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Poland Trip [Research Materials, 1992] [OA 6900] [6]

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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)

Carol Aarhus Alpha Files

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Originally Processed With FOIA(s): FOIA Number: S FOIA MARKER This is not a textual record. This is used as an administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential Library Staff. Record Group/Collection: George H.W. Bush Presidential Records Collection/Office of Origin: Speechwriting, White House Office of Series: Aarhus, Carol, Files Subseries: Alpha File, 1990-1992 OA/ID Number: 13865 Folder ID Number: 13865-006 Folder Title: Poland Trip [Research Materials], 1992 [6] Stack: Row: Section: Shelf: Position: G 19 2 5 6 WARSAW AMERICAN EMBASSY WELCOME TO POLAND EMBASSY FUNCTIONAL DIRECTORY Ambassador Thomas W. Simons Jr. Ext. 2171 Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Hornblow 2172 Secretary to the Ambassador Jean M. McCoubrey 2171 Secretary to the DCM Jaqueline V. Voorhees 2172 Political Section Political Counselor Daniel Fried 2040 Political Officers William P. Norville 2442 John J. Boris 2040 Michael G. Anderson 2040 David C. Black 2040 Michael D. Bomberger 2299 Scott D. Edelman 2299 Christopher J. Doherty 2299 Deborah E. Klepp 2363 Free Elections Office Jack M. Zetkulic 6254150 Labor Attache Patrick Lacombe 2109/2040 Political Secretaries Sharon O'Neal 2040 Karen L. Nickel 2299 Mary Bjork 2040 Administrative Assistant Melissa Bomberger 2348 Economic Section Economic Counselor Paul H. Wackerbarth 2089 Economic Officers John Spilsbury 2089 Alec L. Mally 2157 Robert A. Kandra 2157 Peter S. Hinz 2157 Thomas J. Brennan 2157 Economic Analyst Olga Karpiw 2157 Economic Secretaries Dorothy M. Boyer 2089 Sharon E. Blane 2157 Consular Section Consul General Anthony C. Perkins 2105 Deputy Consul General Linda C. Turner 2328 Vice-Consul Beverly Berg 2116 Vice-Consul J.Baxter Hunt 2044 Vice-Consul F.Mike Miles 2038 Vice-Consul Aldo J. Sirotic 2312 Consul Sandra Shipshock 2045 Consular Assistant Deborah Canning 2074 Consular Secretary Solveig C. Johnson 2105 - 16 - Science Office Counselor for Scientific & Technological Affairs Coleman J. Nee 2340 Administrative Section Administrative Counselor Mark J. Lijek 2332 Administrative Secretary Doris E. Cabral 2332 Regional Security Officer Burley P. Fuselier 2333 ARSO John A. Hurley 2333 Security Engineering Officer Gregory P. Olmstead 2445 Seabee Todd A. Christian 2444 Security Secretary Kathleen M. Ebert 2333 Communications Program Officer Kirk Ingvolstad 2207 Support Communications Officer Paul K. Sieloff 2207 Support Communications Officer Charles H. Adams 2207 Telecommunications Officer John L. Manges 2263 Telecommunications Officer Michael K. Worden 2263 Telecommunications Officer Michael J. Bjork 2254 Personal Services Contractor Michael F. Donnelly 2032 Personal Services Contractor Michael J. Natale 2032 Building Maintenance Technician William L. Blanton 2032 Building Maintenance Technician Hans Bucklitzsch 2032 Supv. General Services Officer Phyllis M. Powers 2170 General Services Officer Timothy W. Harley 2189 Joseph A. Daniels 17-95-38 Elizabeth A. Molinar 2186 Maps & Publications Caroline B. Hornblow 2112 GSO Assistant James Hope 2148 Budget & Fiscal Officer Robert C. Dumont 2330 Budget & Fiscal Assistant Anita R. Daniels 2330 Personnel Officer Linda E. Erskine 2360 Personnel Assistant Diana B. Larkins 2482 Personnel Assistant 2372 Information Systems Manager Michael A. Bricker 2075 Information Systems Assistant Maria V. Sieloff 2098 Mark Horowitz 2097 Health Unit Nurse Practitioner B.J. Wesoloski 2081 Health Unit Nurse Registered Victoria Meyer 2081 Community Services Officers Janice Olstead 2120 Laurie Tasharski 2131 Mail Room Supervisor Cynthia Hurley 2375 - 17 - MSG Detachment Commander Scott C. Kimball 2060 Marine Security Guards: Wiliam H. Barkley 2011 Eugene Kapell 2011 Lauren Hanover 2011 Dean D. Hongerholt 2011 Charles E. Leaf 2011 James T. Mahan 2011 Matthew W. Patmon 2011 David R. Reid 2011 Stoner R. Taylor 2011 Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Agricultural Counseler Weyland M. Beeghly 2460 Assistant Agricultural Attache Judith Phillips 2460 Secretary Priscilla Dymczenski 2534 Trade Development Center (TDC) Senior Commercial Officer Joan H. Edwards 2418 Commercial Attache Dale N. Tasharski 2416 Secretary Deborah K. Hinz 2418 Defense Attache Office (DAO) Defense Attache Colonel Glenn A. Bailey, Jr. 2123 Air Attache Colonel Joseph M. Gardewin 2104 Naval Attache Commander Mark H. Larkins 2153 Operations Coordinator W01 Michael R. Pace 2124 Operations NCO SSG Jeffrey A. Gordon 2378 Operations NCO SGT Susanne Bembers 2185 Operations Analyst Mark S. Dymczenski 2214 Richard J. McAdoo 2214 Secretary Sarah E. McAdoo 2123 Pamela A. Gordon 2316 United States Information Service Counselor, Public Affairs Officer Anne M. Sigmund 2300 & Information Officer $ Michael L. Braxton # #2088A Assistant Information Officer Dale T. Prince 2088 Cultural Affairs Officer Bruce K. Byers 2090 Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer Elizabeth A. Corwin 2034 Executive Officer Joy Boss 2309 English Teaching Officer Kenneth M. Jenson 2151 Junior Training Officer Lisa L. Helling 2084 Junior Training Officer Mark A. Canning 2261 Library Operations Supervisor Norma B. Jenson 2343 Executive Secretary Diane M. Lacroix 2410 - 18 - American Community Association (ACA) ACA Manager Cathie Lorenz 2339 Agency for International Development (AID) 2291/2292 Counselor AID William R. Joslin 2073 Program Officer Charles R. Aanenson 2484 Project Development Officer Melanie M. Chen 2262 Executive Officer Ronald Olsen 2091 HSG/URB DVL Officer Sonia Hammam 2206 AID Controler Jana Gonson 2288 Office Manager Patricia C. Fuselier 2073 Office Manager Karen M. Ingvolstad 2073 Peace Corps Office ul. Obserwatorow 5 2560/437879 Peace Corps Country Director Timothy E. Caroll 2560/437879 Deputy Peace Corp Director Arthur J. Flanagan 2562/437879 Associate Director Mary Koskinen 2560/437879 Associate Director Cecelia Hitte 2560/437879 Associate Director Ted Kontek 2560/437879 Associate Director Jean Zukowski-Faust 2560/437879 USDA EXTENSION SERVICE 623-11-03 Senior Extension Advisor John Ragland 623-11-03 Extension Advisor John Burton, Jr. 623-11-03 Extension Advisor Lee Meyer 623-11-03 - 19 - Presidential Pre-Advance to Germany, Finland, and Poland AL SEAL OF THE UNITED THE OF PRESIDENT April 1992 Notes on Gifts and Customs Gifts As set forth in 22 CFR Part 3, the Foreign Gifts Act specifies that employees and members of their families may accept and retain a gift tendered as a souvenir or mark of courtesy from foreign governments or their representatives if it is of "minimal value," which is currently defined as a retail value in the United States, at the time of acceptance, of $140 or less. However, an employee may accept a gift valued at over $140 only if to refuse it "would likely cause offense or embarrassment or otherwise adversely affect the foreign relations of the United States," and even then such a gift is deemed to have been accepted on behalf of the United States, and, upon acceptance, becomes the property of the United States. Any such gift must, within 60 days after acceptance, either be deposited for dis- posal with the recipient's employing agency, or, subject to the approval of the employing agency, deposited with that agency for official use. For Department of State employees, the depositary is the Office of Protocol. The Attorney may bring a civil action in the U.S. District Court against any employee who knowingly has solicited or accepted a gift from a foreign government not consented to by the revised statute, or who has failed to report such a gift as the law requires. A penalty may be assessed in such a case in any amount not to exceed the retail value of the gift improperly solicited or received plus $5,000. Customs Everyone will be expected to fill out a customs declaration form to be returned to the steward just prior to returning to a U.S. point of entry. You will need to note on the decla- ration when: The total fair retail value of articles acquired abroad exceeds $400, or if acquired in American Samoa, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, $800. More than 1 liter (33.8 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes, or more than 100 cigars are included. Or if returning from American Samoa, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands: more than 4 liters (135.2 fl. oz) of alcoholic beverages, 100 cigars, and 1,000 cigarettes. Some of the items are not intended for your personal or household use, such as commercial samples, items for sale or use in your business, or articles you are bringing home for another person. Articles acquired in the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or Guam are being sent to the United States. A customs duty or internal revenue tax is collectible on any article in your posses- sion. Note: "Courtesy of the Port" does not mean you do not have to fill out a declaration or that you will not have to pay customs duty. Your declarations will be reviewed by customs officials at the U.S. point of entry and you will be billed for any dutiable items purchased. Prohibited and Restricted Articles Some items must meet certain requirements, require a license or permit, or may be pro- hibited entry. Among these are: Absinthe Biological material Books protected by American copyright if unauthorized foreign reprints Candy, liquor-filled Copies of gold coins if not properly marked Electronic products subject to radiation emission standards Firearms & ammunition Food, drugs, and certain other items not approved by FDA Fruits, plants, vegetables & their products Hazardous articles (e.g., fire- works, dangerous toys, toxic or poisonous substances) Lottery tickets Meats, poultry, & products (e.g., sausage, pate, canned items) Motor vehicles not con- forming to safety and emission standards Narcotics & dangerous drugs including medicine containing same Objects of Central and South American pre-Columbian Indian cultures Obscene articles & publications Pets (e.g., dogs, birds, turtles, monkeys) Seditious or treasonable matter Trademarked items (e.g., certain cameras, watches, perfumes) Switchblade knives Wildlife (birds, fish, animals) & endangered and protect species (e.g., pheasants; furskin; feathers, eggs, or skins of wild birds; articles from reptile skins, ivory, and whalebone). Time Conversion Table Germany Washington, D.C. (DST) Poland Finland 0 +6 +7 0600 1200 1300 0700 1300 1400 0800 1400 1500 0900 1500 1600 1000 1600 1700 1100 1700 1800 1200 1800 1900 1300 1900 2000 1400 2000 2100 1500 2100 2200 1600 2200 2300 1700 2300 2400 1800 2400 0100 1900 0100 0200 2000 0200 0300 2100 0300 0400 2200 0400 0500 2300 0500 0600 2400 0600 0700 0100 0700 0800 0200 0800 0900 0300 0900 1000 0400 1000 1100 0500 1100 1200 0600 1200 1300 +1 day 12 Karlskrona 56 Helsingborg 56 Arhus Kristianstad Germany SWEDEN Vejle Kalundborg Copenhagen International boundary Kolding DENMARK Malmö Ystad State (Land) boundary Slagelse Koge Esbjerg Bornholm National capital Odense Korsor Naestved Trelleborg (DENMARK) Ronne © State (Land) capital Railroad Senderborg Autobahn Rodbyhavn Baltic Sea Other road Flensburg Rügen SCHLESWIG- Gedser Sassnitz Kiel 0 50 100 Kilometers HOLSTEIN Bay Puttgarden Pomeranian Canal Mecklenburger Kiel Stralsund Bay Bucht 0 50 100 Miles Rostock Swinoujscie Lübeck North Sea HAMBURG Wilhelmshaven Bremerhaven MECKLENB VORPOMMERN Hamburg Schwerin Szozecin Emden BREMEN Groningen Bremen Oldenburg O Wittenberge Gorzow BRANDENBURG NETHERLANDS Wielkopolski NIEDERSACHSEN SACHSEN Berlin Amsterdam POLAND Hannover Potsdam Frankfurt Osnabrück Mit Utrecht BERLIN Enschede Arnhem Braunschweig 52 Rotterdam Bielefeld Magdeburg Zielona Münster ANHAL Spree Gora Seew Oder Dessau Cottbus Eindhoven Duisburg Gottingen Halle Neiss Dortmund Antwerp Essen Leipzig Düsseldorf SACHISEN Görlitz NORDOHEIN-WESTFALEN Kassel Dresden Jelenia Brussels Cologne Bad Eisenach Erfurt Gora Maastricht Siegen Chemnitz Hersfeld Jena Karl-Marx Stadt) BELGIUM Decin Aachen THURINGEN Gera Bonn Liege HESSEN Werra Zwickau Meuse Ustí nad Labem Charleroi Hradec Kralove Koblenz Frankfurt Hof Wiesbaden am Main Cheb Prague Main LUX. Mainz Bamberg CZECHOSLOVAKIA Luxembourg RHEINLAND Würzburg PFALZ Rhein-Main- Plzen Donau-Kanal Mannheim SAARLAND Nürnberg VItava Heidelberg Metz Saarbrücken BAYERN Karlsruhe Heilbronn Ceske Regensburg Budějovice Nancy @ Stuttgart Danube Passau Strasbourg, Isar FRANCE Neckar Ulm Linz Danube BADEN- Augsburg Inn 48 WURTTEMBERG Munich The boundaries of Germany are depicted according to 48 the on the Final Settlement on Germany signed 12 Moscow by the Federal Re- Freiburg public of Germany, the Republic, the States, the Kingdom, France, and the Mulhouse Soviet Union, This treaty will not enter into force until Konstanz Lech Salzburg AUSTRIA all parties complete their proceedings The German Parliament will decide the Garmisch- location of the seat of government in the future. Bodensee Partenkirchen Basel Dijon Zürich Salzach Besançon 8 SWITZERLAND Innsbruck 12 Base 801633 (R00002) 2-91 Denmark Munich Baltic Sea North Sea United Hess Georgen Kingdom Ger Dem Dachauer SCHWABING Poland Neth STATE str Bonn Rep Bel. Str St. 0 Str. Fed. Rep. Str. Czech. of Ger. Munich® Gabelsb erger str. University France Austria University Switz en Italy Barer et Turk Koeniginstrasse Yugoslavia Brienner Isaf Karl Arcis Str. Consulate General Mars Arnulf st ST. st, Str. Ludwig Prinzregenten Str. Street Central O Railway K. Scharnagl-Ring Ring Museum Station Bayer Str. Str Sonnen Kaufingerst STreet Str. St. Schwanthaler $17 Parliament Bavaria House Heimeran Oberangen Str STY ToAirport Str Ridler STY Theresienhohe Ring Str Str HAIDHAUSEN Erhardt Resenthermer pfeufer Lindwurm Railway Str Balan Station Str. Str Str. Welfen Str N Str. Ha Hansa STEAT 4658 9-82 STATE(GE) German Mark (M) Conversion Table at DM 1.61 = U.S. $ (DM = 100 pfennings) Markka to U.S. Dollars U.S. Dollars to Markka M U.S. $ U.S. $ M 0.25 0.16 0.10 0.16 0.75 0.47 0.25 0.40 1.00 0.62 0.50 0.81 1.61 1.00 1.00 1.61 5.00 3.11 2.00 3.22 10.00 6.21 5.00 8.05 20.00 12.42 10.00 16.10 50.00 31.06 20.00 32.20 100.00 62.11 50.00 80.50 200.00 124.22 100.00 161.00 500.00 310.56 300.00 483.00 1,000.00 621.12 500.00 805.00 NOTE: All U.S. dollar values are rounded to nearest U.S. cent. Value of the German Mark fluctuates daily according to currency market conditions. April 1992 background notes Germany United States Department of State June 1991 Bureau of Public Affairs People 1990): 2.2% of GNP. Flag: Three horizontal Nationality: Noun and adjective- bands: black, red, and gold, from top to bottom. German(s). Population: About 79 million (Dec. 1990 est.). Ethnic groups: Primarily German; Danish minority in the north, Economy (for original 