Final trip to US

Radio Polonia ^ | 11.10.2005

[lizol]

Final trip to US

Outgoing Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski is paying a farewell visit to the United States this week. It’s his last official trip before the Polish head of State ends his second and final five year term later this year.

Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski will be the guest of honor at a special luncheon hosted by his US counterpart George W. Bush in Washington. This will be Kwasniewski’s fourth official visit to the White House since 2002.

Kwasniewski will end his second five year term as President after his successor is elected in run off elections later this month. Proffesor Krzyszof Michalek from the American history department at Warsaw University thinks that such visits underline just how good US- Polish relations really are

Mr. Kwasniewski presided over Poland’s Nato membership in 1999. He headed a European crusade against terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. Poland is the strongest supporter of US foreign Policy in Europe.

In 2003 Mr. Kwasniewski was instrumental in Poland’s decision to contribute Polish troops in the US led stabilization mission in Iraq. Poland has the third largest consignment of troops next to the US and the UK. He intends to raise the issue of Poland’s presence in Iraq and its’ assuming command of the Nato stabilization forces in Afghanistan in 2006 during his visit to Washington.

Observers think that over the past ten years Mr. Kwasniewski managed to add a personal touch to US –Polish relations but unfortunately it didn’t always work in Poland’s favor .

Observers think that the outgoing Polish President has gained plenty of experience on US-European relations over his ten year tenure as Head of State. It is hoped that such experience and know how will go to good use as he plans to run for the post of the Head of the UN.