Call for Warsaw uprising apology

Veterans are centre-stage at three days of ceremonies

An apology from the British for not doing enough to help the 1944 Warsaw uprising would be welcomed by Poland, its prime minister has said.

Marek Belka told the BBC's Today Programme it was time the allies acknowledged history and possibly apologised for their failure to act.

But UK Europe Minister Denis MacShane said he doubted that would be appropriate.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is in Warsaw to mark the 60th anniversary of the uprising against the Nazis.

During nine weeks, about 200,000 Poles were slaughtered by German occupying forces and the city was left in ruins when Soviet troops on the outskirts of the city held back.

This would be a very good gesture that would be appreciated by the Polish people Marek Belka Polish Prime Minister

Soviet leader Joseph Stalin ordered the Red Army to stay out of the fighting because he did not want the Resistance to lay the foundations of an independent post-war Poland.

Many Poles feel Britain also bears some responsibility for the uprising's failure.

It refused to airlift in Polish troops who had taken refuge in the UK and wanted to join their countrymen's struggle.

On the second day of three days of commemorations, Mr Belka said: "Maybe we should start with recognition for the very fact that the uprising in Warsaw was a huge effort of Polish people suffering under the Nazi occupation.

"Let's start with the recognition, and then we can follow with some sort of apology.

I am never quite sure about governments apologising and saying sorry Denis MacShane Europe Minister

"I don't know if 'apology' is the right word, but we should put the history straight.

"This would be a very good gesture that would be appreciated not only by the soldiers of the Warsaw Uprising - the very few that are still alive - but also by the Polish people.

But Europe Minister Denis MacShane, whose own father was among the Polish commandos unable to fly to the aid of the Polish resistance, said he was "not quite sure" an apology would be appropriate.

More recognition was needed for the uprising, the "greatest act of resistance of any occupied country", he said, but added: "I am never quite sure about governments apologising and saying sorry."

He said the UK should build on its close relationship with Poland, which joined the European Union in May.

The weekend's commemorations will also be attended by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and US Secretary of State Colin Powell.