Statement by the Coalition of Polish Americans on the Report on World War II Losses suffered by Poland
Today, on the 83rd anniversary of the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany, the Government of the Republic of Poland published the long-awaited Report on Losses Resulting from the Aggression and Occupation by Germany during World War II, 1939-1945.
The Report is a detailed account of the human and material losses suffered by Poland, not only as a result of war hostilities, but primarily as a result of the planned, methodical, murderous depopulation of Poland and permanent destruction of the Polish State. Compilation of the Report has taken 5 years of intense work by the Parliamentary Team headed by MP Arkadiusz Mularczyk and expert researchers. It is worth remembering that:
- During the Second World War, 5.2 million Polish citizens lost their lives, killed in war operations or murdered, amounting to 15% of Poland’s entire population;
- The material losses were estimated at 6,220,609 million PLN (about $1.53 trillion);
- Poland is the only country in Europe that has never received financial compensation from Germany for human and material losses suffered during World War II.
The report on Polish war losses was presented to the German side. Publication of the Report is a historic event for both Poland and Germany. It creates a chance and hope for a new model of mutual relations recognizing and respecting true dimension of Poland’s human sacrifices during the World War II. The Coalition of Polish Americans strongly supports this initiative of the Polish Government related to the Report on War Losses. We call on the Polish Americans and compatriots everywhere to support these actions of the Polish Government. We appeal to public figures and political parties in Poland for unity regarding the matter of war reparations, to overcome significant political differences in support of the actions of the Government and the Polish State in this regard. The Polish raison d’état as well as laying foundation for future good-neighborly relations with the German nation and the German State call for such support. We also appeal to the German authorities to enter into goodwill dialog with Poland on the matter of war reparations, in accordance with the spirit of their admission of “accepting moral responsibility for causing the World War II”.
Poland rightfully can expect international support, specifically from the United States, Great Britain and France in the matter of compensation for war losses, not only as an erstwhile ally in the war, but also as the only victim of that war, whose losses have never been compensated.
We appeal to the Polish community in the United States to support Resolution H. Res.664 of the House of Representatives of the US Congress. This resolution, important for Poland and Polonia, was proposed in the US House of Representatives by Congressman Thomas R. Suozzi (D-NY) in cooperation with Polonia and its organizations, including members of the CPA. Its purpose is to commemorate the tragic history of Poland during the World War II and to counter false narratives and myths about the participation of Poland and Poles in these events. This resolution places Poland and its war losses on the agenda of the US Congress. If adopted, it can be of great help to demand that the United States Government exerts pressure on Germany to compensate Poland for war losses. For more information and detailed instructions to contact US Congress members, please visit the Coalition’s website: www.coalitionpa.org. Your participation in gaining support for H.Res.664 in the US Congress will be a real contribution in the efforts of the Polish Government to obtain due compensation.
The Polish American Coalition is a nationwide social and political organization established to represent the interests of Americans of Polish descent. It was founded in 2017.
September 1, 2022
Call for support for Ukrainian refugees in Poland from the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in the USA
Consider showing your support by donating to Polish NGOs engaged in providing humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians and others fleeing from Ukraine.
Statement on Russian aggression against Ukraine and starting a new war
Coalition of Polish Americans reacts with indignation and disbelief, and proclaims our stark opposition against Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
In this historic moment, we are expressing our solidarity and support for the attacked Ukrainian people. We join with all people of good will who, like us, express their resentment and protest at the start of a new war in Europe by Russia. The ambiguous attitude of the governments of the European Union countries, especially Germany, also causes our great concern, as they seem to underestimate the seriousness of the current situation.
We call upon our compatriots at home and abroad to morally and materially support independent Ukraine and to show all possible help to the Ukrainian people. War zone refugees, arriving on the territory of Poland, will need special support. Let us remember that the citizens of today’s Ukraine are descendants of the inhabitants of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth – a multinational state where Poles lived together with Ruthenians and Lithuanians. Therefore, we are connected not only by a common border, but also by centuries of common history, with its mostly glorious, yet sometimes difficult periods.
We call upon the U.S. President and Administration to impose the farthest-reaching economic sanctions and to isolate Russia economically and morally in the international arena. Statements and attitudes demonstrated by the American politicians regarding this new situation, will be closely watched by the entire Polish-American community. We expect an unequivocal condemnation of Russia’s aggressive policy by Vladimir Putin, and full support for Ukraine and its independence. In connection with the immediate threat of expansion of the military conflict, we also expect decisive actions to strengthen the military capabilities of Poland and other countries of NATO’s eastern flank.
The Board of the Coalition of Polish Americans
Call to action!
Stop Russian Aggression on NATO’s Eastern Borders!
