68. Telegram From the Embassy in Poland to the Department of State0
736. Director General Michalowski invited me today to Foreign Office to present note regarding Congressional action directing abrogation of MFN for Poland.1 Note refers to talks in Warsaw on this subject and states “Introduction and application of restrictions in Polish-American relations would be, on part of American side, non-fulfillment of pledges, which were undertaken at time of negotiations of agreement to settle United States claims arising out of nationalization of property of American citizens in Poland … charge d’Affaires … Siscoe … confirmed that MFN clause would be granted after conclusion of agreement.” Note continues that in point four of Raczkowski–Kohler protocol United States representative confirmed statement that granting of MFN would take place after signing agreement. “Implementation by Poland of agreement and … MFN clause to Poland are inseparably tied up with each other.”2 Note then argues that further carrying out of Polish commitments [Page 141] is connected to volume of Polish exports to United States. Withdrawal would not only check mutually beneficial economic relations but also unfavorably weigh on spirit of entire relationship of two countries.
In course of conversation Michalowski pointed out that already Polish exporters are receiving numerous cancellations of orders due to uncertainty regarding date of application of MFN cancellation. He reflected obvious unhappiness of Polish Government at turn of events and desire to save what could be saved from wreckage. Polish note confirms our thought that Poles are not likely to continue paying on claims agreement once MFN is cancelled. When I gently urged restraint Michalowski pointed out that news regarding MFN cancellation had not yet been published (he was evidently unaware of General Spychalski’s speech Embtel 723)3 but would obviously have to be. I said that I was referring to statements and acts which were of no real importance to Poland but very offensive to United States public and Congressional opinion. I said that I would say no more since I was aware that Foreign Minister Rapacki had been incensed by statement I had made to him under specific instructions.
While conversation was unhappy one it was personally cordial and there was no need to convince Michalowski that President and Department were strongly opposed to Congressional action. I intimated efforts were being considered to find some satisfactory course of action but I could give him no assurances as to what would happen.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 411.4841/10–1662. Confidential. Repeated to Belgrade.↩
- The text of the note was transmitted to the Department of State in airgram A–300 from Warsaw, October 17. (Ibid., 411.4841/10–1762)↩
- Ellipses in the source text.↩
- Telegram 723, October 15, reported that the Polish Minister of Defense had used the denial of MFN as an example of “imperialist” efforts to undermine socialism in Poland. (Department of State, Central Files, 411.4841/10–1562)↩