Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXIX, Eastern Europe; Eastern Mediterranean, 1969–1972

150. Note From Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the Presidentʼs Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig)¹

Washington, undated.

General Haig,

This² is about the catcracking plant the Poles want and on which the President deferred a decision last August.2

There has been some pressure around town to reopen the matter, including from Ed David who wants to be the bearer of happy tidings when his Polish counterpart visits this country in April. (There is a memo on this in your place, LOG 26246, in which HAK would tell David to cool it; we have not had a comeback on it so I donʼt know where that memo stands.)³

Defense remains opposed but most others in town think that the matter should be reopened both because it has commercial advantages for us and because, so the reasoning goes, it may help Gierek consolidate his position. While you were away, the Polish Ambassador was to see HAK but the appointment was canceled; the expectation was that he would ask to have the matter reopened. State is ready to send over a memo requesting reopening but is holding up pending a signal that the Presidentʼs attitude has changed from last August. (I have taken the position that we cannot psychoanalyze the President and that agencies that have strong feelings about something should raise the matter on its merits.) Peterson has just launched an East-West trade study⁴ and my guess is that he and his staff will increasingly weigh in on the side of reducing restrictions and increasing trade.

Henry, I note, indicated to Pucinski that there would be a review “later this summer.” I donʼt know why he picked that time, but if he really means it, I suggest that the USC be geared up “later this spring” to get all the arguments once more on the table so that the matter can be put again to the President whenever the time seems propitious and fits in with other things.

If HAK was just placating Pucinski and knows that the President will not change his mind, then this should be made clear to us, so we can turn off the mounting bureaucratic pressures.

Please let Fred Bergsten and me know how this is to be handled since we are getting a steady stream of phone calls on it.

HS

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 698, Country Files—Europe, Poland, Vol. I 1969–1971. No classification marking.
2. Haig sent Sonnenfeldt a copy of the transcript of Kissingerʼs telephone conversation with Congressman Pucinski (Document 148) attached to an undated note that reads: “Hal, do you know what this is about?”
3. Not found.
4. Peterson launched a study on East–West trade with CIEP Study Memorandum 2, on March 13. For the text of the memorandum, see Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969–1972, Document 327.