Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume V

711.60C/2–1049: Telegram

The Ambassador in Poland ( Gallman ) to the Secretary of State

secret

Warsaw , February 10, 1949—11 a. m.

200. Ambassador Winiewicz¹ who has now completed talks on higher Polish Government officials and a short stay in his home in Poznan has just been in to see me. As Department is aware I have known Winiewicz well for some years, having met him during war in London. During our talk which was most friendly Winiewicz did not bring up any specific matter touching US Polish relations. The gist of his remarks was that the big political issues affecting US Polish relations had to be dealt with on the highest governmental level and that the most some one in his position could do was to take advantage of whatever isolated opportunities arose to keep relations between the two countries as friendly as possible pending a turn in developments making possible a move on a broad front to advance such relations.

I told Winiewicz that a number of higher Polish Government officials have told me frankly that nothing was to be gained by discussing here in Warsaw the big current political problems (Embdes 705 September 28² and Embtel 1373 October 19³). I added that I felt however as I have told these officials that there was nevertheless a field, restricted to be sure, within which explorations could be made for advancing good relations between the two countries. I assured Winiewicz that I for my part, would take advantage of every possible opportunity to keep alive the traditionally friendly feeling between the American and Polish peoples.

I shall see Winiewicz again next week. He plans on leaving Warsaw for London about February 20. He will remain in London three or four days and then fly to the States.

Gallman

1. Josef Winiewicz, Polish Ambassador to the United States, on leave in Warsaw for consultation.
2. Not printed; it reported on a largely courtesy conversation with Polish Acting Foreign Minister Stefan Wierblowski (711.60C/9–2849).
3. Not printed; it reported on brief conversations with Polish Prime Minister Jozéf Cyrankiewicz and Jakub Berman, Under Secretary of State of the Polish Council of Ministers. It was Berman who stressed that there were “big problems” which stood in the way of complete understanding between the United States and Poland (860C.00/10–1849).