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You are here: Home News European News Poland blasts EU communism downfall video

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19/05/2009Poland blasts EU communism downfall video

Poland complains of mistakes in the European Commission video and said its role has been downplayed.

Brussels – Poland blasted Monday a European Commission video to mark the 20th anniversary of the collapse of communism, saying its role had been downplayed and complaining of factual errors.

The film entitled "1989-2009: 20 years of Liberty", which was sent to EU-member states to review, was meant to document the main events following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

In a letter published on his website, Poland's EU Ambassador Jan Tombinski complained of "omissions, shortcuts, obvious mistakes, unfortunate use of materials – the list is long".

In particular, he attacked the lack of footage of "world-known legends of the biggest anticommunist freedom movement in Poland, including John Paul II", and the heavy use of archived material.

Tombinski also urged the EC to make changes to the video.

Poland played a key role in the fall of the Iron Curtain through its Solidarity trade union group that led the country's opposition before the collapse of the communist regime.

Commission spokesman, Joseph Hennon, admitted the film contained certain flaws and promised to make changes.

"If there is something which is inaccurate... it will certainly be taken out," he said.

But a spokesman for Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, tried to downplay the controversy.

"This is not an historical document. This is a very short, artistic contribution ... among others to the celebration of the 20th anniversary," said Johannes Laitenberger.

AFP / Expatica


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