11 states) Serbian (Slavic) minority in the east. GNP (1989): $1.2 trillion. Annual growth Religions: Almost evenly divided between rate (1989): 4%. Per capita income: $19,000. Protestant and Roman Catholic. Language: Inflation rate (1988): 2.8%. Natural German. Education: Years compulsory- resources: Iron, hard coal, lignite, potash, 10. Attendance-100%. Literacy-99%. natural gas. Agriculture (1.5% of GNP): Health (in the original 11 states): Infant Products-corn, wheat, potatoes, sugar mortality rate (1990)-6/1,000. Life beets, barley, hops, viniculture, forestry, expectancy (1990)-women 81 yrs., men 73 fisheries. Industry (40% of GNP): Types- yrs. Work force: 39 million (1990 estimate). iron and steel, coal, chemicals, electrical Includes the 11 million workers in the products, ships, vehicles, construction. former GDR. Trade (1989): Exports -$367 billion: chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel Official Name: Government products, manufactured goods, electrical Federal Republic of Germany Type: Federal republic. products. Major markets (1988)-European Founded: 1949 (Basic Law, i.e., constitution, Community 54%, other European countries Profile 19%, US 8%, developing countries 7%, promulgated on May 23, 1949). On October Soviet Union 2%. Imports-$269 billion: 3, 1990, the Federal Republic of Germany food, petroleum products, manufactured and the German Democratic Republic Geography goods, electrical products, automobiles, unified in accordance with Article 23 of the FRG Basic Law. Branches: Executive- apparel. Major suppliers (1988)-European Area: 357,000 sq. km. (137,838 sq. mi.); president (titular chief of state), chancellor Community countries 52%, other European about the size of Montana. Cities: (executive head of government). countries 16%, US 7%, developing countries Capital-Berlin (population about 3.4 10%, Soviet Union 2%. Exchange rate million). Seat of government-Bonn (pop. Legislative-bicameral parliament. (November 1990): 1.50 Deutsche marks=US 287,000). The permanent seat of Judicial-independent, Federal $1. Constitutional Court. Subdivisions: 16 government for a unified Germany will be addressed by the all-German Parliament Laender (states)-Baden-Wuerttemberg, Membership in elected on December 2, 1990. Other cities— Bayern (Bavaria), Berlin, Brandenburg*, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen (Hesse), International Organizations Hamburg (1.6 million), Munich (1.2 million), Cologne (946,000), Frankfurt (635,000). Mecklenburg-Vorpommern*, Niedersachsen Council of Europe, North Atlantic Treaty (Dec. 1990 est.) Terrain: Low plain in the (Lower Saxony), Nordrhein-Westfalen Organization (NATO), INTELSAT, north; high plains, hills, and basins in the (North Rhine-Westphalia), Rheinland-Pfalz, European Community (EC), Western center and east; mountainous Alpine region Saarland, Sachsen (Saxony)*, Sachsen- European Union (WEU), Organization for in the south. Climate: Temperate; cooler Anhalt*, Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen Economic Cooperation and Development and rainier than much of the US. (Thuringia)*. (* = formerly part of the GDR) (OECD), and the United Nations and UN- Major political parties: Christian related agencies, including the General Democratic Union (CDU); Christia- Social Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), Union (CSU); Social Democratic Party International Atomic Energy Agency (SPD); Free Democratic Party (FDP); (IAEA), International Bank for Greens/Alliance 90; Party of Democratic Reconstruction and Development (World Socialism (PDS). Suffrage: Universal at 18. Bank), and International Monetary Fund Central government budget (1990): $245 (IMF). billion. Defense budget (original 11 states, 50 Artust - former GDR, the poor infrastructure in Germany SWEDEN Vale this area, the environmental damage in International boundary Ediding NMARK Malmo Vstad State (Land) boundary - Kage eastern Germany brought on by years Bornbotm National capital Odense Korser Hastved Trelleborg DERVICE of mismanagement under communist Rande State (Land) capital rule, and difficulty in resolving Railroad Autobahn Other mad Flandburg Rügen Baltic Sea property ownership in the former GDR. SCHUESWIG Security Kiti 4 50 HOLSTEIN Bey Permition HISTORY IN Street Bay D 50 BUCH Rostock Sweetscie Lubeck Germanic tribes, migrating south and North Sea MANBURG MECK VORPOMMERN west, entered the present territory of Witheirshaven (Limburg Schwerlo Signature Germany nearly 4,000 years ago. They a Emailon BREMEN Graningen pushed back the Celts and were Brenney Olderburg Wittenberge strongly established before Gorzow NETHERLANDS BRANDENBORG NIEDERSACHSEN encountering the Romans moving north Bertin Alesterdam SACHSEN POLAND under Varus, one of Augustus' Henever Frankfurt Directors generals. The Germans annihilated the Usrecle HERLIN Enschede Amhem 52 Roman forces and killed Varus in the The Magdabutu Zielore Mirston ANHA Spree Gre Octer battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD, Depteu Contis Eindhaven Duisbures Gottingen effectively stopping Roman expansion Dortinuind Holde Artword Essen Leiprig on the Danube-Rhine line. Dusselded CHISEN Garlitz Know NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN Breader Johns Esenach Gold Thus, much of Germany did not Brussels Cologne Enfurt Measinght Bad Charge Singer Hersteld June BELGIUM Doem experience Latin culture directly and Aachen THURINGEN Gera Born Luga Ewicked HESSEN SUSTI and Labern adopted Christianity later than did the Charlerly Hradec Krakova Roman world. The baptism of Clovis in Liablenz Frankfust HE Chab Prages 496 AD opened the way for widespread Main Mainz Banbarg conversion of the Germanic tribes and LUX Wildorg CZECHOSL OVAKIA RHEINLAND PTALL Rhetn-Main Place culminated three centuries later with Donau Kanal the crowning of "Karl the Great" SAARI Nimber Hundroberg Metz Sestruction (Byro ER N (Charlemagne) in 800 as Holy Roman Cooks Extende Meibrom Registration Budgovice Emperor. For the next 1,000 years, Nancy Stuttgart Denobe Passau decentralizing forces dominated Strasbourg FRANCE German politics, leaving power largely Lim Line Canuba BADEN- Augustry in the hands of local princes, often with WURTHEMBERG Munich 48 48. Form - devastating consequences. The Thirty - Froiburg By - - - Milhouse AUSTRIA Years' War (1618-48), a series of - Monstanz Damisch conflicts between Protestant and Bodensed Partinkirchen Best Funch Saltach Catholic forces, decimated Germany's Besançon SWITZERLAND innstruck 12 population. After the war, an uneasy balance remained between Protestant and Catholic states, which continued to PEOPLE scholars, and scientists have always war against each other periodically. The population of the unified FRG is enjoyed prestige in Germany. The rise of Prussian power in the primarily German; however, there are a With per capita income levels 19th century, supported by growing substantial number of foreign guest approaching $20,000 in the original 11 German nationalism, eventually ended workers and their dependents. An states, postwar Germany has become a the inter-state fighting and resulted in ethnic Danish minority lives in the broadly middle class society. A the formation of the German Empire in north, and a small Slavic minority generous social welfare system 1871 under the chancellorship of Otto known as the Sorbs lives in eastern provides for universal medical care, von Bismarck. Although authoritarian Germany. Renowned for their unemployment compensation, and other in many respects, the empire economic productivity, Germans are social needs. Modern Germans also are eventually permitted the development well-educated. Since the end of World mobile; millions travel abroad each of political parties and Bismarck was War II, the number of youths entering year. credited with passing the most universities has nearly tripled, and the With unification on October 3, 1990, advanced social welfare legislation of trade and technical schools in the the FRG has started the major task of the age. Dynamic expansion of military original 11 states of the FRG are bringing the standard of living of power, however, contributed to tension among the world's best. Germans in the former GDR up to the on the continent. The fragile European German culture has produced some levels of western Germany. It appears balance of power broke down in 1914, of the greatest artists and intellectuals that this will be a lengthy and difficult and World War I left millions dead and of all time. Composers, artists, writers, process, due to the relative inefficiency led to the collapse of the empire. of the industrial enterprises in the 2 The Welmar Republic At Potsdam in August 1945, the a brief period under Ludwig Erhard United States, the United Kingdom, (1963-66) who, in turn, was replaced by The postwar Weimar Republic (1919- and the Soviet Union agreed to a broad Kurt Georg Kiesinger (1966-69). 33) sought to draw on Germany's liberal program of decentralization, treating Kiesinger's 1966-69 "Grand Coalition" traditions but was handicapped by Germany as a single economic unit with included the CDU/CSU and the Social terrible economic problems-the some central administrative Democratic Party (SPD). Governments inflation of the early 1920s and the departments. These plans failed, between 1949 and 1966 were all formed post-1929 world depression-as well as primarily because of inter-Allied by the united caucus of the Christian the political legacy of the Versailles conflict. The turning point came in 1948 Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Treaty, which imposed a heavy burden when the Soviets withdrew from the Social Union (CSU), either alone or in of reparations and loss of territory. Four Power governing bodies and coalition with the smaller Free The new experiment in republican, blockaded Berlin. Democratic Party (FDP). parliamentary democracy was unable to In the 1969 election, the Social harness the resulting surge of political Political Developments Democratic Party (SPD), headed by conflicts, and the republic suffered from In West Germany Willy Brandt, gained enough votes to a succession of weak governments form a coalition government with the formed by multi-party coalitions. The United States and the United FDP. Chancellor Brandt remained The National Socialist (Nazi) Party, Kingdom moved to establish a nucleus head of government until May 1974, led by a demagogic ex-corporal, Adolf for a future German government by when he resigned after a senior Hitler, stressed nationalist themes, expanding the size and powers of the member of his staff was arrested and such as the alleged betrayal of German Economic Council in their two accused of being an officer in the East Germany by German republican zones. The program provided for a German intelligence service. representatives at Versailles, promised West German constituent assembly, an Finance Minister Helmut Schmidt to put the unemployed back to work, occupation statute governing relations formed a government and received the and blamed many of Germany's ills on between the Allies and the German unanimous support of coalition alleged Jewish conspiracies. Its authorities, and the economic merger of members. Hans-Dietrich Genscher, a electorate expanded rapidly in the the French with the British and leading FDP official, became the vice early 1930s, but the Nazi party never American zones. chancellor and foreign minister. achieved a majority prior to coming to On May 23, 1949, the Basic Law, or Schmidt, a strong supporter of the power. Only after months of deadlock constitution, of the Federal Republic of European Community (EC) and the was Hitler asked to form a government Germany was promulgated. The first Atlantic alliance, emphasized his as Reich Chancellor in January 1933. federal government was formed by commitment to "the political unification After President Paul von Hindenburg Konrad Adenauer on Sept. 20, 1949. of Europe in partnership with the died in 1934, Hitler assumed that office The next day, the occupation statute USA." as well. Once in power, Hitler and his came into force, granting full powers of In October 1982, the SPD/FDP party first undermined then abolished self-government with certain coalition fell apart and the FDP joined democratic institutions and opposition exceptions. forces with the CDU/CSU to elect parties and installed a program of The FRG quickly progressed CDU Chairman Helmut Kohl as racism that resulted in the deliberate, toward fuller sovereignty and chancellor. Following national elections widespread extermination of Jews and association with European neighbors in March 1983, Kohl emerged in firm other minority groups during World and the Atlantic community. The control of both the government and the War II. In the 1930s, Hitler also began London and Paris agreements of 1954 CDU. The CDU/CSU fell just short of to restore Germany's economy and restored full sovereignty to the FRG an absolute majority, due to the entry military strength. His ambitions led when they went into effect on May 5, into the Bundestag of the Greens, who Germany into launching World War II 1955 and opened the way for German received 5.6% of the vote. and suffering destruction, defeat, and membership in the North Atlantic In January 1987, the Kohl/Genscher loss of territory. Treaty Organization (NATO) and the government was returned to office, but After Germany's unconditional Western European Union (WEU). the FDP and the Greens gained at the surrender on May 8, 1945, the United The three Allies retained expense of the larger parties. Kohl's States, the United Kingdom, and the occupation powers in Berlin and certain CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the USSR occupied the country and responsibilities for Germany as a whole. CSU, slipped from 49% of the vote in assumed responsibility for its Under the new arrangements, the 1983 to 44%. The SPD fell to 37%. administration. The commanders-in- Allies stationed troops within the FRG chief exercised supreme authority in Long-time SPD Chairman Brandt for NATO defense, pursuant to subsequently resigned in April 1987 their respective zones and, sitting as stationing and status-of-forces the Allied Control Council (ACC), acted and was succeeded by Hans-Jochen agreements. With the exception of Vogel. The FDP rose from 7% to 9%, in concert on questions affecting the 45,000 French troops, Allied forces whole country. France was later their best showing since 1980. The were under NATO's joint defense invited to join the ACC and was given a Greens also significantly strengthened command. their place in the Bundestag, rising separate zone of occupation. Political life in the FRG was from 5.6% (1983) to 8.3% (1987). remarkably stable and orderly. The Adenauer era (1949-63) was followed by 3 Political Developments strains on FRG-GDR relations in the unabated, and pressure for political In East Germany 1950s. On