(9 Jul 1998) English/Nat
Polish Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek says his country is ready to assume the responsibilities of membership in an expanded NATO military alliance.
Speaking in Washington on Thursday, Buzek said Poland wants to serve as a political bridge between eastern and western Europe.
He pointed to Poland's efforts to help find a solution to the crisis in Kosovo as a demonstration of his country's European outlook.
At a news conference in Washington on Thursday, the Polish Prime Minister said his country was well prepared for its future role as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
Jerzy Buzek said Poland would also offer NATO another avenue of dialogue with Russia.
As a former Warsaw Pact member, Poland's forthcoming membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation has caused concern in Russia.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"My government hopes that upon Poland's full entry into NATO we will be able to contribute positively to the NATO - Russia relationship. As Russia's direct neighbour, we are particularly interested in that country's success on the road to democracy and free market economy."
SUPER CAPTION: Jerzy Buzek, Prime Minister of Poland
Buzek said Poland was concerned about the stability of central and eastern Europe and the continued spread of democracy.
He said his country was pursuing an open relationship with Ukraine and the Baltic countries, and would strive to help Belarus and Slovakia on the path to democracy and a free market economy.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"No one needs to explain to the Poles that the price of freedom, peace and stability is high. The slogan 'For your and our freedom', which for decades symbolised Polish support for independence movements around the world, is as valid to us today as it was yesterday. Let me make it very clear that Poland will not turn its back on oppression and breaches of human rights in its European neighbourhood."
SUPER CAPTION: Jerzy Buzek, Prime Minister of Poland
The Polish leader said his country was already taking a more continental role in Europe in trying to help solve the Kosovo conflict.
He added that NATO must improve its ability to take an active role in resolving such conflicts, and that Poland was willing to do more.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"In the light of the Kosovo crisis, Poland will consider its options in regard to a possible NATO intervention in the part of southeastern Europe. In the near future, we will work on developing a strategy which will allow for the use of a significant number of Polish armed forces in NATO's out-of-area missions."
SUPER CAPTION: Jerzy Buzek, Prime Minister of Poland
Buzek said he believed Russia may change its relationship with the Belgrade government of Slobodan Milosevic and bring more pressure to bear on solving the crisis in Kosovo.
He said some untested avenues for a possible resolution in Kosovo still remained.
SOUNDBITE: (Polish with English translation)
"Poland is convinced that not all of the arguments and not all of the means of pressure have been used so far."
SUPER CAPTION: Jerzy Buzek, Prime Minister of Poland
Earlier on Thursday, the Polish prime minister met Republican and Democrat leaders at the U-S Capitol.
Buzek thanked the U-S senators for their role in getting the bill passed allowing the expansion of NATO to include Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
He was given a warm welcome by the senators.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Trent Lott, Senate Majority leader (Republican - Mississippi)
Later on Thursday, he was due to meet U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
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