On September 1, 1939 Poland was invaded by
the Nazis, and shortly after that the Soviets attacked from the
East, ripping Poland apart and sending millions of its citizens
into Siberia and methodically killing Polish intelligentsia.
(KATYN Massacre).
During World War II, the Polish military forces fought
valiantly on the side of the Allies, on all fronts, while the
Polish Underground continued the struggle in the Polish
territories.
Towards the War's end, after Teheran (November 1943), it
became painfully evident that Poland would not be a free
country; so in reaction to that, the Polish American community
met in Buffalo NY, in May 1944, with over 3,000 organizations
and 15,000 delegates to create an organization which would
continue the struggle for a free and independent Poland. The
Polish American Congress adopted an American Agenda aimed at
assuring that its members become better informed American
citizens and a Polish Agenda to help Poland in its great hour of
need, keeping the American public and Administration informed on
what was happening to the enslaved people of Poland and how this
affected the security of the United States ... The American
Polonia learned a very bitter lesson on Pulaski Day, October 11,
1944, when at a meeting in the White House, President Roosevelt
deceived it by creating the impression that Poland would be free
within its pre-war borders. In actuality, months earlier he and
Churchill had already conceded Poland's eastern territories to
Stalin. The February 1945 Yalta Agreement, signed by the three
war-time allies, was later violated by the Soviet Union.
Over the last 50 years the Polish American Congress fought on
the political front, by informing and educating all who would
listen -- of Poland's rightful place in the Western community
and of human rights violations and the undue suffering of the
Polish people under the Soviets. The Polish American Charitable
Foundation (created in 1971) helped the people of Poland with
humanitarian and medical assistance.
The Polish American Congress is a federation, an umbrella
organization covering the majority of Polish American fraternal,
veteran, social, cultural, religious and other types of
organizations. There are 41 units, called Divisions and Chapters
in 20 key states. (In the folder you will find some statistics).
Each one of these has local member organizations. In larger
Polish American communities, like Chicago and Detroit, they
number hundreds of local organizations and many individual
members. In aggregate we estimate a total of a million members.
The Polish American Congress' Council of National Directors
sets policy carried out by the Headquarters in Chicago. The
Washington, DC office maintains contact with the Administration
and appropriate governmental agencies. In its contacts with the
U.S. Congress, it monitors and helps develop legislation on
issues of interest to the Polish American community (foreign
affairs, humanitarian assistance, immigration, cultural, social,
human rights, etc. )
During the immediate post-war period the Polish American
Congress was involved in activities aimed at improving the
economic and political situation in Poland.
The issue of NATO expansion and inclusion of Poland in the
Alliance has been in the forefront of Polish American Congress'
activity for nearly seven years. The Polish American Congress
started discussing NATO membership for Poland, Hungary and
Czechoslovakia-Slovakia on June 14, 1991 (Polish American
Congress meeting in New York City).
Following are highlights of Polish American Congress actions
and legislation dealing with NATO expansion and ratification of
the treaty.
****************************************
1991
1991 June 14
The Polish American Congress discussed removal of Soviet
troops from Poland and membership for Poland in North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (Polish American Congress Council of
National Directors meeting in New York City).
Resolution passed by Polish American Congress Council of
National Directors urging the United States that "any economic
aid to the Soviet Union should be closely linked to the removal
without further delay of all Soviet Union's military forces from
Poland."
1991 July - September
A series of events, including correspondence and exchange of
communications between President Lech Walesa and Gorbachev,
visit of Polish Prime Minister Bielecki to Washington, DC, and
correspondence between PAC President Edward Moskal and President
George Bush.
1991 September 22
Resolution was passed by Polish American Congress, Northern
California Division, calling for NATO membership for Poland,
Hungary and Czechoslovakia.
1991 October 16
Polish American Congress, National Vice President, Wojciech
Winkler sends a petition with 700 signatures to President Bush
recommending economic aid to the former Soviet Union,
strengthening security of East Central Europe by extending full
membership in NATO to Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia,
and granting emergency credits to independent republics of the
former Soviet Union for purchase of food and medicines from
Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia.
