Lech Wałęsa honored for promoting Poland in the world

The Foreign Ministry has presented Lech Wałęsa with a special award for his role in promoting Poland abroad. The former president of Poland was greatly surprised that the present government have suddenly appreciated what he has done for the nation for many years. "This award proves that what I do is right," said Lech Wałęsa. "I always try to prove that my country was right during the periods of complicated global history." Wałęsa is the second best-known Pole in the world, right after Pope Jan Paweł II. He is widely appreciated for his courage and determination in his fight for a free and sovereign Poland. Norman Davis, the famous British historian, has labeled Wałęsa as an "Ambassador of Poland in the World". (Rzeczpospolita, June 26-27, pp. A1, A3) J.J.