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05 February 2005
Rice Meets with Polish Foreign Minister Adam Rotfeld
February 5 meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Warsaw, Poland
Following is the transcript of Secretary Rice’s press conference with Polish Foreign Minister Adam Rotfeld following their February 5 meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Warsaw, Poland:
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Remarks With Polish Foreign Minister Adam Rotfeld After Meeting
Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Warsaw, Poland
February 5, 2005
FOREIGN MINISTER ROTFELD: (in Polish) Ladies and gentlemen, as you know, today we have held talks, which form part of the series of talks that the Secretary of State, Ms. Condoleezza Rice, has been undertaking for the last few days in London and Berlin, as well. Today, she came to Warsaw to hold these talks. We discussed both world and global topics, regional aspects and bilateral relations. In terms of global issues, we discussed the development of the situation in Iraq and the forecasts about how it will change after the elections, which, in our opinion, were a very important event in that country. And that does totally change our optics on Iraq.
In terms of regional matters, we have been discussing transatlantic relations, and we came to the conclusion that we should stop talking about the transatlantic relations and start developing them in reality.
As for bilateral relations, we have been discussing all kinds of cooperation: political, military, financial. We also discussed the topic of visas, which is of huge public interest in Poland. And I must tell you that we’ve got good news to communicate to you in all those domains. However, Presidential talks will follow, and I think it’s preferred for the Presidents to let you know about at least some of those topics. Thank you.
SECRETARY RICE: Thank you very much. And thank you very much, Minister, for your warm reception here. We know each other well. We have served together in many capacities, including when I was National Security Advisor, and you were playing a similar role. And I thank you very much for your friendship, and I look forward to working with you as Foreign Minister.
This is a wonderful opportunity to come to Poland. I would like to stay longer, because this is really one of my favorite cities. I’ve been here many times. We share with Poland so many ties, so much history, and of course the deepest possible values.
The Minister and I had an opportunity to talk about the tremendous progress that democracy is making on its march around the world: the remarkable events in the Rose Revolution in Georgia, the Orange Revolution in Ukraine, the incredible sight of people voting in Afghanistan--a place where Poland has contributed to the stabilization of that country--and, of course, the remarkable vote on Sunday of the people of Iraq, who put behind them their tyrannical past and put behind them the fears that terrorists had tried to impose upon them to exercise their democratic right. And even though all of these young democracies have many difficulties and many challenges ahead of them, it is heartening to know that the march of freedom and liberty goes on.
We do indeed have a lot of progress in our bilateral relations. But I agree with the Minister: It’s always better to let the Presidents give good news, and so we look forward to the visit of President Bush with President Kwasniewski when they have an opportunity to get together as they have done many times.
But I came here to Warsaw to underscore how much America values Poland as a member of the European Union and as one of our strongest transatlantic partners. It is also a place that always reminds me of the spirit, of the human spirit, of the quest for human dignity, of the aspirations for liberty and freedom. It always reminds me of how values can be kept for decades, strong enough to overcome tyranny.
I was first in Poland myself in 1979, and I do not know if we could have imagined in 1979 that the Polish Foreign Minister and the American Secretary of State could be standing together talking about how to put the transatlantic alliance to use in the spread of liberty and democracy to places where it has never been.
But, of course, here we stand. And Minister, I look forward to working with you in the service of great causes on behalf of liberty and freedom.
QUESTION: (in Polish) A question to the Secretary and the Polish Minister. Does Poland have a role to play in the American-Russian relations?
SECRETARY RICE: Would you like to begin?
FOREIGN MINISTER ROTFELD: (in Polish) Let me start by saying that the U.S. and Russia do not need any go-betweens. They can communicate perfectly well without them. And Poland, as a matter of fact, doesn’t need any go-betweens to communicate with Russia either. But today we have come to the conclusion that both Poland and the U.S. want the development in Russia to enable the closest relations possible between Russia and America. And we want Russia to be a prosperous, stable and a democratic country.
