Wałęsa gives Bush cold shoulder

Bush will not, however, have a chance to meet with Lech Wałęsa. The Americans reportedly wanted the two men to have a brief talk over a cup of coffee afterwards. But, according to a high level Law and Justice (PiS) politician the party did not agree with Wałęsa meeting the US President. "We replied that we have a different perception of the event and that Bush will be welcomed by the provincial authorities." He went on to add that Kaczyński and Wałęsa have not particularly liked each other for the last 15 years, and combined with Wałęsa and Kwaśniewski warning that democracy in Poland is under threat from the Kaczyński brothers has left even a symbolic handshake between Wałęsa and Bush is out of the question. (Dziennik, p. 5) R.M.