As Allies, We Support Common Values and Democracy, Not Specific Politicians
By sending troops, the United States is lending support to shared values, not to specific leaders or parties, US Ambassador Mark Brzezinski stressed. He also noted the importance of free media to democracy, which, he pointed out, is under threat around the world.
“When U.S. soldiers are flown abroad, including to Poland, we don’t come to provide support to a particular leader or party, from the right or the left. We are in such places to defend democracy, values, the rule of law, human rights, freedom of information, freedom of the media.” – Brzezinski told tvn24 on Monday.
He added that the military presence “is the most valuable support America can give to any country in the world.” He assured that stationing American troops on allied territory means that “we truly believe that together we stand for the same values” essential to democracy.
“America and Poland uphold the same values. But democratic systems must always be alert to threats to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.” – said the ambassador.
“In the last few years in America, you have also seen what challenges we have faced, but we talk about them in an open, transparent way. We had our own problems and Poland has its own, and we must always be vigilant and attentive,” Brzezinski said.
Asked about the events in Brazil, he stipulated that as US ambassador to Poland, he could not delve too deeply into the subject. However, he pointed out, “democracy is under threat around the world.” He stressed that democratically elected rulers have an obligation to apply all rules and regulations. “This also applies to Latin American and Eastern European countries, as it does to our democracy in America,” Brzezinski stressed.
He called media freedom “one of the most fundamental ways to protect citizens from disinformation.” “A strong exchange of ideas, arguing, sometimes being in sharp disagreement, is the method to determine the best way forward,” the US ambassador added.