62. Telegram From the Embassy in Poland to the Department of State0

1039. All of us in Embassy feel time is approaching when further delay in resumption US-Polish economic talks, or delay in fixing date for resumption, may be counter-productive and injurious to investment already made here in accordance with our Polish policy.

Tomorrow four weeks will have elapsed since Foreign Office approach (Embtel 928).1

Poles have not pressed us but in straightforward manner have mentioned problem they face in deciding whether retain or reduce expert staff in Washington whose services could be used here. See also Beale–Lychowski talk January 21 re planning dislocations in matter agricultural products.2

Postponement of economic talks from November has until now produced as good results as could be expected, notably in change of tone public treatment of US (subject of course to qualification as to what Gomulka may say on return here from Moscow Congress).3

Other signs are quite favorable. Polish population continues to enjoy far more liberties than in any other satellite. Regime sources take pains insist Gomulka at Moscow reinforced his right to deal with Polish affairs in his own way and will control March Party Congress especially in matter curbing rightist opposition. Stone of Ford Foundation impressed with statements his friends here Western exchange programs really beginning produce results in opening up broader cultural front. One of brightest points is stout public defense agricultural policy against stated “dogmatist” attack.

On negative side there is movement impose greater controls on writers although latest flare-up has elements of family feud attracting as [Page 160] yet small general interest. Church may be held uncomfortably close to December 1956 agreement,4 perhaps thereby losing further privileges, but agreement itself apparently not in danger. Polish policy on Berlin will be inevitably decided elsewhere but should hostilities ensue dilemma could arise for Poles if German forces not engaged on Western side.

Status Polish economic cooperation with West may play some role albeit minimal at March Party Congress. Judging from talks with other Western missions here our plans with respect to Poland may have some effect on their own.

Believe fully in our interest to set early date for opening economic talks.

Kindly bring above to attention Dillon and Murphy.

Beam
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 411.4841/2–959. Secret.
  2. In telegram 928 from Warsaw, January 13, Beam reported that Winiewicz had called on him that morning to inquire when the U.S.-Polish economic discussions might begin. Beam had replied that preparations were underway. (Ibid., 411.4841/1–1359)
  3. A copy of the memorandum of conversation, dated January 21, which summarized Lychowski’s conversation with Beale that day, is Ibid., 411.4841/1–2159. Lychowski requested Beale’s help in arranging a meeting with Dillon to discuss possible most-favored-nation status for Poland; Poland’s admission to the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and GATT; and the prospect of a P.L. 480 loan for barley and soybean oil.
  4. The Twenty-First Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), held in Moscow January 27–February 5, was attended by delegations from 70 foreign Communist Parties, including Poland’s headed by Gomulka.
  5. See footnote 1, Document 49.