Ambassador Victor Ashe

As all this was happening here in Warsaw, political decisions in the U.S. reached across the Atlantic with an impact on Poland. In early August, President Bush signed into law the “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007” – the so-called “9/11 Law.” The legislation introduces security enhancements that affect the Visa Waiver program (VWP), including the criteria for admitting new countries to the program. In Poland’s case, this has generated strong discussion, since as it stands now, Poland does not meet the revised standards for admission to the VWP. President Bush has expressed his commitment to seek greater flexibility in the law for allies like Poland to qualify for the VWP, and I expect there will be continued further discussion about Poland’s possible participation in the VWP.

We recently had several Congressional delegations to Poland, including Senators Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Arlen Specter (R-PA), and Representatives Michael Turner (R-OH), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL). Their interest in U.S.-Poland bilateral issues underscores the continuing emphasis both U.S. and Polish lawmakers are placing on working together on missile defense, immigration reform, and Cuban democracy, among other issues. Along with Representatives Sires and the Diaz-Balarts, I had the great opportunity to spend August 31st, the 27th anniversary of the founding of the Solidarity Trade Union, with President Kaczynski in Lubin, where we expressed hope that Poland’s transition to democracy would be an example for Cuba.

On Labor Day, the United States served as Lead Nation at the 15th International Defense Industry Exhibition from September 3-6 in Kielce, one of the largest defense industry trade fairs in Europe. The U.S. national exhibit is entitled “Developing Forces for Coalition Operations: Supporting Soldiers from Ground to Space,” and features a static display of a Sikorsky Blackhawk helicopter, Humvees and other U.S.-manufactured military equipment. Deputy Prime Minister Przemyslaw Gosiewski presided over the opening ceremonies on the 3rd, and I represented the United States, along with Claude Bolton, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. Polish Defense Minister Aleksander Szczyglo also participated at the opening.

September is traditionally our time to welcome new staff and families to the mission in Poland. Over 30 per cent of the Embassy’s staff turned over during the summer, and we now have literally dozens of new colleagues, families and friends to greet and introduce to Poland.

Later in the month, we’ll host our annual Fulbright Orientation Program for departing Polish grant recipients who have been selected to conduct research in the United States in the coming year, just as we are working out the final points on a new Fulbright Agreement that would significantly increase the number of exchanges. I will also host our 12th annual joint Embassy-Wprost Magazine awards ceremony, where we honor the best up and coming Polish journalists. The finalist will receive a laptop from Wprost and a three-week internship sponsored by the U.S. Embassy to the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism. Also upcoming is a Renewable and Alternative Energy Trade Mission to Poland, which will introduce American environmental technology companies to the Polish market.

I particularly am looking forward to a visit by students of the University of Tennessee Executive MBA Program, who are visiting Poland to learn about central Europe’s emerging markets.

As always, I enjoy hearing your thoughts on our important work in Poland. Please feel free to contact me by email at AsheVH@state.gov. I hope you have a relaxing Labor Day and I look forward to hearing from you in the coming month.

Sincerely yours,

Victor Ashe
U.S. Ambassador to Poland

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