12 March 1999
TEXT: FOREIGN MINISTER OF POLAND ON NATO ENTRY, MARCH 12
(Vital process of bridging old divisions in Europe) (1030) Independence, Missouri -- As a new member of NATO, Poland "joins the vital process of bridging old divisions and contributes to the security and stability in Europe," Poland's Minister of Foreign Affairs Bronislaw Geremek said during the March 12 accession ceremony in the Truman Library. Foreign Minister Geremek promised that Poland "shall contribute substantially to bolstering the organization and to developing its political and military strengths." Geremek expressed gratitude to President Clinton, Secretary of State Albright, and to the American people for their support of Poland's entry into NATO and for the "leadership, stability and growth" that the United States has given the Atlantic Community. Poland shares "the view that NATO has a wider role to play to further the cause of democracy, human rights and solidarity" and urges the alliance to keep the door open for "those, who have fought for freedom," the Foreign Minister said. Following is the text, as prepared for delivery: (begin text) Address by Bronislaw Geremek Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland at the ceremony of deposition of Protocols of Accession of the Republic of Poland to the North Atlantic Treaty Independence, Missouri, March 12, 1999 Madame Secretary of State, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Fifty-three years ago, in nearby Fulton, Missouri, Winston Churchill delivered his famous address. He said: "From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent." Today, with joy and pride, we celebrate the end of the bipolar world symbolised by the Iron Curtain. This brings satisfaction especially to those who sacrificed so much in the struggle for freedom over the last fifty years. For the people of Poland, the Cold War, which forcibly excluded our country from the West, ends with our entry to NATO. Poland, as a member of the most powerful alliance, bringing together democratic nations of Western Europe and North America, joins the vital process of bridging old divisions and contributes to the security and stability in Europe. This remarkable achievement would not have taken place without the leadership, vision and courage of individuals who have played the pivotal role in that process. We owe our deep gratitude to President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. We are grateful to the American People, who have continuously expressed their support for our aspirations. Today's ceremony confirms that the Alliance is a community of values. The success of NATO over the last fifty years has been built on the principles of democracy, civil rights and liberties, shared by all of its members. The nations, who join this community today, were denied those values until 1989. On the streets of Budapest in 1956, Prague in 1968 and Gdansk in 1970 and 1981 they paid a heavy price. They have proved their democratic credentials, which give them the right to be here today. Poland in the Alliance will be a good and credible ally, for "good and bad weather". We are prepared to both take advantage of the rights of membership and bear the obligations the membership carries. We shall contribute substantially to bolstering the Organisation and to developing its political and military strengths. I want to assure our allies that we will not lack the determination, courage and imagination, needed to reinforce our own capability as a member of the Alliance. We are convinced that NATO must remain a defensive alliance, based on the principle of solidarity. To quote President Truman: "The security and welfare of each member of this community depend upon the security and welfare of all. None of us alone can achieve economic prosperity or military security. None of us alone can assure the continuance of freedom." Senator Vandenberg once call the Alliance "a fraternity of peace." We share the view that NATO has a wider role to play to further the cause of democracy, human rights and solidarity. Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me say a word about relations between America and Europe. Poland, shall be a dedicated advocate both of the process of European integration and the strong transatlantic link. The United States has given the Atlantic Community leadership, stability and strength. Europe continuously needs a firm American anchor for its security and growth. Conversely, American security and prosperity depend on a reliable and flourishing Europe. We should keep the door to the alliance open for those, who have fought for freedom. Another curtain must never again descend on Europe. Although it would lack the rigidity of the old, iron one, it would almost certainly become as cruel. It would keep us divided economically, if not politically. Based on common value and principles, NATO must promote value-oriented approach to democracy, stability and peace. The challenge facing us in the coming century, the challenge of creating a new international order, must accompany us at all times, must be an indispensable and inseparable part of our agenda. To meet this challenge we must safeguard democratic values incorporated in the Washington Treaty, the ability to defend the strong transatlantic ties and ourselves. These are those sources of our strength. We can not let them fade away in future. To wielki dzien dla Polski, jak i dia milionow Polakow rozproszonych po wazystkich kontynentach. Polska wraca na zawsze tam gdzic jest jej miejsce: do wotnego swiata Polska juz me jest osamotniona w obreaie swojej wolnosci. Jestesmy w NATO dia "naszej i waszej wolnoscl." This is a great day for Poland, as well as for millions of Poles scattered all over the World. Poland for ever returns where she has always belonged -- to the free World. Poland is no longer alone in the defence of her freedom. We are in NATO "for your freedom and ours." Ladies and Gentlemen, For Harry Truman Presidential Library, we have brought from Poland some records of history of our road to freedom, among them -- the poster of 1989 elections with a picture of Gary Cooper from the film "High Noon." It helped us to win. For the people of Poland, high noon comes today. (end text)