Archives - Jean Chrétien

To the Warsaw School Of Economics

And well he should be. The Warsaw School of Economics is a leading training ground for the skills, talent and leadership that is driving the economic renaissance of Poland today. Canada has been pleased to contribute to the development of your Executive MBA Program. And I am delighted to confirm today our ongoing commitment to the Program through the second phase of our cooperation project.

When I was told that the School wanted to confer an honourary degree on the Prime Minister of Canada, I was...to say the least...extremely flattered. I would add that my being honoured before such an impressive assembly would surprise many of the teachers I had as a boy. Anyone of whom could testify that my dedication to schoolwork was – variable – to put it kindly.

My visit to Poland is the first ever by a Canadian Prime Minister. It comes 80 years after the re-creation of the modern Polish State, and at the end of a decade of extraordinary change throughout Europe.

And this singular honour drives home the tremendous changes that have taken place in the span of only a few years in Poland. Changes with which Canada is proud to be associated.

The ties between Canada and Europe run deep. Ties of origin, of family, of history , and of shared values. Ties that are fundamental to our identity as a people and to our national story.

A majority of Canadians were born in or have their roots in this continent. Among them are almost 800,000 Canadians of Polish origin. Polish settlement in Canada goes back well over a century. The hard work, dreams and vision of Polish Canadians have been essential to making Canada the prosperous, diverse nation we are today.

In this century one million Canadians put their lives on the line to protect freedom in Europe in two terrible wars. Over 100,000 never came home. In World War Two, Canadian and Polish troops fought side by side in a number of campaigns. A bond of common sacrifice that I shall commemorate later today in a special and solemn ceremony.

During the dark days of the Cold War – as a charter member of NATO – Canada worked in a committed and creative way to preserve security and stability in Europe, and to ease the tension.

Those walls of ideology crumbled in a dramatic fashion. A long and courageous struggle for freedom here in Poland was one of the reasons. And for that the world owes you a debt. But even in this new era there are dangers. So, Canada considers NATO to be central to the future stability of the new Europe. This is why we strongly supported – and were the first to ratify – Polish, Czech and Hungarian entry to NATO. An historic new chapter in Alliance history that will be formalized shortly.

In the early 1970's Canada was actively engaged in the Helsinki process, which gave birth to what is now the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe. No longer marred by old East-West rivalries, it is now a key to addressing contemporary challenges in Europe. As its Chairman-in-Office last year, your Foreign Minister Geremek had to deal with critical issues, like the terrible conflict in Kosovo. Which even as I speak continues to unfold in deeply disturbing ways. I would like to commend him on his able leadership.

Ladies and gentlemen, the march of history unfolds in ways that are often mysterious and unpredictable. Overturning conventional wisdom. Challenging the human imagination. Leaving us humble in its wake. The events of the last decade in Europe attest to that.

Ten years ago, Canada and Poland belonged to opposing military blocs deploying millions of troops on the two sides of a line created by ideology that seemed eternal. In the blink of an eye that line was erased. But we still live with the residue of that history and face a number of difficult challenges.

If most of Europe is at peace, there remain troubling conflicts in certain areas, many based on ethnic divisions. Bosnia, Kosovo and Albania are just the most obvious examples.

In addition, the transition to democracy is incomplete in some countries. As you know, democracy is more than just holding elections. It is also the rule of law and respect for human rights – including minority rights.

Europe has developed a variety of mechanisms to deal with these deeply-rooted issues. The Council of Europe and the OSCE are two. But it is clear that more effective efforts are required to ensure that the blessings of true democracy, social stability and personal security are enjoyed throughout the continent. We in Canada understand this. That is why Canadian peacekeeping troops have served in Bosnia since 1993. And why Canadians are part of the OSCE mission in Kosovo.

Today, I would like to pay special tribute to the contribution Poland has made to building this common European home.

In ten short years, you have been a shining example. Establishing a thriving and effective democratic system. Consolidating an independent judiciary. Developing an effective policy of cooperation with your neighbours. Being an active peacekeeper. Making a home right here in Warsaw for the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. And – much to my great personal pleasure – Poland has signed the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel mines.

Poland is also leading by example in the transformation to free markets among the emerging nations of Eastern and Central Europe. Canada has watched with admiration the perseverance of successive Polish governments on the path of economic reform, even in the face of very painful sacrifices. It is a measure of your success that Canada and Poland are now partners in the WTO and the OECD.

We are aware that much hard work remains. For instance, that Polish entry into the EU will involve further difficult decisions and adjustments. But, as I assured Prime Minister Buzek yesterday, Canada feels that Poland's future lies within the European Union. And we strongly support EU enlargement.

Canada also believes that your record of political and economic success gives Poland an important responsibility in Central Europe. We look to you to play a role in helping the Baltic States, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Southeastern Europe overcome their own unique challenges.

In that regard, I believe that we owe our children, and the judgement of history, our very best efforts to work with the Russian Federation as it deals with its current economic crisis.

Russia has extraordinary human and natural resources. With tremendous economic and industrial potential. And her success in building a durable democracy and market economy will determine whether the Europe of the future will be the zone of peace and prosperity which we all desire.

The command economy did not work. We all have an obligation to help Russia resist that temptation of turning back by convincing her of the value of staying the course. To erase old suspicions and create a new lasting climate of confidence and cooperation.

Ladies and gentlemen, I can think of no more powerful or compelling example of successful change than Poland.

I am deeply touched by the honour this great institution has bestowed on me – as a representative of the Canadian people. I accept it humbly. In the knowledge that while the degree may bear my name, its true value is as a reaffirmation of the friendship between our peoples.

As I said earlier, history can often surprise us. That is because the real motor of history is not ideology or philosophy. It is people. Their spirit. Their courage. Their thirst to be free.

That is the story of humankind. It is the story of the world during a violent century of turbulence and change. It is also the story of nations. None more than the Republic of Poland.