Bush sidesteps Kwaśniewski's request for waiving visa requirements for Poles

Bush cited the Congress' authority to set the visa policy as the reason for his refusal to discuss the matter. Kwaśniewski, although visibly disappointed, expressed his hope that the rules would be applied less strictly. Lower White House officials reportedly said that this country "could reasonably expect" such a development. The US president also announced that six used cargo planes worth $66 million would be presented to the Polish military free of charge. The two countries' involvement in Iraq was also the subject of the talks. (Rzeczpospolita, A1, A5; Gazeta Wyborcza, pp. 1, 6) A.N.