After the Nazis and the Soviets: Germany, Czech Rep., & Poland Today Presenters: Don Samford, Dennis and Judy Triggs
All 3 of these countries greatly impacted by their history and especially the period 1933-1990. For Eastern European Countries under Soviet occupation their recovery from the devastation of WW2 doesn t really begin until 1990 and still not caught up to Western Europe. As they reminded us, We didn t have the Marshall Plan to help us!!!
National Movement to Atone for WW2. A shame that is evident. Just recently began extensive displays of German flag. Only recent years teach WW2 in schools. U.S. Embassy emphasized a special relationship between U.S. and Germany.
Germany Berlin,Leipzig,Dresden 32,000 U.S. troops remain in Germany. Especially in South Germany hear, miss contact and influence of American families. Crisis: What does Germany (Angela Merkel) think? Refugee Crisis #1 issue. 1 out of 80 people are refugee newcomers. Turkish Worker Program: No Citizenship
Older generations recognizes importance of U.S. Younger generation questions whether Germans and Americans still have same values. German view of Americans is they are giving away their rights and privacy to gov t. and big corporations. Putin s rise in Russia has renewed belief in NATO. German gov t. more patient than U.S.
Agreement end of WW2: No German troops in a foreign country. Since 1990 only 20% intermarriage between East/West Germans. Still a feeling of Easties and Westies. Brexit worries Germany who does not want to be seen as taking the lead.
Czech Republic Prague Czech s seem to have moved on from German History and in particular WW2. Russia is another matter: some say can never trust, others more pragmatic about trade and business. Feel they have alternative energy routes, they do not worry about Russian cutoff.
U.S. Commanders give high praise for Czech military in Afghanistan. Czech s have troops worldwide to help keep peace. Great commitment to security and peace. TTIP completely onboard. TTIP brings one standard. U.S. Chamber of Commerce strong influence.
Since Velvet Revolution very active around globe in freedom movement. (Cuba they are very unpopular) Radio Free Europe - really want located in Prague. Only unreformed Communist Party in Europe. 3rd largest, 12-15% of vote and growing. Older remember social benefits and full employment. Younger don t know about living under old system but like message of egalitarianism.
Refugees: Don t agree with EU quota system, but accepted assigned #. Argument: open borders, how do you make them stay? Difficult for foreigner to be accepted by Czechs and difficult language to learn. Lot of public opposition to permanent resettlement. Language, Beer, and White is how one diplomat explains it.
Poland Krakow and Warsaw Close ties between Poland and U.S. Russia incursion to Ukraine has increased importance of NATO and Poland security. Poland: permanent bases U.S.- RDF NATO forces joint Anaconda exercise in Poland June 2016 NATO Summit in Warsaw July 2016. Visual cue East Europe countries are equals.
Business relationships strong & growing Poland one of largest recipients of EU support money. Gov t spent wisely on infrastructure. 40% Poles feel left behind economically. Current ruling party increased social programs. Concern next year they will bust the budget. Issue ruling party control public media.
Poland has a tendency to blame Russia for everything. Always thinking they are up to something. Refugee Crisis: Poland is a very homogenous society after WW2, taking in refugees is a very big deal. Refugee quota came and immediately left for Germany. Young Poles are a big group of emigrants to other EU countries looking for better jobs.
Education: system is more rote and needs to become more creative and innovative. Current degrees do not necessarily meet need of businesses. Soviet period 7% higher education, now about 51% college. Students want to learn. Fall of Soviet Union caused a new way to view things: Police, employment, taxes. Nationalism rising: argue who is a real Pole.
WW2 is still a very raw subject. Poles still very defensive & see themselves as victims. Poland feels (rightly) they were abandoned first to the Nazis and then the Russians (Soviets).