Lech Wałęsa addresses European Parliament

Wałęsa was address the Parliament as an honorary member of the first session of European Parliament after the accession of 10 new members. He said, "We have fulfilled the wishes of former generations through our determination, sacrifice and belief in the Power of God." While Sejm Speaker Józef Oleksy presented the Polish flag to Pat Cox to fly outside the Parliament Oleksy said, "Let it fly here forever". Pat Cox, the head of the Parliament, thanked Poland for this gift from the Polish nation for the people of Europe. He also welcomed solemnly 162 deputies from the new states who presently enjoy observer status in the Parliament with voting right until elections to the European Parliament in June. (Gazeta Wyborcza pp.1, 14) J.J.