"The Return of History” and “The Rise of China” – Prof. Wing Thye Woo Speaks in Poland
17 November 2009

The U.S. Embassy is proud to sponsor the eminent economist Prof. Wing Thye Woo’s visit to Poland to address the future of the global economy.   He will be a keynote speaker at "The Return of History: From Consensus to Crisis, 1989-2009," a conference organized by CASE – Center for Social and Economic Research on November 20-21, 2009, in Falenty (conference by invitation).  In addition, Prof. Woo will deliver a public lecture on "The Rise of China: the Implications for US and EU” at the Lazarski School of Commerce and Law (ul. Świeradowska 43) on November 20 at 10:10 in conf. hall #130 (lecture is open to the public and admission is free). [more]

Do You Want to Study in the U.S?
20 November 2009

Last year, more than 670,000 international students studied in the U.S. and over 640 American students studied in Poland.  Do you want to join this rapidly growing group of students?  Do you want to study in the U.S?  Would you like more American students to study at your university in Poland?   If you answered “yes” to these questions, and want to know more about scholarships, financial assistance, and procedures, please visit the Educational Advising Center at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw or the U.S. Consulate in Kraków, which provide services to Polish citizens interested in university and graduate study in the United States.  The centers have large collections of up-to-date catalogs and guides in print and electronic formats with information on the American system of higher education, the admission process, standardized tests, programs at various U.S. universities, and more. [more]

Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy Issues visited Warsaw
17 November 2009

Ambassador Richard Morningstar, Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy, was in Warsaw November 12-14 to discuss further cooperation between Poland and the United States on energy and energy security. Meetings with government and private sector officials covered European energy diversification and market liberalization, market transparency, and engagement of upstream producers including partners in the Caspian Basin. Ambassador Morningstar also discussed possibilities for expanding cooperation on Poland's energy security priorities. [more]

U.S. commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall
12 November 2009

November 9, 2009 – President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave remarks in honor of the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, an event that symbolizes the collapse of communism throughout Europe -- a process in which Poland played a leading role.   In remarks given by video, President Obama said, “Let us never forget November 9, 1989, nor the sacrifices that made it possible.” At the ceremony in Berlin, Secretary Clinton highlighted Poland’s role in the events of 1989, saying “We remember the Poles who waged a campaign for liberty that began with a strike in the shipyards of Gdansk and ended by shattering a system of tyranny.  We remember a Polish Pope who spoke out for the aspirations of people across Europe and the world.”  See the transcript and video. [more]

Lieutenant General Mieczyslaw Stachowiak’s Visit Highlights Strategic U.S. – Poland Military Cooperation
17 November 2009

Lieutenant General (LTG) Mieczyslaw Stachowiak, First Deputy Chief of the General Staff, visited the United States November 1-6, 2009 at the invitation of his American counterpart, General James Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  At Fort Sill, Oklahoma, LTG Stachowiak received briefings on the Patriot missile system and long-range artillery and air defense weapon systems.   He also toured the US Northern Command and the North American Air Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, where he discussed how the US and Canada defend North American Airspace and how the US military works with civilian authorities during natural disasters and national emergencies. [more]

President Obama Signs Resolution Granting U.S. Citizenship Posthumously to Kazimierz Pułaski
10 November 2009

On Friday, November 6, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law a Joint Resolution (H.J.Res. 26), which proclaims Kazimierz Pułaski (known as Casimir Pulaski in the United States) to be an honorary citizen of the United States posthumously.  General Casimir Pulaski was a Polish-born hero of the American Revolution and is known as the time-honored “Father of the American Cavalry.”  Pulaski, a native of Poland, fought on the side of the colonists against the British in the American Revolution.  He fought valiantly in defense of freedom in several battles, including Charleston and Brandywine, where he saved George Washington’s life.  Pulaski has been honored throughout U.S. history.  In September, 1929, Congress designated October 11 as Pulaski Day to be observed by Presidential Proclamation.  It also authorized the Post Office to issue a Pulaski commemorative stamp.  In 1973, Illinois designated the first Monday of March as Pulaski Commemorative day in Illinois and in 1986 declared the day to be a state holiday. [more]

Radio Free Europe Celebrates 60th Anniversary
10 November 2009

On November 4, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a resolution (H. Res. 641) commemorating the 60th anniversary of Radio Free Europe.  Established in the beginning of the Cold War to transmit uncensored news and information to audiences behind the “Iron Curtain,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), funded by the U.S. Government, played a significant role in the collapse of communism and the rise of democracies in post-communist Europe.  Leaders including Lech Wałęsa, Vaclav Havel, Boris Yeltsin, and others repeatedly emphasized RFE’s critical role in bringing down communist governments.  The resolution honors Radio Free Europe’s contribution to promoting freedom and liberty around the world and commends the employees and reporters of RFE/RL for their commitment to provide fair and unbiased news to people living under oppressive regimes.  Radio Free Europe transmitted its first program to the former Czechoslovakia on July 4, 1950. [more]

Vice President Biden’s Trip to Poland
21 October 2009

Vice President Biden began his three-nation trip to Central Europe in Warsaw, where he met with Prime Minister Tusk and President Kaczynski. The Vice President welcomed the Polish government’s support for President Obama’s missile defense program and Poland’s readiness to host SM-3 missiles. “We appreciate that Poland’s government agrees with us that there is now a better way – with new technology and new information – to defend against the emerging ballistic missile threats,” the Vice President said. The Vice President said that the new phased adaptive approach “strengthens missile defense for Europe, it strengthens Article 5, and it strengthens the alliance’s deterrent capability.  Simply put, our missile plan is better security for NATO, and it is better security for Poland and, ultimately, better security for the United States of America.”  [more]