********************************************
1993
1993 October 28
Polish American Congress meets in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Adopts resolution concerning admission of Poland to NATO: "Now
be it resolved: To urge the Government of the United States to
ensure that Poland become a full member of NATO as soon as
possible." Resolution with strong cover letter transmitted to
President Clinton on October 28.
1993 November 2
Polish American Congress planning and discussion session
concerning Poland's entry to NATO and security of East Central
Europe. In January Clinton will go to Brussels, then to Prague
to meet Heads of State of Poland, Hungary and Czech and Slovak
Republics and then to Moscow. Russia considers Poland and the
other countries in the region as their sphere of influence.
1993 November 8
Article by Stephen S. Rosenfeld, "An Earlier Tilt Toward
Moscow" in The Washington Post. A Yale graduate student's
obscure journal article on World War II diplomacy is sending
ripples through Washington. History doctoral candidate William
Larsh is the author of an article on then-Ambassador to Moscow
W. Averell Harriman's handling of the Polish question in 1943
and 1944. This is a disclosure of the American role, and that of
Harriman's, in Stalin's consummation of a Communist takeover in
a nation whose liberation from Nazism was a principal Allied war
aim. The new article argues that Harriman "fundamentally"
misread Stalin. He covertly negotiated the replacement of the
recognized Polish government in exile with the Soviet dictator's
Polish puppets. His hope was that Stalin, having tended to
Soviet security needs in the East European buffer zone, would
let the Poles run their own internal affairs. His method was to
hide American diplomacy so as not to stir up public opinion,
especially among Polish Americans.
Harriman's chief, Franklin D. Roosevelt, evidently had no
similar illusions about what Stalin had in mind for Eastern
Europe. Harriman recorded this breathtaking note: "On one
occasion in May (1944) the President told me that he didn't care
whether the countries bordering Russia became communized ...
Today Poles and others in Central Europe feel a tentative chill
... Yeltsin warns against East Europe's being taken into NATO.
... the United States offers what many Eastern Europeans
perceive as insufficient concern for their exposure to Russia.
The Clinton administration has its reasons not to invite new
members right now. First it wants to settle solidly on a new
NATO mission, meanwhile it offers democratic Eastern Europeans a
lesser 'partnership'."
1993 November 15
An article by Henry Kissinger, in the German Welt am
Sontag, was summarized in the Polish daily newspaper,
Rzeczpospolita. Loosely translated: "We defied attempts at
blackmail when Russia was still strong, what sense is there in
guaranteeing internally divided Russia the right to blackmail?
Russia's right to her security, should not be treated by the
U.S. Government as a basis for support of Moscow's historic
objective - control over the politics of its neighbors".
1993 November 18
"Ghost of Yalta" by Rowland Evans and Robert Novak,
Washington Post.
"...President Clinton is giving Boris Yeltsin and the Russian
military a sweet deal offering Russia virtual hegemony over most
of the former Soviet Union and denying Eastern Europe entry into
NATO. Yeltsin visited Warsaw in late August and stated that
Poland had the right to join NATO, however when he returned to
Moscow, Gen. Pavel Grachev, the Russian Defense Minister and
Andrei Kozyrev, the Foreign Minister, pressured him and warned
Yeltsin that the military would destabilize Russia ... "
Clinton has been ambiguous on the NATO question, partly
because Poland insists on joining and has a potent political
lobby in the United States. After receiving a letter from
Yeltsin rejecting NATO expansion, Clinton said membership could
come in the future -- but not now. In fact, however,
Administration sources say Yeltsin has been informed that NATO
will not expand into Eastern Europe during Clinton's presidency.
Czech President Vaclav Havel, reflecting Eastern European
opinion, warned the Council of Europe in a speech last month
that Clinton's decision resurrects the "ghost of Yalta".
The military's power over Russia's policy, unimpeded by
Clinton because of his commitment to Yeltsin's presidency, is
also shown by a new military doctrine -- much of it still
secret. It gives carte blanch to the use of troops throughout
the old Soviet empire for "peace-keeping", specially for large
Russian minorities.
