Poland's President Andrzej Duda, PM Mateusz Morawiecki and leading politicians on Sunday paid homage to US Senator John McCain, a known advocate of US military aid to Poland, Central-East Europe and the Baltic States.
McCain died of a brain tumor on Saturday aged 81.
In a tweet in English, Duda wrote he was deeply moved by McCain's death, and called the senator a true statesman and a dedicated friend of Poland. Duda reminded that McCain, a long-time naval officer, was a war hero in the Vietnam War. He also recalled his personal meeting with Mc Cain in 2016, and wrote that he will always remember the conversation.
"I am deeply moved by the untimely passing of Senator #JohnMcCain - a war Hero, true Statesman, and a devoted Friend of Poland. Will always carry in my heart the conversation we had back in 2016 and his profound knowledge of geopolitics. R.I.P., Senator," President Duda wrote.
In his tweet, PM Morawiecki expressed sorrow at McCain's demise and remarked he had been a true American patriot and a well-tested friend of Poland. Morawiecki stressed that McCain had always been a politician with principles who staunchly defended freedom and democratic values.
"I was sorry to hear about the death of John McCain. Gone from us is a true American patriot and a well-tested friend of Poland, an unbending guardian of freedom and democracy, a man of principles in politics," the PM wrote.
Jacek Sasin, head of the Council of Ministers Standing Committee, told the Polsat News channel that McCain's sympathy for Poland and determined stance towards Russia stemmed from his Cold War experiences, and recalled that the senator stuck by his views in this respect even when the US Administration chose to pursue a milder policy towards Moscow.
Deputy Foreign Minister Bartosz Cichocki wrote on Twitter that McCain's support of Poland had been an inspiration for the Poles in the years when they were freeing themselves from communism. Also the Foreign Ministry in a condolence tweet called McCain a true friend of Poland, and a "guardian of democracy and freedom in the countries of Central-East Europe."
Grzegorz Schetyna, leader of Poland's main opposition party Civic Platform (PO), said McCain had been an example of steadfastness, courage and consistence, and reminded about his friendly feelings for Poland.
Marek Sawicki, MP for the Polish People's Party (PSL) and a former agriculture minister, recalled his meeting with McCain in the US, and said the senator had been a great friend of Poland.
John McCain was born on August 29, 1936 to a family with military traditions, both his father and grandfather having served as US Navy admirals. After service in the Vietnam War, he continued his military career until the early 1980s, when he entered politics. McCain was elected to the US House of Representatives in 1983.
Known for his uncompromising stance towards Russia, McCain was a strong supporter of pressure on Russia over the Ukraine conflict and advocated raised military aid to Central-East Europe, especially Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. McCain also pressed for the speedier installation of a European missile defence shield.
Senator McCain had been battling an aggressive brain cancer, since July 2017. On Friday, his family informed about his decision to resign further treatment owing to the disease's advancement and his age.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 International, PAP