(SANITIZED)DOMESTIC POLITICAL SITUATION/POSITION OF GOMULKA IN PZPR (COMMUNIST PARTY)/STRENGTH OF OLD COMMUNIST ELEMENTS RE: FORMER SOCIALIST PARTY ELEMENTS/ATTITUDES OF POLISH YOUTH(SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T00246A040500290001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 27, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: January 23, 1958
• Content Type: REPORT

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11;~gji 1111111,
11111!111 1
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title
18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
COUNTRY poland
ta/ of
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE &
DATE DISTR. 23 JAN 1960 50X1-HUM
Domestic political Situation /
' & t#Ion o ~ i7mu~ ka 1V11 pz P2 (~e~w .v tl. PAGES
Of REQUIREMENT
N~C~..4....4- na nor,,., .- 0:e NA Rn
a repo on the
domestic political situation in Poland
STATE Ix IARMY X INAVY X AIR X 'Bl AEC
LI
I N FORMATION REPORT INFORMATION REPORT
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 50X1-HUM
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r SITUATION IN POLAND
(G) r. ry?';./~ 50X1-HUM
.GOMtTLKA personal position inside the United Workers party:
From the point of view of his pas t,GOMULKA is
rather disciple of the Polish Socia-
list party( )than of the Communists .He came to the Communist ranks from
Socialist organisation,and,from the point of vipolitical
~lolish traditions
had been greatly influenoed, as a young man,by patriotic
of Socialist movement. 50X1-HUM
During the last Socialist party(PPS)Congress in Wroolaw,in
1947,GOMUIU,speaking about the possibility of merger betweerthe 5ooia-
list party(PPS)and the Communists(Polish Workers party-PPR),emphasized
that this merger should assure for the future unified working class par-
ty Socialist leadership as far as ideological line is oonoerned.GOMULKA
was at that time still Secretary General of the Polish Workers party,
and these opinions impressed very much many Socialists. 50X1-HUM
it was quite obvious that GOMULSA
considered Socialist ideological leadership as antidote to the Moscow
spinsored current of pro-Russian Communists,alteady in strength in Polish
Workers party ranks.
therefore, the present GOMUIZA stand and his efforts to libe-
rate Poland(a-nd the United Workers party)from Russian interference is
conform to his attitude taken during the first years after the 750X1-HUM
As far as the re i.p,ternal situation of the United Wor-
kers party is concerned, it is ne-
cessary to bear well in mind the weakness of the so-called GOMULKA group.
GOMULKA is almost alone,and those who are called at present his close col?
laborators,betrayed him in the past in the most cases.During the unifi-
cation Congress (merger between the Co~Q.tijs~pdtookistand against him.
1948 many men who are at present around
This was the case of Gen.SPYCEAISKI(present Minister of National Defen-
se)or Zenon RLI9Zg0,f'ysponsored N"Communistnruletmeanshbuttheir
theywhad.
imprisonment ,what the Moscow
shown in theipast to be weak men,opportunists.
GOMUILA must rely on the non-Communist (former Sooialis t) ele-
ments,or political currents outside of the United Workers party.He has
still backing of the Polish public opinion considering him as a man who
had given initiative for liberation of Poland from the Russian interfe-
renoe.But as far as former Communist elements are oonoeraed,the pro-Mos-
cow group is far stronger as the Gomulkists, and is still controlling grea
part of the United Workers party bureaucratic apparatus.Exemple of Warsaw
organisation may be quoted: till present GOMULBA did not succeed to get
control over the United Workers party apparatus in the town of Warsaw and
in of Warsaw.Even recently GOMUIKA statemaats had been contra-
50X1-HUM
dicted by the old line representatives.
The former Communist elements know well that they are unpo-
pular in Poland.They can not afford to attack openly GOMULKA or to oust
him,beoause of fear ofpopular upraising.But they are hampering his ef-
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Poland-G
fort to push demooratisation and forge him to oompromise,using Russian
intervention blaokmail.In result,GOMUIXA's popularity in Poland declined
undoubtedly since October 1956.Reoenstly,there were many oases that durin
workers meetings of the party in provinces GOMUIKA was openly criticised
in his own presence,beoause of failing to satisfy hopes connected with
the so-called Polish "October revolution" of 1956.
Till Ares ent,howeve r, there are no signs that GOMUZ$A woul
be disposed to yield under the pressure of pro-Moscow elements.