Change in Consular Districts for the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw and the Consulate General in Kraków
6 November 2009

The United States Embassy in Warsaw and the Consulate General in Kraków are pleased to announce a change to their consular districts.  To facilitate provision of consular services to residents of Województwo Świętokrzyskie, as of November 15, 2009, Województwo Świętokrzyskie will be a part of the consular district of the Consulate General in Kraków.   Accordingly, starting on November 15, American citizens in Świętokrzyskie who require services should contact the Consulate General in Kraków.  Also as of that date, non-immigrant visa applicants residing in Świętokrzyskie should apply at the Consulate General in Kraków.  For information about visa services, please consult the Krakow Consulate General website.  Immigrant visa services are still provided in Warsaw for all applicants from Poland. [more] 

State Department Releases the 2009 Report on International Religious Freedom
5 November 2009

On October 26, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered the State Department’s annual International Religious Freedom Report to Congress.  During a press conference for the report’s public release, Secretary Clinton expressed her hope that the International Religious Freedom Report “will encourage existing religious freedom movements around the world and promote dialogue among governments and within societies on how best to accommodate religious communities and protect each individual’s right to believe or not believe, as that individual sees fit.”  The International Religious Freedom report reviews the status of religious freedom in 198 countries and territories, assessing the nature and extent of restrictions and abuses. The report also highlights positive steps countries and organizations are taking to promote religious freedom and interreligious harmony. [more]

Three U.S. Air Force Generals Make Historic Visit to Poland
19 October 2009

Three U.S. Air Force Generals and one retired Air Force Colonel made a historic visit to Poland to recognize 90 years of cooperation and friendship between the United States and Poland.  Lieutenant General Terry L. Gabreski, Major General Polly A. Peyer, Brigadier General Joseph A. Lanni, and retired Colonel Donald Gabreski visited the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, the Polish Air Force Academy, and the Inspectorate for Armed Forces Support in Bydgoszcz.  During the second day of their visit, they met with representatives of the Polish General Staff, the Inspectorate for Support and the WZL-2 depot facility in Bydgoszcz.  At the Polish Air Force Academy, retired Colonel Donald Gabreski presented the Commandant of the Air Force Academy with a picture of his father, the legendary “Gabby” Gabreski, and Gabby’s Polish colleagues.  Colonel “Gabby” Gabreski was a U.S. Air Force Officer of Polish decent who flew with the 315th Polish Squadron in the British Royal Air Force during World War II.  Colonel Gabby Gabreski became known as the ace of the European theater during World War II and used his Polish language skills to act as a liaison between the British and the Polish airmen. Please click here to see a photo gallery from the visit. [more]

Helena Modrzejewska Exhibition Opens in Warsaw
22 October 2009

As a part of the year-long celebration of the 90th anniversary of Polish-American diplomatic relations, the U.S. Embassy is a proud sponsor of the Polish National Opera Theater Museum’s exhibit, “Helena Modjeska: For the Love of Art.”  Helena Modrzejewska (known as Modjeska in the U.S.) was a heroine of the stage and of audiences across Europe and America.  Her life and accomplishments are shining examples of the centuries of cultural exchange between Poles and Americans. The exhibit presents the life and work of this prominent stage actress, who won the hearts and respect of both Polish and American theater audiences at the end of the 19th century. In 1876 Modrzejewska emigrated to Southern California with her husband, son, and several friends. There, they founded a utopian Polish colony on a ranch near Anaheim that Modrzejewska and her husband bought.  Please click here to read the full biography of Helena Modrzejewska. [more] [more photos]

U.S. Air Forces in Europe Concert Band in Poland this October
29 October 2009

October 2009 sounded with marches, overtures, the best of American popular classics, jazz and famous music from the stage and screen thanks to the United States Air Forces in Europe Concert Band, which toured Poland October 19-25, 2009. The USAFE Band toured Poland in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the establishment of U.S.-Polish diplomatic relations. As America’s Musical Ambassadors, the USAFE Concert Band reinforced the cultural ties between our two countries through music and entertainment. [more] (more photos)

President Obama Announces “Stronger, Smarter, and Swifter” Missile Defense System
18 September 2009

After a comprehensive, congressionally-mandated review of missile defense, President Obama on September 17 announced a new plan to strengthen missile defense in Europe.   In his remarks, President Obama said, “This new approach will provide capabilities sooner, build on proven systems, and offer greater defenses against the threat of missile attack than the 2007 European missile defense program.  The new missile defense architecture in Europe will provide stronger, smarter, and swifter defenses of American forces and America's allies. [more]

House Resolution Celebrating 90 Years of United States-Polish Diplomatic Relations
8 May 2009

A resolution (HR 266) celebrating 90 years of U.S. Polish diplomatic relations was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Daniel Lipinski of Illinois and has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.  A similar resolution in the Senate (Senate Resolution 9) sponsored by Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana was passed on April 1. [more]

New Embassy Speakers Bureau Programs Announced for 2009!
2009

The U.S. Embassy Warsaw Speakers Bureau is excited to announce three major topics for 2009.  Diplomats from the U.S. Embassy are available to visit your school or institution throughout Poland to speak on the following subjects:

* Celebrating 90 Years of Polish-American Diplomatic Relations
* EducationUSA: Opportunities for study in the United States
* Zapraszamy: Visas, work, and travel in the U.S.

Click here for more information about these new programs and how to request a speaker.