711.60C27/10–446: Telegram
The Ambassador in Poland (Lane) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 6—2 p.m.]
1538. I inquired of Prime Minister October 2 present status of bilateral aviation agreement.
He said that matter is being studied but it is very complicated. His experts had told him that US and Great Britain have not as yet concluded agreement between them. Osóbka added that Poland does not wish to have its hand caught in the door.
I said I thought there must be some misunderstanding as US and UK had concluded aviation agreement at Bermuda some months ago.29 I said I interpreted Polish Govt’s hesitancy to unwillingness to conclude [Page 501] agreement with US. We had been told about one year ago that Polish Govt did not desire to discuss agreement until economic conversations in Washington were concluded. When these conversations were concluded I was told May 4th by Modzelewski that matter was being held up for official reasons30 and now Premier informs me that lack of agreement between US and UK was obstacle.
Premier said that Polish Govt was greatly interested in aviation agreement especially because of its belief that US and UK not in agreement and as it did not know attitude of the other great power. I expressed disappointment that Polish Govt showed lack of cooperation on this matter and had given various reasons for not discussing agreement. I said I was not urging signature of agreement but a discussion thereof and could not understand why Polish Govt declined to do so. Premier then asked me whether I referred to present economic negotiations or early ones. I said I referred to those in Washington which culminated successfully last June partly due to intervention of Premier. The Premier then said that Finance Minister Dabrowski had gone to US and would in addition to International Bank talks discuss the economic situation with US Govt. He said that industry Minister Mine was also going to US. Premier indicated although he did not specifically state that Minc would likewise discuss Polish economic and financial needs. I said that in my opinion much more favorable atmosphere would be created in US Govt circles if at least a position on the part of Polish Govt to negotiate aviation agreement would be shown. I said of course it would also be most desirable if hostile attitude towards US on part of certain Polish officials could be changed, otherwise I fear an unfavorable attitude towards Poland in Congress and elsewhere.
I hope Department will inform Polish Govt officials who approached Department and US Govt for financial assistance and will authorize them to inform Polish officials here that US Govt is not disposed to recommend extension of any further credit to Polish Provisional Govt unless and until Polish election commitments are carried out, adequate facilities are extended to American Embassy to interview valid claimants to American citizenship who are under arrest and if said position is shown to enter into negotiations for bilateral aviation agreement. Osóbka indicated in discussion aviation agreement that he wished it to be made part of general economic discussions these [apparent omission], as a year ago, as lever to obtain financial assistance.
I feel strongly that we should not permit Poles particularly after our experiences during past year to dictate to US as to the terms on which Poles will discuss matters of bilateral aviation agreement which [Page 502] has now been dormant for over one year due to continual evasion and procrastination. On the contrary we are in a position in view of Polish need for financial assistance to insist that conditions be met such as hope enumerated in preceding paragraph. I earnestly recommend that we take advantage of that opportunity as set forth in attitude to Polish Govt officials in no uncertain terms.
Sent Dept as 1538; repeated to Paris for Secretary as 330.
- Reference is presumably to the air services agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom, signed at Bermuda, February 11, 1946; for text, see Department of State, Treaties and Other International Acts Series (TIAS) No. 1507, or 60 Stat. (pt. 2) 1499.↩
- Regarding Ambassador Lane’s conversation with Acting Foreign Minister Modzelewski on May 4, see telegram 1188, May 4, from Berlin, p. 445.↩