[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 24 (Monday, June 18, 2001)]
[Pages 919-920]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a State Dinner Hosted by President Kwasniewski in Warsaw

June 15, 2001

    Mr. President, and Madam Kwasniewski, Mr. Prime Minister and Madam 
Buzek, distinguished guests, many of whom sacrificed for freedom. Laura 
and I are grateful for this great day--it's been a great day in Poland--
and for this good company. You've made us feel most welcome.
    I bring with me the affectionate greetings of the American people. 
Poland has a special place in our hearts, not just in places like Pana 
Maria, Texas, or Warsaw, Alabama, or Pulaski, Tennessee. Americans 
understand that we owe a lot to Poland. It has even been claimed that 
the old Polish game--an old Polish game was the earliest inspiration for 
baseball. [Laughter] If that's true, I owe more than most. [Laughter]

[[Page 920]]

    Today, our friendship is based upon a shared heritage and a hope for 
the future. When my father came to Warsaw in 1989, he declared that the 
cold war that began in Poland could end in Poland. Poles won their 
freedom with courage and determination. Americans from President Reagan 
to President Bush to President Clinton walked alongside you. Hope became 
reality. And Poland knows that when that happened, the world turned 
right side up.
    Poland became a mature democracy. Long a friend to America, we now 
proudly call you Ally. Yours is a moving story, and only you will ever 
know how difficult it was to write.
    Mr. President, the United States greatly admires the leadership you 
have demonstrated these past 6 years. You understand that building a 
better future sometimes entails coming to grips with the past, even if 
that past is uncomfortable to some. America understands the value of 
reconciliation, of overcoming old divisions. History looks well upon 
such leadership.
    Mr. Prime Minister, the United States is deeply appreciative of your 
service to your country and to the cause of freedom. You understand that 
building a better future requires hard choices. The reformer is rarely 
rewarded and often criticized but then moves ahead with reform, 
nonetheless. History is kind to this type of leader, as well.
    This week I've spoken to many leaders from across Europe about the 
challenges of unity and open commerce and peace. I am here today because 
America is convinced that we can meet those challenges in partnership 
with a strong and free Poland. We know we can count on Poland to remain 
true to its best traditions of tolerance, compromise, and determination 
that have brought you so far and so fast.
    We know we can count on Poland to keep reaching out to its 
neighbors, showing them the way and helping them help themselves. We 
know we can count on Poland to continue its reforms. And Poland can 
count on America. We are in Europe to stay, because we know the danger 
of retreating behind the false security of an ocean.
    Together, our countries know what faith, commitment, and integrity 
can build. Our partnership is going to last a long time, always mindful 
of where we have been; always moving forward to build the future we know 
we want, the future we know we can achieve.
    My toast is for a free Poland, its leadership, and the courageous 
souls who made it happen.
    God bless.

Note: The President spoke at 8:50 p.m. at the Presidential Palace. In 
his remarks, he referred to Jolanta Kwasniewski, wife of President 
Aleksander Kwasniewski, and Ludgarda Buzek, wife of Prime Minister Jerzy 
Buzek.