The Moscow summit in January will cement the Clinton-Yeltsin
unwritten pact that keeps Eastern Europe out of NATO and
unleashes the Russian army.
1993 November 19
Polish American Congress letter to President Clinton - An
invitation by Lech Walesa for Clinton to visit Poland on the 50th
Anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising on August, 1994. (NOTE:
President Clinton did not accept).
1993 November 22
Special meeting in the Polish American Congress Washington DC
Office concerning the latest developments indicating Russia's
threatening posture and Clinton's lack of strong response.
1. Polish American Congress must meet with
Clinton prior to his January trip.
2. Polish American Congress must call the other ethnic groups
and discuss strategy to meet the common danger.
1993 November 24
President Moskal's letter to Senator Simon to "Share with you
some of our concerns over the new U.S. policy towards Russia and
the states of the former Soviet bloc, including Poland ... "So
far these first signals of neo-expansionism have not met with
any response from the U.S. Administration. The proposal of
"Partnership for Peace" does not offer to neighbors of Russia
and countries of East-Central Europe either a deterrent against
potential aggressors or a credible prospect of achieving
security under a NATO umbrella in the future ... We hope that
the United States never again will be a partner to any deal with
any great power at the expense of smaller countries. We trust,
therefore, Mr. Senator, that you will oppose vigorously any
policy that could be perceived in Moscow as condoning, tacitly
or explicitly, Russian ambitions to dominate other nations
either by coercion and military threat or economic blackmail."
1993 November 24
"Not This Partnership," by Henry Kissinger, Washington
Post. " ...The concerns of both Russia and Eastern Europe
could be met by a qualified NATO membership for Poland, the
Czech Republic and Hungary ... without joining the integrated
military structure. The PFP would create a vacuum in Eastern
Europe..."
1993 November 24
Rzeczpospolita article "Russia - USA, Strategic
Partnership - Common Responsibility For Peace."
1993 November 26
"Czy Nowa Jalta", article by Jan Nowak. His analysis of the
Joint Report, published by Niezawisimaia Gazeta on
11/23/93. In reality the concept of "strategic partnership" is
an exact copy of the thinking of Strobe Talbott of the State
Department, a close friend of Clinton and Allison, current
Undersecretary of Defense. The "New Yalta" would rest on the
acceptance by the Russians of American conditions of mutual
disarmament in exchange for tacit agreement on the part of
Washington to the rebuilding by Moscow of the empire and the
sphere of influence over East Central Europe.
1993 November 30
Remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher at the
Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, Plenary
Session, Rome, Italy. "...We have proposed to our NATO allies a
Partnership for Peace that will extend practical security
cooperation to the North Atlantic Cooperation Council partners
and other European nations. At the same time we propose to open
the door to an evolutionary expansion of NATO membership."
1993 November 30
President Moskal's letter to Senator Paul Simon. "... Russian
neo-expansionism has not been met with any response from the
U.S. Administration. PFP does not offer any security. Dangers
still abound in post-Cold War Europe. The revolutions of 1989
led to the collapse of communism. Four years later -- where are
we headed? Europe has no stable security. Rising nationalism,
ethnic conflict, geopolitical rivalries threaten to undercut
fragile democracies ..."
1993 November 30
The Polish American Congress Washington Office Fax to 18
national ethnic organizations Re: Russian Neo-imperialistic
Policy and the U.S. Invitation for a meeting on December 6, in
the Polish American Congress office. "We would like to extend,
and share with you, our information and to discuss possibilities
of coordinated action."
1993
Polish American Congress Letter to the White House. "...
Would you be kind enough to arrange a meeting for a delegation
of the Polish American Congress with President Clinton at
anytime convenient to him, between now and his departure for
Brussels, Prague and Moscow ... It has became a tradition, in
the last 49 years, that each President would give us an
opportunity to share with him our concerns relating to United
States policy towards Poland. The timing of such a meeting would
be of particular importance to us in view of the forthcoming
meeting of President Clinton with European leaders."
