Both the ruling camp and the liberal and left-wing opposition regarded President Lech Kaczyński's first visit to the United States as an important test of the new president's skills on the international scene.

Upon his return to Poland Feb. 12, Kaczyński described his visit as "definitely positive" and prospects of Polish-U.S. relations as good. As for the touchy subject of Poles' visa obligations, he said there were chances for a more lenient visa policy for college students and academics. He remarked, however, that such procedures usually took a long time and were complicated and the visa issue really depended on the U.S. Congress and not the American president. Kaczyński emphasizes he understands the American arguments in the visa issue, but adds the "double-standard" in this area (Americans travel to Poland without visas) between Poland and the United States has persisted for 15 years and "it is hard to imagine it could continue for another 15."

The Polish president met with President George W. Bush Feb. 9 and described the meeting as "very good." The visit in the White House took over two hours and according to Kaczyński, the American leader was "honest and friendly." Kaczyński says he invited Bush to pay a visit to Poland and hopes their conversation will become a good foundation for both leaders' relations through the end of Bush's term.

"Poland is an active member of the European Union and at the same time, a loyal ally of the United States," Bush told the media after the meeting. He congratulated Kaczyński on the victory in last year's presidential elections and thanked him and the Polish nation for their support in Iraq. Bush added he had asked Kaczyński's advice regarding Ukraine. The Polish president said the United States' support for democratic processes in Ukraine and Belarus-countries of interest to Poland-was extremely important. He added he had talked with Bush about the necessity of building new relations with Russia. In Kaczyński's opinion, certain signals breed hope the Polish-Russian relations will improve.

The presidents also discussed questions related to the EU, NATO, operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. "We are strong allies, friends of freedom and we believe in peace," Bush said.

Kaczyński also paid a visit to the U.S. Senate where he met with representatives of the foreign affairs committee. During those meetings, the Polish president mentioned even more delicate subjects than at the White House, including the visa issue. Senators who talked to Kaczyński declared their support for the initiative to start work on possible visa facilities for students and academics.

In line with earlier expectations, Kaczyński met in Washington, D.C. with representatives of the American Jewish Committee. Participants of the talks point to the excellent atmosphere of the meeting. Kaczyński spoke about his visit in White House, Polish-Israeli relations, Poland's efforts to abolish American visas and the situation in the Middle East. After the meeting, Rabbi Andrew Baker said it had been a "warm and positive" conversation, adding it was regarded as the beginning of a dialogue. The meeting also involved the Head Rabbi of Poland Michael Schudrich. Heads of the American Jewish Committee will visit Poland in March.

Back in Poland, Kaczyński said he had especially fond memories of his meeting with Polish-Americans in Chicago, whom he visited as the first incumbent Polish president. Lech Wałęsa had met Poles in Chicago, but as the Solidarity chairman, whereas Aleksander Kwaśniewski never went to Chicago despite his numerous visits to the United States. In the recent presidential elections, Kaczyński scored excellent results with the local Polish community of almost 1 million people.

Feb. 10, Kaczyński took part in a dinner prepared in his honor by the Polish-American Congress in Chicago and expressed his hope that the Polish community and all Americans of Polish descent would be a strong and influential group in the United States. The meeting at the Polish conference center White Eagle was attended by around 1,500 guests.

"We expect those who have succeeded in the United States to bring their success to Poland," Kaczyński told the guests, encouraging investment in Poland. The president's speech received a standing ovation. Frank Spula, president of the Polish-American Congress, declared the organization would continue to lobby for abolition of American visas for Poles.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Stefan Meller, who accompanied Kaczyński on the trip, signed two inter-governmental agreements in Washington, D.C., Feb. 10. The first Polish-U.S. agreement, dealing with scientific and technological cooperation, relates to a similar one from 1992 which has since expired. This agreement regulates questions of intellectual property protection, access to new technologies and academic exchange. Updated regulations from the previous agreement comply with Poland's obligations resulting from EU membership.

The other contract concerns training of Polish pilots who will fly the 48 multi-role F-16 planes purchased in the United States. The contract provides additional training for 24 pilots in the U.S. Originally, only 13 pilots were supposed to undergo training in America, while another 36 would take an intensive language course in the United State and receive training on the T-38C trainers. Training on F-16 fighters would take place in Poland, conducted by seven Polish instructors aided by American instructors. The extra training project for pilots in the United States will be financed using $40 million of what is called the Solidarity Fund, a one-time aid package from the United States worth $100 million and earmarked for the modernization of the Polish army.

Politicians of the ruling right wing evaluated Kaczyński's trip as very good. According to Michał Kamiński, a Law and Justice member of the European Parliament, the head of a state visiting with the American president so soon is "an exception which the Americans reserve for their important allies."

The left-wing opposition expresses a different opinion. Jerzy Szmajdziński of the Democratic Left Alliance says Kaczyński's visit follows the pattern of Polish-U.S. relations started by former President Kwaśniewski. "The visit was no breakthrough and did not receive any noteworthy coverage in major American media," Szmajdziński said.

The liberal Civic Platform (PO) restrained itself from criticizing the president. Jan Rokita, PO vice-president, says Kaczyński accomplished in the United States whatever could have been accomplished on a debut trip, the aim of which was primarily to get to know the most prominent figures on the American political scene in person, President Bush in particular.