274. Editorial Note
On October 31, representatives of the United States and Poland began a series of economic negotiations at the Department of State. These talks grew out of the earlier agreement of June 7 between the two countries for the sale and credits for $95 million worth of wheat, cotton, and other commodities. Text of the agreement is printed in Department of State Bulletin, June 24, 1957, pages 1005–1008. See also Document 253. The Polish delegation for the October 31 negotiations was headed by Tadeusz Lychowski, Economic Minister at the Polish Embassy in Washington. W.T.M. Beale, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, headed the American delegation. The meetings continued through November. By the end of the month the Polish delegation submitted an extensive list of credits and agricultural and other commodities needed from the United States to fulfill Poland’s 1958 requirements, a total program amounting to $97.3 million. In addition, the Polish delegation requested extension to Poland [Page 685] of most-favored-nation treatment and relaxation of United States export controls. They also made clear their intention to present a case for encouragement of American investment in Poland. (Soviet Affairs, December 1957, page 28; Department of State, INR Files)
In a memorandum to Dillon, December 2, Beale concluded that the requirements submitted by the Polish delegation were reasonable. He noted that such American assistance would have an appreciable effect on the Polish economy at a critical time, and would strengthen those elements in Poland favoring stronger economic ties with the West. Beale recommended agreeing to the $97.3 million program. For maximum economic, political, and psychological impact, he believed that the agreement should be signed before the end of the year. (Ibid., Central Files, 848.00/12–257)
The negotiations, however, were not concluded until February 15, 1958. A comprehensive collection of records on these talks is ibid., EE Files: Lot 67 D 238, U.S.-Polish Talks.