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Poland's Walesa condemns U.S. over visas - 11/08/04

Big News Network.com Wednesday 11th August, 2004

Lech Walesa, former Polish president and former leader of the Solidarity trade union, has condemned the United States for its visa policy towards his country.

Walesa told Polish Radio the United States was making Poland look ridiculous by refusing to grant the country the same visa rights as older European Union countries despite Poland's staunch support for the United States in Iraq and the wider world.

Poland joined the European Union on May 1 and has emerged as one its most pro-American members. However, the United States' refusal to extend visa waiver privileges along the lines of those enjoyed by countries such as France has angered many Poles.

They say they do not understand why Polish soldiers should risk their lives helping Americans in Iraq if Polish civilians are not treated as equals when visiting the United States.

Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka discussed the matter with President Bush in the White House Monday. Although there appeared to be no progress on the main issue of concern for Poland, President Bush did pledge to institute pre-clearance procedures at Polish airports to reduce the risk of Poles arriving in the United States and then being sent home.

(Source: http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=126d8ed05f09f230)