Poland's Minister Of Defense Sikorski Resigns
Warsaw, Poland 5 February, 2007 Poland's Minister of Defense Radek Sikorski has resigned after apparently losing a power struggle to his Deputy Minister of Defense Antoni Macierewicz. A shakeup of the Polish Government is expected and reports had been that Sikorski had requested that Marcierewicz be dismissed in a he goes or I go approach. This may be the first of the changes.
For background on Government changes expected, see http://www.polskieradio.pl/zagranica/dokument.aspx?iid=47785 Shake up in Polish government coming soon
Speculation has been that Sikorski would be the loser in the battle because Marcierewicz is loyal to Kaczynski while Sikorski is more of a free thinker. Marcierewicz is simply more like Kaczynski than Sikorski.
Reports are that the resignation may also been prompted because Sikorski is said to have said some unkind things about the Kaczynski brothers in private meetings.
Sikorski is well liked and respected in Poland. Respect for him crosses party lines to some members of the Government opposition.
This page will be updated as more details come available.
Update: 13:57 5 February, 2007
The Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcz reports that President Kaczynski has been pushing for his dimissal because he spoke badly of the Kaczynski twins at meetings and because of his conflict with Kaczynzki favorite Macierewicz. http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/1,53600,3897431.html
The dismissal comes at a difficult time for Poland. It has a difficult mission in Afghanistan, has troops in Iraq and is involved in heavy negotiations with the United States on the missile defense shield.
Update: 14:22 5 Februay, 2007
It is reported that Sikorski accused Macierewicz of not providing enough counter espionage coverage for Polish troops in Afganistan now and the problem would get worse as more troops are about to go there.
Sikorski also said that the special report on the Special Services law breaking and other irregular activities was not given to him for review. Even though Sikorski was his boss, the report would not be given to him. The Minister of Defense will be bypassed, apparently with the approval of the President and the Prime Minister.
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