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interview with Donald Tusk (Financial Times)


Lukasz  49 | 1746  
2 Dec 2007 /  #1
We have to recognize that an economy freed of unneeded regulations is more effective. You have to take a machete and cut, cut, cut. Determination is needed, because there is a regulation fetish. It comes from a naive belief that for every social and economic problem there is a law or a regulation. Often people who have influence over legislation in Poland do not understand that every new law and regulation is a quiet attack on freedom and on the ability of the country to develop.

I strongly believe in the Euro-Atlantic alliance. I think all efforts on the part of the European Union to distance itself from the United States are dangerous. We have very carefully thought over the sense of extending the Polish mission in Iraq, because we have stayed longer than we promised. I hope our decision is completely understood and that is not seen as a distancing from the United States or an effort to correct Polish –American relations. There is never an easy time for such a decision, but we are hoping that it in no way affects our relations and on the readiness of Poland to support the mission in Afghanistan.

My dream is that Poland should be a safe country and that we should turn our geographical position into an asset and not a curse. Poland can develop positive relations among countries in central and eastern Europe and we have a good opportunity to do this, for example in regard to Ukraine. We must support the enlargement of the European Union and the enlargement of the region where western standards begin to operate.

ft.onet.pl/0,4208,transcript_of_interview_with_donald_tusk,arty kul_ft.html
Grzegorz_  51 | 6138  
2 Dec 2007 /  #2
Cheap talking. Where is action ?
postie  7 | 112  
2 Dec 2007 /  #3
we are talking about more than a thousand companies with state ownership that are waiting to be privatised. There, where there is no conflict, we will move very quickly. Where there is a conflict we will consult with our partners to persuade them to the market, competitiveness and to the superiority of the private ownership over government ownership

That's pretty ominous.... it looks very much like Thatcherism...

I'm guessing that in the next few years, Poland is going to see a lot of changes, with the rich becoming even richer and social services and industry being destroyed or sold off to the highest bidder...
OP Lukasz  49 | 1746  
2 Dec 2007 /  #4
Where is action ?

I hope they will do what they promise ... there is another problem with socialist opposition you voted on ...

it looks very much like Thatcherism...

I have noticed that for a lot of British people Thatcher looks like evil ... but in my opinion there is one important fact ... in the past Brits have worked in Germany , now they dont, what is more I've heard that a lot of Germans choose UK form the same reasons as Poles ...
Daisy  3 | 1211  
2 Dec 2007 /  #5
in 80's Brits worked in Germany and now they dont, what is more I heard that a lot of Germans choose UK ...

it was because of Thatcher Brits had to go and find work in Germany..she totally destroyed whole industries leaving men on the scrapheap...Skilled wokers not only lost their jobs, but the industries they worked in..they lost their livelihoods pensions, the lot...My father and uncles amongst them.....When I saw her on TV crying as she left 10 downing Street..I cheered..I was glad to see her cry...she had caused enough tears in my family
Polson  5 | 1767  
2 Dec 2007 /  #6
Cheap talking. Where is action ?

It's not magic G, if he had already done all he'd said, it would be a bit weird...let's see ;)
OP Lukasz  49 | 1746  
2 Dec 2007 /  #7
the truth is that UK and Irealand in some way USA inspire a lot of Poles (Sarko in France wants to do the same ... I hope he will be succesful) and the fact is that in UK you have less public officers than we have here, even your population is much biger ... so we have to CUT CUT CUT ;) maybe it will hurt but it is the best solution ... we will see If Tusk will be strong enought ...
Polson  5 | 1767  
2 Dec 2007 /  #8
Thatcherism was quite a hard time, that's true, but see the result today ! ;)
Frank  23 | 1183  
2 Dec 2007 /  #9
Thatcher may well have been the catalyst for what UK is today, but she went about it in quite the most brutal fashion......whole regions of the UK feel more emnity towards her than they to other traditional enemies, the real winners were the central government and big industry, the ordinary guy in the street felt betrayed and brutalised by the whole experience of her years in office.

Yes, thing needed to change, but once again the ordinary person was seen as the enemy.....so shameful, another blot on the history of the UK.
Daisy  3 | 1211  
2 Dec 2007 /  #10
Yes, thing needed to change, but once again the ordinary person was seen as the enemy.....so shameful, another blot on the history of the UK.

totally agree

Thatcherism to me.. increased unemployment, but the figures manipulated, so not everyone looking for work was actually counted as unemployed... people having their homes reposessed because they could no longer pay the mortgate....the gap between the rich and poor got bigger..only Blair has manged to surpass her on that one.....I know some men who have found out where she will be buried when she dies and they have every intention of visiting her grave an p*ssing on it
Frank  23 | 1183  
2 Dec 2007 /  #11
I know some men who have found out where she will be buried when she dies and they have every intention of visiting her grave an p*ssing on it

Emmmm....not sure if thats a very british thing to do.....I dont approve!
Wroclaw  44 | 5359  
2 Dec 2007 /  #12
Thatcher may well have been the catalyst for what UK is today, but she went about it in quite the most brutal fashion......

This can't be disputed.