Ask your US Congress Representative to Strengthen NATO Eastern Flank!
Russia’s continued military buildup on its border with Ukraine, recent military intervention in Kazakhstan, expansion of control over Belarus, and continuing disinformation warfare on the West constitute acts of aggression that are as reckless as are alarming. Even more importantly, President Putin’s brazen demand for the withdrawal of the NATO forces from Central Europe constitutes an all-out assault on NATO. Any consideration of such demand by the USA would destroy the credibility of NATO as a defensive alliance in the eyes of its members. Hence, such public blackmailing of NATO, if not countered decisively, carries a great danger of NATO disintegrating and falling into oblivion for losing its sense of existence.
Therefore, it is paramount that the United States, together with its transatlantic allies, immediately respond with the meaningful strengthening of the NATO defense forces on its European Eastern Flank, i.e., in Poland and Romania.
Furthermore, the United States shall condemn the selfish attitude of Germany for trading the interests of NATO and security of NATO Eastern Flank countries for Germany’s economic and political gains generated through irresponsible support of resurgent Russia. In light of German obstructive actions during the serious security crisis in Europe, the United States shall reconsider its relations with Germany as the European leader.
Please call your US Congress Representative and submit to him or her the following requests:
- Please immediately strengthen the NATO Eastern Flank in response to Russia’s recent numerous acts of aggression in the entire European region.
- Strengthen the anti-missile defense capabilities on NATO Eastern Flank
- Supply the Polish Air Force with modern military equipment of all types, augmented by intense training, at favorable financial terms.
- Please prevent Germany from selling off to Russia the security of NATO Eastern Flank countries for their own political and economic benefit. Germany must be stopped from destroying the collective security system within NATO.
YOUR ACTION IS URGETLY NEEDED!
PLEASE CALL NOW!
Letter to Mark Brzezinski, Ambassador of the United States to Poland
Date: January 8th, 2022
The Honorable Mark Brzezinski,
Ambassador of the United States to Poland
RE: Meeting with Polonia organizations
Dear Mr. Ambassador:
Coalition of Polish Americans would like to express our gratitude to you for meeting with us and other Polonia organizations on January 7th via webex. Our organization has its roots in Polish American Congress and aims to supplement this historical and renowned organization.
As we mentioned in our meeting one of our organization’s major goals is to support well qualified Polish Americans for senior positions in administration. We are thankful to the current administration for nominating you. We hope the Republican party pays attention. Despite our political differences we hold strict belief that our common historical roots will be a base of your successful term as Ambassador. The tragic history of Poland makes Poles from all sides of political spectrum understand that certain traits are unbreakable. In light of this we believe that Polish people and Polish Americans support:
- Poland’s security. Poland must be secured from foreign intervention and threats from Russia and her allies (current Belarus border crisis).
- The rule of law in international relations. Poland must be free from pressure from European Union and international courts usurping to themselves rights in violation of international treaties and infringing on Poland’s sovereignty.
- Ownership of media. We believe that Poland has the right to severely restrict the foreign ownership of media to protect her interests like all major countries in the world did. We believe that after suitable period of time (50 years) such restrictions could be slowly removed if the situation warrants it.
- Reform of judiciary. We strongly believe that Poland must reform its judiciary. Polish judiciary transferred without any modifications from communism, where it played crucial role in prosecuting Poles during Stalin and Martial Law repressions of Polish people. Today it is a closed caste that needs to be broken and reforms based on regulations similar to other democratic countries with long traditions of independent judiciary must proceed. We support PAC resolution to this effect adopted on September 27, 2017. Almost nothing changed since this time, the caste resistance supported by foreign influence is strong.
- Definition of family. We support Polish government efforts to allow Polish people to define what constitutes a family. The destruction of traditional family is not accepted in Poland, and it must not be forced on Poland from abroad.
We hope you will stand with us on these issues.
Leszek Pawlik
President
Coalition of Polish Americans
U.S. House Subcommittee on Europe, Energy, the Environment and Cyber
As representatives of the Polish American community, we feel obligated to express our disappointment with the way the leadership of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Europe, Energy, the Environment and Cyber, within the Foreign Affairs Committee, handled the hearing titled “Innovative Municipal Leadership in Central Europe: Founding Members of the Pact of Free Cities” that was held on December 2, 2021.
The United States has been the steadfast and welcomed leader of the free world and champion of democracy because its foreign policy was based on our shared values, not politics. Unfortunately, this traditional approach seems to be the thing of the past. There were several problems with hearing on December 2nd. The witness list was tendentious. It included four liberal mayors who all oppose their current conservative governments. The Subcommittee did not invite any witness that could provide a riposte from the perspective of current governments to the criticism voiced during the hearing.