August 13, 1961, the GDR reform mounted. On November 4, a began building a wall through the demonstration in East Berlin drew an In the Soviet zone, the Social Demo- center of Berlin, effectively dividing the estimated 500,000-1 million East cratic party was forced to merge with city and slowing the flood of refugees the Communist party in 1946 to form a Germans. Finally, on November 9, the to a trickle. The Berlin Wall became new party, the Socialist Unity Party Berlin Wall was opened, and East the symbol of the East's political (SED). The October 1946 elections Germans were allowed to travel freely. debility and the division of Europe. resulted in coalition governments in the Thousands poured through the Wall In 1969, FRG Chancellor Brandt five Land (state) parliaments with the into the western sectors of Berlin, and announced that the FRG would remain SED as the undisputed leader. on November 12, the GDR began firmly rooted in the Atlantic alliance dismantling it. A series of people's congresses were but would intensify efforts to improve On November 28, FRG Chancellor called in 1948 and early 1949 by the relations with Eastern Europe and the SED. Under Soviet direction, a Kohl outlined a 10-point plan for the GDR. peaceful unification of the two constitution was drafted on May 30, The FRG commenced its Ostpolitik Germanys based on free elections in the 1949, and adopted on October 7, which by negotiating non-aggression treaties GDR and a unification of their two was celebrated as the day when the with the Soviet Union, Poland, economies. In December, the GDR German Democratic Republic was Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and Volkskammer eliminated the SED proclaimed. The People's Chamber Hungary. The FRG's relations with monopoly on power, and the entire (Volkskammer), the lower house of the the GDR posed particularly difficult Politburo and Central Committee- GDR parliament, and an upper house, questions. Though anxious to relieve including Krenz-resigned. The SED the States Chamber (Laenderkammer), serious hardships for divided families changed its name to the Party of were created. (The Laenderkammer and to reduce friction, the FRG under Democratic Socialism (PDS) and the was abolished in 1958.) On October 11, Brandt was intent on holding to its formation and growth of numerous 1949, the two houses elected Wilhelm concept of "two German states in one political groups and parties marked the Pieck as president and an SED German nation." end of the former communist system. government was set up. The Soviet Relations improved, and, in Prime Minister Hans Modrow headed a Union and its East European allies September 1973, the FRG and the GDR caretaker government which shared immediately recognized the GDR, were admitted to the UN. The two power with the new democratically although it remained largely Germanys exchanged permanent oriented parties. On December 7, 1989, unrecognized by non-communist representatives in 1974, and, in 1987, agreement was reached to hold free countries until 1972-73. GDR head of state Erich Honecker paid elections in May 1990 and rewrite the The GDR established the structures an official visit to the FRG. GDR constitution. On January 28, all of a single-party, centralized the parties agreed to advance the communist state. On July 23, 1952, the German Unification elections to March 18, primarily traditional Laender were abolished and, because of an erosion of state authority in their place, 14 Bezirke (districts) During the summer of 1989, rapid and because the East German exodus were established. All effective change in the GDR ultimately led to German unification. Growing numbers continued with over 117,000 leaving for government control was in the hands of the West in January and February the SED and almost all important of East Germans emigrated to the FRG 1990. government positions were held by via Hungary after the Hungarians In early February 1990, the SED members. decided not to use force to stop them. The National Front was an Thousands of East Germans also tried Modrow government's proposal for a unified, neutral German state was umbrella organization nominally to reach the West by staging sit-ins at rejected by Chancellor Kohl, who consisting of the SED, four other FRG diplomatic facilities in other East affirmed that a unified Germany must political parties controlled and directed European capitals. The exodus be a member of NATO. Finally, on by the SED, and the four principal generated demands within the GDR for March 18, the first free elections were mass organizations (youth, trade political change, and mass held in the GDR, and a government led unions, women, and culture). However, demonstrations in several cities— by Lothar de Maiziere (CDU) was control was clearly and solely in the particularly in Leipzig-continued to formed under a policy of expeditious hands of the SED. Balloting in GDR grow. On October 7, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev visited Berlin to unification with the FRG. The freely elections was not secret. As in other elected representatives of the Soviet bloc countries, electoral celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Volkskammer held their first session participation was consistently high, establishment of the GDR and urged on April 5, and the GDR peacefully with nearly unanimous candidate the East German leadership to pursue evolved from a communist to a approval. reform. democratically elected government. On October 18, Erich Honecker Free and secret communal (local) Inter-German Relations resigned as head of the SED and head elections were held in the GDR on May of state and was replaced by Egon The constant stream of East Germans 6, and the CDU again won. On July 1, Krenz. But the exodus continued fleeing to West Germany placed great the two Germanys entered into an economic and monetary union. 4 Four Power Control Ends German elections were held for the first Principal Government Officials time since 1937. The CDU/CSU During 1990, in parallel with internal received 44% of the vote and the FDP President- German developments, the Four received 11%, giving the governing Richard von Weizsaecker Powers-the United States, Britain, coalition 55% of the vote and 398 of 662 President of the Bundestag- France, and the Soviet Union- seats in the Bundestag. The SPD Rita Suessmuth (CDU) negotiated to end Four Power reserved opposition won 34% of the vote and 239 Chancellor-Helmut Kohl (CDU) rights for Berlin and Germany as a seats. Under the special provisions of Vice Chancellor- whole. These "Two-plus-Four" the first all-German elections, parties in Hans-Dietrich Genscher (FDP) negotiations were mandated at the the former GDR who received 5% of Minister of Defense— Ottawa Open Skies conference on the vote in that area were also able to February 13, 1990. The six foreign Gerhard Stoltenberg (CDU) receive representation. The Party of ministers met four times in the ensuing Minister for Foreign Affairs- Democratic Socialism received 10% of months in Bonn (May 5), Berlin (June Hans-Dietrich Genscher (FDP) the vote in the former GDR and 17 22), Paris (July 17), and Moscow seats in the Bundestag, and an alliance Ambassador to the US- (September 12). The Polish Foreign of the Greens and several left-wing Dr. Juergen Ruhfus Minister participated in that part of the organizations (Alliance 90) won 6% of Ambassador to the UN- Paris meeting that dealt with the the vote in East Germany and 8 Detlew Graf zu Rantzau Polish-German borders. Bundestag seats. However, in West Of key importance was overcoming The FRG maintains an embassy Germany, since the Greens won only Soviet objections to a united Germany's in the United States at 4645 4.7% of the vote, they did not receive membership in NATO. This was Reservoir Road NW, Washington, any Bundestag seats. accomplished in July when the DC 20007 (tel. 202-298-4000). alliance-led by President Bush- FRG consulates general are GOVERNMENT issued the London Declaration on a located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, transformed NATO. On July 16, The government is parliamentary and Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, San based on a democratic constitution that Francisco, Seattle, and New York. President Gorbachev and Chancellor Consulates are located in Miami Kohl announced agreement in principle emphasizes the protection of individual and New Orleans. on a united Germany in NATO. This liberty and divided power in a federal cleared the way for signing the "Treaty structure. The chancellor (prime on the Final Settlement With Respect minister) heads the executive branch of justice, and courts with jurisdiction in to Germany" in Moscow on September the federal government. The administrative, financial, labor, and 12. president's duties (chief of state) are social matters. The highest court is the In addition to terminating Four largely ceremonial; power is exercised Federal Constitutional Court which Power rights, the treaty mandates the by the chancellor. Although elected by ensures a uniform interpretation of withdrawal of all Soviet forces from and responsible to the Bundestag constitutional provisions and protects Germany by the end of 1994, makes (lower and principal chamber of the the fundamental rights of the individual clear that the current borders are final parliament), the chancellor cannot be citizen as defined in the Basic Law. and definitive, and specifies the right of removed from office during a 4-year a united Germany to belong to NATO. term unless the Bundestag has agreed Political Partles It also provides for the continued on a successor. Christian Democratic Union/ presence of British, French, and The Bundestag, also elected for a 4- Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) American troops in Berlin during the year term, consists of 662 deputies. An important aspect of postwar interim period of the Soviet The first elections for an all-German German politics has been the withdrawal. In the treaty, the Bundestag were held on December 2, emergence of a moderate Christian Germans renounced nuclear, biological, 1990. The Bundesrat (upper chamber party, the Christian Democratic Union, and chemical weapons and stated their or Federal Council) consists of 68 intention to reduce German armed members who are delegates of the 16 operating with a related Bavarian party, the Christian Social Union. forces to 370,000 within 3-4 years after Laender. The legislature has powers of Although each party maintains its own the conventional armed forces in exclusive jurisdiction and concurrent structure, the two form a common Europe (CFE) agreement (signed in jurisdiction (with the Laender) in fields caucus in the Bundestag and do not run Paris on November 19, 1990) enters specifically enumerated by the Basic opposing campaigns. The CDU/CSU is into force. Law. The Bundestag bears the major Conclusion of the final settlement loosely organized, containing Catholics, responsibility, and the role of the Protestants, rural interests, and cleared the way for unification of the Bundesrat is limited except in matters members of all economic classes. It is FRG and GDR. Formal political union concerning Laender interests, where it occurred on October 3, 1990, with the generally conservative on economic and can exercise substantial veto power. accession (in accordance with Article 23 social policy and more identified with The FRG has an independent the Roman Catholic and Protestant of the FRG's Basic Law) of the five federal judiciary consisting of a Laender, which had been reestablished churches than are the other major constitutional court, a high court of in the GDR. On December 2, 1990, all- parties, although its programs are 5 pragmatic rather than ideological. representation in the next German been a strong advocate of closer Helmut Kohl has served as chairman of election, when the 5% hurdle will apply European economic integration, and its the CDU since 1973; Theo Waigel throughout all of Germany. economic and commercial policies are succeeded the late Franz Josef Strauss Greens In the 1970s, increasingly determined by agreements as chairman of the CSU in 1988. environmentalists organized politically among EC members. Social Democratic Party (SPD) as the Greens. Opposition to expanded Outside the EC, the United States, The SPD is the other major party in the use of nuclear power, to NATO Austria, and Switzerland are the FRG's FRG and is one of the oldest organized strategy, and to aspects of highly major trading partners. The United political parties in the world. industrialized society were the States had sales of about $20 billion (a Historically, it advocated Marxist principle campaign issues. The Greens 7.6% share of the FRG import market) principles, but in the "Godesberg received 8% of the vote in the January in 1988. In that year, the FRG Program," adopted in 1959, the SPD 1987 West German national election. exported goods valued at about $25 abandoned the concept of a class party, However, in the December 1990 all- billion to the United States (an 8% while continuing to stress social welfare German elections, the Greens in share of the US import market), programs. Although the SPD originally western Germany were not able to including motor vehicles, machinery, opposed West Germany's 1955 entry clear the 5% hurdle required to win chemicals, and electrical equipment. into NATO, it now emphasizes German seats in the Bundestag. It was only in US sales to the FRG are concentrated ties with the alliance. However, the the territory of the former GDR that in chemicals, machinery, edible fats and SPD often has opposed specific NATO the Greens, in an alliance with Alliance oils, aircraft, electrical equipment, and programs and has advanced its own 90 (a loose grouping of left-wing motor vehicles. proposals under the banner of "security political entities with diverse political The FRG has followed a liberal partnership" with the East. The SPD views), were able to clear the 5% hurdle policy toward foreign investment. has a powerful base in the bigger cities and win Bundestag seats. About 65% of US capital invested in the and industrialized Laender. Bjoern FRG is in manufacturing-the largest Engholm became the SPD chairman in ECONOMY share in the automobile industry-and May 1991. another 25% is in petroleum. Total US The Free Democratic Party Germany ranks among the world's most assets in the FRG amounted to $20 (FDP) The FDP has traditionally been important economic powers. From the billion at the end of 1988. German composed mainly of middle- and upper- 1948 currency reform until the early class Protestants who consider 1970s, it experienced almost continuous capital has come increasingly to the economic expansion, but real growth in United States. At the end of 1988, net themselves "independents" and heirs to FRG direct investment amounted to the European liberal tradition. gross