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

54. Telegram From the Embassy in Poland to the Department of State¹

Warsaw, May 26, 1971, 1550Z.

1607. Subject: Polish Aide-Mémoire on RFE.²

1. I saw Vice Minister Foreign Affairs Winiewicz at his request morning of May 26. First question which he took up was RFE. Following lengthy oral presentation, which he said was made on instructions his government, he handed me aide-mémoire criticizing RFE in severe terms (text by septel).³ Winiewicz said Polish Embassy Washington would not be approaching Department on this subject, although he would plan to mention it in his conversations which he hoped to have at Department June 4. After noting that RFE maintains sizeable offices in London, Vienna, and Copenhagen, Winiewicz said Poles planned approach governments in those capitals to protest RFE activities. When I inquired if Bonn would also be contacted, Winiewicz did not give direct response although he said problem had been raised frequently in past with FRG and had been one of first subjects he had mentioned to Duckwitz in Polish-FRG talks leading to treaty. Winiewicz commented that he felt FRG was becoming “uneasy” about activities of RFE on FRG territory.

2. Winiewicz stated that RFE constituted one of “thorniest” problems in Polish-US relations. Polish leadership has found RFE broadcasts deeply objectionable for years and has often said so, but to no effect. New leaders of Poland since December, although more open-minded than predecessors and sincerely desirous of better relations with US, also consider RFE a hostile operation which is a real block to improved relationships. Every step regarding US is made more difficult by RFE broadcasts, which are not confined to straight information but are deliberately slanted to focus on Polish failures and shortcomings, to criticize personalities and to sow distrust. Winiewicz mentioned that morning of May 26 Prime Minister Jaroszewicz had telephoned him in high temper to ask him to read latest summary of RFE broadcasts which he found infuriating. Winiewicz acknowledged that Poland had more than enough shortcomings, but it had some successes, too. While RFE broadcasts often had some truth to them, they were always distorted and twisted in unpleasant and unfair manner.

3. Winiewicz noted that Polish Government now had ample information about details of RFE operations (a reference to reports of Captain Chechowicz). RFE Munich was filled with Polish émigrés who were bitter because peopleʼs Poland was succeeding, and their venomous attitude was reflected in RFE broadcasts. Winiewicz hoped that US Government was aware of this situation, which seemed cut across stated US intentions of improving relations with Poland and other countries in Eastern Europe. Winiewicz added that in past, when RFE was allegedly private organization (although everyone knew it was financed by CIA), it might have been easier to overlook its operations. Now, however, when US had introduced bill in Congress to authorize appropriated funds for RFE, situation was different and even more intolerable. Winiewicz asked me to transmit aide-mémoire to my government and to report his remarks faithfully.

4. In reply, I said that RFE was private organization which did not speak for US Government. I could not comment on its activities nor on substance of its broadcasts. So far as aide-mémoire was concerned, I would transmit it to my government as an official statement of Polish Government, although I could not accept any of allegations contained therein. I also said that I would report fully on what Winiewicz had told me. I added that US was sincere in its desire for better relations with Poland and Eastern Europe, as often stated by President and by Secretary. In field of international broadcasting, VOA was official voice of US Government.

5. With regard to new legislation introduced in Congress for RFE and Radio Liberty, I described proposed organizational relationships and noted that there is ample precedent in US practice for private organizations to receive federal funds, citing poverty and refugee programs as well as private TV and radio stations assisted by public broadcasting company. New set-up would not alter private character of RFE or Radio Liberty, and their broadcasts, as stated by Asst. Secretary Hillenbrand in his testimony, would be used to convey news and analysis normally available in a free society.

6. Winiewicz concluded this part of our conversation by emphasizing impediment placed on US-Polish relations by RFE activities and requesting me to report his views to Washington.

7. Comment: Winiewicz approach and aide-mémoire represent intensification and formalization of long-standing Polish complaints against RFE. This is logical follow-up to revelations of Captain Cechowicz, recently-surfaced Polish undercover agent in RFE Munich. Polish stand also takes into account proposed legislation to fund RFE and RL by open Congressional appropriations. Polish media reporting on hearings in Washington emphasizes line that this will cast even more doubt on private character of radio stations, and this point is reflected in Winiewiczʼs comments as well as in aide-mémoire.

8. Department repeat as desired.

Stoessel

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 379, Subject Files, Radio Free Europe & Radio Liberty, Vol. I. Confidential; Limdis.
2. On June 6 Eliot wrote Kissinger that in the wake of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings on public funding for Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty (see footnote 5, Document 53), “the Polish Foreign Ministry on May 26 handed our Ambassador in Warsaw and later described in the press an aide-mémoire … calling for the termination of Radio Free Europe. The aide-mémoire accused Radio Free Europe of conducting ‘subversive’ operations and organizing ‘a network of informants’ in Poland. The Polish Embassy described this aide-mémoire a few days later in the press and also presented an aide-mémoire to the Federal Republic of Germany of similar substance. The Federal Republicʼs press spokesman responded on June 1 that Radio Free Europeʼs transmitter licenses had been extended for another year, until the summer of 1972. He stated that the Polish aide-mémoire would be examined. The Poles also made a démarche to the British Embassy in Warsaw about the activities of the London office of Radio Free Europe.” (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 379, Subject Files, Radio Free Europe & Radio Liberty, Vol. I)
3. Telegram 1608 from Warsaw, May 26, contains the text of the Polish aide-mémoire on RFE. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, RAD RFE)