U.S. President George W. Bush on Wednesday praised his outgoing Polish counterpart, Aleksander Kwasniewski, and offered an early invitation to the country's next leader to visit the White House, DPA reported. "This is a happy moment because I get to see my friend again," Bush said. "It's a sad moment because he is leaving office." Bush praised Kwasniewski for mentoring new democracies in Eastern Europe and for proving that a country can be both a loyal member of the European Union and a friend to the United States. "You can leave your office with your head held high because of the fine job you have done," Bush told Kwasniewski, who is wrapping up two five-year terms. Kwasniewski's successor will be determined by a second round of presidential elections on October 23. Kwasniewski assured Bush that the country's new leader will continue to forge strong ties with the United States. Bush offered an invitation for whomever prevails to meet with him at the White House. Kwasniewski strongly backed Bush's decision to invade Iraq and has provided peacekeeping troops that are scheduled to depart the country by the end of January - unless the new leadership decides to extend the stay. Poland headed a multinational force in south-central Iraq after the war.
