ACCESSION NUMBER:00000
FILE ID:96060306.WWE
DATE:06/03/96
TITLE:03-06-96  TEXT: CLINTON, WALESA LOOK TO FURTHER POLAND'S PROGRESS

TEXT:
(White House statement on Clinton-Walesa private meeting 6/3) (410)

Washington -- President Clinton and former President of Poland Lech
Walesa met June 3 to discuss a wide range of issues, including
Poland's achievements "in establishing the fundamentals of a
democratic system and productive free market economy," according to a
June 3 White House press release.

Both Clinton and Walesa "reaffirmed their commitment to the
integration of Poland and Europe's other emerging democracies with the
Transatlantic community and its institutions," the White House said.

They stressed that the enlargement of NATO "constitutes a key element
of Europe's integration and will increase security for Europe as a
whole," the statement said, and they "expressed satisfaction that NATO
enlargement remains on track and will take place in a steady,
deliberate and determined manner, threatening no one."

Walesa is on a private visit to the United States.

Following is the text of the White House press release:

(Begin text)

President Clinton met today at the White House with former President
of Poland Lech Walesa. President Clinton expressed his admiration for
Lech Walesa's historic role, as leader of Solidarity and as President,
in advancing Poland's dramatic economic and democratic transformation
since 1989. The President observed that the restoration of Central
Europe's sovereignty and the end of the Cold War itself owed a great
deal to the efforts of Lech Walesa and the Polish people who had
struggled for democracy and freedom so long and ultimately so
successfully.

President Clinton and former President Walesa discussed Poland's
impressive achievements since 1989 in establishing the fundamentals of
a democratic system and productive free market economy. They expressed
the hope and belief that this process will continue.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the integration of Poland
and Europe's other emerging democracies with the Transatlantic
community and its institutions. They noted that Poland plays a very
active role in the Partnership for Peace and the OSCE, and may well
join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
this year. The two leaders underscored that NATO's enlargement
constitutes a key element of Europe's integration and will increase
security for Europe as a whole. Noting the considerable progress made
since they first discussed the issue in 1993, they expressed
satisfaction that NATO enlargement remains on track and will take
place in a steady, deliberate and determined manner, threatening no
one.

(End text)
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