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| Polish President is "detained" in Canada |
| 2004-01-30 |
| This is from Al Kamen’s "In The Loop" column deep inside section A of the Washington Post...required reading for Washington insiders and political junkies. We warned Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski on Wednesday that he’d pay a price for violating the sacred rules of Oval Office photo ops — namely, all pablum and smiles, no substance. Kwasniewski got seriously into President Bush’s face during their little get-together Tuesday, interrupting and visibly annoying Bush with demands that Polish visitors be allowed to come here without visas, just as other Europeans, even those who opposed the Iraq war, are able to do. Poland sent 2,500 troops to Iraq, hoping for inclusion in the visa waiver program. Bush, with the cameras rolling, smiled, ducked, weaved and finally wandered off into touting his guest worker proposal — which of course has nothing to do with visa waivers. The much-loathed visa requirements are a big deal in Poland, forcing long lines and making Polish travelers feel like second-class Europeans. So Bush offered to treat them like first-class Mexicans and Central Americans. Ouch. Kwasniewski headed home empty-handed after the meeting, and promptly got detained by Canadian authorities when a snowstorm forced his plane to divert from Gander to St. John’s, Newfoundland. "We saw what it feels like when an unexpected guest arrives who in the beginning is treated as a potential illegal immigrant. And this is how we were treated," Kwasniewski good-naturedly told reporters at a news conference Wednesday, according to a Reuters account. "The passengers from my plane were held in a place where we could not leave," he said. "It all took about three hours." "Security, we have a Things got better, he said, after some Polish sailors saw him and began asking for autographs, so it was clear he was famous. "Cancel that; he is the president of Poland. My bad." The U.S. ambassador to Poland, Christopher R. Hill, was on the plane, and Kwasniewski quoted him as saying: "I hope you won’t be so upset about U.S. visa rules, now that you’ve seen how it is in Canada." Canadian officials, meanwhile, say the group was not detained, but put in a transit lounge. Poland is sending their sons and daughters in harm’s way, and taking a stand for freedom. Not whining and snarking from the sidelines. Surely the U.S. could do a bit better in the "thank you" department. |
| Posted by:seafarious |
| #9 Maybe State is still ticked about all those refugees that came over in the 40s and 50s during that bit of "Communist Unpleasantness"? |
| Posted by: Pappy 2004-1-30 10:15:56 PM |
| #8 Ah .com, we built the Friendship Fence with uh, snow. It seems to works real great on |
| Posted by: john 2004-1-30 3:30:28 PM |
| #7 What is the problem here? We should allow Polish people into the US without a VISA. The Poles are real allies and their actions speek much louder than many of the words of some of our old Europe "allies." |
| Posted by: CanaveralDan 2004-1-30 3:16:45 PM |
| #6 But we're talking about tourist visas, for short term stays. Long term visas are a different story and almost every country in the world has them (which I agree with). The two examples that I gave, both friends applied for a tourist visa, and for some reason were given visas valid for 10 years (multiple entry, maximum stay at any one time is 6 months). The usual length I think is 3 months (single entry) extendable to 6 months with approval. It's true that most people who stay for 6 months are probably working illegaly, if they're not studying. So there are people who abuse the system. My guess though, is that visa applications are a lucrative business, so the visas won't be lifted anytime soon. |
| Posted by: Rafael 2004-1-30 1:34:53 PM |
| #5 So they give out passports in Cracker Jacks boxes and detain the Prez of Poland... So how're we doing on that northern Friendship Fence, anyway? |
| Posted by: .com 2004-1-30 1:31:12 PM |
| #4 Rafael, we've always taken people with good jobs. I'm not surprised. And what's wrong w/being financially able to support yourself when you want to come to another country? We have enough domestic and international leeches. |
| Posted by: Anonymous2U 2004-1-30 1:10:08 PM |
| #3 Do I need a Visa to go to Poland? No you don't. This was a big deal for Kwasniewski as he promised on TV that after this visit the visa requirement will be lifted. The problem is, the visa process seems totally random. Some get it, others don't. Two of my friends applied in Poland and received visas valid for 10 years (one was pre-9/11, the other post-9/11). What irks most people is the cost of rejection (applying), something like $160US. With my vast experience in applying for visas, I can conclude that if you are rich and have a good job, then you will get the visa. BTW, that Newfoundland incident was hilarious. |
| Posted by: Rafael 2004-1-30 12:49:50 PM |
| #2 Do I need a Visa to go to Poland? But sounds like it's a real bugger for the Polish. |
| Posted by: Lucky 2004-1-30 12:13:44 PM |
| #1 Sounds easier to get a visa in Saudi Arabia than in Poland. Good work, Foggy Bottom. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2004-1-30 11:59:30 AM |