Ambassador Victor Ashe

Greetings from Warsaw!

Conventional wisdom holds that in Poland in August everyone takes vacation and not much happens. If that is ever true, then August 2008 turned out to be the exception that proves the rule. I am not just referring to the fact that Poland was gripped by Olympics fever like most of the world, watching 10 Poles bring home medals from Beijing.

Warsaw had plenty of excitement of its own this August. You have already read about the biggest events in our special mid-August newsletter: on August 20, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski signed the Ballistic Missile Defense Agreement between the U.S. and Poland. The signing occurred at the Prime Minister's main reception room, where Prime Minister Tusk, President Lech Kaczynski and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice all delivered remarks about the significance of this important agreement between Poland and the United States in the war on terrorism.

A few hours after she left Poland for Iraq, Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) stopped in Warsaw on their return to the United States from a trip to Tbilisi, Georgia. The senators described for Poland’s leaders and at a press conference the plight of Georgia’s refugees, homeless, and displaced families, as well as the tragic fatalities. They had breakfast with Foreign Minister Sikorski and an hour long meeting with Prime Minister Tusk. They also visited the site of the former ghetto in Warsaw. Senator Lieberman's grandfather was born in Poland and this was their first visit to Poland.

These were only the most prominent of our many distinguished visitors in August, as Poland also hosted Lieutenant General Gary Speer, Acting Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe, and Maj. Gen. William Enyart, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, who joined their Polish comrades in the annual pilgrimage to Czestochowa and Armed Forces Day from August 13-16. In addition, The Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, Lieutenant General Michael D. Maples, visited Poland August 5-8.

Despite all the activity in Warsaw and some travel abroad, I still found time during the month to visit Sopot, Wroclaw, and Krakow – and several smaller towns, such as Żywiec, home and namesake of Poland’s most famous beer. Among my recent foreign travels, on July 13-14, I attended the 60th anniversary Farnborough Air Show in the United Kingdom, where I joined Opening Ceremonies in the U.S. Pavilion – presided over by Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama and Ambassador Robert H. Tuttle, U.S. Ambassador to the UK. The air show included the debut of the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor, the Air Force’s latest multi-role fighter aircraft.

During August, the embassy also supported the “Kino Lato” film festival at Warsaw’s Center for Contemporary Art, an exhibit of Bill Viola’s “The Messenger” in Gdansk, the annual Gospel workshops and concerts in Osiek and Gdansk, and performances by the Transversal Theater Company in Krakow, Chorzow and Gdansk. You may have noticed that Gdansk received much of our attention after we opened the new American Corner there July 17.

Coming up in September, because Poles are showing great interest in the November 4 U.S. Presidential elections – we will be preparing for a series of events that will feature speakers, a film series at the Warsaw Center for Contemporary Arts, and support for an election night event put on by the American Chamber of Commerce. On September 11, gospel legend Kirk Franklin will perform a special concert in Warsaw’s Sowiński Park. In addition, I will be hosting my second reception in honor of Polish artists at which we will recognize the latest recipient of the Polish-American Cultural Links Awards.

Also coming this month will be the annual defense trade show in Kielce, where I will join the U.S. delegation for part of the event. The Embassy will also be honoring the brave Polish veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Poland continues to increase its troop strength in Afghanistan and as Poland concludes its involvement in Iraq, we express deep appreciation for their courageous participation.

I enjoyed reading many emails and notes about the August newsletter, and hope to continue to receive your insights and suggestions. I always respond personally to all email when I receive it. You may send me a message at AsheVH@state.gov.

Sincerely Yours,

Victor Ashe

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