1993 December 1
"A Bigger - and Safer - Europe: New York Times Op-Ed.
1993 December 2
Senator Simon's letter to President Clinton. "... I met with
Ed Moskal plus other leaders -- they have two requests:
1. On your next trip to Europe go to Poland - (gesture also
welcomed by the Polish American community in USA).
2. Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic should be admitted to
NATO."
1993 December 3
Brussels - Addressing the NACC in Brussels, Poland's Foreign
Minister Andrzej Olechowski said, "The Partnership for Peace
proposal would only fulfill Polish expectations if it opened the
door to NATO membership, which remains Poland's strategic
objective."
1993 December 6
"Coalition" founding meeting at the Polish American Congress
Washington, DC office -- 14 national ethnic organizations
represented. This was a historic meeting, at which the subject
of Russian neo-imperialism was discussed and at which the
coalition of ethnic groups with roots in Central and Eastern
Europe was reinvigorated with a common issue.
The meeting was opened by Myra Lenard, Executive Director,
Polish American Congress. Casimir Lenard conducted the meeting,
and Mr. Jan Nowak, National Director, briefed the assembled
representatives on the overall political situation, and
specifically the known position of the Clinton Administration
concerning its developing relationship with President Yeltsin.
Each representative of the other ethnic groups joined in
expressing his concerns. It was mutually agreed that the
situation was drastic and required a joint effort on the part of
each one of the organizations.
1993 December 6
Memorandum from President Edward J. Moskal of the Polish
American Congress to the Presidents of all Member National
Organizations, and Presidents of State Divisions and Chapters,
on Russian neo-imperialistic policy and the U.S., asking all to
SEND LETTERS to President Clinton, Secretaries of State and
Defense, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee and both
senators of each recipient's state, expressing dismay and
astonishment, as United States citizens, informed and concerned
voters, at the possibility that the U.S. may, in some way,
encourage the Russian government to engulf Poland and other
neighboring countries. Attached were: a sample letter, lists of
addresses, newspaper clippings.
****************************************
1994
1994 January
The Polish American Congress and members of the Central and
East European Coalition invited to Milwaukee, WI to meet at a
"Round Table" with officials from the White House, National
Security Council, State Department and others ... to openly
discuss the concerns of the European ethnic groups (20 selected
leaders of the Coalition with roots in the four Visegrad
countries) and then, on the next day to hear a major foreign
policy speech by President Clinton and have an opportunity to
meet with the President after his remarks.
The night before the Milwaukee meeting, President Clinton's
mother passed away and Vice President Gore made the
presentation.
1994 January
NATO Meeting in Brussels. President Clinton declares that it
will be the policy of NATO to bring in new member countries from
Central Europe.
Prague meeting of President Clinton with the leaders of
Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. No longer a question of
whether NATO would be expanded, but "when" and "how."
Enactment of the NATO PARTICIPATION ACT of 1994 ...
****************************************
1995
In 1995 NATO published a statement describing the process
that it would follow to add new member countries to the
Alliance.
1995 February 6
Polish American Congress issues a Legislative Alert (5
pages) to all of its Divisions and Chapters. Re: TITLE VI -
REVITALIZATION AND EXPANSION OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY
ORGANIZATION, as part of H.R. 7 National Security
Revitalization Act to be presented on the House floor the week
of February 13. The bill supports the extension of NATO and
establishes criteria for membership. It names Poland, Hungary,
Slovakia and the Czech Republic. It provides for assistance from
the United States and other NATO members to facilitate
transition of these four to full NATO membership.
1995 February 16
The NATO PARTICIPATION ACT AMENDMENTS -- Drawn from
the foreign policy plank of the "Contract With America. "...This
law aims to speed up the process of incorporating the emerging
democracies of Central and Eastern Europe into NATO. Passed the
House 241-181. In mark-up Congressman Torricelli (D-NJ)
eliminated the important key target date of January 10, 1999,
with: "in the near future".