Let me add one more word in this context. In the context of Ukraine that your question points to, both Poland and the U.S. did not take part in the resolution of this conflict because that was dictated by some political games or political hidden interests wanting to isolate or limit the possibilities of Russia. We were only guided by the expression of the sovereign will of the Ukrainian nation, and that is what we want to achieve. We want the democracy to prosper in the Ukraine.
SECRETARY RICE: I would agree completely with the Minister. The United States does have, in fact, productive relations with Russia. It is a relationship that will deepen and broaden, particularly if democratic values can find a way to take hold in Russia.
And Poland, of course, should have good relations with Russia and I know works hard at good relations with Russia. Everyone wants Russia to be a prosperous, democratic state that is a fully integrated and responsible member of the international system. And we have many good signs with Russia that Russia has the same vision of the future. And when we have differences, as we sometimes do, we have to work through those with respect for the differences, respect for both sides. But we need, both Poland and the United States, good relations with Russia.
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, you are going to see the Russian foreign minister tonight in Ankara and President Bush will see President Putin later in the month. You mentioned a moment ago occasional differences. Do you have some specific complaints you expect to raise in your meeting, or you expect President Bush to raise in his? What would you like to see Russia do differently specifically?
SECRETARY RICE: Well, we and the Russians have a continuing dialogue on the whole range of issues. We have been supportive, for instance, of Russian desires for WTO membership, and we-- Ambassador Zoellick and Minister Gref--were just in discussions about how to accelerate Russia’s accession as Russia meets the criteria for WTO membership. We, of course, are working well with the Russians in the war on terrorism in Afghanistan. We have been very heartened by the fact that Russia has been a very good partner in terms of both law enforcement and intelligence cooperation in that war.
Obviously, we have concerns and have made it clear about internal developments in Russia at this point, that it is important that Russia make clear to the world that it is intent on strengthening the rule of law, strengthening the role of an independent judiciary, permitting a free and independent press to flourish. These are all the basics of democracy. And it is no secret that we have had concerns about some of the developments in Russia. We will continue to talk to the Russians about it, because we really do believe that a more democratic foundation in Russia, as Russia makes a transition from a totalitarian state to a democratic state, that a firmer foundation for that will indeed strengthen and underscore and put real, further substance into a deepened relationship with the democracies of Europe and, indeed, with the United States.
QUESTION: One quick follow up. Do you think this evening to speak in Russian?
SECRETARY RICE: Well, I have to say that I think Minister Lavrov probably speaks English better than I speak Russian. We’ll see which language works at what times.
QUESTION: (in Polish) I’ve got a question for both of you. As I understand, your journey to Europe now is also aimed at remedying the relations with main European powers that have been strained, especially with France and Germany. Poland, due to its participation in operations in Iraq, has also strained its relations with many influential European politicians. So, my question to Mr. Minister is: Have you talked to Madam Secretary of State about any expectations of Poland towards America in helping to remedy those strained relations between Poland and other European countries, the European powers? And a question to Madam Secretary of State: Will you take explicit account of Poland,of discussing Polish relations during that mission to remedy your American relations with the main European powers?
FOREIGN MINISTER ROTFELD: (in Polish) Let me be very brief on that. Our attitude towards the developments in Iraq and our action in the years 2003 and 2004 did cause a response on the part of some EU member states, and that was perceived as a rift in the transatlantic relations. However, today in our talks with Madam Secretary of State, we have come to the common conclusion that the unfortunate concept of old and new Europe is a total misunderstanding. We are part and parcel of one Europe, and we are integrated with it.
And I do agree with the concept represented by Madam Secretary of State that we need more dialogue and less monologue. This is very relevant. And as I understand, her visit yesterday to London and Berlin and today to Warsaw and other visits in Europe is an implementation of that statement.
Let me add one more word to that. In the year 2005, we are in a completely different place than we were in the years 2004 and 2003. Our relations with France and Germany at the moment are very close, I would even say identical in some matters.
And I think it makes it easier for the Secretary of State to perform her visit, because when she asks questions in Europe she very often hears the same answers.
