Prime Minister Tadeusz Mazowiecki met with U.S. and Soviet officials Friday, and Labor Secretary Elizabeth Dole said the Bush administration would study new ways to aid the fledgling government.
Mazowiecki also met with Senate Minority Leader Robert Dole, R-Kansas, and later met with three Democratic congressmen.Mazowiecki, a veteran Solidarity activist, assumed office Thursday in a historic transfer of leadership from the Communist Party to a government led by what was formerly the opposition.
The meetings with representatives from the superpowers underscored the international significance of the election of Mazowiecki, a close adviser to Solidarity leader Lech Walesa.
Dole said he would be carrying a message from Mazowiecki to President Bush.
"His words were, to characterize them, `He who helps early, helps twice,"' said Dole. "In other words, this is very important now to keep up the momentum and let the Polish people see some change."
Elizabeth Dole said the United States is looking for new ways to help Poland, but she was cautious about offering new assistance.
"Obviously, we do have a budget deficit at home," she said. "We will provide aid as we can, when we can, but there is already a very significant program under way."
She was referring to the $115 million aid package Bush offered during a July visit. Solidarity leaders have been hoping for $10 billion from Western countries, including investments, credits and rescheduling Poland's $39 billion Western debt.
Mazowiecki later met with Vladimir Brovikov, the Soviet ambassador to Poland. The ambassador congratulated Mazowiecki on his election and Mazowiecki sent greetings to the Soviet people, a spokesman said.
Mazowiecki's election has brought reserved support from the Soviet Union.