Polish President meets the Pope

With reference to the AFP news concerning the meeting on April 7, 1997 between His Holiness Pope John Paul II and the President of the Republic of Poland Mr. Aleksander Kwasniewski, which was published on page 6 of April 8, 1997 edition of The Jakarta Post, please find below President Kwasniewski's remarks to the press concerning this meeting.

President A. Kwasniewski voiced satisfaction over the course and results of his talks with Pope John Paul II. Kwasniewski told journalists after his audience with the pope that he was impressed with John Paul II's attitude to Polish questions, that is, with the "pope's great interest in the developments in Poland and in the opportunities emerging before that country."

He added that he was moved by the joy with which His Holiness ascertains the fact that Poland has a chance to enter the European Union and NATO.

Kwasniewski elaborated that the Vatican confirmed its approval for the contents in the declaration to accompany the ratification of the concordat. He also conveyed to the personal secretary of the Pope the text of the new Polish Constitution, which is subject to approval by the Polish nation in the referendum, to be held on May 25, 1997.

JACEK GRABOWSKI

First Secretary

Polish Embassy

Jakarta