But. In the article Tusk answered a question and referred to KGHM. I think Tusk is well aware of Thatcher's mistakes and has no wish to do the same. However, I believe a number of Polish workers, especially those in government institutions, will find themselves out of work. I also believe that many Polish companies will be bought out, which will also cause unemployment.

Tusk seems to be banking on foriegn investment and new companies being formed....to soak up the new unemployed.
Seanus  15 | 19666  
30 Dec 2007 /  #13
I agree with Greg, a lot of rhetoric but very few concrete proposals and how to effectuate them. I think Poland could benefit from a bit of privatisation, that's what countries like Britain have done with some aplomb. He specifically refers to Afghanistan and the need to support the cause. Well, the CIA created many of the warlords so why should Polish soldiers die in the repair effort? Hamid Karzai was installed quite a while ago now and is taking steps to create a more stable future for the country.
scarbyirp  
30 Dec 2007 /  #14
I dont approve!

What about a no.2 then?
Crow  154 | 9310  
30 Dec 2007 /  #15
who have influence over legislation in Poland do not understand that every new law and regulation is a quiet attack on freedom and on the ability of the country to develop.

great truth has been said here
Seanus  15 | 19666  
30 Dec 2007 /  #16
Exactly, Poland still has way too much red tape to cut through. Time to get the scissors out, or maybe the machete he talked about
lesser  4 | 1311  
30 Dec 2007 /  #17
Cheap talking. Where is action ?

All the liberal reform 'canceled" and when I read about some projects of small importance it sounds simply socialistic. Those people sounds like they would never read about liberalism. This just confirm what many true liberals in Poland knew long time ago. Politicians from PO are just opportunists without clue, self-proclaimed 'liberals' probably because they cannot compete with PiS on socialistic demagogy.
Seanus  15 | 19666  
30 Dec 2007 /  #18
Why not just be done with it and call them Poo and ****?
Grzegorz_  51 | 6138  
30 Dec 2007 /  #19
The whole Polish mainstream politics is the same s*it. PiS plays "patrotic" and populistc card, PO chose the image of "pro-business", "modern" etc. LSD is "European", "socialistic" etc. but in the end It's the same sh*it. PiS is not really socialistic in economy, the whole BS about "3 million of flats" (obviously their government didn't even build one) and others started only after they realized that they can't compete with PO in case of liberal economy, so It's better to take voters from SO and LPR. Everybody with some idea about economy can see that PO is not liberal and one could think in their mind liberalism means letting a few criminals out of jails. SLD ? One of their first decisions was canceling cheaper tickets for students and Miller is probably not less homophobic than I am. These people are talking different things just to attract different groups of voters and once they form a government It's the same crap again and again only with different make up. So much for "miracle".
lesser  4 | 1311  
30 Dec 2007 /  #20
PiS is not really socialistic in economy

Generally I agree that they are all the same sh*t. Perhaps PiS is not socialistic in economy in some loony way. However like PO and SLD they worship bureaucracy, they are control freaks that cannot imagine a country without huge bureaucratic apparatus. This is also essence of socialism.
joepilsudski  26 | 1387  
31 Dec 2007 /  #21
'...but we are hoping that it in no way affects our relations and on the readiness of Poland to support the mission in Afghanistan.'

What is the Polish interest in Afghanistan?...None...This is just kissing Bush's ass...but
somethings he says make sense in a theoretical way...Reality is different story.

My dream is that Poland should be a safe country and that we should turn our geographical position into an asset and not a curse. Poland can develop positive relations among countries in central and eastern Europe and we have a good opportunity to do this, for example in regard to Ukraine. We must support the enlargement of the European Union and the enlargement of the region where western standards begin to operate.

Good ideas, but don't forget Russia...and be careful of what 'western standards' are operating.
Seanus  15 | 19666  
24 Dec 2008 /  #22
Poland is not yet a safe country if we are to take Russia's barking seriously but many don't and with good reason.

A good relationship with Ukraine is still sth to build on.
WooPee  1 | 124  
25 Dec 2008 /  #23
Cheap talking. Where is action ?

Probably in president's office in files "next to veto".
Przemas  1 | 101  
25 Dec 2008 /  #24
hahaha - Well played.
Seanus  15 | 19666  
25 Dec 2008 /  #25
Yeah, that was a smart comment. It doesn't seem to be in the Polish spirit to mock or spoof as Americans do.
joepilsudski  26 | 1387  
25 Dec 2008 /  #26
Tusk talks like a typical politician...In this world, today, as yesterday, you must be sly as a fox...Poland should be for 'Poland First', whatever the EU may say or think...The EU is primarily the interests of the international bankers, who use Germany and France as their instrumnent...Poland should co-operate when it is in Poland's interest, and abstain when it is not...This is common sense...Any Polish politician who is counting on alliances with more powerful neighbors is in for a bad surprise...Poland First.
Babinich  1 | 453  
25 Dec 2008 /  #27
Amen brother Crow; amen....
Seanus  15 | 19666  
25 Dec 2008 /  #28
A rare moment of clarity for £ukasz
Bratwurst Boy  8 | 11820  
25 Dec 2008 /  #29
We must support the enlargement of the European Union...

But only when Poland pays for it....(For Germans the EU is nearly to big already as it is)
Przemas  1 | 101  
25 Dec 2008 /  #30
Can we pay in subtle little pieces of Prussia?

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