-
https://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/files/original/3d79df0107a6446548bd820f9ef41a64.pdf
3133b7648fa0089215467dfac99812c8
PDF Text
Text
Clinton Presidential Records
Mandatory Declassification Review
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
Documents from this Mandatory Declassification Review were
released in full or released in part.
Those documents released with redactions have been restricted
under Sections 1.4 (b)(c)(d) or Section 3.5(c) of E.O. 13526 or
P6/(b)(6) of the PRA/FOIA.
�+.:,\'. ,;
"-.,,
CONF':tBEl~
l
~.,
,.
::
~
,'
/ ' . , J •••.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
SUBJECT:
Meeting with President Lech Walesa of Poland
PARTICIPANTS:
The President
The Vice President
Warren Christopher, Secretary of State
Anthony Lake, Assistant to the President'for
National Security Affairs'
Charles Kupchan, NSC Staff, Notetak~r
Lech Walesa, President of Poland
Krzysztor Skubiszewski, Minister of Foreign
Affairs
Janusz Ziolokowski, Minister of State, Office
of the President
Kasimier Dziewanowski, Ambassador to the U.S.
Mieczyslaw Wachowski, Secretary of State,
Office of the President
Zbigniew Lewicki, Interpreter
DATE, TIME
AND PLACE:
April 21, 1993
Oval Office
2:00 - 3:00 pm
President Walesa: I was a leader of the revolution in Poland.
But I had no idea of the eventual outcome: the overturning of
Communism. Now we are faced with post-communism and the task of
building structures to replace communist society. A key part of
this process has to be increased reliance on re ional
ration.
~
Declassify on:
DECL\SSU"If:D tl~ IJART
)Iti~"""
PER,E.O. 13526
C1..t.'''''''''''
"I"~h"
~
�The President: I agree with your general outline of the
situation. We want to provide assistance and develop trade with
Poland and all f.ormer communist countries. The U.S. is the
second largest investor in Poland, and we hope to encourage more
U.S. investment. There are some outstanding trade disputes in
the areas of unfair tariffs resulting from association agreements
with the Ee, intellectual property rights, and arms sales. But
these are the types of disputes that normally arise in relations
between states. The U.S. has the responsibility to support all
countries that are standing up for freedom. In this respect, we
support' Russia. We do not believe that Russia is at present too
strong. ;Jl')
\
The President: We have given money to help nuclear power plants
become safer. We have also tried to pursue investments in Russia
that enhance privatization and economic reform, strengthen the
energy sector, and provide new housing. President Yeltsin wants
to bring Russian troops home, but lacks houses for them. The
army still controls nuclear weapons, so we have to be.careful.
In all re~~cts, the U.S. must be on the side of democracy and
reform. ,Y"
�..
CONF:r J;I.iltf'f I AL
;;
The President: We have a three-prong strategy of assistance.
First, we are trying to promote democracy in Russia and ensure
that Russia pursues a peaceful foreign policy. Second, we have a
strategy for promoting reform in all the republics -- whether
they be nuclear or non-nuclear states. Third, we are building
our relationships with countries in Central Europe so that they
~ill serve as a ~ource of stability throughout the region.
Poles
must understand that the U.S. and Poland share enduring
interests. We must build on these shared interests. Your
country's influence will grow in coming years. No matter what
happens in Russia on Sunday, we all face important tasks and
Poland has a large responsibility in the international community.
)91
The Vice President: Reform in Poland continues to be a difficult
task. You have moved very quickly; you are the most advanced in
the post-Communist world in terms of democracy and free markets.
Poland is also a good friend of the United States. We have the
opportunity to push this relationship forward and build a long
term partnership. Poland's most important contribution is in
providing the ideas and concepts needed to make political and
economic change happen. ~
The President: You ~re saying we should start with the other
republics and then later focus on Russia? ~
The President: We have asked all Russian troops to be withdrawn
from the foreign soil. We must roll back the threat of
imperialism and remnants of the communist system. I am worried
-eOtU'I DEMIAL
�short run the military might revolt and cause a setback in
Russia. I hear your central message: Do not put all our eggs in
one basket. As you know, my first appointment was to create an
ambassador to oversee assistance to all republics of the NIS. We
are trying to keep reform moving forward throughout the region.
).P'
End of Conversation
~O))lFID'EN9:'HrL
�~lU'IDElU'fIA'b
. CONFIDENftAL~
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON'
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
SUBJECT:
Meeting with President Vaclav Havel of the
Czech Republic
PARTICIPANTS:
The President
Warren, Christopher, Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright, Ambassador to the UN
Anthony Lake, Assistant to the President for
National Security Affairs
Charles Kupchan, NSC Staff, Notetaker
President Vaclav Havel
Alexandr Vondra, Deputy Foreign Minister
Michael Zantovsky, Ambassador to the U.S.
Ladislav Spacek, Assistant to the President
Alexandra Brabcova, Interpreter
DATE, TIME
AND PLACE:
April 20, 1993
Oval Office
5:00 - 6:00 pm
President Havel: Thank you for taking the time to see' me.
I am
here to talk about all issues.
I would like to tell you about
events in the Czech Republic and discuss broader European issues,
U.S.-Czech relations, and other international issues.