national product (GNP) slowed $27 billion. Although the party is weak on the state and even declined from the mid-1970s level, it has participated in all but three through the recession of the early postwar governments and has spent 1980s. Since then, however, the FRG Principal US Officials only 7 years out of government in the has experienced 8 consecutive years of 40-year history of the Federal economic growth. The German Ambassador-Vernon A. Walters Republic. Otto Graf Lambsdorff was economy grew 4% in 1989 and should Deputy Chief of Mission- elected chairman of the FDP in 1988. A equal that performance again in 1990. George F. Ward leading figure in the party is Hans- Germans often describe their Minister-Counselor for Political Dietrich Genscher, who has served economic system as a "social market Affairs-Douglas H. Jones since 1974 as the West German Vice economy." Competition and free Minister-Counselor for Economic Chancellor and Foreign Minister in enterprise are fostered as a matter of Affairs-Donald B. Kursch coalition governments with both the government policy. However, the state Minister-Counselor for Commercial SPD and the CDU/CSU. also intervenes in the economy through Affairs-John W. Bligh, Jr. The Party of Democratic the provision of subsidies to selected Minister-Counselor for Adminis- Socialism (PDS) Under chairman sectors and the ownership of some Gregor Gysi, the PDS is the successor segments of the economy, including trative Affairs-Harold W. Geisel party to the SED (communist party). such public services as railroad, airline, Minister-Counselor for Consular and telephone systems. The German Affairs-Norman A. Singer Established in December 1989, it government also provides an extensive Minister-Counselor for Public renounced most of the extreme aspects network of social services. Affairs-Cynthia J. Miller of SED policy, but has retained much of the ideology of the SED. In the The FRG economy is heavily export The US embassy is located at December 1990 all-German elections, oriented, with one-third of its national Deichmanns Aue 29, 5300 Bonn 2 the PDS gained 10% of the vote in the output shipped abroad annually. As a (tel. 0228-3391). A US embassy territory of the former GDR and 17 result, exports have traditionally been office is in Berlin, and consulates seats in the Bundestag. However, a key element in German general are at Frankfurt, Hamburg, having won only 0.3% of the vote in macro-economic expansion. Over the Munich, and Stuttgart. A consulate western Germany, it is questionable past 2 years, however, domestic general is scheduled to open in whether the PDS will win demand has been the main engine of 1991 in Leipzig. economic growth. The FRG has long 6 With the unification of the two US-GERMAN RELATIONS exchange programs, booming tourism German states, the FRG faces the in both directions, and the presence in US-German relations have been a focal complex task of rapidly introducing a the FRG of large numbers of American market economy in the East. Since point of American involvement in military personnel and their overall productivity in the former GDR Europe since the end of World War II. dependents. The FRG stands at the center of East- was less than half that in the FRG, The United States and the FRG West relations, as well as of US closing the economic gap between East have built a solid foundation of bilateral relations with the West Europeans in and West will be a major. undertaking. cooperation in a relationship that has NATO and the European Community. The poor condition of basic changed significantly over four But German-American ties extend infrastructure and widespread decades. The historic unification of back to the colonial era. More than 7 environmental damage in the East will Germany and the role played by the further complicate the process of million Germans have immigrated over United States in that process has the last three centuries, and today economic integration. Private served to strengthen ties between the investment in eastern Germany has nearly 25% of all US citizens can claim two countries. The relationship now been slower than expected, in large German ancestry. In recognition of this constitutes a mature partnership but part since the issue of property heritage and the importance of modern- remains subject to occasional ownership in the former GDR has day US-German ties, Congress has misunderstandings and differences. declared October 6 to be "German- proven difficult to resolve. But most These strains tend to reflect the observers nevertheless continue to American Day." importance, variety, and intensity of believe that after an initial period of The US objective in Germany US-FRG ties and respective interests economic adjustment, eastern Germany remains the preservation and rather than fundamental differences. consolidation of a close and vital will enter into an era of rapid and German-American political, sustained economic growth. relationship with the FRG not only as economic, and security relationships friends and trading partners but also as continue to be based on close FOREIGN RELATIONS allies sharing common institutions. consultation and coordination at the During the 45 years in which Germany most senior levels. High-level visits The unified Germany continues to was divided, the US role in Berlin and take place frequently, and the United emphasize close ties with the United the large American military presence in States and the FRG cooperate actively States, membership in NATO, progress West Germany served as symbols of in international forums. toward further West European US commitment to the preservation of integration, and improved relations peace and security in Europe. Since BERLIN with Eastern Europe. The FRG took German unification, the US part in all of the joint postwar efforts commitment to these goals has not The Final Settlement Treaty ends aimed at closer political, economic, and changed. American policies continue to Berlin's special status since 1945 as a defense cooperation among the be shaped by the awareness that the separate area under Four Power countries of Western Europe. The security and prosperity of the United control. By the terms of the treaty FRG is also a strong supporter of the States and Germany depend-to a between the FRG and the GDR, Berlin Conference on Security and major degree-on each other. becomes the capital of a unified Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), which As allies in NATO, the United Germany, but a decision on the seat of seeks to reduce tensions and improve States and Germany work side by side government has been left to the relations among the European nations, to maintain peace and freedom. This Bundestag elected in December 1990. the US, and Canada. unity and resolve made possible the Berlin is also one of the Federal During the postwar era, the FRG successful conclusion of the 1987 US- Republic's 16 Laender. Its first united sought to improve its relationship with USSR Intermediate-Range Nuclear government since 1948 also was elected the countries of Eastern Europe, Forces Treaty (INF), the Two-plus- on December 2, 1990. initially establishing trade agreements Four process which led to the Final The opening of the Berlin Wall on and, subsequently, diplomatic relations. Settlement Treaty, and the November November 9, 1989, was a watershed in With unification, German relations with 1990 conventional armed forces in the developments which culminated in Eastern Europe have intensified. The Europe (CFE) agreement. German unity on October 3, 1990. The FRG and Poland signed a treaty As two of the world's leading infamous 165-kilometer (103 mi.) wall confirming the Oder-Neisse border on trading nations, the United States and surrounding the Western sectors of the November 14, 1990, and are negotiating the FRG share a common, deep-seated city has been torn down, and the city is a broader agreement to cover bilateral commitment to an open and expanding being physically reunited as streets, relations. The FRG has also concluded world economy. After the United subways, and rail lines are rejoined. four treaties with the Soviet Union States, Germany is the world's second Shortly after World War II, Berlin covering the overall bilateral leading trading nation. It is the fourth became the seat of the Allied Control relationship, economic relations, the largest trading partner of the United Council, which was to govern Germany withdrawal of Soviet troops in the States. as a whole until the conclusion of a territory of the former GDR, and FRG Personal ties between the United peace settlement. In 1948, however, support for these troops. States and the FRG extend beyond immigration to include lively foreign 7 the Soviets refused to participate any Travel Notes longer in the quadripartite administration of Germany. At the Climate and clothing: Germany is in international, are efficient, although it same time, they also refused to the temperate zone but is cooler than is still difficult to telephone from the continue to cooperate in the joint much of the United States, especially territory of the former GDR. Bonn is 6 administration of Berlin, drove the in summer. Lightweight summer hours ahead of eastern standard time. government elected by the people of clothing is seldom needed. Transportation: Frankfurt's interna- Berlin out of its seat in the Soviet Customs and Immigrations: No visa tional airport is a center of European sector, and installed a communist is required of US citizens. air traffic. Most airlines operate regime in its place. Innoculations are not required. services to the FRG. Express trains Between then and unification, the are available. An extensive network of Western Allies continued to exercise Health: Community sanitation and highways (Autobahnen) connects most supreme authority (effectively only in cleanliness standards are high. major cities. Car rentals are expensive Drinking water, dairy products, and their sectors) through the Allied but widely available. Third-party other foods are under strict govern- Kommandatura. To the degree liability insurance is mandatory. Mass ment control and generally meet or compatible with the city's special transportation facilities (trains, street- exceed US standards. status, however, they turned over cars, subways) are crowded but control and management of city affairs Telecommunications: Telephone efficient. Taxis are available in all and telegraph services, domestic and cities. to the Berlin Senat (executive) and House of Representatives, governing bodies established by constitutional governments on foreign policy Berliners' energy and spirit, have been process and chosen on the basis of free questions involving unification and the encouraging. Berlin's morale has been elections. The Allies and the German status of Berlin. sustained, and its industrial production authorities in the FRG and West Berlin The Quadripartite Agreement on has considerably surpassed the prewar never recognized the communist city Berlin in 1971 also provided for level. Although the Allies' regime in East Berlin or GDR practical improvements in the life of responsibility has ended, they have authority there. Berliners. It made possible unhindered been asked to maintain a military During the years of Berlin's civilian access to Berlin and greater presence in the city until the Soviets isolation 176 kilometers (110 mi.) inside freedom of movement between the have withdrawn completely. the former GDR, the Western allies eastern and western sectors for a encouraged a close relationship period of 20 years, in addition to between the government of West containing a Soviet acknowledgment of Published by the United States Department Berlin and that of the FRG. the ties that had grown between West of State Bureau of Public Affairs Office Representatives of the city participated Berlin and the FRG, including the of Public Communication Washington, DC as non-voting members in the FRG latter's right to represent Berlin June 1991 Editor: Susan Holly parliament; appropriate West German abroad. Department of State Publication 7834 agencies, such as the supreme Between 1948 and 1990, major Background Notes Series This material is administrative court, had their events such as fairs and festivals were in the public domain and may be reprinted sponsored in West Berlin, and without permission; citation of this source permanent seats in the city; and the is appreciated. governing mayor of Berlin took his or investment in commerce and industry her turn as president of the Bundesrat. was encouraged by special For sale by the Superintendent of Docu- concessionary tax legislation. The ments, US Government Printing Office, In addition, the Allies carefully Washington, DC 20402. consulted with the FRG and Berlin results of such efforts, combined with effective city administration and the Robert M. Kimmitt U.S. Ambassador to Germany Mr. Kimmitt has been Ambassador to Germany since September 1991. Prior to his appointment in Bonn, he served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs in the Depart- ment of State. For his service during the Gulf War, President Bush awarded Ambassador Kim- mitt the Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second highest civilian award. Prior to joining the State Department in 1989, Mr. Kimmitt was a partner in the Washing- ton office of a Chicago law firm; General Counsel at the Treasury Department, under then- Treasury Secretary James Baker, and; as a member of the National Security Council, where he was appointed as Executive Secretary and General Counsel. Ambassador Kimmitt graduated with distinction from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1969, and received a law degree from Georgetown University in 1977. He served in the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, earning three Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He is currently a Colonel in the Army Reserve. Key Officers in Bonn: Deputy Chief of Mission: George F. Ward, Jr. Political Officer: Douglas H. Jones Economic Officer: Donald B. Kursch Commercial Officer: John W. Bligh, Jr. Consular Officer: Norman A. Singer Administrative Officer: Harold W. Geisel Regional Security Officer: Steven B. Bray Labor Officer: Dan E. Turnquist Public Affairs Officer: Cynthia A. Miller Defense Attaché: Col. Bernard E. McDaniel, USA Information Systems Manager: Carol Rodley Communications Program Officer: John Hughs Science Officer: Francis M. Kinnelly Key Officers in Munich: Consul General: Andrew G. Thoms, Jr. Political Officer: James F. Jeffrey Communications Officer: Edward E. Ruse III Consular Officer: Kathleen M. Cayer Administrative Officer: Donald E. Mason Regional Security Officer: John Jarrell Branch Public Affairs Officer: Kathryn L. Koob Helmut KOHL GERMANY Chancellor (since 1982) Addressed as: Mr. Chancellor The first post - World War II Chancellor of a united Germany, Helmut Kohl led his