Mariusz Handzlik

Template:Notability Template:Expand Polish

Mariusz Handzlik
File:Mariusz Handzlik 2.jpg
Born	Template:Birth date Bielsko-Biała
Died	10 April 2010(2010-04-10) (aged 44) Smolensk, Russia
Cause of death	Airplane Crash
Nationality	Polish
Citizenship	Polish
Children	3

Mariusz Handzlik (born 11 June 1965 – died 10 April 2010) was a distinguished Polish diplomat who served as the Undersecretary of State within the Office of the President of Poland, overseeing foreign policy matters from October 2008 onward.

Originating from Bielsko-Biała, Handzlik earned a Master’s degree in sociology focusing on international relations at the Catholic University of Lublin’s School of Social Sciences. His career included advisory duties on foreign affairs to the Prime Minister between 1992 and 1994. Subsequently, he held the position of first secretary and counselor responsible for political and military affairs at Poland’s Embassy in Washington, DC from 1994 through 2000. He then directed the Export Policy Department (2000–2001) and acted as deputy director of the Security Policy Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2001 to 2002. Between 2002 and 2003, he was appointed ambassador at large and chaired the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in Paris. Later, he served as minister counselor for political affairs at Poland’s Mission to the United Nations in New York from 2004 to 2005, followed by leading the Office of Foreign Affairs within the Presidential Chancellery from 2006 until 2008.

His postgraduate studies were undertaken at several prestigious institutions, including the School of Social Sciences at the University of Vienna, Austria; the University of Geneva in Switzerland; Cranfield University in the United Kingdom; as well as the Center for International Trade and Security at the University of Georgia in the United States.

Handzlik completed internships with key legislative bodies such as the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the US House of Representatives and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He also trained with the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) and Poland’s Permanent Delegation to NATO.

In recognition of his contributions, he received “the Medal for Outstanding Public Service” from the US Secretary of Defense in 2000.

He was a father to three children: two daughters, Julia and Iwona, and a son named Jan.

Handzlik was among those onboard the Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft operated by Poland’s 36th Special Aviation Regiment, which was transporting President Lech Kaczyński when it tragically crashed near Smolensk-North airport close to Pechersk near Smolensk, Russia, on April 10, 2010. The accident resulted in no survivors.

During his lifetime, Handzlik developed a friendship with Polish war hero and Righteous Gentile Jan Karski. On July 13, 2000, while engaged in a chess game with Karski, Handzlik witnessed Karski suddenly fall ill. When Handzlik attempted to summon medical help, Karski firmly responded: “Minister Handzlik, Check! Your move.” Karski passed away shortly after being admitted to hospital. Today, a statue depicting Karski playing chess is displayed outside the Polish Consulate in New York City, with a replica situated on Georgetown University’s campus.

Career

Handzlik held a position as a lecturer at Collegium Civitas, a private university located in Warsaw, Poland. Until his passing, he was responsible for instructing two classes at the institution: U.S. Foreign and Security Policy and Negotiations and Responsibility to Protect.

Honours and awards

Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta - awarded posthumously in 2010

Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service - 2000, United States

Grand Officer of the Order of Merit - 2008, Portugal

National Order of Merit, Class III - 2009, Malta

Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit - 2009, Hungary

Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit (Lithuania) - 2009, Lithuania