gauche
27.02.05, 14:19
Revelers across ex-communist eastern Europe celebrated their historic entry
to the European Union on Saturday amid scattered protests by demonstrators
decrying a loss of national sovereignty.
In Poland, President Aleksander Kwasniewski repeatedly wiped tears from his
eyes as an orchestra played the national and EU anthems before breakfast for
2,000 guests in the gardens of Warsaw
But not everyone was celebrating.
About 1,200 Poles participated in a demonstration organized by a nationalist
party which contends the country has forfeited its sovereignty by joining the
EU.
"You have served the Soviets and now you will serve Brussels," party leader
Roman Giertych said in a mock address to the president, referring to the
Belgian location of EU headquarters.
