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