Reagan Praises Polish Struggle in Visit to Warsaw

Former President Ronald Reagan praised Poland’s democratic struggle Friday but warned post-Communist leaders that difficult times may come and they must treat one another “as opponents, not as enemies.”

Reagan, making his first visit to Poland, was interrupted by applause 10 times during a 45-minute speech to Parliament members and political leaders in Warsaw’s Royal Castle.

“I have always believed that, where freedom is, any friend of freedom will feel at home. And I have been waiting a long time to say to the people of Poland, ‘Today, on your soil, I feel at home,’ ” said Reagan, who imposed strict sanctions on Poland after the Communists imposed martial law in 1981.

Many current political leaders in Poland credit the sanctions with helping to pressure the government into democratic concessions. Reagan is also remembered for his strong support of the Solidarity labor union.

Poland was the second stop on Reagan’s 10-day European trip. Earlier, he visited Berlin.

“Even though many Americans have never met a Pole, your struggle for liberty has moved us deeply,” Reagan said.

Reagan also alluded to recent political discord in Poland between Solidarity Chairman Lech Walesa and Prime Minister Tadeusz Mazowiecki.

“It is natural that you will fight hard among yourselves on issues of great importance,” he said. “To protect the liberty you have won at such a cost, you will need a full measure of the tolerance and openness that are Poland’s tradition.”