Polish ambassador speaks on campus

One of Poland's most distinguished political leaders made an important visit to IU Monday. \nPolish ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Przemyslaw Grudzinski, delivered a speech on the subject of "Poland and the Future of Transatlantic Relations" to a crowd in the Union. \nCurrently, Poland is one of the United States' strongest allies in the war against Iraq.\nGrudzinski, Polish ambassador since 2000, restated his country's position in support of the United States and the Iraqi effort. With recent opposition to the United States in countries like France and Germany, Grudzinski said U.S.-European relations are in need of restoration.\n"The alliance has found itself at a crossroad, and the strength of transatlantic (relations) is at stake," Grudzinski said.\nMark Betka, graduate assistant at the Polish Studies Center on campus, said the timeliness of world events added to the importance of Grudzinski's visit.\n"This is a really interesting time in U.S.-Poland relations," Betka said. "Poland is one of the countries that is outspoken in its support of President Bush."\nIn addition to speaking at the Union, Grudzinski also spent time at the Polish Studies Center. Grudzinski gave credit to the center's continuing support of Polish education.\n"It is fair to say the center has become the heart of the Polish community in Bloomington," Grudzinski said.\nThe visit was a significant one for the University and the center, said Bill Johnston, director of the center and assistant professor of applied linguistics.\n"This is a very important visit for (the Polish Studies Center) because the ambassador is the most important representative of the Polish government in this country," Johnston said. "His choosing to come to Indiana University says a lot about the national importance of IU's Polish Studies Center."\nBetka said the speech provided an opportunity for the center to gain publicity and bring awareness to its programs.\n"This is a great opportunity to get some recognition for the center and attract some people who might not know anything about Poland," Betka said.\nIn addition to visiting IU, the ambassador is speaking at the Hudson Institute today in Indianapolis. Johnston said he wants the ambassador's visit to educate Americans about Poland.\n"I hope one of the lasting results of the visit will be a deeper understanding of the relationship between Poland and the United States," Johnston said.\nFollowing his speech, Grudzinski presented Patrick O'Meara, dean for international programs, and Johnston with an award from the Polish Embassy called the Amicus Poloniae.