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| Europe |
| Polish Prime Minister Miller Resigns |
| 2004-05-02 |
| Prime Minister Leszek Miller stepped down Sunday after helping lead Poland into the European Union, his government weakened by unresolved economic problems, corruption allegations and a split in the governing party. After receiving Miller's resignation, President Aleksander Kwasniewski was to appoint former finance minister Marek Belka as new prime minister in a ceremony at the presidential palace. Miller said he was proud to have attained EU membership, the most important target he set for his administration. "That goal has been attained," Miller told Belka, Kwasniewski and other leaders in a large elegant room adorned with chandeliers and green marble columns. "I am proud to have headed a government which has achieved what seemed impossible," Miller said. Belka's appointment is not expected to affect Poland's continued leadership of a multinational force of around 9,000 troops in Iraq. Several key ministers will remain in their posts, including Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz and Defense Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski. Their continued presence, along with that of Kwasniewski, are expected to provide continuity. Belka has also said that he would continue Kwasniewski and Miller's policy of remaining in Iraq until the situation there stabilizes. |
| Posted by:Steve White |