American Jewish Committee
Honors Poland President Kwasniewski

September 16, 2005 - New York

President Aleksander Kwasniewski of Poland was honored last night by the American Jewish Committee with the organization's highest award, the American Liberties Medallion.

"Mr. President, you are a towering champion of liberty, a steadfast defender of democracy, a staunch advocate of human rights, a courageous protector of memory and a tireless promoter of mutual understanding," said AJC Executive Director David A. Harris as he presented the prestigious award at a dinner at AJC headquarters. "Today, democratic Poland shines bright in the constellation of free nations."

Accepting the award, President Kwasniewski expressed his personal commitment to Polish-ewish reconciliation, and thanked profusely AJC for its instrumental role in deepening understanding and advancing relations between Poland and world Jewry. He condemned manifestations of anti-Semitism, and noted that during his presidency the rate of anti-Semitic incidents in Poland has dropped significantly.

"Our goal at the American Jewish Committee is to write a new chapter in relations between Poland and the Jewish people," said Harris, who noted the unprecedented cooperation between AJC and Poland in protecting and preserving the Nazi death camp at Belzec. He thanked the president for addressing the dedication ceremony last year.

President Kwasniewski, noting that some three-fourths of world Jewry can trace their roots to oland, spoke about the importance of remembering the community that flourished for nearly 1,000 years before it was virtually wiped out under Nazi occupation. The Museum of the History of Polish Jews, slated to open in 2008, will be a vital contribution, said Kwasniewski, who himself is a patron of the project.

"We are eager, together with our Polish friends and partners to look to the future, to broaden and deepen the dialogue between Poland and the Jewish world, especially among young people," said Harris. "It means helping Jews understand the evolution of Poland into a dynamic and open society, where a proud Jewish community is rebuilding itself and looks with optimism to the days ahead. It means helping Poles understand the vibrancy and diversity of contemporary Jewish life around the world, including in Israel."