April 29, 2015 - Ottawa, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement on the death of Wadysaw Bartoszewski:
“On behalf of the people of Canada, I wish to express my deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Wadysaw Bartoszewski, as well as to the people of Poland, on Mr. Bartoszewski’s passing.
“Wadysaw Bartoszewski was a real hero who put aside his horrific experiences during the Holocaust and his role in the Polish resistance to champion Polish-German and Polish-Jewish reconciliation. His dedication to these noble goals is an inspiration to all and evidence of what a single individual can accomplish in the pursuit of peace and religious freedom.
“He also never forgot his wartime experiences when, later, he served as chairman of the International Auschwitz Council and the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and then as leader of the Council for the Protection of Memory of Combat and Martyrdom, the latter a group dedicated to commemorating the memories of the heroes and victims of war. Mr. Bartoszewski served twice as minister of foreign affairs of Poland and was ambassador to Austria from 1990 to 1995.
“Today, we join Poland in mourning the loss of a hero who served his beloved homeland his entire life. His legacy will live on in the freedom and reconciliation he earned for his country.”
Johanna Quinney
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
343-203-1851
johanna.quinney@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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