U.S. Congress action on this legislation now moved to the
Senate. Senator Hank Brown (R-CO) again took the lead to
introduce the bill to mandate a "NATO Transition Program."
Polish American Congress will issue a Legislative Alert with
information to its members and the press.
1995 February 27
Polish American Congress letter to Anthony Lake, National
Security Council: "...On April 6, 1994, Yeltsin requested a
'special agreement'... we understand that Clinton decided to
accede to open dialogue and sent 25 points to the NATO Council.
Strobe Talbott recently met Russian Foreign Minister and German
Defense Minister; they may exchange formal letters... The Polish
American Congress supports an expanded NATO to enter into
security agreements with Russia -- submitting five questions to
dispel our concerns and doubts..."
1995 March 15
Polish American Congress PRESS CONFERENCE at the National
Press Club, Washington, DC. Reason for calling news conference
is the exchange of Memoranda between the Polish American
Congress and Anthony Lake, NSC.
- The Administration adopted a two-track approach to
enlargement of NATO -- however, the Moscow train is moving
faster (Vice President Gore visited Moscow last December 14),
while progress on the East Central European train was stopped by
the NATO Council last October, pending internal discussions and
studies.
- The Polish American Congress is not opposed to a security
agreement between NATO/Russia. We are opposed to any security
deal prior to Enlargement. Process on both tracks are to move at
same speed.
- Questions at the Press Conference were answered by Polish
American Congress Director Jan Nowak.
1995 March 15
Polish American Congress issues "Answers to Commonly Asked
Questions on NATO Expansion".
1995 March 15
Polish American Congress Press Release on the Polish American
Congress National Press Club conference: "...Clinton
Administration and Yeltsin discussions are taking place without
the participation of the smaller countries involved , whose
leaders are neither consulted nor informed. "...We are anxious
that errors of the past should not be repeated -- The Yalta
Agreement with Stalin led to the Soviet domination of Eastern
Europe and the start of the Cold War..."
1995 March 15
In a letter to Mr. Lake, President Moskal states,
"Washington's efforts to placate Moscow's leaders over the past
year and half have failed. Instead of making Russians more
reasonable, Russia has become 'increasingly confrontational and
aggressive'. Russia has taken numerous actions around the world
that are against the interests of the U.S. and its allies."
1995 March 23
Senator Hank Brown and Senator Paul Simon introduce a bill to
mandate "NATO Transition Program" -- requiring the
President to establish a program to expand NATO membership. The
"NATO Participation Act Amendments of 1995" strengthens
certain provisions of the NATO Participation Act of 1994, signed
into law last November. This program will establish joint
planning, training and military exercises with NATO forces;
encourage greater interoperability of military equipment, air
defense systems and command, communications and control systems;
and permit greater conformity of military doctrine.
1995 April 3
Polish American Congress President Moskal's letter to Senator
Mitch McConnell concerning U.S. funding for RFE/RL, VOA and
other.
1995 April 24
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland,
Wladyslaw Bartoszewski's remarks at the Center for Strategic and
International Studies, Washington, DC. After an introduction
into his remarks, the Minister stated: "I shall not discuss the
obvious benefits enlargement will bring to Poland and the
members of NATO, including the USA, instead I will discuss the
main objections voiced by opponents -- and I have divided these
into five categories.
1995 May 1
The Central and East European Coalition Letter to President
Clinton, signed by Myra Lenard, Executive Director Polish
American Congress, for the Coalition. "... We share our
concerns, our fears from the growing manifestations of
aggressive nationalism and recent pronouncements by Russian
leaders ... Since Chechnya we no longer dismiss these statements
as mere rhetoric ... The U.S. should respond from the outset.
Lack of reaction, silence, playing down or glossing over of
early symptoms of forthcoming danger may be falsely perceived as
passive approval, even encouragement to [Russian] expansion ...
We address you on eve of your visit to Moscow on the 50th
anniversary of V-E Day. We join in paying tribute to the heroic
struggle ... At the same time we hope this commemoration will
not turn into a celebration of victories of Stalinism, which
merely brought another form of enslavement to the people of East
Central Europe."
