Statement of the President of the Republic of Poland Aleksander Kwaśniewski
in connection with the US presidential election (2004-11-03) 

On 3 November 2004, the President of the Republic of Poland, Aleksander Kwaśniewski, made the following statement in connection with the announcement of the US presidential election results:

In connection with President George W. Bush’s electoral victory, let me offer you, Mr. President, my warm congratulations on behalf of the Polish People and on behalf of the authorities of the Republic of Poland. I express my satisfaction with the fact that the American People have appreciated George W. Bush’s leadership, falling at an exceptionally difficult time, a time of exceptional responsibility.

I am glad that George W. Bush, Poland’s tried partner and friend, will be able to continue his mission for the next four years. I am convinced that this choice will serve to foster Polish-American cooperation between our Peoples and States, that it will strengthen our strategic political and economic partnership, and that it will help fulfil the tasks that we jointly assumed in the stabilization mission in Iraq and lead to handing over control over Iraqi affairs to Iraqi citizens as soon as possible. I am also convinced that this choice will be conducive to combating terrorism effectively.  

It is also my belief that this choice will create opportunities for a restoration of effective, tried and tested transatlantic relations that have ensured Europe’s security, peace and prosperity thus far. They have also helped settle conflicts and reduce tensions in various regions across the world.

  Once again, congratulations on behalf of Poland. We believe that we will successfully continue our cooperation, which has borne so much good fruit over the four-year term that is now nearly over. A telephone conversation between the President of the Republic of  Poland and the US President (2004-11-04)

On 4 November 2004, the President of the Republic of Poland, Aleksander Kwaśniewski, held a telephone conversation with the US President, George W. Bush.

The President of the Republic of Poland congratulated George W. Bush on behalf of Poland, the Polish government and on his own behalf on a decisive victory in the presidential election. The President of the Republic of Poland emphasized the fact that the election result testified to the great trust that the American people put in President George W. Bush. In the opinion of the President of the Republic of Poland, this is largely attributable to the determination the US President has shown so far in moments that were difficult and tragic for the United States, to the consistency with which his clear and coherent vision of presidency has been translated into practice, and to his having embarked on an uncompromising fight against terrorism. Furthermore, the President of the Republic of Poland offered thanks to the US President for his personal contribution to shaping Polish-US cooperation, expressing a belief that George W. Bush’s second term would strengthen the strategic partnership between our two countries even further. The US President confirmed that the arrangements made during the visit of the Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka to Washington, DC, would be put into practice as agreed.

The US President thanked for the congratulations and good wishes. He expressed his satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations and assured of his respect for Poland for supporting the stabilization missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. As regards Iraq, he said international consultations would continue both within and outside the coalition.

The President of the Republic of Poland also asked the US President for assistance in ensuring the release of the Polishwoman held hostage in Iraq. Commenting on the international situation, President Aleksander Kwaśniewski indicated the need for a new opening and new initiatives on the part of the US administration in transatlantic relations vis-a-vis all EU member states, notably France and Germany. Thanking for these suggestions, President George W. Bush answered that the US administration would take appropriate action on the matter. >Closing the telephone conversation, both Presidents expressed a hope of meeting in person in the not too distant future.