The witness testimony was extremely one-sided. The four mayors raised a number of accusations against the current governments that the leadership of the committee accepted at face value without any attempt to verify how much of the testimony actually reflects reality. It looked like a partisan attempt to gain political sympathy from the leaders of the Democratic Party in the U.S.
The questions asked to witnesses were extremely leading. No impartial viewer would conclude that their intent was to provide the audience with a chance to see a balanced discussion about issues in Central Europe; but rather to drive a partisan message about who is on the correct side and who is not. Several loaded terms, such as “backsliding on democracy” and “authoritarian tendencies,” used throughout the hearing were presented as established fact, leaving the audience with a very distinct and clear idea of how to see what is going on in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. In our opinion, what was presented was a subjective and maliciously wrong vision.
Consequently, we deplore that committee leaders who belong to the party that prides itself as champion of fairness, diversity and inclusion, ran a meeting that went against all of these ideas. There are over 10 million U.S citizens with Polish roots. Our community thrives with diversity of political views. However, we agree that fairness and balance are essential to working democracy. This hearing was unfair, lacked any diversity of thought and was extremely exclusive. We feel that it discriminated against those Polish Americans who support the government in Poland whose views were maliciously misrepresented, without any effort by the Subcommittee to provide balanced and fair discussion of the developments in the region.
So, when we think about “backsliding on democracy,” we believe it was exactly what the Subcommittee engaged in during the hearing. It was striking that the hearing virtually lacked any Republican participation. It would not be a surprise to us that the reason most Republican members of the committee did not take part is because they did not want to participate in a one-sided party hacking.
It is mind-boggling that the committee leaders from a party that for four years of Donald Trump’s presidency incessantly kept up the narrative about Russian interference in U.S elections would hold a hearing that cannot be seen as anything else but a malicious attempt to interfere in internal affairs of four Central European countries. We hope that in tradition of US foreign policy future hearings provide a more balanced view of the situation in the region.
Sincerely,
Leszek Pawlik
President
Coalition of Polish Americans
Coalition of Polish Americans position on hearing in the House Foreign Subcommittee on “Europe, Energy, the Environment and Cyber”
Nov 27, 2021
House Foreign Affairs Committee
EUROPE, ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND CYBER Subcommittee
Hon. William Keating, Chair, Hon. Brian Fitzpatrick, Ranking Member, Hon. Susan Wild, Hon. Abigail Spanberger, Hon. Albio Sires, Hon. Theodore Deutch, Hon. David Cicilline, Hon. Dina Titus, Hon. Dean Phillips, Hon. Jim Costa, Hon. Vicente Gonzalez, Hon. Brad Schneider, Hon. Ann Wagner, Hon. Adam Kinzinger, Hon. Brian Mast, Hon. Dan Meuser, Hon. Claudia Tenney, Hon. August Pfluger, Hon. Nicole Malliotakis, Hon. Peter Meijer
Your Subcommittee scheduled a virtual hearing on December 2nd with Mr. Rafal Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw, Mr. Gergely Karácsony, Mayor of Budapest, Mr. Zdenek Hrib, Mayor of Prague and Mr. Matúš Vallo, Mayor of Bratislava, titled: “Innovative Municipal Leadership in Central Europe: Founding Members of the Pact of Free Cities.”
To people even remotely connected to Central Europe the very name of the „Pact of Free Cites” inevitably brings back memories of the Free City of Danzing, and the role it played in starting WWII. The history was on display when the four mayors met in Berlin to seek financing. The Pact of Free Cities aims to bypass state governments and seek direct funding from European Union, founded in main part by Germany. The Pact describes itself as a group of cites that are “tolerant, open and environmentally aware”. We, Polish Americans feel entitled to outline Warsaw’s adherence to these three attributes under Mr. Trzaskowski’s administration.
But to talk about the city of Warsaw we must first remind its tragic 20th century history starting in 1939, the outbreak of WWII. At the very beginning of this six year war, the city was bombed by German planes and artillery which destroyed 25% of its infrastructure including famous landmarks like the Royal Castle that played no military role. Another 25% of Warsaw buildings were destroyed during the Warsaw uprising, during which time desperate Poles took to arms to liberate their city in 1944 when Germany’s fall was imminent. After defeating the Uprising the city was entirely depopulated by the German army and another 30% of its buildings burned and blown up, including additional historical landmarks like the Saxon palace. This was only possible due to the Soviets stopping their offensive. The war between Soviet Russia and Germany was fierce and brutal, but nevertheless the two sides managed to cooperate twice, once in 1939 when the Soviets invaded Poland while Warsaw was still fighting, and again in 1944, when Soviets stopped their offensive to allow Germany to defeat the Uprising and destroy the rest of the city. To this day Germany paid no reparations to Poland for the destruction of Warsaw and its inhabitants.
