthening Polish security. FEINSTEIN