coalition to its third straight electoral victory in December 1990. Kohl, who has been chairman of the Christian Democratic Union since 1973, heads a coalition made up of his CDU; its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU); and the liberal Free Democratic Party. He has already declared that he intends to lead his party again in the 1994 national election. Since unification, Kohl has faced the twin challenges of economically revitalizing the new © eastern German states while dealing with the social scars left behind by four decades of Communism. His government has begun to see progess on its program to privatize state- owned businesses and is witnessing results from an infusion of massive aid from the western German states. The social reconstruction has been difficult; since unification two eastern German minister-presidents from Kohl's CDU have had to resign because of past links to the East German Government. As a step toward healing past wounds, Kohl's government is permitting people to review the secret police files compiled on them by the Communist regime. Kohl is also trying to define a new role for unified Germany in Europe and the world. He has said that he wants Germany to continue playing a key part in the process of European integration and that he is also committed to NATO and continued strong ties to the United States. Kohl has defended the vigorous way in which Germany championed EC recognition of Slovenia and Croatia, saying that the move heightened the chances for peace. He has told the press that he considers helping to rebuild the economies of eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union as among Germany's most important foreign policy priorities for the next decade. Kohl was born on 3 April 1930. He studied history, law, and political science at the Universities of Frankfurt and Heidelberg and received a doctorate in history from Heidelberg in 1958. First elected to the Rhineland-Palatinate legislature in 1959, he subsequently served as deputy chairman (1961-63) and chairman (1963-69) of its CDU caucus. He was elected Minister-President in 1969 and served until 1976, when he moved to Bonn as CDU/CSU caucus chairman. Kohl smokes a pipe and is a connoisseur of wine. He enjoys swimming, hiking, watching soccer, and listening to both classical and modern music. Kohl speaks English. He and his wife, Hannelore, have two sons. The older son has a degree from Harvard and works for Morgan Stanley in New York City. The younger son is a graduate of MIT. 30 January 1992 Hans-Dietrich GENSCHER GERMANY (Phonetic: GHENsher) Vice Chancellor; Minister of Foreign Affairs (since 1974) Addressed as: Mr. Minister The dean of Western foreign ministers, Hans- Dietrich Genscher is also Germany's longest serving member of the government, having first entered the Cabinet in 1969. He consistently ranks first in German popularity polls. The chairman of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) during 1974-85, Genscher remains very influential within the party, according to press reports. Despite having recently celebrated his 65th birthday, he has told the press, "I am not thinking of stepping down." © Now that Germany is united, Genscher says his goal is to help create "a free, federalistic, and whole Europe as a central link for an overarching sphere of partnership stretching from Vancouver to Vladivostok." He has long supported European integration and supports a "peace order that overcomes nationalistic thinking in favor of a European federalism." The press reports that he works especially closely with French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas in striving to fulfill these goals. Genscher was born on 21 March 1927 near Halle. After studying law at the Universities of Halle and Leipzig, he left East Germany in 1952 and completed his law studies at the University of Hamburg. He now visits Halle regularly, and the press reports that he is especially popular in his old hometown. A member of the FDP since 1952, Genscher began working for its Bundestag parliamentary caucus in 1956 and served as its business manager during 1959-65. He was also business manager for the national party organization during 1962-64 and deputy chairman during 1968-74. Genscher was first elected as a member of parliament in 1965. He was Minister of the Interior from 1969 until he assumed his present post in 1974. In September 1982 Genscher ended his party's 13-year coalition with the Social Democratic Party and relinquished his Cabinet posts. Less than two weeks later he brought the FDP into the present Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union - FDP coalition and reassumed his duties as Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister. Genscher speaks French and English. He is a soccer fan and an enthusiastic swimmer. He enjoys music (Dvorak and Tchaikovsky), modern paintings (Feininger), and mystery stories (especially those by Agatha Christie). Genscher collects pewter beakers and plates. He is married to the former Barbara Schmidt and has a daughter from a previous marriage. 20 April 1992 Richard VON WEIZSAECKER GERMANY (Phonetic: fohn VITESzecker) President (since 1984) Addressed as: Mr. President A Christian Democratic Union member and the Federal Republic's sixth president, Richard von Weizsaecker holds a nonpartisan and largely ceremonial post. Immensely popular throughout Germany, he was elected to a second five-year term in May 1989. Von Weizsaecker frequently represents his country abroad, and the German press credits him with taking the lead in visiting eastern Germany and making its citizens feel a part of a unified nation. He has been a strong proponent of moving the seat of government to Berlin, and the German press cites his advocacy as a major reason © for Berlin winning the Bundestag vote over Bonn in 1991. Von Weizsaecker has used the presidency to speak out on a number of important issues. The press reports that he was the first German official to condemn the violence against people seeking asylum in Germany. He has called on the public to show foreigners living in Germany the same respect and humanity that they would expect from their fellow citizens. His successful visits to foreign countries have also increased his-and Germany's-stature. In 1985 he was the first German president to visit Israel, and he has been especially active in furthering relations with Central and Eastern Europe. Von Weizsaecker was born on 15 April 1920. He is a member of a prominent family that once was part of the Wuerttemberg landed aristocracy. The son of a diplomat, he spent much of his youth outside of Germany. During World War II he served in the infantry and was wounded several times. He then studied law and history at Oxford and in Grenoble and Goettingen, receiving a doctorate in law in 1954. From 1950 until 1967 he practiced law and held important posts in industry and banking. Elected to the Bundestag in 1969, von Weizsaecker represented Rhineland-Palatinate until 1979, when he moved his political base to West Berlin. During 1981- 84 he served as Governing Mayor of Berlin; according to press reports, many Berliners regarded him as one of the city's best postwar leaders. Long active in the Protestant Church, he was a member of its executive board during 1969-85. Von Weizsaecker has visited the United States several times and speaks fluent English. He enjoys swimming and hiking. His favorite authors are Shakespeare and Theodor Fontane. Married to the former Marianne von Kretschmann, von Weizsaecker has three sons and a daughter. 20 April 1992 18 30 36 Barents Lakselv Finland Alta Sea Tromso 1 Kirkenes Pechenga International boundary NORWAY Nikel Province (lääni) boundary Inarijärvi Severomorsk * National capital Murmansk o Province (lääni) capital Railroad Ivalo Road Helsinki is the capital of Uusimaa Lääni. 3 68 Ozero 0 50 100 Kilometers Kiruna Imandra Muonio 0 50 100 Miles Muonion Ounasjoki Lurio Bode Kandalaksha, Malmberget Kolari NORWAY LAPPI Kelloselkä Kuoloyarvi Lulealven Kemijärvi Arctic Circle Jokkmokk Arctic Circle Mo Rovaniemi © Ozero Mosjøen Kenning Pyaozero Tornio Kemi Ozero Taivalkoski Topozero Skelleftalven Lulea Kem ijoki Storuman Oulu Yushkozero OULU Skellefteå Kostomuksha Raahe Oulujärvi SWEDEN 64 Une Ylivieska Kajaani Umeå SOVIET Kokkola Pietarsaari lisalmi UNION Ostersund Ornskäldsvik KUOPIO Lieksa is Pielinen Vaasa POHJOIS Storsjör VAASA KESKI Kuopio KARJAL Homantsi Seinäjoki OM 5 Härnösand Joensuu Sundsvall Aänekoski Kaskinen Virrat Jyväskylä Varkaus Pieksamäki Parkano Gulf MIKKEL of Näsijär Jämsä Savonlinna Sortavala ® Bothnia URKU Mikkeli Pori Tampere a Päijanne IA CHAME Imatra Rauma PORI Hämeenlinna Saimaa Saymens Lake Kouvola Lappeenrant \Kanal Gävle Lahti Ladoga Uusikaupunki KYMI Borlänge Forssa Vaalimaa Vyborg Dalalven AHVENANMAA Hyvinkää Turku Salo UUSIMAA Kotka 60 Maarianhamina Porvoo 60 O Helsinki Västerås Uppsala Deningrad ALAND ISLANDS Hanko Gulf of Finland The United States Government has not recognized Baltic Sea 24 the incorporation of Estonia into the Soviet Union. Base 800463 (B00083) 12-87 HELSINKI Airport VASTRA:MOTORVAGEN 29 SPACIUKSENKAT 27 26 21 23 TUKHOLMAN MANNERHEIMYAGEN ITAVAYLA HELSINGEG SEE 28 22 20 25 17 12 ARKADIAN KATU 16 2 USIS 15 24 10A ANSIVATIA Presidential Palace OSTERSJOGATAN 8 DRUMSOVAGEN U.S. Embassy 1. City Tourist Office 11. Pohjoisranta (Ferry to Korkeasaari) 22. City Theatre 7574 5-88 STATE (INR/GE) 2. Railway Station 12. Finnish National Theatre 23. Linnanmaki Amusement Park, 3. Helsinki Congress Bureau 13. Swedish Theatre Peacock Theatre 4. Bus Station 14. Finnish National Opera 24. Uspensky Cathedral 5. Air Terminal 15. Art Museum of the Ateneum 25. Temppeliaukio Church 6. Olympic Harbour 16. Main Post Office 26. Olympic Stadium, Swinning Stadium 7. Passenger Harbour K5 17. Parliament House 27. Ice Rink 8. Katajanokka Harbour 18. National Museum 28. Sibelius Monument 9. Senate Square, Cathedral 19. City Museum 29. Helsinki International Fair Center 10. Market Square (Ferry to 20. Finlandia Hall Suomenlinna) 21. House of Culture Finland Markka (FMK) Conversion Table at FMK 4.52 = U.S. $ (Markka = 100 pennia) Markka to U.S. Dollars U.S. Dollars to Markka Markka U.S. $ U.S. $ Markka 0.50 0.11 0.10 0.45 1.00 0.22 0.25 1.13 2.00 0.44 0.50 2.26 3.00 0.66 0.75 3.39 4.52 1.00 1.00 4.52 10.00 2.21 3.00 13.56 30.00 6.64 5.00 22.60 50.00 11.06 10.00 45.20 100.00 22.12 20.00 90.40 300.00 66.37 50.00 226.00 500.00 110.62 100.00 452.00 1,000.00 221.24 300.00 1,356.00 2,000.00 442.48 500.00 2,260.00 NOTE: All U.S. dollar values are rounded to nearest U.S. cent. Value of the Markka fluctuates daily according to currency market conditions. April 1992 background notes Finland United States Department of State August 1990 Bureau of Public Affairs Finns, Swedes, Lapps, Gypsies, Tartars. (pork and beef), grain (wheat, rye, barley, oats), Religions (1987): Lutheran 88.7%, Orthodox dairy products, potatoes, rapeseed. 1.1%. Languages: Finnish 93.6%, Swedish 6%. Industry (27% of GDP): Types-metal and Norwegian Education: Years compulsory-9. Atten- steel, forest, foodstuffs, textile and clothing. Sea dance-almost 100%. Literacy-almost 100%. Trade (1989): Exports-$23.2 billion: paper Health (1989): Infant mortality rate-6/1,000. and paperboard, machinery and equipment, Life expectancy-males 71 yrs., females 79 yrs. SWEOEN ships, lumber, woodpulp, chemicals. Major Work force (1989, 2,559,000): Agriculture- markets-USSR 14.5%, Sweden 14.4%, UK FINLAND 8.7%. Industry, commerce, and finance- 12%, FRG 10%, US 6.4%. Imports-$24.6 Helsinki 53.3%. Services (public and personal)-24.7%. NORWAY billion: fuels and lubricants, machinery and a Government-5.4%. Transport (storage and equipment, including motor vehicles, basic communication)-7.1%. SOVIET UNION manufactures, chemicals; foodstuffs. Major suppliers-FRG 17.3%, Sweden 13.6%, USSR Baltic 11.4%, US 6.3%. Sea Government Official exchange rate (1989): 4.295 Finnmarks=US$1. Type: Constitutional republic. Constitution: July 17, 1919. Independence: December 6, Fiscal year: Calendar year. 1917. Official Name: Branches: Executive-president (chief of Republic of Finland J Membership in state), prime minister (head of government), Council of State (cabinet). Legislative- International Organizations Unicameral parliament. Judicial-Supreme UN and some of its specialized and related PROFILE Court, regional appellate courts, local courts. agencies, including the International Bank for Subdivisions: 12 provinces, provincial Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), self-rule for the Aland Islands. International Monetary Fund (IMF), General Geography Political parties: Four largest, in'order: Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), Social Democratic Party (SDP), National International Finance Corporation (IFC), Area: 337,113 sq. km. (130,160 sq. mi.); about Coalition (Conservative) Party, Center Party, International Development Association (IDA); the size of New England, New Jersey, and Leftist Alliance. Bank for International Settlements (BIS); New York combined. Citles: Capital- Central government budget (1989): Asian Development Bank; Inter-American De- Helsinki (pop. 484,399). Other cities-Tampere $28.91 billion. velopment Bank (IDB); Council of Europe; (167,335), Turku (163,655). Terrain: Low but Defense (1989): 1.4% of GDP. Nordic Council; European Free Trade hilly, more than 70% forested, with more than Flag: Light blue cross on a white field. Association (EFTA); European Community 60,000 lakes. Climate: Cool; mean annual (EC)-free trade agreement; Organization for temperature in Helsinki (1977-86) (41 °F); Economic Cooperation and Development July +17 °C (63 January °C (21 °F). Economy (OECD); INTELSAT. GDP (1989): $114.9 billion. Annual growth People rate: 5% (GDP). Per capita income (1989 est.): $23,153. Inflation rate (1989): 6.6%. Nationality: Noun-Finn(s). Adjective- Natural resources: Forests, minerals Finnish. Population (1989): 4,971,844. Annual (copper, zinc, iron), farmland. growth rate (1989): 0.4%. Ethnic groups: Agriculture (3% of GDP): Products-meat 16 20 24 28 32 36 NORWEGIAN your SEA FINLAND Kistrand su International boundary * National capital Nordmannvik Railroad NORWAY Road + International airport 0 25 50 75 100 Miles Ivalo 0 25 50 75 100 Kilometers 68 Kandalaksha Qunasjoki Kemijärvi Lulealv Rovaniemi SWEDEN Kemijoki Kuusamo Tornio Kemi Lulea Skeliefteälo Oulu Kem' Raahe Delujski BOTHNIA 64 64 Kajaani Umea Kokkola, 8 OF U.S.S.R. N lisalmi Vaasa GULF Kuopio Joensuu Jyväskylä Kyronjoki Savonlinna VI Mikkel Poti Tampere 0 Rauma Lappeenranta matra Laht LAKE Hameenlinna Kouvola LADOGA orvoonjoki Vyborg 01 Turku Kotka + Marienamn 60 01 60 HELSINKI Di Leningrad BALTIC SEA Hangö GULF OF FINLAND The United States Government has not recognized 0) the incorporation of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania into the Soviet Union. Names and boundary 28 32 20 representation are not necessarily authoritative 2 PEOPLE Finland enjoys complete religious freedom as well as free education through The origins of the Finnish people are still a the university level. An extensive social matter of conjecture, although most welfare system, constituting about one- scholars agree that their original home fifth of the national income, includes a was in what is now west-central Siberia. variety of pension and assistance pro- The Finns arrived in their present grams and a comprehensive health territory thousands of years ago, pushing insurance program. the indigenous Lapps into the more In the mid-1970s, the educational remote northern regions. system was reformed with the goal of The Finnish language is Finno-Ugric, equalizing educational opportunities. of the Uralic language family (of which Beginning at age 7, all Finnish children Hungarian and Estonian also are a part) are required to attend a "basic school" of and not Indo-European. Lappish, the nine grade levels. After this, they may language of the small Lapp minority, also elect to continue along an academic is Finno-Ugric. (lukio) or vocational (ammattikoulu) Swedish became the dominant line. However, most pursue vocational language following Finland's incorporation studies. About one child in four receives a into Sweden in the 12th century. Finnish higher education in this highly competi- recovered its predominance after a tive system. The number of openings in resurgence of Finnish nationalism in the higher educational institutions is less than 19th century. Today, although 94% of the the demand. Finnish folkdancing. people speak Finnish as a first language, both Finnish and Swedish are official languages. HISTORY Finland, and other territory along the The population is ethnically homogene- former eastern border. Another provi- ous with no sizable immigrant population. Finland's nearly 700-year association with sion, terminated in 1956, leased the Few tensions exist between the Finnish- the Kingdom of Sweden began in 1154 Porkkala area near Helsinki to the USSR speaking majority and the Swedish- with the introduction of Christianity by for use as a naval base and gave free speaking minority. Sweden's King Eric. During the ensuing access to this area across Finnish Finns are highly literate, and poetry centuries, Finland played an important territory. The peace treaty also called for has played a key role in Finnish history. role in the political life of the Swedish- Finland to pay to the Soviet Union Publication in 1835 of the Finnish national Finnish realm, and Finnish soldiers often reparations of 300 million gold dollars epic, The Kalevala, a collection of tradi- predominated in Swedish armies. Finns (amounting to an estimated $570 million tional myths and legends, first stirred the also formed a significant proportion of the in 1952, the year the payments ended). nationalism that led to independence in first "Swedish" settlers in 17th-century The United States was not a signatory to 1917. America. the treaty because it had not been at war An important theme in Finnish In 1809, Finland was conquered by with Finland. literature is humanity's unity with nature, the armies of Czar Alexander I and which identifies human fate with imper- thereafter remained an autonomous sonal forces and which gives Finnish grand duchy connected with the Russian GOVERNMENT literature a somber, sometimes tragic, Empire until the end of 1917. On Decem- sometimes heroic, tone. Another theme is ber 6, 1917, shortly after the Bolshevik Under the Finnish constitution, political the importance of the common people-the Revolution in Russia, Finland declared its power is divided between the Eduskunta Finnish folk. One of the country's major independence. In 1918, Finland experi- (parliament) and the president of the writers, Frans Emil Sillanpaa, received enced a brief but bitter civil war that republic, with the highest executive the Nobel Prize for literature in 1939. colored domestic politics for many years. power vested in the president. Finland is one of the most active During World War II, Finland fought Elected for a 6-year term, the publishing countries in the world. Al- the Soviet Union twice-in the Winter president: though major literary works have been War of 1939-40 and again in the Continu- translated into English, Finnish ation War of 1941-44. This was followed Handles foreign policy, except for music, because it does not require transla- by the Lapland War from 1944-45 when certain international agreements and tion, is better known. This is especially Finland fought against the Germans as decisions of peace or war, which must be true of the works of Jean Sibelius who, they withdrew their forces from northern submitted to parliament; along with many other Finnish artists, was Finland. Is commander in chief of the armed profoundly influenced by The Kalevala. The Treaty of Peace, signed at Paris forces and has wide decree and appointive Finns also are outstanding in other on February 10, 1947, limited the size of powers; artistic fields; their jewelry, textile, glass, Finland's defense forces and provided for May initiate legislation, block and furniture designs have gained promi- the cession to the Soviet Union of the legislation by pocket veto, and call ex- nence throughout the world. Petsamo area on the Arctic coast, the traordinary parliamentary sessions; and Karelian Isthmus in southeastern Appoints the cabinet. 3 A view of Helsinki's neoclassic center. The Council of State is made up of the The judicial system is divided recently by the Act on Aaland Self- prime minister and ministers for the between courts with regular civil and Government of 1951. The islands are various departments of the central criminal jurisdiction and special courts further distinguished by the fact that government as well as an ex-officio with responsibility for litigation between they are entirely Swedish speaking. Gov- member, the Chancellor of Justice. the public and the administrative organs ernment is vested in the provincial Ministers are not obliged to be members of the state. Finnish law is codified. council, which consists of 30 delegates of the Eduskunta and need not be Although there is no writ of habeas elected directly by Aaland's citizens. formally identified with any political corpus or bail, the maximum period of party. pre-trial detention was recently reduced Constitutionally, the 200-member, to 4 days. The Finnish court system Principal Government Officials unicameral Eduskunta is the supreme consists of local courts, regional appellate President-Mauno Koivisto authority in Finland. It may alter the courts, and a supreme court. Prime Minister- Harri Holkeri constitution, bring about the resignation Finland's 12 provinces are divided Foreign Minister-Perti Paasio of the Council of State, and override into cities, townships, and communes ad- Ambassador to the United States-Jukka presidential vetoes; its acts are not ministered by municipal and communal Valtasaari subject to judicial review. Legislation councils elected by proportional represen- Ambassador to the United Nations— may be initiated by the president, the tation once every 4 years. The 11 main- Klaus Tornudd Council of State, or one of the Eduskunta land provinces are administered by members. provincial boards composed of civil Finland maintains an embassy in the The Eduskunta is elected on the basis servants and each headed by a presiden- United States at 3216 New Mexico of proportional representation. All tially appointed governor. The boards are Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016 persons 18 or older, except military responsible to the Ministry of the Interior (tel. 202-363-2430). personnel on active duty and a few high and play a supervisory and coordinating judicial officials, are eligible for election. role within the provinces. The regular parliamentary term is 4 The island province of Aaland is POLITICAL CONDITIONS years; however, the president may located near the 60th parallel between dissolve the Eduskunta and order new Sweden and Finland. It enjoys local Finland's proportional representation elections at any time. autonomy by virtue of an international system encourages a multitude of political convention of 1921, implemented most parties and has resulted in many coalition governments. 4 Political activity by communists was legalized in 1944. Although four major parties have dominated the postwar political arena, none has a majority position. The largest is the Social Demo- cratic Party (SDP), which commands the support of nearly 25% of the electorate, mainly among the urban working class but also with some support among small farmers, white-collar workers, and professionals. The SDP's rival on the left is the Leftist Alliance, formed in May 1990, which replaces the People's Demo- cratic League (SKDL), the parliamentary group in the Eduskunta that represented the Finnish Communist Party. The SKDL's parliamentary effectiveness and potential participation in government were impaired, however, by the deep split in the Communist Party between its "moderate" majority and "hardline" minority. The two other major parties are the Center Party, traditionally representing the 1980s, Finland's economic growth rate rural interests, and the Conservative was one of the highest of industrialized Party, which draws its major support countries. Exports contribute more than from the business community and urban 20% of the gross domestic product (GDP); professionals. combined exports of goods and services In the February 1988 election, Presi- amount to about 25% of GDP. Exports dent Koivisto won a new 6-year term. and imports of goods total about 40% of Parliamentary elections in March 1987 led GDP. Timber and steel are the main to the formation of a "red-blue" coalition industries, but other industries produce government that includes both the SDP manufactured goods ranging from and the National Coalition (Conservative) electronics to motor vehicles. Finnish- Party. designed consumer products such as textiles, porcelain, and glassware are world famous. ECONOMY Finland is self-sufficient in dairy products and meats, as well as in grains in Finland has a dynamic industrial economy good harvest years, but it imports large based on abundant forest resources, amounts of fruits and vegetables. Farms capital investments, and technology. In tend to be small, but sizable timber stands littala Glassworks are famous worldwide. are harvested for supplementary income Classic designs capture the atmosphere of in winter. Finland's clear, cold waters. Except for timber and several Political Parties minerals, Finland depends on imported DEFENSE raw materials, energy, and some compo- In order of respective seating placement nents for its manufactured products. Finland's active duty defense forces are Traditionally, Finland is a net importer of Democratic Alternative 4 limited by the 1947 Treaty of Peace to Leftist Alliance 16 capital to finance industrial growth. 41,900 troops (army 34,400, navy 4,500, air Social Democrats 56 Finland imported 70% of its energy in force 3,000). The country has military Rural Party 8 1989. Oil imports met 31% of Finnish conscription under which all young men Free Democrats 1 requirements while nuclear power serve from 8 to 11 months. A reserve Center Party 40 provided 15%, coal 11%, and natural gas force of about 700,000 ensures readiness National Coalition Party 53 6%. Domestic energy sources include Swedish People's Party 13 as one means of deterring involvement in Greens hydroelectric power, peat, and wood 4 war. The basic tenet of Finnish security Christian League 5 products. policy is that, while foreign policy is important, the nation's ability to defend itself is a prerequisite for a successful policy of neutrality. 5 FOREIGN RELATIONS In April 1948, Finland signed an Agreement of Friendship, Cooperation, Further Information Finland's basic foreign policy goal since and Mutual Assistance with the Soviet 1944 has been to avoid great-power Union, under which Finland is obligated Available from the Superintendent of Docu- conflicts and to build mutual confidence (with the aid of the Soviet Union, if ments, US Government Printing Office, with the Soviet Union. Although the necessary) to resist armed attacks by Washington, DC 20402: country is culturally, socially, and politi- Germany or its allies against Finland, or cally Western, Finns realize they must against the USSR through Finland. At American University. Area Handbook for live in peace with the USSR and take no Finland. 1974. the same time, the agreement recognizes action that might be interpreted as a US Department of Commerce. "Finland." Finland's desire to remain outside great- Foreign Economic Trends and Their security threat. power conflicts. This agreement was Implications for the United States. Inter- The principal architect of the post- renewed for 20 years in 1955, again in national Marketing Information Series: 1944 foreign policy was J.K. Paasikivi, 1970, and most recently in 1983 to the Published annually. who was president from 1946 to 1956. year 2003. Urho Kekkonen, president from 1956 Finland joined the United Nations until 1981, further developed this policy, and the Nordic Council in 1955, is a full stressing that Finland should be an active member of the European Free Trade trade agreements with Czechoslovakia, rather than a passive neutral. This policy Association, and in 1973 signed a free Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, and the is now popularly known as the "Paasikivi- trade agreement with the European German Democratic Republic; a 15-year Kekkonen Line." Community. It also has entered into free economic cooperation agreement with the 6 Soviet Union, last extended in 1980; and a The US educational exchange cooperation agreement with the Council Travel Notes program in Finland, comparatively large for Mutual Economic Assistance. for a West European country of Finland's Finland also emphasizes cooperation Climate and clothing: Helsinki's winter size, is financed in part from a trust fund with the other Scandinavian countries climate is similar to Boston's; summer established in 1976 from Finland's final and has been a member of the Nordic temperatures rarely exceed +24 °C (75 °F). repayment of a US loan made in the Council since 1955. Under the council's Northern and parts of interior southern aftermath of World War I. Finland sometimes experience Arctic auspices, the Nordic countries have conditions in mid-winter. Buildings are well- created a common labor market and heated. Bring warm outdoor clothing during have abolished immigration controls late autumn, winter, and early spring. Principal US Officials among themselves. The council also Sweaters and raincoats are recommended for other seasons. Ambassador-John Giffen Weinmann serves to coordinate social and cultural Deputy Chief of Mission-Max N. policies of the participating countries and Health: Public health standards are similar Robinson has promoted increased cooperation in to those in the United States. Tapwater is Public Affairs Officer-William P. Kiehl potable. Medical facilities are good. many fields. Chief, Political Section-William Kushlis In recent years, Finland has empha- Telecommunications: Telephone and Chief, Administrative Section-William J. sized its participation in international telegraph services are efficient and available to most parts of Finland and the Burke, Jr. organizations. In proportion to its popula- world. Helsinki is seven time zones ahead Defense and Air Attache-William A.J. tion, Finland is well represented in the of eastem standard time. Mackie UN civil service. Finnish troops have par- Transportation: Bus and taxi service is Chief, Economic Section-Lawrence E. ticipated in UN peacekeeping activities available in most cities as well as tram and Butler since 1956 and Finns now serve with UN subway service in Helsinki. At least one Commercial Attache-Richard Newquist forces in the Middle East and with the US carrier provides US-Finland flights 5 Consul-Robert O. Tatge UN good offices mission in Afghanistan. days a week. Finnair flies to New York Finland has hosted major interna- daily and offers flights to Los Angeles several days a week. Flights to many The US Embassy in Finland is at tional meetings such as the first and final European cities depart Helsinki daily. Itainen Puistotie 14 B, Helsinki 14 stages of the Conference on Security and Finland's domestic air network is one of (tel. 171931). The public affairs section is Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). The the best in Europe. The country also has located at Kaivokatu 10 A, Helsinki 10 summit-level CSCE meeting in July and efficient rail and long-distance bus service. August 1975 brought 35 heads of state Roads are well maintained; nearly all major (tel. 176599). highways ,and most important secondary from Europe and North America to roads are paved. Helsinki for a conference unique in diplomatic history. Finland also hosted a Tourist attractions: With many islands and lakes, evergreen forests, and granite 10th anniversary CSCE commemorative outcroppings, Finland's countryside is meeting in the summer of 1985 and will striking. Many tourists enjoy cruises on Published by the United States Department of State Bureau of Public Affairs Office host the next CSCE review meeting in stately historic steamers that travel on 1992. Finland's biggest lake, Saimaa. Lapland, of Public Communication Editorial Divi- with its flora and reindeer, also is popular. sion Washington, DC August 1990 Editor: Juanita Adams US-FINNISH RELATIONS Department of State Publication 8262 and economic ties with the West. Eco- Background Notes Series This material is Relations between Finland and the in the public domain and may be reprinted nomic and trade relations between without permission; citation of this source United States are cordial. It has been Finland and the United States are active. is appreciated. longstanding US policy to support President Reagan proclaimed 1988 the Finnish neutrality while maintaining and Year of US-Finnish Friendship. For sale by the Superintendent of Docu- reinforcing Finland's historic, cultural, ments, US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. 7 John H. Kelly U.S. Ambassador to Finland Mr. Kelly was sworn in as American Ambassador to Finland on December 9, 1991. Prior to this assignment, he served as Assistant Secretary of State for near Eastern and South Asian Affairs. Other recent assignments include Principal Deputy Director of the Policy Planning Staff, and as U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon. A career Foreign Service Officer, Ambassador Kelly has served posts in Paris, France; Adana and Ankara, Turkey; and Bangkok and Songkhla, Thailand. In the Department, he served in the Office of the Counselor, the Politico-Military Bureau, and the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. He has also been Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs, and Senior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. He also spent a year as a Diplomatic Associate at the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, Georgetown University. Ambassador has received the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service medal and the State Department Meritorious Honor Award. He is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College. He graduated from Emory University in 1961 with - degree in History. He speaks French and Thai. Ambassador Kelly is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Foreign Service Association. Key Officers in Helsinki: Deputy Chief of Mission: Max N. Robinson Political Officer: William J. Kushlis Economic Officer: Robert W. Boehme Commercial Officer: Maria J. Andrews Administrative Officer: William J. Burke, Jr. Consular Officer: Robert O. Tatge Regional Security Officer: James W. Holt Agricultural Officer: Gordon S. Nicks (resident in Stockholm) Public Affairs Officer: Jeremy F. Curtin Defense Attaché: Col. William A. J. Mackie, USAF Communications Program Officer: Dennis R. Thatcher Labor Officer: Robert A. Benzinger Mauno Henrik KOIVISTO FINLAND (Phonetic: KOYveestoh) President (since 1982) Addressed as: Mr. President Mauno Koivisto is Finland's first president from the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He is currently serving his second six-year term. Under the Constitution, the president has the ultimate responsibility for foreign relations and national security. He is also empowered to name individuals to form the parliamentary government, to dissolve parliament, and to call for new elections. As President, Koivisto has visited several countries, including the United States in 1983, 1985, and May 1991 and the Soviet Union in 1984 and June 1991. On 20 January 1992 he witnessed the signing © of a new treaty on political cooperation with Russia to replace the 1948 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance with the Soviet Union. Koivisto was born on 25 November 1923 in the western port city of Turku. After serving in World War II, he worked on the docks while attending night school. He was an elementary school teacher during 1951-53 and then spent four years as a vocational guidance counselor. He received a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Turku in 1956. Koivisto began working for the Helsinki Workers Savings Bank in 1958 and served as its director during 1959-66. He was Minister of Finance from 1966 until 1968 and again in 1972. He was Governor of the Bank of Finland for many years and served twice as Prime Minister (1968-70, 1979-82). From 1979 until he became President, Koivisto was Prime Minister in a four-party coalition; he served concurrently as Acting President-as specified by the Constitution-since September 1981, when then President Urho Kekkonen stepped down because of illness. Koivisto resigned from the SDP after his election to the presidency. Koivisto enjoys volleyball, whittling, skiing, and reading. He likes to vacation at a log cabin that he built outside Helsinki. Koivisto speaks English, Swedish, German, and Russian. Married to the former Tellervo Kankaanranta, he has a married daughter, Assi Komulainen. 29 January 1992 Esko AHO FINLAND (Phonetic: AHhoe) Prime Minister (since April 1991) Addressed as: Mr. Prime Minister At 37, Center Party Chairman Esko Aho is Finland's youngest Prime Minister. He succeeded Paavo Vayrynen, the former chairman who is now Foreign Minister, as Center Party chairman in mid-1990. According to the Finnish constitution, the prime minister is responsible for domestic matters, while the president handles foreign policy. Aho, however, has been involved in pushing for a decision on EC expansion. He has also said that it is in Finland's interest to support the peaceful development of Russia. On 20 January 1992 Aho signed a new treaty with Russia, which replaced © Finland's 1948 Treaty of Friendship and Mutual Cooperation with the Soviet Union. The son of a farmer, Aho was born on 20 May 1954. He holds a master's degree in political science. He was leader of the Center Party's youth organization from 1974 to 1980. He served as Vayrynen's political secretary during 1979-80, when Vayrynen was Foreign Minister for the first time. Aho has been a member of Eduskunta (parliament) since 1983. Aho speaks excellent English and has visited the United States several times. Married, he has two sons and a daughter. 29 January 1992 Paavo VAYRYNEN FINLAND (Phonetic: VOWreenen) Minister of Foreign Affairs (since April 1991) Addressed as: Mr. Minister Paavo Vayrynen has served twice before as Foreign Minister (1977-82 and 1983-87). He was chairman of the agrarian Center Party from 1980 until mid-1990, when he gave up the post to his handpicked successor, current Prime Minister Esko Aho. Vayrynen is widely regarded as the party's senior statesman. He helped negotiate a new treaty with Russia, which was signed on 20 January 1992. This agreement replaces the Treaty of Friendship and Mutual Cooperation that existed since 1948 with the Soviet Union. © The son of a farmer, Vayrynen was born on 2 September 1946. He holds a master's degree in political science from the University of Helsinki, and in 1968 he studied for four months at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. He was active in the Center Party's Youth Organization during his student years. He was only 24 when he was elected to the Eduskunta (parliament) in 1970. Vayrynen served as the political secretary to the Prime Minister during 1970-71. He was deputy chairman of the Center Party from 1972 until 1980. In the mid-1970s he served as First Minister of Education and as Minister of Labor. After securing admission for the Finnish Center Party in the Liberal International, Vayrynen became vice chairman of that group in 1988. He holds the rank of senior lieutenant in the Finnish Defense Reserves. Vayrynen speaks English, Swedish, and German. He is the author of two books. He enjoys spending time on his farm. Married, he has two daughters and a son. 29 January 1992 Malmö 16 The United States Government has not recognized 20 Klaipeda 24 the incorporation of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania SWEDEN into the Soviet Union. Other boundary representation is not necessarily authoritative. Bornholm Baltic Sea (Denmark) Kaunas Gulf of Vilnius Gdansk Kaliningrad Sassnitz Gdynia Pomeranian Stupsk Gdańsk Bay Elblag Suwałki 54 Koszalin 54 Swinoujście Tczew C GERMAN Olsztyn Gradno Szczecin DEMOCRATIC Vistuia REPUBLIC Lomza Bydgoszcz Ostrołęka Pita Torun Białystok Gorzów Notec O Ciechanów BERLIN Wielkopolski Narew East Berlin Warta SOVIET Włocławek O Płock Frankfurt Poznań Warsaw Brest 52 Warta Konin Siedlce O 52 Spree Biała Zielona Leszno Podlaska UNION Skierniewice Góra Cottbus Kalisz Lódź Sieradz Radom Piotrków Lublin Görlitz © Trybunalski Kovel Legnica Wroclaw Dresden Chelm Jelenia Góra Częstochowa O Zamość O Kielce Wałbrzych Opole Tarnobrzeg Hradec Bytom Králové Prague Gliwice Katowice S 50 Elbe Kraków Rzeszów L'vov Tarnów Poland Ostrava Przemyśl Bielsko h Biala Krosno Nowy © International boundary Sącz Dnestr Województwo (province) boundary CZECHOSLOVAKIA * National capital © Województwo (province) capital Railroad Provinces have the same names as their capitals, except: Road Košice Province Capital 0 25 50 75 100 Kilometers Bielsko Bielsko-Biata Uzhgorod Gorzów Gorzów Wielkopolski 0 25 50 75 100 Miles Piotrków Piotroków Trybunalski Warszawa Warsaw (Warszawa) HUNGARY 20 Tisza 24 Base 505078 (547779) 4-82 Warsaw Radziwill Tomb of the Palace Unknown Soldier Jerzego Waszyngtona Stadium Krolewska Tamka 2 Swietokrzyska lem Railway Station Soles Walecznych Francisco Angorska Zwyciezcow Saska \ Emilii Plater Ksiazeca Aleje Krucza Czer Rozbrat niek.owske lowska Solece Wilsa Stanow Ziednoczonven Nowogrodzka Wspolnaza Hoza owska Wiejska Embassy Sejm Gornoslaska Wilcza Koszykowa / Piekna Lazienkowska Nowowiejska Filtrowa Agrykola AI Armii Szwolezerow Okecie Council of Airport Ministers Building Park 29 Listopada Niepodleglosci Lazienkowsk Czernakowska Bartycka Belwedere Palace Parkowa Batorego Guest House Stefana Podchorazych Wilanow Bluszczanska 0504 6-89 STATE (INR/GE) [Free Market Ratel Polish Zloty Conversion Table at Z 13,440 = U.S. $ (Zloty = 100 groszy) Zloty to U.S. Dollars U.S. Dollars to Zloty Zloty U.S. $ U.S. $ Zloty 1,000 0.07 0.10 1,344.00 3,000 0.22 0.25 3,360.00 5,000 0.37 0.50 6,720.00 7,000 0.52 0.75 10,080.00 13,440 1.00 1.00 13,440.00 15,000 1.12 5.00 67,200.00 20,000 1.49 7.00 94,080.00 50,000 3.72 10.00 134,400.00 100,000 7.44 20.00 268,800.00 200,000 14.88 50.00 672,000.00 350,000 26.04 100.00 1,344,000.00 1,000,000 74.40 300.00 4,032,000.00 2,000,000 148.81 500.00 6,720,000.00 NOTE: All U.S. dollar values are rounded to nearest U.S. cent. Value of the Zloty may vary due to currency market conditions. The official rate is 11,487 Zloty to the U.S. dollar. April 1992 background notes Poland United States Department of State June 1991 Bureau of Public Affairs People National holiday: May 3. Flag: Two equal-sized horizontal bands Nationality: Noun-Pole(s). Adjective- of white (upper) and red (lower). Polish. Population (1990): 38 million. Annual growth rate: Negligible. Ethnic Economy groups: Polish 99%, Ukrainian, Byelorussian, Jewish. Religions: Roman GNP: $172 billion. Per capita: $4,600 Catholic 95%, Eastern Orthodox, Uniate, (purchasing power parity estimate, 1989). Protestant. Language: Polish. Literacy: Economic growth rate (1989 est.): -1.6%. 