91. Letter From President Reagan to Romanian President Ceausescu1
I appreciate your concern about the situation in Poland2 and I share your desire to see a rapid lifting of martial law in that country. I cannot, however, agree with your assertion that the economic sanctions imposed by the United States against the Polish and Soviet Governments could lead to further destabilization of the situation. In fact, I hold to the opposite view.
[Page 270]We have observed with regret that tensions in Europe have been heightened by the fact that major political and social forces in Poland have been denied the right to resolve outstanding issues by means of an open and peaceful dialogue. The imposition of military rule represents, in addition, a decision by the Polish military government to disregard the solemn commitments it undertook when it signed the Helsinki Final Act. It also represents a violation of the Gdansk agreement of 1980.3
The United States Government believes it important to underscore its fundamental opposition to the actions taken by the Polish Government against its own people. These actions were directed in particular against Solidarity, a mass workers’ movement with nearly ten million members, representing the interests of the majority of the Polish people. The imposition by the United States of economic sanctions against Poland and the Soviet Union demonstrates our dedication to and respect for international agreements and for the internationally recognized rights of persons everywhere. We are unwilling to stand idly by in the face of the violation of those solemn agreements by the Polish military aided by the Soviet Union.
On the other hand, the United States Government, recognizing the pressing needs of the Polish people, has agreed to permit the sending of humanitarian aid to Poland through private organizations. I have also made clear to General Jaruzelski that the United States Government is prepared to help restore the Polish economy, just as we helped the countries of Europe after both World Wars. It would be necessary, however, for the Polish Government first to demonstrate by its actions that it is prepared once again to honor its commitments under the Helsinki Final Act and in documents like the 1980 Gdansk agreement. It should take concrete steps to end repression, free those who have been subjected to arbitrary detention and begin a search for reconciliation and a negotiated accommodation with the true representatives of all of the social, spiritual and political elements of Polish society.
In outlining our position, Mr. President, I hope to make clear to you that while we disagree on some points, we can understand the reasons for your policy. Our two nations stand in different relationships to Poland for historical and political reasons. Your government has adopted a policy toward Poland which is in keeping with the commitments you perceive as a Warsaw Pact ally and member of the Council on Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA). Our policy reflects our commitment to principles which we hold to be fundamentally important. The central point to be understood and agreed upon, however, is that [Page 271] parties to a dispute must not resort to force or the threat of force, but that free negotiations without coercion be the channel for resolving differences.
I trust in the days to come that it will be possible for all concerned parties in Poland to return to free and open discussions as the best approach to allow the Polish people themselves to resolve the difficulties which continue to beset their country.
Sincerely,
- Source: Reagan Library, Paula J. Dobriansky Files, Romania—Correspondence (2). No classification marking.↩
- See Document 84.↩
- See Footnote 3, Document 65. Further documentation is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1977–1980, vol. VII, Poland, 1977–1981.↩