We are against insulting the uniform of a Polish soldier. We consider the behavior of the leader of the largest opposition group, who is mixing the apolitical Polish army into the election campaign, as reprehensible – wrote the World Association of Home Army Soldiers, citing the words of Donald Tusk.
The head of the Ministry of National Defense, Marusz Błaszczak, wrote on the X platform on Thursday:
Scandal! Yesterday in Polsat, Tusk called the soldiers of the Territorial Armed Forces paramilitary! Among other things, he insults soldiers who help. when defending the border, fighting the pandemic, the consequences of floods or searching for missing people. This is further proof that if Tusk’s team returns to power, it will liquidate the Territorial Defense Forces! Let’s not let this happen!
Position of the World Association of Home Army Soldiers
The World Association of Home Army Soldiers commented on the issue on Friday.
In connection with the shameful statement of one of the leading politicians in the program +Guest of Events+, broadcast on October 11 this year by a very popular national television channel, in which the Territorial Defense Forces were called paramilitary, we express our highest opinion in indignation and defiance against insulting the uniform of the Polish soldier. We consider the behavior of the leader of the largest opposition group, who is involving the apolitical Polish army in the election campaign, to be reprehensible.
– the union wrote in a statement to PAP.
The World Association of Home Army Soldiers emphasized that WOT soldiers have been involved in supporting veterans since the beginning of the formation.
We can count on their help, both as an organization and as individuals. The Territorial Defense Forces are not only a helpful arm for veterans, but for society as a whole. They carry out the tasks entrusted to them with great commitment and dedication to the cause. We have seen this both during the difficult time of the pandemic and now, when they, together with border guards, guard the borders of our homeland shoulder to shoulder.
– they pointed out.
We emphasize that the Territorials, under the agreement between the global Association of Home Army Soldiers and the Command of the Territorial Armed Forces, are the constant guardians of the memory of the heroes of the Polish Underground State. We are grateful to them for conscientiously fulfilling their promise to the Veterans five years ago. We call on all parties in the political discourse to behave with dignity during the election campaign and to reject the language of hate.
– appeal lodged against the members of the association.
On Tuesday, President Andrzej Duda appointed Lieutenant General Wiesław Kukuła as Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Army. Previously, Kukuła was dismissed from the post of general commander of the armed forces. Wiesław Kukuła was the creator and first commander of the Territorial Armed Forces. In turn, Major General Maciej Klisz was appointed Operational Commander of the Armed Forces by the President. Therefore, the president dismissed him from the post of commander of the territorial forces.
The head of the PO said on Wednesday in Polsat News that “the generals are surprised that those who should rule the entire army come from the WOT.” The PO leader quoted the words of General Waldemar Skrzypczak, former commander of the Army, who said on TOK FM on Wednesday that he “wouldn’t really want these decisions to be based on the fear of using the army against Poland.” in the event that the elections do not go well.” according to the wishes of those currently in power in Poland.
Later in the program, Tusk was asked about Generals Kukuła and Klisz’s criticism of their careers in WOT.
This is a concern for anyone who knows how WOT came about. And this worries everyone who knows how much of a mark Macierewicz left on these operations
– he answered. In his opinion, “no one in Poland has done as much damage to the country’s security and (…) defense over the past forty years as Antonia Macierewicz, so this concern is understandable.”
kk/PAP
Source: wPolityce