Ambassador Ashe Visits Lower Silesia

June 20, 2007

Ambassador Ashe lays flowers at the Gross-Rosen Memorial (photo gallery)

Ambassador Victor Ashe traveled to the Lower Silesia Region on June 19-20.  He visited the Gross-Rosen Museum and Quarry in Rogoznica, which during World War II was a concentration camp where the average life expectancy was only a few weeks to a few months.   Ambassador Ashe toured the museum, laid flowers at a memorial for victims and learned about new plans for a memorial site in the quarry.  Accompanying the Ambassador on his visit to Gross-Rosen were Janusz Barszcz, the Director of the Gross-Rosen Museum, Piotr Koral, the President of the Gross-Rosen Quarry Foundation, Leon Kieres, Chairman of Lower Silesian Parliament, Piotr Borys, Vice Marshal, Lower Silesia and Andrzej Pawluszek, Councillor at the Prime Minister Chancellery.

During his trip, Ambassador Ashe also visited the town of Luban and met with the mayor, Konrad Rowinski.  He stopped in Zgorzelec to talk with Radoslaw Baranowski, the vice-mayor, about the challenges of Zgorzelec as a border city.  In Wroclaw, Ambassador Ashe exchanged views on the US educational system with the rector of Wroclaw University, Professor Leszek Pacholski and toured the university, including the magnificent Leopoldina Hall and the Tower.  Ambassador Ashe also met with Rafal Dutkiewicz, the mayor of Wroclaw, to discuss American investments and the new city development projects.  Ambassador Ashe concluded his visit with a tour of the Centennial Hall and Japanese Gardens.