Poland is keen to reopen the topic of reparations it believes it is owed by Germany for the atrocities committed by its neighbor in World War II, but Germany is trying to bury the conversation, according to Poland’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Arkadiusz Mularczyk.
Speaking to Polish broadcaster TVP, the deputy minister said that Poland was anxious to hold a debate at the international level regarding compensation not only for Poland but also other countries that suffered damage during World War II but have failed to benefit from reparations due to the post-war division of Europe by the Iron Curtain.
Diplomatic notes issued by Poland to 50 countries explain what lies behind Poland’s official claim for compensation from Germany. It refers to the report on war damages Poland issued in September of this year, which fully detailed the damage caused by the German invasion and occupation of Poland during the war. It is now up to Polish ambassadors in these countries to further inform the relevant parties about Poland’s reparations claim.
Mularczyk reminded viewers that Poland received no compensation, that Germany has treated different nationalities unequally with regard to compensation, and that there is no judicial process for the victims to make any claims.
He feels that Germany must be made to feel some pressure on this issue, as he believes “that it is trying to protect itself and keep the public from knowing” about this case. Mularczyk added that there is no debate or discussion about Poland’s case in Germany itself.
Asked about the objective of issuing the diplomatic notes to 50 countries, Mularczyk said that it was to emphasize that this is a serious claim and not some internal political exercise aimed at voters in the coming election year. He also felt that there was a need to work systematically on the issue to break down the lack of faith that this matter can be resolved.
Poland’s deputy foreign minister added that the pressure of international and public opinion can make Germany sit down and negotiate to reach a solution.
