According to a report, Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) violated a non-disclosure request from Poland. In an interview, she made the offer to station German Patriot units in Poland public, although it had been agreed otherwise.
Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) violated a non-disclosure request from Warsaw regarding a possible stationing of German Patriot units in Poland. According to information from BILD am SONNTAG, the Polish Ministry of Defense had urged the Federal Ministry of Defense (BMVg) to keep the offer secret. Piotr Pacholski from the Warsaw Ministry of Defense informed the political director of the BMVg, Jasper Wieck, by e-mail on Friday, November 18, 2022: “Your offer will be examined very carefully by us.” The first feedback will probably be given on Monday. “At the same time, we would like to ask and recommend that you refrain from disclosing information.”
On Friday afternoon, Wieck forwarded this reaction to the minister’s entire environment (including spokesman, head of management staff, adjutant, deputy inspector general). The day before, Wieck had already informed the same group of recipients that he had made the previously unknown Patriot offer to the Polish side. Because the relationship with Poland is tense, Wieck added: “Ensure that the Federal Minister is informed.”
Despite the request for secrecy from Poland, Lambrecht made the offer of the Patriot deployment public in an interview with the “Rheinische Post” on Monday, November 21, 2002. It was not until Monday afternoon that the minister personally telephoned her Polish counterpart, Mariusz Błaszczak.
There has been harsh criticism of the minister’s conduct of office and her handling of confidential negotiations on military cooperation. FDP defense expert Marcus Faber told BILD am SONNTAG: “We have to communicate respectfully with NATO partners like Poland. I recommend that the minister not divulge any information in interviews that allies do not yet want to be published in the press. Otherwise, the foundations of trusting cooperation will be destroyed.” Numerous soldiers in the Ministry of Defense who are familiar with the process are also appalled. A military from the BMVg said to BamS: “That was unprofessional and irresponsible. This is not how you should treat NATO allies. That damages Germany and the Bundeswehr.”
