(10 Jul 1997) English/Nat

Thousands of Poles gathered in Warsaw on Thursday to show their gratitude to U-S President, Bill Clinton, for setting their country on the path to acceptance by NATO.

Clinton arrived in Poland on Thursday - two days after a NATO summit meeting in Madrid invited Poland, the Czech republic and Hungary to join the alliance in 1999.

Warsaw was chosen as the place to congratulate the successful NATO candidates - the first from the since dismantled Soviet bloc to be beckoned by the West.

And in appreciation for being embraced by the west, it was U-S fever on the streets of Warsaw.

An estimated 5,000 Poles massed in Castle Square in the old town of Warsaw, many decked out in the stars and stripes.

U-S Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright was the first to arrive in Poland to hold talks with the Foreign Minister.

Poland embraced the U-S president from the moment he arrived with a red-carpet celebration, and a Polish rendition of the American national anthem.

Clinton met with Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski for face to face talks on the future of Poland.

Most Poles are optimistic about the invitation to join NATO and its new, closer military and economic ties with the West.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think few generations of Poles, they just dreamed about joining NATO, about a good guarantee of our safety - of the safety of the country. And I am a young man; for me it's very important, it's a guarantee for my future."
SUPER CAPTION: Michal Zarzycki

President Clinton told an euphoric crowd of thousands that their country's acceptance by NATO is a 'promise redeemed'.

He called Poland the next ally of the U-S saying joining NATO will guarantee Poland's security and help keep the U-S out of another European war.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"And now together we have restored Poland to Europe and to the destiny you deserve. From this day forward what Poland builds in peace, Poland will keep in security."

SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President

While most of Clinton's remarks drew cheers, one pointedly did not - a call for tolerance toward Russia.

Poland was under Moscow's control after World War II, a conflict that flared after Russia and Germany divided the country in 1939.

Clinton must still persuade Congress to approve NATO expansion which would come into effect in 1999.

The President's next stop is Romania where his reception is likely to be more subdued.
He led the fight to delay immediate NATO invitations to Romania and Slovenia.

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