1995 October 30
An Open Letter - NATO ENLARGEMENT - A POLISH AMERICAN
CONGRESS POSITION PAPER -- "...The Polish American Congress is
deeply concerned that sources in Brussels say that any
meaningful progress is suspended until the December 1996
ministerial meeting. In January 1996 it will be exactly two
years since President Clinton posed the questions: "Who?" and
"When?" Further delay undermines the credibility and influence
of the United States ... The people of East Central Europe would
feel the answer, in reality, is "maybe" or "never"...
1995 October 23
President Moskal's letters to Chairmen of the Democratic
National Committee and the Republican National Committee
inviting them to the Polish American Congress Council of
National Directors meeting in Washington, DC, November 9-10,
1995.
1995 October 30
President Moskal's letter to President Clinton, expressing
concern by reports that no meaningful progress will be made
prior to the December 1996 Ministerial meeting.
1995 November 9
The Polish American Congress meets with President Clinton.
1995 November 14
Anthony Lake, NSC, letter to President Moskal as a follow-up
on discussions with President Clinton.
1995 November 17
The Polish American Congress steps up the appeal for NATO
membership for Poland with a nation-wide Mailgram Hotline
campaign.
****************************************
1996
1996 September
Enactment of the "NATO ENLARGEMENT FACILITATION ACT" --
Legislation to assist the admission of Poland, Hungary, and
the Czech Republic into NATO, approved in the House of
Representatives by a vote of 353-65, and in the Senate by a vote
of 81-16. NOTE: The Three above listed laws were all U.S.
Congressional initiatives, greeted by the Administration with
indifference, if not downright hostility (See Gilman, 4/23/97,
The Washington Times)
1996 November
President Clinton's campaign speech in which he plays up to
the Polish American community.
1996 December
NATO ministers declare that they would convene a summit in
July in Madrid, at which time they would decide which countries
would be invited to membership in the Alliance.
****************************************
1997
Installation of the Polish American Congress WEB PAGE AND USE
OF INTERNET to reach broader audience beyond Polish-American
ethnic community. Throughout the year, articles, announcements
and updates are posted to keep the public aware of developments,
including a "scorecard" of US senators and their positions on
NATO Enlargement Ratification and a sample letter to be sent to
senators.
1997 February
Roth-Lieberman Concurrent Resolution (S. CON. RES. 5) in the
Senate reinforcing US Congress support and commitment to the
extension of membership in NATO to the democracies of Central
and Eastern Europe and expressing the sense of Congress that
such extension is essential to the consolidation of enduring
peace and stability in Europe.
The Polish American Congress at President Moskal's direction
immediately issued a LEGISLATIVE ALERT to all Divisions to write
to their Senators to ask them to become co-sponsors of this
Resolution.
1997 February 19-22
Polish American Congress sponsors CONGRESSIONAL STAFFERS
VISIT TO POLAND -- eleven members of US Senate and Congressional
staffs, specialists in Foreign Relations, Armed Forces, Military
Intelligence, and Appropriations, for the purpose of observing
Poland's readiness to join NATO. High level meetings and working
sessions on Vice Ministerial level and members of Polish Sejm
and Senate. Visit to military base. These US staffers are the
specialists who will be preparing briefings and legislative
materials for the US Senators and Congressmen, in preparation
for NATO Enlargement.
1997 March
The Polish American Congress, as a member of the Central and
East European Coalition meet with Deputy Secretary of State,
Strobe Talbott, to discuss the timetable for NATO enlargement
and voice concerns about the NATO/Russian Charter and the
NATO/Ukraine Charter and the issue of a voice or vote for
Russia. Mr. Les Kuczynski represented the Polish American
Congress at the meeting with Strobe Talbott.
1997 April 22
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, along with Minority Leader
Tom Daschle, announce the appointment of 28 senators to serve on
a newly created NATO Observer Group.
1997 April 30
The Central and East European Coalition sponsors an all-day
conference on Capitol Hill entitled "Security and Stability in
Central and Eastern Europe." Two panels of distinguished
experts. Mr. Les Kuczynski participated in the conference.
