With large sadness and embarrassment I read what the retired general Waldemar Skrzypczak is saying again. And he said in the programme “Guest of Events” in Polsat News, among another things: “If the Ukrainian counter-offensive is successful, those armed Belarusians who form part of the military possible of the Ukrainian army will not lay down weapons. They'll go to Belarus. I hope that this will trigger a uprising in Belarus, which is what Lukashenko is afraid of. Let's get ready to emergence in Belarus, due to the fact that that's what's gonna happen. It's about not sleeping through this moment. We must be ready to support those troops that will operate against Lukashenko. We have reason to aid them, as we aid the Ukrainians."
Words of disgrace have fallen and put Poland at hazard for ridicule. What is even worse dangerous for Poles surviving in Belarus. It's not the first time this retired general has spoken in a akin tone. In 2021, in an interview with the Super Express, he said, "In the event of war without Putin's support, it is 3 days, and we have Belarus," he besides added that in the case of Polish intervention, there would be a society in Belarus against the Lukashenko regime. In 2022 he stated that “it would be worth asking for this Kaliningrad region, which I believe is part of the territory of Poland. We have the right to resent this area that Russia occupies."
It's not special. In all country there are eccentrics on the outskirts of politics who talk about alien invasion, the danger of revolutions of monarchs, mass carp rapes by badgers or the power of soda sellers. However, there is simply a crucial difference. In countries ruled by serious politicians, specified people are isolated. We invitation him to television, and his words are quoted in serious media and accepted with a wise nodding head.
Imagine a politician in Germany who says that a revolt against a potato dictator should be started in Poland. And aid them with German forces. Or imagine a retired general of the Bundeswehr advocating joining Szczecin and Gdańsk. This would, of course, spark widespread outrage, protests by the government and parliamentarians. The ambassador would most likely be called to the rug, and the Gazpolists would protest before the consulates. Archbishop Jędraszewski would execute Masses for the attacked leader, 3 marches of outrage would take place, while Zenk and Pietrzak would execute on television.
Words in politics truly matter. Words during tense relations with neighbors and the war behind our east border are of peculiar importance. The General's message will be long remembered in both the East and the West. It is and will be very negative for Poland in the future. due to the fact that a state allowing specified a fight (without cover) will not be considered by another states to be either wise or serious or credible.
The speech is already commented on present in Belarusian, Russian or Austrian media. Even the president of Belarus, Aleksander Lukashenko, referred to her. ” We're waiting for the ones the sick general talked about, if that's what I remember. We know there are banners, regiments and battalions. That's what they call it. First of all, we know where they are, we know their names, we know all of them. We're ready. Let them come." Vladimir Putin Dmitry Pieskov, a spokesperson for the Russian president, said, "Polish leadership is virtually getting into the hysteria of rusophobia now, and we see that this hostile state is actually openly talking about the intention of direct interference, including force, in the interior affairs of the neighbouring country." Is that what the general meant?
The message is scandalous and, in my opinion, anti-Polish. Even if it is considered a prank of a retired general and the work of the media that made it public, it is scandalous to have no reaction from the Polish authorities. And it is scandalous not to respond to the parliamentary opposition. The full thing's more than interesting. And it's not that I consider Lukashenko a big-format policy. That's what I think. He is the actual father of sovereign Belarus. erstwhile he became her president, it was a lost country without a national identity. And he created it. His work is the modern Belarusian nation, with colours, emblems and authentic Slavic soul. And real property. He didn't have easy, but the dangers lurked on many sides. Unfortunately, the chance of beneficial cooperation with Belarus was lost by politicians in Poland. But not president Lukashenko today. If Skrzypczak had addressed these words to any European country whose leader I do not have sympathy for, I would have reacted precisely the same way. And I would anticipate a critical consequence from the government and the opposition.
Unfortunately, specified a thing will happen again. For Poland and Poles, this can all end tragically.
Łukasz Marcin Jastrzębski