The party Congress is scheduled for December 1957.But
in Gomalkist circles opinions had been expressed openly that the Congress
will take place only in the case there will be eertainety that the pro-
Moscow group can not get ma jority,using pressures of its partisans in
party bureaucratic apparatus. 50X1-HUM
so-called "revisionnist" current inside the
United Workers party
is popular among the younger members,universitary youth first of all,but
its effective weight from the point of view of party internal situation
should be considered rather insignificant.
In these oiroumstanoes,GOMUISA is threed in many cases
to oompromise.These tactics are dangerous because the public opinion is
becoming more and more restless.
2.TheAroblem of former Socialist (PPS)elements s 50X1-HUM
the former Communist(PPR) element]
had shown already their incapacity to sponsor any kind of new party pri-
gram.These elements,held justly responsable for the past policy of the
"old r4gime",are completely compromised in public opinion,even among the
mass of workers.
control
50X1-HUM
Therefore unless the pro-Moscow group will succeed to get
Ithe fyrther process of disintegra4
tion of the United Workers party is unevitable. GOMUIBA group is too weak
to take full leadership. Therefore,the Socialist elements are in some way
the only possible successors of the present Communist leadership.
These elements gained a lot of ground more re certi y. The
syndical movement (trade-unions) are practically in Socialist hands.Inside
the United Workers party,the Un:t former Socialists get hold of a number
of important posts in thoarty organisation.A number of voievodies is al-
ready in their hands.
The question if the Socialist party (PPS) should be recon-
structed or not is left for the future,and depends on the developments
)inside the United Workers party.But,in faet,Sooialist organisati s e
in full revival. Meetings of former dotialist party members beeam I
phenomenon..
The Communist elements are aware of danger.kfforts had
been made to force a number of former Socialists to subscribe some kind
of declaration that they will remain faithful to the United Workers
party.A declaration of this kind had been signed by a dozen of minor lea-
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'oiana-u 50X1-HUM3
ders (minor from the point of view of Socialist ranks-some of them are oc-
oppying important posts in the United Workers party
some Ministers were among them),but they had afterwards to withdraw from
their stand?and offer explanations on a meeting of former Socialist party
members in Warsaw, last Spring
This revival of Socialist force in Poland is
most important phenomenon,espeoially in view of revival of
the Peasant movement,too. 50X1-HUM
The Western propaganda may have great influence on the proses
of revival of Socialism in Poland.
the Communists and Moseo* are trying even at present to con-
vince everybody that the Socialist movement in the West is paRctioally
dead,and only Communists remained as leading force of the working class.
The foreign broadeastings,like Voice of America or Radio Free Burope,are
giving too little about the Socialisi in the Weet.The problems like ac-
tivity of non-Communist trade-unions,pa]itioal action of Socialists in
different oountries,ahould be introduced in the programs at great extend..
It be necessary to show that Moscow is not thOonly place where there is
(or pretends to be)realisation of Socialist principles.
the problems like Labor party stand,i`rench Sooialists or
unification of Italian Soeialists,are of great propaganda importance for
the Socialists in all "Satellite" eountries,tiging to reconstruct their
ranks. The Western Socialism formulas are the best antidotun to
Moscow sponsored propaganda of Socialism made in Russia.
50X1-HUM
As far as Poland is oonoerned,this problem should be conside-
red as a crucial one.He expressed the opinion
that the o s working class will never abandon principle of social ow-
nership of big industrial en#e-rprieee-.The hatred of everything Russian
is extremely strong(he used the expression that this hatred takes form
of some pathological stata of mind).It is necessary to show to the Polish
working class that the West is able to offer its own Socialist formula,
formula of freedom. _
3.The youth problems
The new regime created after the war had some popularity among
youth originated from working class or peasantry,b Because they got possibi-
lity to go to universities and polytechnioal sohools,and make career.
KHRUSHCHBT's speech on the XX Congress of the Communist par-
ty of the Soviet Union,distributed in Poland almost immediately after the
Congress(it is question of speech pronounced on the secret meeting,not
official report)provoked extremely violent reaction and moral crisis!.
The confidence in the new Communist regime had fallen in pieees.In result
it could be observed some kind of anti-ideological stand,wave of pessi-
mism and tendency almost to anarohy.t - he Communibt education was superfi-
cial and operated with ready formulas lacking in fact any substantial
meaning,but very attractive from the point, of view of external form.4 nee
the confidence in these formulas had beers destroyed,all the education had
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Po land-G
fallen to pieces.The old regime destroyed libraries "epurating" books
contrary to the Moscow line.lherefore the young generation had little
intellectual preparation ,lack of knowledge of the West;but all that
produced even stronger reaction against the old regime,in result.
