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Lithuanian ambassador 'Poles not loyal citizens' [63]
Because the Lithuanians are going about the whole thing in a forceful Stalinist way, persecuting Poles.
They're not, though. That's the Polish interpretation of it - just like how the Lithuanian minority in Poland is also persecuted. Perhaps you might want to ask why Lithuanian parents cannot name their children with some Lithuanian names, particularly girls?
Or perhaps you might want to consider the textbook issue. Vilnius funds Polish language textbooks for children, Warsaw doesn't. Therefore, Lithuanian children in Poland are forced to learn from Polish books, while Polish children in Lithuania enjoy books in their own tounge. Hardly fair.
I think the Lithuanians just want the Poles in their country to speak Lithuanian. They are correct about that. That's why some Lithuanians are getting upset. But they should stay away from making provocative comments. So should the Poles.
Actually, MW, that's one of the more enlightened things you've said on here. Both sides are equally guilty of antagonising the other - matters not helped by extremist political leaders on both sides stirring things up for political gain.
Plus there were confessions of Lithuanians specifically targeting Poles just because they're the largest minority or just because they are Poles and Poland occupied their lands.
There was no specific targeting of Poles - it was simply that the Poles, unlike the other minorities, have been far more vocal. It's hardly a secret that some elements (especially within the political leadership) seek to break up the Lithuanian state for their own purposes.
Although I think Poles should definitely learn the Lithuanian language in Lithuania, I think its wrong for Lithuania to shut down Polish language schools.
They weren't shut down - the funding was simply removed if they didn't meet certain numbers. The Polish minority is perfectly free to open their own schools with their own money - or they can attend normal Lithuanian schools. Or, of course, they can attend Polish schools elsewhere.
For what it's worth, and someone like you should appreciate this - the media on both sides has been incredibly guilty of spinning things to be far worse than it is. To be honest - Poland comes out worse in all this, because Europe has been looking at Poland as a regional leader - not the type to get involved in petty squabbles like this. It's believed, though, that Sikorski has some sort of personal grudge against elements of the Lithuanian leadership - hence why the fuss in Poland. Strangely, Tusk gets on fine with his counterpart, as does Komorowski.
