The speech of President of the Republic of Poland Aleksander Kwaśniewski At the meeting with officers and soldiers of American special forces, North Carolina - Fort Bragg, July 19, 2002

Generals, Officers, Soldiers, Ladies and Gentlemen!
I am bringing warm greetings from Poland. My countrymen are proud that today I am with you in the famous Fort Bragg - the cradle of Airborne troopers. In your base the best of the best, the elite of American special forces, are trained. Here soldiers are prepared to perform exceptionally difficult tasks in military operations all over the world. Special units of all the services of armed forces enjoy the greatest admiration in my country. We admire them for military craft, courage and extraordinary effectiveness. So it is my satisfaction that as a Pole and the Supreme Commander of the Polish Armed Forces I can meet you, soldiers representing the greatest qualities of the American military.
We, Poles are brave people. For a thousand years of our statehood we have frequently fought for freedom and independence so that - as the words of our anthem go - "Poland did not die". We stood by the nations that fought against alien force "for your freedom and ours". In Polish rankings of public trust the position of the armed forces remains unchangingly one of the highest. It is so because the army has always kept faith to Poland, and a military uniform has always been a symbol of patriotism and the highest civic virtues. We understand American people well. We understand your glorious way to independence and consistent strive for the life in peace. History of the 20th century, especially both world wars, shows the power of your armed forces and courage of American soldiers. My countrymen associate an American soldier with the victory over our common enemies, with the fight for the good cause, with the guarantee of security and just peace.
Polish people received Poland's accession to NATO with enthusiasm and hope. We have reinforced our sense of security as probably never before in history. We are proud that the United States is our strategic ally. We do everything to be a trustworthy partner. We carry out the commitments we have undertaken, and integrate fast with the Euroatlantic structures. We take part in the war on terrorism. My countrymen understand that the brotherhood of arms that binds American and Polish soldiers serves the purpose of the defense of global order and our civilization against the forces of barbarism and hatred. Last November a Conference on Combating Terrorism was organized in Poland. Heads and high representatives of 26 states and international organizations participated in it. A message of solidarity with the American people was sent from the capital of my country, Warsaw. We agreed upon the areas of cooperation, adopted the action plan. We work together to stop and destroy the world's terrorism. Taking up political and diplomatic steps we want to support America and its Armed Forces in their hard job. We fight together for the free, just and safer world. In this fight the Polish flag is flying next to the American banner. Polish soldiers serve in peace missions, they participate in military operations from the Balkans, through the Middle East, to Afghanistan. Poles learn how to think in the categories of global security. We have adopted a rule that an essential element of our security is the security of our allies.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Soldiers!
I wish to express my deep gratitude to the American authorities that Polish special units can train in Fort Bragg. Thanks to the knowledge and skills gained here the best models are transferred to Poland. In close cooperation with the American side we have been developing Polish special forces, so very important in the modern battlefield. We modernize our armed forces. We use your experience in the area of organizational structures, armament and equipment, and first of all modern methodology of combat training.
Some of the soldiers that train and serve in Fort Bragg have Polish roots. I wish to assure you that we are taking care to strengthen and develop Polish-American bonds and making sure that they are taking us to the successful future. The message of US President Dwight Eisenhower, a hero of the 2nd World War, is really inspiring. He appealed to all Americans and Europeans to oppose all the attempts to bring down the systems based on the freedom of an individual. He strongly he believed in the strength of the North Atlantic Alliance He wrote that "the free world will live and bloom if we maintain moral superiority, clarity of mind and ability to sacrifices" . Let us keep to the words of a great president. As a soldier who loyally serves under his banner let us be directed by this message defending the highest values.
I wish you success, dear American friends! I wish you success in the mission you are proudly carrying out for the sake of your nation, for the sake of the whole human family.