U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaking in Warsaw holds up Poland's transition from Communism to democracy as an example for the rest of the world.
SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, MITT ROMNEY, SAYING:
"Today, as some wonder about the way forward out of economic recession and fiscal crisis, the answer once again is: 'Look to Poland'."
Romney contrasted that with neighboring Russia and a host of other countries.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, MITT ROMNEY, SAYING:
"In Russia, once-promising advances toward a free and open society have faltered."
The Republican candidate was in Poland at the end of a foreign tour intended to show voters back home that he could serve on the world stage. However the journey has been marked by gaffes and missteps.
On the first leg of his trip in London, Romney drew howls of derision from the British press after questioning whether the city was ready to host the Summer Olympics.
On the next stopover in Israel, he angered Palestinian leaders by calling Jerusalem the Israeli capital and saying cultural differences made Israel more successful economically than the Palestinians.
In Poland Tuesday, he avoided making any off-the-cuff comments to the media. Some news outlets reported that an aide to Romney told reporters -- among other things -- to quote "shove it."
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.
