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Newsletter

PI Newsletter #171

POLITICS

U.S. Department of State
Media Note

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Poland on the occasion of the U.S.-Poland Strategic Dialogue.

Begin Text:

The Governments of the United States and Poland held the U.S.-Poland Strategic Dialogue in Washington, D.C. on February 4, 2022, which included consultations between Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau and U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.  February 4 marks the birth date of General Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a Polish General who two centuries ago fought for American freedom.  The United States and Poland have a historic friendship.  But today we are more than that.  We share not only common values, but also an awareness of shared responsibilities for humanity’s future.

This Strategic Dialogue comes at a critical time.  It demonstrates the strength and importance of the bilateral relationship as the United States and Poland focus on the security challenges on the Eastern Flank of NATO due to Russian aggression.  U.S.-Polish cooperation addresses our shared goals of ensuring security and supporting the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people as well as the objective of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine.

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz and Counselor of the Department of State Derek Chollet opened the Strategic Dialogue.

The United States and Poland emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Poland partnership in addressing common threats and challenges.  The Strategic Dialogue focused on shared values and interests, reaffirming the strong, steady, and deepening bilateral cooperation between the United States and Poland and our joint commitment to enhance cooperation on a broad range of topics.

The working groups of the Strategic Dialogue discussed bilateral cooperation on regional and collective security; political military issues; energy security, including climate change and nuclear energy cooperation; economic prosperity; cooperation in the framework of Three Seas Initiative and strengthening democratic values and institutions through the OSCE in Europe and Eurasia and in our own countries.  The United States and Poland consulted on the importance of Poland’s leadership in the OSCE in reaching diplomatic resolutions to regional conflicts.  Both parties expressed firm dedication to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and committed to coordinating to deter any further Russian aggression.

The Strategic Dialogue was hosted by the U.S. Department of State and included interagency and inter-ministerial representatives from both governments.  The meeting featured senior U.S. representatives from the Department of State, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of the Treasury, Department of Commerce, and the National Security Council, and from the Polish side, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, Ministry of Climate and Environment, and Ministry of the Interior and Administration.

Both sides expressed a strong interest in deepening the bilateral strategic partnership in the year ahead and through future strategic dialogues.  The parties plan to hold the next annual meeting in Warsaw in early 2023.

https://www.state.gov/joint-statement-on-the-strategic-dialogue-between-the-united-states-and-poland/

2.  Israel Told Baltic states it would block weapon transfers to Ukraine. Sources

As Russian forces began massing along the Ukrainian border, the Israeli MoD sent word to the three Baltic nations that if they ask to transfer weapons to Ukraine, they will be denied, sources say.

Sources here tell Breaking Defense that in December, as Russian forces began massing along the Ukrainian border, the Israeli MoD sent word to the three Baltic nations that if they ask to transfer weapons to Ukraine, they will be denied — an almost unheard-of preemptive denial, driven by Israel’s need to balance its relations with Russia.

Like the US, Israel puts strict “end-user” regulations on weapons sold abroad, which legally restrict the ability of the buying nation to send the equipment to a third-party nation without permission from the original producer. The preemptive move from Israel was driven by a belief that Ukraine would seek to lay hands on the Spike anti-tank weapon, built by a joint firm of Israeli and German companies.

Israel-Ukrainian relations are overshadowed by the Israeli interest in keeping a good channel with the Kremlin, needed to allow Israel to operate in Syria against shipments of Iranian made weapons system on their way to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The threading of the needle by Jerusalem was on display during a December visit to Israel by Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, which was reportedly kept low-profile at the request of the Israeli government.

https://breakingdefense.com/2022/02/to-placate-russia-israel-told-baltics-states-it-would-block-weapon-transfers-to-ukraine-sources/

3.  Fort Bragg troops arrive in Germany and Poland as Russian buildup continues near Ukraine

Soldiers arrive at Wiesbaden, Germany, Feb. 4, 2022, where the 18th Airborne Corps will establish a Joint Task Force-capable headquarters as 1,700 paratroopers deploy to Poland. The deployment is in response to Russia's troop buildup along Ukraine's borders.

Hundreds of Fort Bragg-based soldiers deployed to U.S. Army Europe and Africa headquarters in Germany on Friday, while another contingent arrived in Poland to set the stage for 1,700 82nd Airborne Division soldiers, U.S. European Command said.

https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2022-02-04/us-troops-from-fort-bragg-land-in-poland-4623974.html

4.  Poland and Czech Republic sign agreement to end coal mine dispute

Poland and the Czech Republic have signed an agreement to end a long-running dispute over a coal mine on the Polish side of their shared border. The issue has been costing Poland €500,000 in daily fines over its refusal to comply with an EU court order to stop operations at the Turów mine.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawieck today flew to Prague to finalise the €45 million deal with his Czech counterpart, Petr Fiala. The leaders hailed the outcome as a success, with Morawiecki noting that it will allow the mine to continue functioning without disruption.

Poland and Czech Republic sign agreement to end coal mine dispute

SOCIETY

5.  You are much less likely to be robbed in Hungary, Poland or Czechia than in Western Europe

Although the Western media heaps ample scorn on Hungary and Poland, there is no denying that these countries are safer places to live in comparison to Western nations when it comes to crime and terrorism, with a data map from Landgeist revealing the vast difference in robbery rates between European nations.

The map, which is based on data from Statista, shows that in Hungary only six robberies occur per 100,000 people per year, while Czechia has 14 and Poland has 17 robberies for every 100,000 people. These figures are dramatically lower than other Western nations, such as Belgium and Spain, where a whopping 140 robberies occur every year for every 100,000 people. That means you are approximately 23 times more likely to be robbed in Belgium than if you are in Hungary.

You’re much less likely to be robbed in Hungary, Poland, and Czechia than in Western Europe

RELIGION

6.  Catholic German Synod Votes For “Priestesses,”, Married Priests etc.

[…] On Thursday, it approved a paper that aims at reducing the “power” of a diocesan bishop, in contradiction of Vatican II and the institution of the apostles by Christ.

On Friday morning the same ideologists voted (yes: 159; no: 26; abstentions: 7) to call on Francis to abolish celibacy and even to allow already ordained priests to marry. In the afternoon, they voted (yes: 174; no: 30; abstentions: 6) to call on Francis to introduce [invalid] ordinations of women. This vote was followed by a long smug applause.

https://www.gloria.tv/post/ZmrZav2CQtYr1NzK6HVbDMLAx

7.  German Synod Will Concoct Homosex-“Blessing”

he German Synod voted on Saturday (161 yes, 34 no, 11 abstentions) to concoct a rite of “blessing” for homosexuals and adulterers and to allow these groups to do paid work for the Church.

https://www.gloria.tv/post/uuVnSoqe2qUw3RGW7PrDLfas2

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