Lech Kaczyński

"I was particularly keen to do what little I could to help your country after the collapse of Communism, having for so long held a combination of profound admiration and heartfelt sympathy for the appalling suffering of the Polish people."

"The Russians can be expected to carry out policies aimed at regaining their influence in Poland... Im talking here about gas, oil, and so on. The Russians want this to be their zone of influence again, though of course on a different basis than in the past. They dont want full domination but rather an ability to exert substantial influence."

"We have to oppose the widespread view that if the Russians are provoking us, we shouldnt react because that could be perceived as a confirmation of Polands alleged russophobia. Lets remember that Russia is not only provoking us but also checking how far it can go. Recently it went definitely too far. We must react when we have to do with obvious nonsense, like the Russian foreign ministrys recent statement that Yalta resulted in a strong, free, and democratic Poland."

"It is necessary to restore the dignity of the presidential office and cut it off decisively from non-transparent connections... For the first time in many years, I see a chance in Poland for major change. The presidential office can guarantee that these changes are carried out without undermining the social equilibrium."

"It sets a path towards the elimination of nation states and the emergence of a European state in the strictest sense of the word. Im definitely opposed to it."

"The politician has a right to defend his dignity. I ignored the first wave of invectives, but the second one was too much, I couldnt have handled it and I had said in hard (but for the street - where I was - soft) words that he should go."