Cablegate: Recommendation for Presidential Delegation To

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TAGS: PREL PGOV PL
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION FOR PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATION TO
ATTEND CEREMONIES MARKING THE 90 ANNIVERSARY OF POLAND'S
INDEPENDENCE

1. (SBU) Embassy Warsaw recommends that a presidential
delegation at the highest possible level represent the United
States at commemoration ceremonies in Warsaw on November 11
marking the 90th anniversary of Poland's regaining its
independence. This is a tremendously significant milestone
for the Poles along the way to their first centennial, and
will be marked by private and officials celebrations,
notionally to including a ceremony at the tomb of the unknown
soldier and a gala ball, hosted by President Lech Kaczynski.
This would also be an fitting occasion to draw attention to
the upcoming 90th anniversary of U.S.-Polish relations, which
officially kicks off in 2009.

2. (SBU) The United States is intimately associated with the
formation of the modern Polish state. Point 13 in President
Wilson's "14 Points" speech called for the re-establishment
of a Polish state following World War I. At Versailles peace
talks, Wilson pressed hard to ensure that the new state came
into being, a position not all participants to the talks
shared. No other nation played as central a role in the
establishment of the free and independent nation of Poland.

3. (SBU) Over the past 90 years, Poland has proven that it
is willing to pay a high price for freedom. The Polish
population triumphed - at great human cost - over foreign
occupation and domestic oppression to become a free
democratic state. Poland has evolved into an exceptionally
strong partner to the United States in advancing the
President's Freedom Agenda around the world. The occasion
offers a unique opportunity for the USG to demonstrate
solidarity with the Polish people and to thank Poland for its
unwavering support. Among other things, Poland has
vigorously condemned Russian aggression against Georgia,
contributed troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, agreed to host a
missile defense interceptor site to protect the United States
and Europe, and co-founded both the Proliferation Security
Initiative and the Community of Democracies Movement, but the
goes on.
ASHE

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