Proposal would launch state talks with Poland over Jewish property The cabinet is to discuss a proposal to open direct negotiations with Poland regarding the restoration of Jewish property to the heirs of Polish Jews. Israel has never conducted direct negotiations with a foreign government for this purpose, but rather has left the task to umbrella organizations like the Claims Conference. www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/838713.html

Polish intelligentsia face post-communist vetting By Chris Johnson, Reuters www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/13/AR2007031300253.html [I never saw this in the printed edition - TM]

New Law in Poland Aims to Oust Officials Who Aided Secret Police (Reuters) www.nytimes.com/2007/03/16/world/europe/16poland.html

Poland: the law on mass outing of former communist spies comes into power; will there be innocent victims? www.axisglobe.com/article.asp?article=1251 [Last article on the page]

Poland widens hunt for ex-spies A controversial law has come into force in Poland which requires up to 700,000 people to confess if they informed for the communist-era secret police. news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6456005.stm

Poland agrees to sign EU declaration meant to revive enthusiasm for bloc www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/03/18/europe/EU-GEN-Poland-Germany.php

Fringes tugging at Central Europe Discontent reigns as Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia struggle with their post-communist transformation By Tom Hundley, Tribune Foreign correspondent www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0703180180mar18,1,6705319.story [This link must end with .story on the same line as http]

U.S. ally fears price for loyalty Poland says being host to an antimissile shield would expose it to attacks and require it to modernize its military. www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-missile16mar16,1,7570292.story

Merkel, in Poland, seeks to bridge gap www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/16/news/poland.php

Merkel on a mission to Hel and back By Harry de Quetteville in Hel www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/17/wgerm17.xml

Merkel lobbies Poles on EU treaty Chancellor Angela Merkel has called on Poland to back Germany's efforts to get an EU constitution adopted by 2009. news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6457507.stm

[From the Chinese neighborhood of the global village:] Polish, German leaders Germany want better relations english.peopledaily.com.cn/200703/17/eng20070317_358434.html

Can Germany and Poland Be Friends? www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,471777,00.html

War refugees reparation row confronts Merkel By Harry de Quetteville in Lidzbark Warminski and Hannah Cleaver in Berlin www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/16/wpole16.xml

Analysis: Polish trip no walk on the beach for Merkel The Berlin Correspondent of The Times says Angela Merkel will need more than just personal charm if she is to smooth over differences on a visit to Poland www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1525682.ece

World Jewish Congress Dismisses Leader www.nytimes.com/2007/03/16/us/16jewish.html [Israel Singer was the one who said that if Poland did not compensate Jewish lost property at 100%, it would be "humiliated on the world stage."]

Steinbach in New Row Germany's Social Democrats (SPD), liberals (FDP) and Green party have demanded that Steinbach apologize to the Polish government. The Christian Democrats (CDU), the party to which Steinbach belongs, have said her statement was "inappropriate." www.warsawvoice.pl/view/14198

Who's to Blame for Russia? By Fred Hiatt, Editorial Page editor www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/11/AR2007031101047.html

Russia: Why Putin Is Going To The Vatican www.rferl.com/featuresarticle/2007/03/80e63321-70e4-4cab-bac6-201419c4ab8e.html

Merkel sharpens tone on U.S. missile shield www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/13/news/germany.php

Germany cautions U.S. not to split Europe with shield By Noah Barkin, Reuters www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/17/AR2007031700559.html

How Poland is struggling to plug the leaks It is impossible to find a good plumber in Poland, apparently - because they have all moved to Britain. www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=441843

Poland and Israel share more than just a painful history Modern Relations Flourish and so do Investments By Tad Taube www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_5358570

Irena Sendler was honored by the Polish parliament for her activities in saving Jewish children from the Holocaust. news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6448603.stm www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/15/npole15.xml www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6480374,00.html www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-nobel-peace-poland.html

I'm no hero, says woman who saved 2,500 ghetto children · Poland puts 97-year-old forward for Nobel prize www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2034132,00.html

Poland to Mark Little-Known Nazi Camp www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/15/AR2007031501026.html

EU at 50 unsure what to be when it grows up By Paul Taylor, European Affairs Editor, Reuters www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/15/AR2007031500692.html

Why Google put a research lab in Poland Western technology firms are increasingly seeking talent in Eastern Europe. www.csmonitor.com/2007/0313/p01s04-woeu.html

Lace Thongs a Hot Topic in Poland By RYAN LUCAS, AP www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/16/AR2007031601336.html [This is an old story, having first appeared some 2 years ago. Must be a slow news week]