Embassy Events 2004

Amb. Ashe and President Kwasniewski at the ceremony at the Presidential Palace

Victor Ashe has officially become the twenty-third United States Ambassador to the Republic of Poland.

Ambassador Ashe [biography] presented his letters of credence from President Bush to President Aleksander Kwasniewski at a ceremony on August 18 in the Presidential Palace. [photos]

"I'm very honored to be representing the United States in Poland, a country whose ties with the United States go all the way back to our Revolutionary War," said Amb. Ashe. "I look forward to seeing as much of Poland as possible and getting to know people from every part of this great country."

The presentation of the letters of credence is grounded in diplomatic protocol. Letters of credence are addressed by the President (Bush, in this case) to the head of the host country, certifying the appointment of an ambassador and the general goals of his or her mission, and asking the host country to recognize the ambassador as the President's emissary.

At the presentation ceremony, Amb. Ashe was accompanied by his wife, son and daughter, as well as senior members of the Embassy staff.