1997 May 8-10
Niagara Falls, New York - Meeting of the Polish American
Congress Council of National Directors. Keynote speaker: Mr.
Jeremy Rosner, newly appointed Special Advisor to the President
and Secretary of State for NATO Enlargement Ratification.
1997 May 1
The Polish American Congress hosts a Breakfast on Capitol
Hill to celebrate Polish American friendship and the
commemoration of the historic Third of May Polish Constitution
of 1791. Official sponsors are Senator Barbara Mikulski, and
Congressman Benjamin Gilman, the Polish Ambassador to the United
States, Jerzy Kozminski, and Polish American Congress President
Edward J. Moskal. The Breakfast also has 30 honorary sponsoring
Senators and 36 honorary Congressional sponsors. Special guest
speaker is the Prime Minister of Poland, Wlodzimierz
Cimoszewicz.
1997 May
NATO Ministers meeting in Portugal to start preparations for
the Madrid summit.
1997 May 27
The signing of the Founding Act between NATO and Russia (in
Paris).
1997 July 8, 9
Madrid, Spain - NATO Summit: POLAND, HUNGARY, CZECH
REPUBLIC officially invited to join the Alliance, to
end the division of Europe. Polish American Congress included in
conference call from MADRID -- Jeremy Rosner and Daniel Fried
called to congratulate all concerned on Poland's selection.
1997 September 30
Polish American Congress, on behalf of the Central and East
European Coalition, invites 23 national organizations to meet in
the Washington, DC offices of the American Legion. Mr. Casimir
Lenard, Polish American Congress National Director, chaired the
meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to coordinate efforts on
informing Americans throughout the country about the importance
of NATO enlargement for the security of the United States and
the world. Organizations present include veterans organizations,
ethnic groups, and representatives of business, associations and
institutions who had already issued public endorsements of NATO
enlargement. Main goal of the group, named The NATO Enlargement
Ratification Working Group, is to insure an overwhelming Senate
vote to ratify the accession of Poland, Hungary and the Czech
Republic to NATO in early spring of 1998.
1997 October 27
Steering Committee of the NATO Enlargement Ratification
Working Group meets in the Polish American Congress Washington,
DC office.
1997 October 18-26
Polish American Congress invited by the Secretaries of State
and Defense to participate as observers on a tour to NATO
headquarters (Brussels) , US European Command, Hungary, the
Czech Republic and Poland, to assess the military readiness and
preparations of the three candidate countries to join NATO.
President Moskal selected Colonel Casimir Lenard to represent
the Polish American Congress on the trip
1997 October 31
Meeting of the NATO Enlargement Ratification Working Group.
Discussion on increasing Grass Roots support for NATO
Enlargement Ratification.
1997 November 5
Polish American Congress President Edward J. Moskal testifies
before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings, in favor
of Poland's membership in NATO
****************************************
1998
1998 January 6
Polish American Congress and members of Central and East
European Coalition meet with Strobe Talbott, Deputy Secretary of
State, to discuss on-going "process" of NATO enlargement, beyond
the first three candidates, general security issues in Central
and East Europe, security guarantees for those countries not yet
invited to join NATO.
1998 January 14
Polish American Congress and members of the Central and East
European Coalition meet with Juri Luik, Estonian Ambassador to
the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC) and Valdis
Birkavs, Latvian Foreign Minister, to discuss security issues of
the Baltic States, and support beyond the US-Baltic Charter of
Partnership.
1998 January 16
Washington, DC, at the White House: Signing of the
US-BALTIC CHARTER OF PARTNERSHIP between the United States
and the three former Soviet Baltic nations: Estonia, Latvia and
Lithuania.
(To be continued ... )
NOTE: The United States Senate
ratified the Protocols of Accession to the NATO Treaty on April
30, 1998 -- granting membership to Poland, Hungary and the Czech
Republic. The three new members were officially inducted to NATO
at the time of the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Founding
of NATO in April, 1999, in Washington, DC.
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