I have known Dr. Janusz Kochanowski since he became Polish Consul General in London in 1991. As a member of the House of Lords at that time, I was determined that everything should be done to restore Poland to her proper place in the international community. This was particulary so in view of her major contribution to alied victory in the second world War and her subsequent betrayal by her closest allies at the Yalta conference. I must also declare a personal interest in that my wife is Polish.

I quickly develop very close relations with Dr. Kochanowski. I took up various Polish causes in the House of Lords, many of them connected with the difficulties of individuals in dealing with British bureaucray. One of my particular aims was to end the visa regime and to close down the Visa office in Warsaw whose activities were damaging Britain's relations with Poland. I also assisted in resolving the unfortunate dispute between BA and LOT. In all these activities I enjoyed the unfailing support of Dr. Kochanowski and we worked closely together to achieve a return of Poland's proper place in the international community. Dr Kochanowski was held is very high regard by British ministers and by many others members of both houses of Parliament who both respected and liked him. His activities in reconcling Poland to Britain and Europe and his untiring promotion of the Polish cause - always with courtesy and tact - where absolutely vital. Without his absolute devotion and manifest integrity at that time, the position of Poland today might be very different. Indeed, the admission of Poland to NATO and the UE might quite possibly not have taken place without his untiring efforts in the early period of Polish independence.

In the present optimisctic situation it is easy to forget those early days. Poland was not taken as seriously as she ought to have been by the British authorities who had a tendency to relegate her to some sort of third World limbo. Dr Kochanowski realised this and he worked untiringly to change this attitude with his characteristic charm, patience and tact. I am very proud that I was able to be of some assistance to him in his work.

I have to emphasise that the contribution of Dr Kochanowski to Poland's success today is unique and he well deserves the gratitude of all patriotic Polish people. I very much hope that he will be elected to the European Parliament as a representative of the country which he has served so well.

LORD BELHAVEN AND STENTON

Znam dr Janusza Kochanowskiego od czasu gdy został polskim Konsulem Generalnym w Londynie w 1992 r. Jako ówczesny członek Izby Lordów byłem zdecydowany czynić wszystko by przywrócić Polsce należne jej miejsce w międzynarodowej społeczności. Szczególnie mając na względzie jej wielki wkład w alianckie zwycięstwo i zdradę jej najbliższych sojuszników w podczas konferencji w Jałcie. ...

Dr Kochanowski był ogromnie szanowany przez brytyjskich ministrów i wielu członków parlamentu. ... Bez jego absolutnego oddanie sprawie i oczywistej prawości w owym czasie, pozycja Polski dzisiaj mogłaby być zupełnie inna. W rzeczy samej wejście Polski do NATO i UE mogłoby tak naprawdę nie mieć miejsca bez jego niezmordowanych wysiłków w czasie początków polskiej niepodległości. ... Jestem dumny, iż mogłem pomóc mu nieco w pracy.

Muszę podkreślić, iż wkład doktora Kochanowskiego w dzisiejszy sukces Polski jest wyjątkowy i zasługuje on zdecydowanie na wdzięczność wszystkich polskich patriotów. Mam szczerą nadzieję, że zostanie wybrany do Parlamentu Europejskiego jako reprezentant kraju, któremu tak dobrze się przysłużył.

LORD BELHAVEN AND STENTON