Posted on 06/26/2004 6:07:43 AM PDT by Grzegorz 246
WARSAW (AFP) - Lech Walesa, the anti-communist trade union leader who went on to become president of Poland, received a special honour from the Warsaw government for promoting his country abroad.
Walesa, 61, whose Solidarity union drove Poland's break with the former communist bloc, received a special diploma from Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz.
"I have always done my best to represent Poland at hundreds of meetings with thousands of participants on every continent, and I have to say, without modesty, always with success," Walesa said after receiving the award.
Walesa, who was awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1983 and was Polish president between 1990 and 1995, now lives on the sidelines of political life, at Gdansk in northern Poland.
However, he often takes part in conferences around the world, and recently represented Poland at the funeral of former US president Ronald Reagan (news - web sites).
Good Morning, Grzegorz 246. I've noticed your postings about Poland quite a bit lately and I appreciate them . If you start a "ping list", please put me on it. Someday I'd like to visit Poland.
OK. I always put "Poland" as keyword in all my news, so it is quite easy to find.
From being an electrician at the Gdansk shipyard and taking on the Polish Commnist leadership, winning the Nobel Peace prize, becoming President of Poland and attending President Reagan's funeral as the representative of the Polish Nation....what remarkable 25 years its been for Mr. Walensa.
He has my highest respect.
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