Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Eastern Europe, Volume XXV

225. Memorandum From George T. Lister of the Office of Eastern European Affairs to the Public Affairs Adviser of the Office (Collins)¹

Washington, January 11, 1957.

SUBJECT

• Polish Elections of January 20

It is clear that, although the Polish elections will provide voters with some very slight choice, in contrast to none at all in the past, the elections will certainly not be free. However, in view of Poland’s present difficult international position, and Gomulka’s difficult position within Poland, the Department does not wish to make an issue of this matter, at least this time, or to attack the present Polish regime on these grounds.

Under these circumstances it is hoped that it will be possible to avoid making any direct official comment on the elections whatsoever. However, if pressed for specific comment on the subject, it is recommended that official spokesmen simply reply along the lines that available information indicates that, while Polish voters had somewhat more choice than in the past, the elections were far from what is generally considered in the United States to be free.

It is also recommended that VOA broadcasts to Poland refrain from direct comment on the elections and limit themselves to a small number of carefully chosen Free World press reports indicating, among other things, that the elections were not free. VOA broadcasts to other countries might devote more time to the elections, including a description of the organization and methods of the elections, but without attacking them as controlled or praising them as an “improvement.”

It is quite possible that developments in Poland prior to, during, or following the elections may be of such a serious and dramatic nature as to require modification of the foregoing recommendations.²

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 748.00/1–1157. Confidential.
2. Gomulka won an overwhelming victory as the slate of government-approved candidates took 98.4 percent of the valid votes cast. An Info-Memo from Richard Friedman, Public Affairs Adviser in the Bureau of European Affairs, to Andrew H. Berding, dated January 24, contained guidance for VOA on the Polish election results. “Our general attitude,” it stated, “should be that the Polish people seem to have made their wishes clear to the extent of the choice afforded by the elections.” (Ibid., Poland Desk Files: Lot 61 D 77, General Political Affairs)