European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 28, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse Over he Rev. A " i a an american Soldier uses sign language to communicate with a polish Soldier playing the role of a refugee during the exercise. Army maj. Thomas c. Kun Jasiewkz who acted As an interpreter gets a Farewell kiss from polish government worker Anna Klis. Is photos by Dave Casey cooperative Bridge 94 nato and former foes engage in getting to know you exercise by Jon Connor staff writer perhaps the most significant aspect of the recent peacekeeping exercise involving 13 former Warsaw pact and nato members in Poland was the Opportunity for one time enemies to get to know one another. For Many years after world War ii each Side viewed the other with suspicion and a dislike common to political and. Potentially War time adversaries. Before we came Here the opinions of the polish army and the former Warsaw pact countries were not so High among my soldiers said 2nd it. Jeremy Nathan a platoon Leader and one of 100 . Soldiers from 1 St army div s co a 3rd in 5th Civ regt from Kirch cons Germany who participated in cooperative Bridge 94. Now they realize they Are soldiers who Are quite capable and quite human top. I m sharing a room with polish 1st it. Baric Strozyk Nathan said during the exercise. His wife is pregnant and is expecting in one month s time. But she might deliver Early and he is on the phone to her twice a day.". And Strozyk s assessment of americans the american soldiers Are very noisy very talkative a Little bit crazy he said smiling. The exercise with a total of 900 soldiers was historic because it was the first under the partnership for peace wednesday september 28,1994 the stars and stripes program. More Are planned. The purpose is to train with recently signed partner nations with the idea of someday allowing them to join nato. So far 22 nations have signed up in the partnership for peace including Russia. A during the five Day exercise earlier this month soldiers from from the United states Germany Britain Denmark Italy and the Netherlands All nato countries and from Poland Bulgaria the czech Republic Slovakia Lithuania Romania and Ukraine trained together in the Small town of bied Ruski nine Miles North of Poznan they practice peacekeeping tasks like escorting food convoys dealing with refugees and changing guard at observation posts. Forty one year old polish capt Andrzej Faldasz who provided instruction on escorting refugees is hoping his country will eventually become a nato member. He said the end of communism has not yet brought the hoped for increase in Freedom. The Way he sees it the Catholic Church has filled the Power vacuum left by communists. It s just a different color he said. Neither has it resulted in immediate economic growth or feeling of Security. If we do this if we manage to finish this if Poland can be allowed to join nato it will be better for us Faldasz said. For staff sgt. Slaw mix Gogolewski an Illinois National guardsman who assisted in coordinating operations with continued on Page 24 23 v