SECRETARY RICE: I would agree with the last statement. I think that what we’re hearing from Europe is a desire to move on to the next chapter in the history of this great alliance, and that is a chapter that should be devoted to the great opportunities before us: the opportunities to try and sustain the momentum toward a Palestinian-Israeli resolution of that long-standing conflict and the great cause of the spread of freedom and liberty and the support of people who have taken risks, as people in Afghanistan and Iraq have recently taken. But also, the building of the institutions of democracy in places like Georgia and Ukraine, which are also taking first steps to democracy. We’ve been talking, of course, also, about Russia and the need to reach out to Russia and to have Russia reach out to Europe.
So we have a very large agenda ahead of us, and what I have found on this trip thus far is that people recognize that whatever our differences in the past, they were never differences of values. They were perhaps differences of how we proceeded in certain circumstances. But the core values of this alliance have never been stronger. There is absolutely no…there’s absolutely no tension between the European identity of states like Poland and its transatlantic identity.
I would just remind everybody that a united Europe was something that the United States supported from the very beginning of the efforts to unite Europe immediately after World War Two. And so these two strong pillars of a Europe whole and free--a united and strong European Union, and a united and strong NATO--will serve us very well in the difficult, challenging but opportune times ahead of us.
QUESTION: For the Foreign Minister. You alluded to some good news and that’s one thing that journalists don’t hear enough of. And we know that the two presidents will be meeting later this month. Can you tell us whether or not the Iraq elections may have changed Poland’s decision of whether or not it’s going to withdraw its troops from Iraq? Can you elaborate on that? And Madam Secretary, could you please elaborate a little more on your meeting with Foreign Minister Lavrov later this week. Why is it so important that he travel all the way from Russia to Ankara to meet with you? What else do you have on your agenda beyond democracy…(inaudible)…the role to play in Iraq, or six-party talks?
FOREIGN MINISTER ROTFELD: (in Polish) About the good news, let me tell you they cover at least several matters. We both believe that the process in Iraq has reached a certain stage. The elections have made us all re-think what happened in Iraq, and we are definitely reducing our Polish presence in Iraq by 800 soldiers. However, it will still remain significant. Right now our main mandate will be based upon different principles, because it is the Iraqi government that will define our place in their country.
As for other good news, we have discussed the roadblock…we have discussed the free movement of Poles traveling to the U.S.--the visa issue--because the Americans have been enjoying such a privilege for a dozen years now or so.
And we also discussed the modernization of the armed forces and some opportunities seem to be opening up for Poland once some decisions are taken by the U.S. quite soon. We must state it bluntly that the operation in Iraq has cost the Polish armed forces quite a lot and that has hampered for some time the process of modernizing it.
SECRETARY RICE: First, let me just say that Poland’s contribution to Iraq has been extraordinary and continues to be extraordinary. Poland was one of the four countries on the ground in the original military action in Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein. Poland has lost people in Iraq, and I would just like to say to the Polish people, and particularly to the loved ones of those who were lost, how much America and the Coalition appreciate the contribution and the sacrifice of the Polish people.
So, as Poland begins to re-adjust its contribution in Iraq, I want it to be very clear that America believes not for one moment that there is any diminution in Poland’s support for the Iraqi people or in our view of how valiantly Poland has supported this great cause.
And as to Minister Lavrov, the Presidents will meet shortly, and we thought it was a very good opportunity to meet and to discuss that agenda. It was very gracious of Minister Lavrov to meet me here in Europe, because I was unable to go to Russia on this trip. Of course, Russia is a partner of global reach, and we have a number of activities that are global, including…you mentioned the six-party Talks. We will, of course, have an opportunity to talk about that, our cooperation in Afghanistan, and indeed we would hope that Russia, which has a lot of experience in the region, would be able to support in any way that it can the now-emergence of a democratic government in Iraq. And I’m sure that there are ways that that can be done, but this is not a meeting to somehow take account of what contributions we expect from people. This is a meeting, really, to prepare the agenda for the Presidents’ visit.
Released on February 5, 2005
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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