(U)
Our federation split, in a peaceful fashion -- something very
unusual in history. And I think this split will enhance, not
erode, stability in Europe. The Czech Republic desires to build
on the foundation laid by Czechoslovakia; there will be
continuity between the behavior of Czechoslovakia and the
behavior of the Czech Republic.
I am still the president.
I
desire to deepen already good relations with the United States.
These good relations started before World War I and it is now
time to continue them.
(U)
,
Czechs believe that a continued U.S. presence in Europe is
needed. We welcome more contact with the U.S.
U.S. investments
are already substantial. Many American students are coming to
study in the Czech Republic.
The basis for our new relationship
is that we now share democratic values.
(U)
I would not like to dwell too long on my country; other topics
deserve more attention. Just let me say that we are now working
on a large-scale privatization program; we are transforming our
legal and political
system; and we have had two free elections.
We now want to focus on entering NATO and the EC because we see
ourselves as Europeans who embrace European values. The Czech
..coW~~ElN'l'I1rL
---:,... ·.,.~_7...~ -7'~\
Declassify on :~y;
.'::,
L"..L;!
.... _ ...L:~ ..·
DECLASSIFIED IN PARI
PERE.O.13526
l.Ot)~- ot.,'1.\""....
f,!.,./lv
f""\.
�Republic wants to help implant these values in the center of
Europe. We had that role before World II -- before we were
overrun by Nazism and Soviet domination. ~
Enough on my country. Let me extend to you a cordial invitation
to visit Prague. Your wif~ is invited too. My wife is also
interested in he'alth care. And Prague is beautiful. (U)
The President: As you know; I visited Prague in 1970.
remember it well. I remember the snow on the bridges.
I
(U)
I am very impressed with the peaceful split of Czechoslovakia.
The,progress you have made in democratic reform is remarkable.
I hope that your country will continue to be a force for
stability, peace, and democracy in Europe. We support your
domestic reform efforts ,and your international role. I would
like to hear your thoughts on relations between our two countries
and on other European issues on which I have to ,make decisions.
(U)
.
,
I am particularly concerned about the situation in Bosnia. There
are now voices in this country and in Europe saying that we
should do more. We are tightening the sanctions, but it is
unclear that they will have their intended effect. It seems
clear that the Serbs will not participate in peace negotiations
as long as they keep winning. They continue to have an enormous
arms advantage because of the embargo. What should the
international community do? Should we end the embargo and give
Muslims the ability to defend themselves? Should we seek UN
authorization to use air power against artillery? What can we do
to promote peace, stop ethnic cleansing, and prevent sending the
wrong m~ssage to potential aggressors elsewhere? ~
The President: We will have to await the outcome of Sunday's
referendum. I think Yeltsin would like to be more supportive; he
did not block the tightening of sanctions. If he enjoys a big
victory on Sunday, ,he may go along with further steps.Yeltsin
has less influence over the Serbs than I thought. He has tried
to stop the Serbs. Part of the problem is that the supporters of
Serbs in Russia are his opponents. They limit his room for
maneuver. ~
�The President: I agree. We are doing what we can through G-7
aid and through bilateral aid packages. We will ask Congress and
our G-7 partners,. to help with privatization, nuclear safety and
environmental clean-up, and housing for soldiers. Yeltsin's
long-term stability depends on having the support of the
military. We must therefore help to create better conditions for
the military.
.y>
secretary Christopher: I met. President Havel three years ago.
Now, as then, he is a heroic figure. What countries in central
Europe represent the largest potential for ethnic tensions?
Where do we need to engage in preventive diplomacy? (U)
The President: I agree that you should be a critical part of
Europe, economically, politically, and strategically -- and a
close friend of the United States. ~
�CONF'ID&N§AL
-ceMFt6ENTIAt
Let me raise one final issue. The Czech Republic as a new
country wishes to be seen as a nation that cares for more than
its own narrow interests. We want to assume a broader
responsibility. To achieve this, we would like to secure Eastern
Europe's non-permanent seaton the UN Security Council. I feel
duty-bound to mention this. We would like to work.with Madeleine
Albright there. ~
The President: If the nomination of the regional group goes to
the Czech Republic, we would be very pleased. ~
.
President Havel: We have already won the support of some in the
region i we need the support of others. )Pi
The President: Tomorrow you and others leaders are coming to the
White House. I hope it does not rain.
(U)
President Havel: I will deliver a lecture at George Washington
University tomorrow. I would like to give you the text. I will
also present you with a copy 'of one of my books. I hope it
becomes part of your library. (U)
End of Conversation
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
<strong>Declassified Documents</strong>
Description
An account of the resource
This collection of declassified records focus primarily on foreign affairs. These records were declassified and made available to the public through a <a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/mandatory-declassification-review-requests">Mandatory Declassification Review</a> request.
Provenance
A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource.
Clinton Presidential Records
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Declassified Documents concerning Poland
Description
An account of the resource
This Mandatory Declassification Review contains two memorandums of conversation (memcons). The first memcon is between President Clinton and President Lech Walesa of Poland on April 21, 1993. The second memcon is between President Clinton and President Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic on April 20, 1993.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
2009-0223-M
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Adobe Acrobat Document
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Medium
The material or physical carrier of the resource.
Reproduction-Reference
Declassified
Foreign Policy