Are Poles afraid of Easter terrorist attacks?

According to the latest public opinion poll, as many as eighty seven percent of Poles fear their country could suffer a terrorist attack due to the presence of Polish troops in Iraq. As Michal Kubicki reports from Warsaw this does not go hand in hand with the level of public awareness and the security measures which are being taken.

The Warsaw underground is seen as one of the potential targets for terrorist attacks. The passengers are asked to report all instances of suspicious behaviour, bags left unattended and other signs of potential threat. This student of the Warsaw School of Economics explained to me why she's scared of terrorist attacks:

"Because it's a big problem in Warsaw and because our safety regulations are not so good, I think. I'm afraid, and many people are afraid of terrorist attacks in Warsaw."

According to recent reports quoting alleged al Qaeda documents, Poland has been targeted by the group over its support for the US-led operation in Iraq and the presence of its troops there. Small wonder that the current level of the fear factor is up 16 percent as compared to a similar poll three months ago. Yet, being at the forefront of the terrorist threat is something entirely new for Poles. Matthew Day of Poland Monthly:

"Poland since the Second World War has had quite a peaceful existence. And now to find itself at the focus of a terrorist threat is something quite new to them. I'm from the U.K. We've had a terrorist problem for the last 30 odd years with the IRA. And for the Poles it is something disturbing as quite unsettling. I wouldn't say that panic or frightened about it, but it's just something which they've never encountered."

This 28 year-old computer expert takes calls for tighter security measures very seriously:

"I'm a little bit scared, yes, because our troops are in Iraq and the Spanish were also there. There are less of them and they attacked Spain. So, I think the possibility of a terrorist attack is big. I look around, I look at the people, at any packages which are left. Yes, I do it."

His friend holds an entirely different view....

"I feel really very safe. I don't see a terrorist attack in Warsaw. I feel safe."

According to Matthew Day, the Polish people should be more aware of the possible terrorist threats.

"They have to start paying attention, start looking for suspicious packages, start looking for anything which could indicate a terrorist attack. So I think the government really should get its act together and start organizing some form of campaign, a public awareness campaign."

At the end of this month, on the eve of Poland's entry into the European Union, Warsaw will be hosting an international economic forum. It will bring together several hundred VIPs from around the world, including 15 presidents. Extra security precautions are to be taken and all law-enforcement forces and anti-terrorist units have been placed on the alert.