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Tense talks among Weimar Triangle
WROCLAW, Poland -- Divisions over Iraq are set to dominate talks between the so-called Weimar Triangle of Poland, Germany and France, despite the meeting having originally been scheduled to discuss Poland's entry to the EU. Poland's strong ties with Washington and its involvement in the war on Iraq have put it in a difficult position as it seeks membership in the European Union. The 12th annual summit of the three nations taking place in the southwest of Poland is expected to be tense after Warsaw invited Germany to take part in a stabilization force in Iraq.
Germany was a strong opponent of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder using his anti-war stance as part of his re-election campaign. France still has frosty relations with Washington after threatening to use its veto on a possible second U.N. resolution sanctioning the invasion. Poland has been trying to act as a bridge between Germany and the U.S., and earlier this week invited Germany, as well as Denmark, to contribute troops to the proposed international stabilization force in Iraq. (Full Story) A Polish official told CNN that his government is interested in having as many European Union countries involved as possible, specifically pushing for German involvement. But the move only angered Berlin, which complained it had not been consulted before the proposal was made public. Schroeder's spokesman, Bela Anda, told The Associated Press Wednesday: "A participation of German soldiers is not being considered and it will not happen. That is firm." He later hinted that Germany, which wanted the issue of Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction handled through the United Nations, might consider participating under a U.N. or NATO mandate. Poland has cemented its relations with Washington after sending about 200 elite troops on a secret mission in Iraq. Relations were strengthened yet further last month when Poland signed a $3.5 billion contract for 48 U.S. F-16 jet fighters from Lockheed Martin -- snubbing a French rival. (Full Story) Plans for the stabilization force would see Poland sending about 2,200 soldiers to administer one of the four stabilization zones, under the command of the U.S. Poland itself would be in charge of an estimated 7,000-strong multinational peacekeeping force, though figures are not finalized. CNN's Stephanie Halasz, who is covering the summit, said: "Poland has emerged as one of the surprising main players of the Iraq conflict -- its task now is not to alienate either the pro- or anti- war camps and attempt to build a bridge between them." Poles were against the Iraq war and one analyst at Wroclaw University told CNN the government was seen as a U.S. pawn. "It seems to me Poland has no choice, it is a poor country and tries to make the best of both sides of the accession of the European structures and at the same time of getting involved in the American policies," Adam Chmielewski said. Critics have cast doubt on the ability of Poland, whose post-communist military has limited NATO experience, to lead a peacekeeping operation far larger even than past missions in the Middle East and the Balkans. Described by U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld as part of "New Europe" as opposed to the "Old Europe" of Germany and France, Poland hopes to benefit from a possible switch of U.S. military bases eastwards from Germany. It is also looking for financial assistance towards the estimated $90 million cost of the Iraq mission.
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