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Poland - Relations with U.S. (Notes)

U.S.-POLISH RELATIONS The United States established diplomatic relations with the newly formed Polish Republic in April 1919. After Gomulka came to power in 1956, relations with the United States began to improve. However, during the 1960s, reversion to a policy of full and unquestioning support for Soviet foreign policy objectives and anti-Semitic feelings in Poland caused those relations to stagnate. U.S.-Polish relations improved significantly after Gierek succeeded Gomulka and expressed his interest in improving relations with the United States. A consular agreement was signed in 1972. In 1974 Gierek was the first Polish leader to visit the United States. This action, among others, demonstrated that both sides wished to facilitate better relations. The birth of Solidarity in 1980 raised the hope that progress would be made in Polands external relations as well as in its domestic development. During this time, the United States provided $765 million in agricultural assistance. Human rights and individual freedom issues, however, were not improved upon, and the U.S. revoked Polands most-favored-nation (MFN) status in response to the Polish Governments decision to ban Solidarity. MFN status was reinstated in 1987, and diplomatic relations were upgraded. The United States and Poland have enjoyed warm bilateral relations since 1989. Every post-1989 Polish government has been a strong supporter of continued American military and economic presence in Europe. As well as supporting the Global War on Terror, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and coalition efforts in Iraq, Poland cooperates closely with American diplomacy on such issues as democratization, nuclear proliferation, human rights, regional cooperation in central and eastern Europe, and UN reform. Principal U.S. Embassy Officials Ambassador--Victor Ashe Deputy Chief of Mission--Ken Hillas Press and Cultural Affairs Counselor--Edward J. Kulakowski Political Counselor--Mary Curtin Economic Counselor--Richard Rorvig Consul General--Lisa Piascik Management Counselor--Sara Drew Agricultural Counselor--Ed Porter Defense Attaché--Henry Nowak Principal Officer, Krakow--Anne Hall Counselor for Commercial Affairs--John McCaslin The street address and international mailing address of the U.S. Embassy in Poland is Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31, 00540 Warsaw, Poland; tel: 48-22-504-2000; fax 48-22-504-2688. The Consulate General in Krakow is at Ulica Stolarska 9, 31-043 Krakow, Poland; tel: 48-12-424-5200; fax: 48-12-424-5100; and a Consular Agency in Poznan is at Ulica Paderewskiego 8, 61-708 Poznan, Poland; tel: 48-61-851-8516; fax: 48-61-851-8966.