[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[July 5, 1992]
[Pages 1082-1083]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Following Discussions With President Lech Walesa of Poland in 
Warsaw

July 5, 1992
    President Walesa. I'd like to state once again that we owe a great 
deal to America. We'd like to pay tribute to the President and try to do 
everything to retain the interest of the States and of Mr. President, 
and at the same time making it as good as possible for America.
    American involvement in leading towards democracy was great. And in 
Poland, American involvement is necessary for Europe. We simply cannot 
envisage Europe without an American presence.
    It is not safe at all here after the dismantling of the Soviet 
Union, only today the dangers are somewhat different. And I am convinced 
that without U.S. presence we won't make it at all. That is why I wish 
to thank the President and to thank America for everything that Central 
Europe has achieved, particularly in this very special moment, and 
hoping for the presence of the President and of America in order for us 
to be successful. It can be successful; it can be great business; 
however, only if we do it together.
    Once more I wish to welcome you most cordially, Mr. President, and 
your delegation. And I would wish you less problems with this part of 
the world.
    President Bush. And may I just respond and tell the Polish side here 
what I've just told President Walesa, and that is we have every 
intention of remaining involved. We appreciate the President's 
understanding of the importance of NATO. And we feel that a vigorous 
trade between Poland and the United States is in our interests as well 
as Poland's.
    So I told the President we would do everything we can to keep the 
United States involved, to keep a strong NATO, to stay in touch on the 
security side of things, and then to figure out what we can do to go 
forward on the trade matters because we think he has properly assessed 
the security concerns and economic concerns in Europe, and we want to 
continue to be helpful. And we will be. We will be.
    There is a great affection in the United States for Poland, as you 
know from your own visits there. And the fact that Poland wants us to do 
what we're doing, stay involved, try to be constructive partners, that's 
very helpful for the United States, too. So thank you for your 
hospitality.

[[Page 1083]]

                    Note: The remarks began at 12:45 p.m. in the Green 
                        Room at the Royal Palace. President Walesa spoke 
                        in Polish, and his remarks were translated by an 
                        interpreter. A tape was not available for 
                        verification of the content of these remarks.