Embassy Events 2006

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U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe attended the November 28 opening ceremony for ITT’s new office in Warsaw, where he provided keynote comments and cut the ceremonial ribbon, formally opening the office. ITT is currently the 7th largest defense contractor in the United States, and has opened a new office in Warsaw in anticipation of continued growth in Poland and Central Europe. ITT has already established strong working relationships with the Polish military, and has provided radios to the Polish land forces, as well as electronic warfare components for future F-16 deliveries to Poland. “I am honored to be here today at the opening of ITT’s Warsaw office – an event that further underscores the continually strengthening bonds between the Republic of Poland and the United States, as well as the ever increasing attractiveness of this great nation to international business,” said Ambassador Ashe.



U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe
Remarks at the Opening of the ITT Office in Warsaw
November 28, 2006



Thank you General Scott (“Bruce”)…ladies and gentleman, distinguished Polish and American guests…

I am honored to be here today at the opening of ITT’s Warsaw office – an event that further underscores the continually strengthening bonds between the Republic of Poland and the United States, as well as the ever increasing attractiveness of this great nation to international business.

In particular, the Republic of Poland and the United States share common values and goals in the arena of defense cooperation, in which we both strive to maintain an edge in an increasingly dangerous world. I frequently note that our invaluable defense partnership reaches back to the days of the American Revolution…when our common history began with two young, Polish-American patriots – Generals Pułaski and Kościuszko. Pułaski gave his life at the Battle of Savannah for America’s independence. He is known even today as the “Father of the American Cavalry.” Kościuszko built the fortifications at West Point and contributed to the American victory at Saratoga before returning to Poland to lead the Uprising of 1794.

I am happy to say that over two-hundred years later, the seeds that Kościuszko planted at West Point are still bearing fruit in an independent and militarily-secure Poland. Graduates of West Point like our own Colonel Prusinski, the Chief of our Office of Defense Cooperation, are working to deliver F-16s, C-130s and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. And now General Bruce Scott, a 1972 graduate of that same prestigious military academy, has come to inaugurate ITT’s new investment in Poland!

With the opening of its new office, ITT today joins the distinguished list of American companies that are taking part in Poland’s march forward as a political and defense leader in Europe. In addition to its long-standing success in America, as the U.S. Army’s 7th largest supplier, and the 3rd most efficient defense supplier according to “Defense Review”, ITT has a proud history as a world class international supplier. ITT is already active in Poland, providing critical electronic warfare suites for Poland’s F-16s, navigational aids for the airports that host them, and tactical radios for Poland’s Land Forces as they participate in the Global War on Terror. This opening re-affirms ITT’s commitment to Poland as a reliable business partner and its commitment to support this country’s Armed Forces with world-class defense products and support services.

Bruce, on behalf of all of us in the U.S. Embassy, I am pleased to welcome you and your company to Warsaw. We all look forward to a continuing, fruitful relationship between ITT and Poland, and wish you the very best of luck!

I think that General Kościuszko would be proud of you today!