The tragic history of Warsaw is important because it shows the role that the Polish capital occupies for both Russia and Germany. After taking over in 1945 the Communists implemented a strict policy allowing only their most dedicated supporters to settle in Warsaw. Today, the offspring of these hard-line communists still populate Warsaw, and Mr. Trzaskowski’s rule in Warsaw is due to their support.
So what are Mr. Trzaskowski’s achievements under the „Frees Cities” alliance and vision?
First, as it relates to „tolerance and openness” the city tirelessly fights the massive annual march in celebration of regaining Polish Independence on November 11. The march was marred with provocations and incidents like German Antifa terrorists beating members of the Polish historic reconstruction group, destroying a TV car and burning the Russian embassy security post, and even secret police attacking peaceful marchers. However, starting in 2015 when the Law and Justice party took power, the march has been peaceful and attracts all kinds of participants, young and old, including veterans, workers, students and families with little children, proudly showing their love and dedication to Poland. The city under Mr. Trzaskowski persistently denies permits for these popular Independence Day marches in violation of universal right to assembly and free speech. By using the city government to stage an ideological war against people wanting to peacefully and happily celebrate Polish Independence Day, Mr Trzaskowski desecrates the memory of Polish patriots who sacrificed their lives for independent Poland.
Mr. Trzaskowski record on environment is equally bad. Under his watch there have been two major and numerous minor break-downs of Warsaw infrastructure, including the infamous „Czajka” sewage system failure that sent thousands of tons of untreated city waste down the Vistula river and required the city to ask for help from the Polish military.
Another of the priorities of the „Pact of Free Cities” is to implement so called Smart City technologies. Unfortunately, under Mr. Trzaskowski, Warsaw is yet to put street signs over intersections in Warsaw, or paint the city streets with fluorescent driving lines, so they are visible at night. These improvements may not be the cutting edge technology, nor very „innovative” as the title of the subcommittee conference states, but they would go long way towards helping Warsaw drivers, and making the city streets safer.
With these examples, it is obvious that Warsaw’s local government headed by Mr. Trzaskowski is neither tolerant, open nor environmentally friendly and we hope he will be challenged to answer for his failures during this conference.
We would like to point out to you that the interference in Poland’s democratic process is un-American and un-Democratic. The idea of turning metropolitan areas into ‘free zones” has no precedent in the history of western world, except for the tragic Free City of Danzing mentioned above. Why is this an issue for the American Congress? Aren’t we inviting Berlin or New York attempting the same – because they disagree with national elections!?
Sincerely,
Leszek Pawlik
President
Coalition of Polish Americans
SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake saved
CPA Letter to the Board of Trustees SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary
On October 10th, 2021, CPA issued a letter to the Board of Trustees SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary regarding our concern, disappointment and protest against their plans to close the operations of the Seminary.
Letter to Seminary Board
Open letter from the CPA to Americans of Polish descent and Poles in Poland and abroad
Information has appeared recently in a letter from the President of the Polish American Congress, Frank Spula, suggesting that the Coalition of Polish Americans is financed by donations from the Polish Government. I would like to state with emphasis that this information is false and misleading. Our organization is financed entirely by contributions and donations from its members and private donors and has never received funds from the budget of the Republic of Poland.
The Coalition of Polish Americans was established in September 2017 as a result of a grassroots initiative of a group of people involved in social activities, including members of the Polish American Congress. One of our goals is to integrate people and spheres of Polonia around the idea of political and cultural independence of Poland. We want the Polish American community to be involved in the defense of the Polish raison d’état, as it was in the past. This is especially important today in view of the increasing threats to the Polish State. Such understanding of our actions requires work on the propagation of historical truth as well as defense of the recent history of Poland and the Polish people through responding to attacks and falsifications.
Pursuing the above goals, in the last four years of its activity the Coalition has organized or co-organized four international scientific conferences dedicated to recent history, and published monographs and books from these conferences. One of these conferences, “Poland First to Fight” took place in November 2019 at the prestigious National Press Club in Washington.
In February 2021, we decided to organize another international conference entitled “Emigration of martial law – its reasons, nature and significance for Poland from the perspective of 40 years” at the John Paul II Polish Center in Clearwater, FL, to be held on October 15-17, 2021. As always, the Polish American Congress is among the invited people and organizations.
The Coalition of Polish Americans since its inception adopted the principle of cooperation and avoiding any conflicts with the Polish American Congress, which deserves great esteem for its many important achievements for Polonia. We still intend to build good relations with Polish American Congress and other Polish American organizations. We also hope that our spirit of respect and cooperation will be noted and reciprocated.
Stanislaw Sliwowski
President
Coalition of Polish Americans