No Doubts: Poland Responsible for Beginning WWII
On Monday 28 September, Russian ambassador Sergei Andreev was summoned to
the Polish Foreign Ministry. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Grzegorz
Schetyna, stated that it was because of an interview Andreev had given
the day before to the TVN 24 television channel, in which he declared
that Poland «is partially responsible» for the disaster of the Second
World War.
the Polish Foreign Ministry. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Grzegorz
Schetyna, stated that it was because of an interview Andreev had given
the day before to the TVN 24 television channel, in which he declared
that Poland «is partially responsible» for the disaster of the Second
World War.
The
minister described the words as «offensive», arising «from a
misunderstanding of history», «unjust and untrue». The special statement
by the Polish Foreign Ministry on the Russian ambassador’s comments
also stated that they undermine «historical truth» and damage relations
between Poland and Russia.
minister described the words as «offensive», arising «from a
misunderstanding of history», «unjust and untrue». The special statement
by the Polish Foreign Ministry on the Russian ambassador’s comments
also stated that they undermine «historical truth» and damage relations
between Poland and Russia.
The
view of Poland exclusively as a victim of Nazi aggression that has
become firmly established in historiography and the public consciousness
has, for many decades, only ever provoked a natural sympathy for the
country. But this view is only partly true, and empathy for a victim of
aggression cannot overshadow the entire picture of what happened. Both
international and criminal law knows of many examples where random
subjects (countries or people) as well as accomplices to the crime have
become an object of aggression on the part of the perpetrator. There is a
good reason why Mr Schetyna and his subordinates did not go beyond
emotion and complaints about a «misunderstanding of history» in their
reaction to the Russian diplomat’s words.
view of Poland exclusively as a victim of Nazi aggression that has
become firmly established in historiography and the public consciousness
has, for many decades, only ever provoked a natural sympathy for the
country. But this view is only partly true, and empathy for a victim of
aggression cannot overshadow the entire picture of what happened. Both
international and criminal law knows of many examples where random
subjects (countries or people) as well as accomplices to the crime have
become an object of aggression on the part of the perpetrator. There is a
good reason why Mr Schetyna and his subordinates did not go beyond
emotion and complaints about a «misunderstanding of history» in their
reaction to the Russian diplomat’s words.
