He also pledged to work with both sides of Poland’s political spectrum if confirmed.
Speaking before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, Rose praised Poland as a model American ally and emphasized its status as a victim, not a perpetrator, of the Holocaust.
In an interview with Polish private broadcaster TVN’s US correspondent, Marcin Wrona, after the hearing, Rose said that his goal as ambassador would be to promote and protect American interests.
He added that he intended to work with Poland’s current government as well as the opposition.
“We have excellent relations with the current government, we had excellent relations with the previous government under Prime Minister Morawiecki, and we are getting along just as well with Prime Minister Tusk and Foreign Minister Sikorski,” he said.
In a lighter moment, he quipped that, if confirmed, he would have the easiest job in the entire US diplomatic corps, citing the strength of Polish-American relations. He later joked that Poland could be treated as the "52nd US state, oops, after Canada, of course.”
Rose also addressed earlier controversy over his comments regarding the potential arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Poland.
Speaking on the social platform X earlier this year, Rose expressed outrage at the idea that Netanyahu might be detained in Poland if he attended the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp, as the Israeli leader is subject to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
Rose told Wrona that his comments reflected “an American perspective,” adding that if such an arrest had occurred, “it would have very seriously damaged Poland’s reputation and US-Polish relations.”
He clarified that his remarks were not specific to Netanyahu and would have applied to any foreign leader in a similar situation. Netanyahu ultimately did not attend the January event.
Rose emphasized that his priority as ambassador would be to deepen the US-Poland relationship.
“My biggest challenge is to strengthen our ties with your wonderful country and people,” he said. “We have tremendous respect for your culture, your history, your sovereignty, and your firm defense of your national interests. Poland is a great ally.”
Asked whether the current level of US military presence in Poland would remain unchanged, Rose said that any decisions would be made in consultation with Polish partners, NATO and the Pentagon.
“It is in our interest to deploy our resources where they are most needed and effective,” he said, adding that Poland would have an active role in those decisions.
Rose also highlighted energy security as a key area of cooperation.
Referring to past efforts under President Donald Trump, he noted that the United States aimed to provide “reliable, safe, and clean energy” to Poland and other European partners.
He praised Poland for its infrastructure investments, particularly in port facilities to receive liquefied natural gas (LNG), and called the country’s energy transition efforts “spectacular.”
If confirmed, Rose said he would be eager to begin his work in Warsaw.
His nomination, alongside others presented in the same session, is expected to be approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday.
Full Senate confirmation would follow at a later date. No senator has so far voiced open opposition.
Rose served as an adviser to former Vice President Mike Pence and was publisher and CEO of The Jerusalem Post between 1997 and 2005. He co-hosted a conservative talk show with Gary Bauer, who sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2000.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, TVN24
Click on the audio player above for a report by Michał Owczarek.