269. Editorial Note
At the 339th meeting of the National Security Council on October 10, Director of Central Intelligence Dulles made the following comments during his briefing on significant world developments affecting United States security:
“The Director of Central Intelligence commented on the important developments in Poland, highlighted by the student riots and demonstrations. Although no concessions to the students had been made by the Gomulka regime, order had been restored and the riots put down without serious repercussions or any actual bloodshed. On this occasion, the working class had not come out into the streets to support the students. Moreover, the Cardinal had exercised a restraining influence. While, thus, Gomulka’s personal position in the short run had been strengthened, he still faced many long-term problems. Poland was still on the razor’s edge, and no one could confidently predict what would ultimately happen.” (Memorandum of discussion; Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)
Dulles was speaking of the firm measures taken by the Gomulka regime to quell disturbances in Warsaw October 3–7 in protest of the regime’s banning of the journal Po Prostu. The reference to “the Cardinal” was to Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski.