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Poland closes embassy in Syria , evacuated its diplomats

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Poland has closed its embassy in Syria and evacuated its diplomats because of the deteriorating security situation in Damascus. The embassy had also representing U.S. interests in the country in recent months.

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski said he took the decision out of concern for the security of the embassy’s staff, who have already left Syria.

“The decision was taken due to the dramatically worsening crisis in Syria, which has led to the deterioration of security and has made it impossible for Polish diplomats to carry out their duties,” Sikorski told a news conference in Warsaw.

U.S. Ambassador to Poland Lee Feinstein expressed thanks to the “government and the people of Poland for their act of friendship and solidarity” in having represented Washington in Damascus since Feb. 6.

“The brave Polish diplomats who served in the U.S. Interests Section helped keep U.S. citizens safe during a dangerous and difficult time,” Feinstein said in a statement. “For this we owe Poland a debt of gratitude.”

Sikorski said the embassy will reopen as soon as security conditions allow it.

Many countries closed their embassies in Damascus months ago, protesting the Assad regime’s brutal crackdown on protests and citing security concerns. The United States was among the first, pulling out its ambassador in February. Canada and several European nations followed in March, as did Turkey, once a key ally of Syria. Among Arab nations, Qatar was the first, closing its embassy in July 2011, followed by Saudi Arabia and Bahrain this year.

Huffington Post

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7 responses to “Poland closes embassy in Syria , evacuated its diplomats”

  1. 5thDrawer Avatar
    5thDrawer

    Ran out of vodka ….

    1. baron_de_bellem Avatar
      baron_de_bellem

      It pains me to read such a stupid comment from the person whose opinion I really appreciate. I come from Poland and I read this site every day for last 4-5 years. I could watch transition of my country from dark communism times with empty shelves in shops and russian military bases to the EU and NATO member with a strong economy, and I had never any doubts that it was the right way. I know that the western democracy is not perfect, I don’t like the US and dirty politics games but if someone believes that Russians or Chineses have something better to offer he is very naive. The current situation in Syria is for me personally a total disaster of international institutions and a defeat of humanism in general. Do you think it makes me difference that killed people are muslims? The right answer is NO. I’ve tried to help with a visa for my friends in Damascus but I lost contact with them last week and now I know that they couldn’t get any documents from my country embassy. Sometimes I think that the main problem with understanding between different cultures comes out of ignorance and complete lack of information about other nations. I’m trying to explain to my friends and family what is going about in the ME and that we really resemble each other. I’d like to visit Lebanon, Syria and Jordan as soon as it possible and secure. I know that I could meet there a lot of fantastic people. And vice versa.
      I hope you think twice before you’ll repeat next times such stereotypes.

      1. 5thDrawer Avatar
        5thDrawer

        Sorry Baron of Bellem. I didn’t know I was read so well.
        I was really taking a shot at the Russians, who’s base is supplying Assad. Perhaps the Poles in Syria  don’t import from there ….
        Trying to rescue friends is a long and sometimes sad road with a bad end. And yes, there ARE many similarities – between people who strive for the freedom to live life well. Your road under communism was not easy I know – especially after helping The Allies in WWII, then being left to Stalin’s Russia.
        AND …
        Actually I rather enjoyed the wonderful fruit flavours of the Polish Vodkas – although I must say the one with ‘pepper’ was a little much – too many ‘toasts’ of that one. 🙂
        Feinstein was right to praise your embassy staff. And I’ll raise a scotch to them. 🙂

      2. 5thDrawer Avatar
        5thDrawer

        Sorry Baron of Bellem. I didn’t know I was read so well.
        I was really taking a shot at the Russians, who’s base is supplying Assad. Perhaps the Poles in Syria  don’t import from there ….
        Trying to rescue friends is a long and sometimes sad road with a bad end. And yes, there ARE many similarities – between people who strive for the freedom to live life well. Your road under communism was not easy I know – especially after helping The Allies in WWII, then being left to Stalin’s Russia.
        AND …
        Actually I rather enjoyed the wonderful fruit flavours of the Polish Vodkas – although I must say the one with ‘pepper’ was a little much – too many ‘toasts’ of that one. 🙂
        Feinstein was right to praise your embassy staff. And I’ll raise a scotch to them. 🙂

  2. 5thDrawer Avatar
    5thDrawer

    Ran out of vodka ….

    1. baron_de_bellem Avatar
      baron_de_bellem

      It pains me to read such a stupid comment from the person whose opinion I really appreciate. I come from Poland and I read this site every day for last 4-5 years. I could watch transition of my country from dark communism times with empty shelves in shops and russian military bases to the EU and NATO member with a strong economy, and I had never any doubts that it was the right way. I know that the western democracy is not perfect, I don’t like the US and dirty politics games but if someone believes that Russians or Chineses have something better to offer he is very naive. The current situation in Syria is for me personally a total disaster of international institutions and a defeat of humanism in general. Do you think it makes me difference that killed people are muslims? The right answer is NO. I’ve tried to help with a visa for my friends in Damascus but I lost contact with them last week and now I know that they couldn’t get any documents from my country embassy. Sometimes I think that the main problem with understanding between different cultures comes out of ignorance and complete lack of information about other nations. I’m trying to explain to my friends and family what is going about in the ME and that we really resemble each other. I’d like to visit Lebanon, Syria and Jordan as soon as it possible and secure. I know that I could meet there a lot of fantastic people. And vice versa.
      I hope you think twice before you’ll repeat next times such stereotypes.

      1. 5thDrawer Avatar
        5thDrawer

        Sorry Baron of Bellem. I didn’t know I was read so well.
        I was really taking a shot at the Russians, who’s base is supplying Assad. Perhaps the Poles in Syria  don’t import from there ….
        Trying to rescue friends is a long and sometimes sad road with a bad end. And yes, there ARE many similarities – between people who strive for the freedom to live life well. Your road under communism was not easy I know – especially after helping The Allies in WWII, then being left to Stalin’s Russia.
        AND …
        Actually I rather enjoyed the wonderful fruit flavours of the Polish Vodkas – although I must say the one with ‘pepper’ was a little much – too many ‘toasts’ of that one. 🙂
        Feinstein was right to praise your embassy staff. And I’ll raise a scotch to them. 🙂

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