Reagan statue in Warsaw

We have a handful of what I would term "staunch" allies in the world today. Britain, Australia, Japan and yes Poland. They stand with us consistently on almost all important issues. Bush should consider a visit in the near future as they have been loyal allies and true friends.

A monument to Ronald Reagan is to be erected in Warsaw. But why do Poles want to honour the American ex-president in such a special way?

Reagan’s two terms of office, from 1981 to 1989, coincided with the crumbling of the Soviet empire, the Solidarity revolution in Poland and the imposition of martial law. He is remembered therefore in Poland as a man whose contribution to the collapse of communism here cannot be overestimated.

The initiative to erect a monument to Reagan in Warsaw comes from Janusz Dorosiewicz, a Pole who spent over 15 years in the States.