-Caveat Lector- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/"> </A> -Cui Bono?- E. Europe Leaders Vow United Region By Magdalena Kulig Associated Press Writer Sunday, March 12, 2000; 12:30 PM GNIEZNO, Poland –– On the 1,000th anniversary of a meeting that affirmed the first independent Polish state, presidents from central and eastern Europe expressed their desire to build a united Europe without xenophobia or intolerance. The leaders of Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Lithuania attended at the invitation of Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski and the country's influential Roman Catholic Church. "We, the presidents of the five states, solemnly confirm our deep attachment to the common roots of European civilization," they said in a joint statement Kwasniewski read in front of hundreds of people outside the Gothic double-towered Gniezno Cathedral. Czech President Vaclav Havel was forced to stay home, suffering from bronchitis. Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma also canceled because of a weekend coal mine explosion that killed 81 miners. The leaders attending the event pledged respect for "tolerance, peace and international solidarity," and appealed "to the nations of Europe to consistently and adamantly oppose all manifestations of hatred, xenophobia, racism, aggressive nationalism and extremism." They also stressed that the present good relations among their nations proved that "bad and tragic pages of our common history can be overcome if there exists a will to act in the spirit of reconciliation, partnership and good neighborliness." Later Sunday, during a one-hour television debate, they shared their concern about the growing skepticism toward European integration that has replaced early enthusiasm on both sides of the vanished Iron Curtain. Part of the debate focused on the inclusion of a far-right party in Austria's government. "The European Union is a community of values, it is not only a common market," said German President Johannes Rau, explaining the EU's decision to impose sanctions on Austria's new government. Hungarian President Arpad Goencz said all European nations have to be able to face their past, because "what happened in Austria can be repeated elsewhere" without honest reflection about history. Earlier, the presidents, along with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano and regional church leaders, took part in an ecumenical service. The meeting commemorates the Gniezno Congress of the year 1000, which brought together Germany's emperor, papal envoys and their host, King Boleslaw I Chrobry – the man who first united a group of Slavonic tribes into the Polish nation. The European leaders gathered at the grave of St. Adalbert, an early advocate of European unity who traveled through the region as a missionary. St. Adalbert, who is also known by his Polish name, St. Wojciech, was killed by pagans in Gdansk and buried by King Boleslaw in Gniezno, Poland's first capital. In 1000, German Emperor Otto III came to Gniezno to pray at the shrine and meet with Boleslaw. Under Otto's agreement, an independent Polish church was set up and given the right to turn directly to Rome for protection, shielding it from German influence. In 1997, presidents of the seven central and eastern European nations joined Polish-born Pope John Paul II in Gniezno to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of St. Adalbert's death. © 2000 The Associated Press <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soap-boxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
