President Kwaśniewski on the Capitol Hill, July 18, 2002
I am very pleased to be here on the Capitol, one of the most important spots on the American and world map of democracy and greatly satisfied to meet distinguished experts on Central Europe, members of the United States Congressional Caucus on Central Europe.
You are a very particular group who can see very clearly the ties binding Poland and America. Our countries are partners and allies. Sharing the same values, we similarly perceive challenges of the contemporary world and are ready to stand shoulder to shoulder to face the threats.
Disturbing news reach us from many regions of the world but Central Europe is different and I am bringing good and encouraging news from there to you. In recent years, our region has been very successful in regaining freedom and sovereignty. Now nations of Central Europe are successfully building democracy, strengthening civic society, developing market economy and aspiring to the integration of the region and that of the entire continent. The land so heavily afflicted with wars, conflicts and animosities between neighbors is witnessing now the strengthening of stability and common security.
Our efforts have always been supported by America and there is no doubt today how greatly constructive was the decision to enlarge NATO in 1999. It has laid foundations to democratic processes, eliminated cold-war divisions in Central Europe and strengthened stability and security all over the continent. This encouraging success should be continued and Poland is a strong proponent of the broad formula of NATO's enlargement.
I trust that our voice carries some weight. We have been a member of NATO for three years now and have become a strong and reliable element of the Alliance. We take our obligations as ally very seriously and are a loyal and committed partner. Wherever the flag of NATO and the Star-Spangled Banner are waving, the Polish flag is next to them. For a long time, Polish soldiers have been fulfilling their mission in Kosovo and now a Polish contingent is also present in Afghanistan.
I would like to assure you, Ladies and Gentlemen, that Poland wants NATO to be a vital Alliance. We are convinced that its unquestioned foundations include trans-Atlantic ties and the United States' political and military presence in Europe, irrespective of the development of the European capacity to respond to crises. We would like NATO to adjust to new threats as quickly and as efficiently as it is possible in order for it to be an effective instrument with which to combat terrorism, put a stop to irresponsible dictator regimes and to the proliferation weapons of mass destruction.
These issues have been a significant part of my talks with President Bush. I fully share the President's concern as these matters affect not only American citizens and relate to the security of the citizens of the whole world. Without hesitation, Poland shall stand by America's side in building peaceful order. I strongly believe that thanks to our joint efforts the world will become safer and better.
Distinguished Senators, Ladies and Gentlemen!
It is a great honor for me to pay a visit to the Capitol, the heart of American democracy
beating for centuries. Your achievement of freedom has radiated from here also onto other
nations. Many a time has the US Senate offered support for a good cause in different
corners of the world.
For centuries common values have bound Poles and Americans. Today, our ties are stronger
than ever and we are allies. We understand each other very well in how we perceive the
world and identify challenges. My talks with President Bush have strengthened my
conviction in this respect. Poland and America are together and can rely upon each other.
Three years have passed since Poland joined NATO. We are grateful for the American
support. I wish to express gratitude to all Democrats and Republicans, who at that time
engaged themselves in the debate in the US Senate and worked towards reaching far-sighted
decisions. I am pleased to note that the work of the Senate NATO Observer Group has been
reactivated. It is important and good news in the context of the upcoming Prague Summit.
Today, it is very clear that NATO's enlargement in 1999 was a right decision. Europe has
not built any new dividing walls; on the contrary, it enjoys more stability, trust and
cooperation including the cooperation between the Alliance and Russia. Poland has been
contributing to the success of enlargement. We have good relations with all our neighbors
and have been successfully generating and exporting stability and developing dialogue with
Russia and Ukraine, so important for European security. We have been a loyal and committed
member of NATO both during the intervention in Kosovo as well as now in the war against
terrorism. Polish soldiers are now fulfilling their mission in Afghanistan. We have
initiated the "Warsaw Process", a joint cooperation in the field of security
initiated in Poland's capital by a regional conference on combating terrorism.
Europe and the world certainly need NATO. On the Old Continent, NATO has ceased to perform
the role of a guard. Today, the Alliance has become a builder who constructs unity and
cooperation of nations, supports democratic processes and strengthens stability. It is for
these reasons that Poland favors a broad formula of subsequent NATO's enlargement. We have
taken an initiative to establish close cooperation among 13 states in our region belonging
to the "Vilnius Group" and the "Visegrad Group" with a view to
integrate the continent, consolidate internal reforms and strengthen trans-Atlantic ties.
New threats have appeared in the contemporary world and NATO must respond to them. We need
to change our strategic thinking, the mechanisms of decision making and the military
structures. The Polish Armed Forces are being reformed now; we are meeting our commitments
as ally. We would also like to become a part of NATO's Rapid Reaction Forces ready to
perform operations outside of the territory of the Alliance. We intend to establish
specialized units ready for immediate cooperation with American troops. We wish the
modernization and transformation of the Polish Armed Forces to become a pattern for the
entire Central, Eastern and Southern Europe.
A lot has to be to changed in NATO in order for its foundations to remain durable. I am
thinking here of the trans-Atlantic ties and the United States' political and military
presence in Europe. Poland takes it as an important instrument with which to maintain
peace and stability on the continent and elsewhere. We support the United States' definite
commitment to shaping global policies. The contemporary world requires ambitious
leadership in all endeavors serving world security and the good of mankind.
America can rely on Poland. We shall not fail. Never!