The Soviets made big effort to russify the younger genera-
tion,operating with the same system Tsarist regime did at the time.F.ex.
towards the end of 1955 Moscow prepared hand-book of Polish history for.
Polish sohools,considering that the Poles did not sufficiently "epuratef"
their own hiatory.This hand-book was worse that the famous hand-book of
IIATATSBI used before the I World war.Even POLITBUREATT headed by BIERUT
did not dare to translate it in Polish,and ordered some Polish professors
to elaborate independent Polish version.
The present Minister of National -Education BIBRROWSBI is
doing well suppressing all this party litterature and giving back to the
schools liberty of teaohing.All old hand-books are gradually replaced
by adeggate manuals.This will make possible to save the Polish youth
from total degenration.
As far as the United Workers party is oonoerned,great part
of younger generation had been educated km after the war in Socialist
organisation called OMTUR(ORQANIZA(JA MWDZIBZY TOWARZYSTWA UNIW$4SYTB-
TOW ROBOTNICZYCR-Youth Organisation of Workers Universities Association,
organisation which existed before the war and was reconstructed in 1944-
45 under the sponsorship of the Prime Minister OSOBSA-MORAWSRI,Socialist).
After the merger with Communists in 1948,OMTUR was liqui-
dated and Communist Union of Youth(ZMP)took its place.But to-day great
part of
younger United Workers party members are disciples of OMTtTB.They
are 8-ooialis-to-,not Communists,and their influence is growing.
Another factor of regeneration of youth is newly rP~?,~+r
oted Boy-Scouts organisation. 50X1-HUM
4.4'esidue of the "old regime",politioal police:
notwithstanding changes which tool: place after October 1956
the so-called Moscow group of the United Workers party is still control-
ling great part of party bureaucracy and some sectors of Governmental ad.
minis tra tion.One of the most typical exemples is the continuation of ao-
tivity of censure of books or papers.Obstaoles are still put as far as
penetration of Western litterature is oonoerned.This old apparatus is
frightened by any perspective of ohanges,beoause they knior web],*hat they
will loose their posts.
The political poliee(UB)was completely disbanded under e-
normous pressure of the public opinion.The primes of the police are uni-
versally known.In many places " Nate"cemeteries of victims of political
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ro lane--G,
cA -
po li o e M Wv_ L0
There are still many "old" elements even in the present kind-
etry of Interior.But they can not,even if they wish,reoonetruot the old
police under the new form,because of fear of strong popular reaction.At
present, the control over internal situation is entrusted to the Politioal
Department of the Ministry of Interior.This Department has at its dispo-
sal a small force of secret polioe,besides Militia,offioial polioe.But
this new secret police is extremely weak,and unable to exerce terror the
old Security police did.
5.General remarks about internal situations
heAh situation is almost decisive factor as far as further
developments are concerned.lheestern help is essential for Poland to
keep independence from Russia. 50X1-HUM
The situation is particularly tense in towns and industrial
oentres.The peasantry got already great advantages from the new policy,
but the working elass,which backed GOMUIKk,is becoming more and more res-
tless because of lack of greater improvement of living conditions.
hearts are still for GOMUZ
-
KA,but stoma ens are asking loader and louder for their rights,too.
The hatred tzxRm against Russians and the Communism, considered
as Russian product,is such that even a spark may produce great fire.This
is some gumatmtee against any attempt to go back to the old regime.But
at the same time there is danger thot GOMULKA cautious tacties(see above
6.Remarks about the Russians: 50X1-HUM
in many occasions the
Russians asked "when such changes as in Poland will take place in
the Soviet Union".These remarks are heard however only at the lower le-
vel of the party,or from non-party men.
The Communist party as such is apparently not popular in Rus-
sia.The army has some popularity only because is considered by the mass
of population as something "different" from the present Communist regime
led by the party.
Russian Communism seams to have more and more imperialistic
character and almost follows the patterns of the old jVanslavistiO`formet-
las used by Russian imperialist under Empire.
"ere is great danger of Russian reactions as far as Polish de-
velopments are conoerned:Poland beeame,especially since October 1956,de-
st
ti
f
t
rue
ve
ac
or of Soviet regime and present Soviet empire in Europe.
7.German problems
important. The question of the present frontier is considered AR
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the most