ROME - Anna Maria Anders, the daughter of General Wladyslaw Anders, commander of the Polish Second Corps in World War 2, this week visited Albaneta, on the plateau of Monte Cassino, where thousands of Polish soldiers fought under the command of her father, while in Poland a controversial 'Santa's village' at the battlefield site has set off a furore.

Poland continues to intervene due to the Christmas 'violation' of Monte Cassino. According to the Polish embassy, the memorial place is damaged and the 'Santa village' blocks access to some parts of the cemetery. Among them is the monument commemorating the 4^th Armoured Regiment "Scorpion" and 5th Kresowa Infantry Division.

The diplomatic and consular service of the Republic of Poland in Rome has contacted the Abbey of Monte Cassino and other interested institutions to protest against the 'Santa's village.'

Also, the politicians in Poland are strongly moved by this case. Among those appealing to the Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry to take action on the situation at Monte Cassino

are politicians from PO party such as the Minister of National Defence Tomasz Siemoniak and Ms Joanna Fabisiak

At a press conference in Parliament in Warsaw Siemoniak emphasized that the battle of Monte Cassino is one of the most important battles in the history of the Polish army. He recalled that at Monte Cassino in recent years a great financial effort restored the local cemetery, and last year - the 70th anniversary of the battle - there was a ceremony attended by representatives of the Polish authorities, soldiers and scouts.

"Therefore, the information that reached us recently about various projects undermines the sacred nature of this cemetery has raised our highest concern. We decided to appeal to the Foreign Ministry, Defence Ministry, the Council for the Protection of Struggle Martyrdom for urgent action to protect this sacred place for Poles," said Siemoniak

On Wednesday together with the architect Peter Rogacien, director of the Memorial Museum of the 2nd Polish Corps, the village of Montecassino was visited by Ms Anders. Nearby, in the monumental cemetery rests her father General Anders who died in 1970 and wanted to be buried in the cemetery at Monte Cassino with his men.

"I saw evident disbelief in her face” - the architect said - ”because of the bad taste of the initiative. The obelisk that indicates the monuments surrounded by garlands of Christmas is the worst of what we could seen."

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