Lech Kaczynski, the President of the Republic of Poland

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to sincerely greet the participants of the conference “From Solidarity to Democracy:  Can Cuba Break Free?”.  I would like to address a special greeting to the guests from abroad.  I thank the organizers for the invitation to participate in the discussion on such an important issue.  I am happy that at today’s meeting such remarkable representatives from the political elite and opinion-makers of the Republic participate, where the historical experience of our country in a certain way allows us to understand the needs and the sense of transformation and predestines Poland to perform in the international forum in the role of advisor and donor of ideas and values, on which we built our - free, sovereign, and democratic country.

The “Solidarnosc” generation was united by a common consciousness that the idea of this great social movement, expressed in its name, has an universal dimension, goes beyond borders, and constitutes an essential value for every person and every nation.  Today, we still clearly uphold the principle of solidarity as our outpost of global partnership.  The postulates after many years remain still up to date.  The role of the nation should always be to take care of the common good, ensuring citizens due rights and freedoms as well as the possibility of development, and the protection of safety and dignity.

In a modern world, the number of countries has considerably increased which are delighted to have full sovereignty – countries which can in the right way be defined by name - democratic countries of law.  For this democratic community, the basic catalog of citizen rights and freedoms is something obvious.  But not too long ago, Poland and other nations of Central-Eastern Europe had to fight for the respect of these fundamental liberties, for the rebirth of the supremacy of law and the principles of democracy.

Poland already has endured a difficult, painful period of its history.  Nevertheless, in spite of the passing of time after the fall of communism in our country, we Poles still have in our minds the strife of being subjects in our own country.  Also there is a great hardship in building from the basics a democratic system, conditions for economic well-being, and spiritual development.

Looking into the past, we clearly see that it was worth going this road.  The initiative and energy of people was freed, we created the framework for economic, technical, and social development - the growing power of the nation changed into a much stronger position in our region in Europe and in the world.  This power has its main source in legal governing and in respecting the regulations of democracy.  That is why we are ready to share our knowledge with everyone who is just breaking fresh ground towards a society or are planning to go on the road of reform.  We want to encourage others as we were at one time encouraged.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Reflecting over the future of some kind of country, area, or continent is for politics integral as well as difficult work.  Integral because there is no way to shape present-day politics without a horizon in which the vision of the future declares itself.  Difficult because the political reality certainly does not fall under such precise planning as construction designing by architects.  The end result in this area does not always remind us of an earlier outlined shape.  It is worth, however, to take on such trials and participate in forming international relations based on universal values of solidarity and partnership.

To all of you, the organizers, speakers, and the audience of today’s conference, I wish that this meeting was an opportunity to exchange valuable experiences, to many important reflections on societies heading towards freedom and democratization as well as to strengthening ties of international cooperation and friendship in widening the area of  democracy and freedom in the world.

Lech Kaczynski