98%. Health (1989): Infant mortality rate- Inflation rate: 249% (retail prices of 13/1,000. Life expectancy-males 68 yrs., consumer goods and services, Dec. 1990 VS. females 77 yrs. Work force: 17 million Dec. 1989). (1988). Agriculture-28%. Industry and Natural resources: Coal, sulfur, copper, construction-37%. Trade, community natural gas, silver, lead, salt. services, transport, communications-18%. Agriculture: Products-grains, sugar Government and other-17%. beets, potatoes, livestock, oilseed. Industry: Types-machine-building, Official Name: Government iron and steel, extractive industries, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, Republic of Poland Type: Republic. Constitution: July 22, 1952 glass, beverages, textiles. (as amended). Trade (1989 est.): Exports-$28 billion Branches: Executive-chief of state (f.o.b.): machinery and equipment, coal, (president). Legislative-bicameral National PROFILE minerals, metals. Imports-$24 billion Assembly (lower house-Sejm, upper (f.o.b.): machinery and equipment, fuels, house-Senate). Judicial-Supreme Court, Geography minerals, metals, agricultural and forestry provincial and local courts. products. Area: 312,680 sq. km. (120,725 sq. mi.); about Administrative subdivisions: 49 Exchange rate (Jan. 1991): 11,200 the size of New Mexico. Cities (1988): provinces (voivodships). zlotys=US$1. Capital-Warsaw (pop. 1.7 million). Other Political parties: Almost all freely cities-Lodz (851,500), Krakow (743,700), elected seats in the present parliament are Membership in International Wroclaw (637,400), Poznan (586,500), held by members who were supported by Organizations Gdansk (461,000). Terrain: Flat plain, Citizens Committees organized by except mountains along southern border. Solidarity before the June 1989 elections. UN and several specialized agencies, Climate: Temperate continental. These Sejm deputies and senators formed including International Monetary Fund the Citizens Parliamentary Club (OKP). As (IMF) and World Bank (IBRD); General plans are made for parliamentary elections Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT); in which all seats will be freely contested, Conference on Security and Cooperation in many new parties are emerging. Suffrage: Europe (CSCE). Universal over age 18. The United States Government has not recognised the 16 20 incorporation of Estonia, Latria, and Lithuania into the Soviet Union. Names and boundery representation are not necessarily authoritative Baltic Sea Kaliningrad Stupsk Gdansk Elblag Suwalk Koszalin 54 54 Vistule Olsztyn Grodno Szczecin Pisa Pila Bydgoszcz Terun Drweca Ostroleka Lonza Bialystok Gorzów Noteć Narew Wiekopolski Clechanow Bug Berlin Warta Plock Wioclawek Poznan BInis!A U.S S.R Frankfurt Warsaw Warts (Warszawa) Siedice 52 Konin Brest 52 Zielona Biala Góra Leszno Skiemiewice Podlaska Kalisz Sieradz Lodz Pilica Germany Radom Wieprz Neisse Legnica Warta Piotriow Chelm Trybunalsk Wroclaw Lublin Jelenia Góra o Oder Czestochow Kielce Zamosc Walbrzych Opole Tamobrzeg Vistula Bug Prague Katowice 0 Rzeszów 50 Krakow Tarnów San 50 Poland Ostrava Przemy L'vov Bielsko- o Biala o Krosno International boundary Nowy Sacz . National capital Railroad Road International airport 0 25 50 75 100 Miles Czechoslovakia 0 25 50 75 100 Kilometers Austria 16 20 Hungary 24 518048 4-76 GEOGRAPHY country to 122 centimeters (48 in.) in unification, the Polish and German the mountains. foreign ministers signed a border Poland is located in Eastern Europe in Poland is the largest country in treaty in November 1990; it awaits the same general latitude as southern Eastern Europe. The pre-World War ratification early in 1991. Canada. Natural barriers form its II, easternmost territories (181,300 sq. boundaries on the north (the Baltic Sea) km./70,000 sq. mi.) were incorporated and the south (the Carpathian into the Soviet Union after the war. As PEOPLE Mountains along the border with a result of the 1945 Potsdam Czechoslovakia). In an east-west agreement, some 103,600 sq. km. Poland has the second largest direction, the country is part of a (40,000 sq. mi.) of former German areas population in Eastern Europe (after the continuous plain that starts in Central in the north and west were placed Soviet Union). Today it is ethnically Europe and continues to the Ural under Polish administration and have almost homogeneous (98% Polish) in Mountains. since been incorporated into the Polish contrast with the pre-World War II The climate is temperate, with state. Poland and West Germany period, when there were significant moderately severe winters and mild signed a treaty in 1970 accepting ethnic minorities-4.5 million summers. Annual rainfall varies from existing frontiers. After German Ukrainians, 3 million Jews, 1 million 50 centimeters (20 in.) in most of the 2 Byelorussians, and 800,000 Germans. of-war captured after the Soviet In 1968, a reverse trend set in when The majority of the Jews were killed invasion of Poland on September 17, student demonstrations were during the German occupation in World 1939. The number of armed Poles suppressed and an "anti-Zionist" War II, and many others emigrated in reached about 600,000 during World campaign initially directed against the succeeding years. Most Germans War II-400,000 in an army formed in Gomulka supporters within the party left Poland at the end of the war, while the Soviet Union under Soviet eventually led to the emigration of many Ukrainians and Byelorussians command and 200,000 fighting on much of Poland's remaining Jewish lived in territories incorporated into western fronts in units loyal to the population. the USSR. Polish government-in-exile. In December 1970, workers' The Soviet Union broke relations discontent erupted into riots on with the exiled Polish government in Poland's Baltic coast. Disturbances and HISTORY April 1943 on the pretext that the Poles strikes in the port cities of Gdansk, had insulted the USSR by requesting Gdynia, and Szczecin, triggered by a Poland's historic record begins with the that the Red Cross investigate mass price increase for essential consumer reign of Mieszko I, who accepted graves of murdered Polish army goods, reflected deep dissatisfaction Christianity for himself and his officers found by German military with living and working conditions in kingdom in AD 966. The Polish state authorities at Katyn. the country. Gomulka was replaced as reached its zenith under the In July 1944, the Soviet Union first secretary by Edward Gierek. Jagiellonian dynasty in the years installed a communist-controlled Gierek improved economic following the union with Lithuania in "Polish Committee of National conditions by increasing real wages, 1386 and the subsequent defeat of the Liberation" at Lublin, in the area of easing food distribution problems, Teutonic Knights at Grunwald in 1410. Poland that advancing Soviet armies providing more and better consumer The monarchy survived many had brought under their control. In goods, and modernizing Polish industry, upheavals but eventually went into a January 1945, the USSR recognized for which much of the equipment and prolonged decline, ending with the final this committee as the Polish technology came from the West. partition of Poland by Prussia, Russia, government. Fueled by large infusions of Western and Austria in 1795. Meanwhile, the Polish underground credit, Poland's economic growth rate staged an unsuccessful uprising against was one of the world's highest during 1918 Through World War II the Germans in Warsaw (August- the first half of the 1970s. But much of Independence for Poland was one of the October 1944). After suppressing the the borrowed capital was misspent, and 14 points enunciated by President uprising, the Germans evacuated the the centrally planned economy was surviving population and leveled the unable to use the new resources Woodrow Wilson during World War I. Many Polish-Americans enlisted in the city as they retreated in January 1945. effectively. The growing debt burden military services to further this aim, Following the Yalta Conference of became insupportable in the late 1970s, early 1945, a Polish Provisional as recession in the West and inflation and the United States worked at the postwar conference to ensure its Government of National Unity was and market problems at home became implementation. However, the Poles formed in June 1945; the US recognized more severe. Economic growth slowed were largely responsible for achieving it the next month. Although the Yalta and actually became negative by 1979. their own independence in 1918. The agreement called for free elections, In October 1978, the Bishop of United States established diplomatic those held in January 1947 were Krakow, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, relations with the newly formed Polish controlled by the Communist Party. became Pope John Paul II, head of the The communists then established a Roman Catholic Church. Polish Republic in April 1919. A turbulent period of parliamentary regime entirely under their domination. Catholics rejoiced at the elevation of a democracy lasted from 1919 to 1926, Pole to the papacy and greeted his June when Marshal Jozef Pilsudski installed Communist Party Domination 1979 visit to Poland with an outpouring of emotion. an authoritarian regime. The invasion In October 1956, after the 20th ("de- of Poland by Nazi Germany in 1939 Stalinization") Soviet Party Congress The Gierek regime continued to try marked the onset of World War II. The at Moscow and riots by workers in to stop the spiraling economic decline country remained under either German Poznan, a shake-up in the communist by borrowing from the West. In July or Soviet occupation until the end of the regime returned Wladyslaw Gomulka 1980, with the Polish foreign debt at war but had a government-in-exile, to power as first secretary. Gomulka, a more than $20 billion, the government first in Paris and later in London. The former head of the Polish Communist made another attempt to increase meat government-in-exile and Soviet Party, had been ousted in 1948 and prices. A chain reaction of strikes authorities negotiated the organization, later imprisoned for "nationalist virtually paralyzed the Baltic coast by evacuation, and deployment in the west tendencies." While retaining most the end of August and, for the first of an army of 110,000 Polish prisoners- traditional communist economic and time, closed most coal mines in Silesia. social aims, the Gomulka regime Poland was entering into an extended liberalized Polish internal life. crisis which would change the course of its future development. 3 The Solidarity Movement October 1982, the Sejm (parliament) law reinforced the government's lack of On August 31, 1980, workers at the adopted a new law abolishing Solidarity credibility. For the majority of Poles, and all other unions. Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk, led by an the communist regime lacked The United States and other electrician named Lech Walesa, signed legitimacy and was simply the creation a 21-point agreement with the Western countries responded to the of a powerful neighbor. government which ended their strike. declaration of martial law by imposing Similar agreements were signed at economic sanctions against the Polish Roundtable Talks and Elections Szczecin and in Silesia. The key regime and against the Soviet Union. Unrest in Poland continued for several The government's inability to forestall provision of all these agreements was years thereafter. Poland's economic decline led to waves the guarantee of the workers' right to In a series of slow, uneven steps, of strikes across the country in May- form independent trade unions and the the Polish regime ended many of the August 1988. In an attempt to take 1. right to strike. After the Gdansk agreement was signed, a new national extraordinary repressive measures control of the situation, the government associated with martial law. In gave de facto recognition to Solidarity, union movement-"Solidarity"-swept December 1982, martial law was and on August 31 Interior Minister Poland. The discontent underlying the suspended, and internees were Kiszczak began talks with Lech Walesa. released; a large number of political These talks broke off in October, but in strikes was intensified by revelations of widespread corruption and mis- prisoners continued to be detained. February 1989 a new series began-the Martial law formally ended in July 1983 "roundtable" talks. Agreement was management within the Polish state and party leadership. At the sixth and, while a general amnesty was reached in April providing for partially free elections to a bicameral National Central Committee Plenum of the enacted, several hundred political Polish United Workers' (Communist) prisoners remained in jail. Assembly. By the terms of the The abduction and murder of pro- agreement, the June election produced Party (PZPR) in September 1980, Solidarity priest Father Jerzy a Sejm (lower house) in which one-third Gierek was replaced by Stanislaw of the seats went to communists and Kania as first secretary. Other changes Popieluszko by the security police in in the party and state bureaucracies October 1984 shocked and angered the one-third went to the two parties which had hitherto been their coalition continued during the following months, Polish people. Four security officers were tried for the murder and in partners, the United Peasant Party and and some initial attempts were made at economic and political reforms in the February 1985 were convicted and the Democratic Party. The remaining midst of continuing worker unrest. sentenced to long prison terms. one-third of the seats in the Sejm and Although their trial was marred by the all those in the Senate (upper house) Alarmed by the rapid deterioration of the PZPR's authority following the government's efforts to use it as a were freely contested; virtually all of vehicle for anti-clerical propaganda, it these were won by candidates Gdansk agreement, the Soviet Union was an unprecedented event in Poland supported by Solidarity, working at the proceeded with a massive buildup of its and in the communist world. local level through newly established forces along Poland's border in Decem- Citizens Committees. ber 1980. In February 1981, Defense In July 1984, another general The failure of the communists at the Minister Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski amnesty was declared, and 2 years later, the government had released polls produced a political crisis. The assumed the position of prime minister nearly all political prisoners. The roundtable agreement called for a as well, and in October 1981, he also authorities continued, however, to communist president, but on July 19, was named party first secretary. At punish dissidents and Solidarity the National Assembly, with the the first Solidarity national congress in September- October 1981, Lech Walesa activists by assessing severe fines and support of some Solidarity deputies, was elected national chairman of the confiscating private property, such as elected Gen. Jaruzelski to that office by automobiles. Solidarity was still a single vote. Two attempts by the union. proscribed, and its publications were communists to form governments The collapse of talks among party, banned. The independent publications failed, however. On August 19, union, and church leaders on a front of that were tolerated were subject to President Jaruzelski asked journalist/ national understanding in November censorship. The security police Solidarity activist Tadeusz Mazowiecki 1981 was followed by a call from Soli- continued to harass those citizens to form a government; on September darity for democratic elections and a referendum on the Communist Party's whose attempts to exercise the rights 12, the Sejm voted approval of Prime Minister Mazowiecki and his cabinet. continued dominance of the state. On of free speech and free assembly were While the communists retained seen as threatening to the communist December 12-13, the regime declared regime. responsibility for national defense, martial law under which the army and internal affairs, and some other The implausible claim made by the special riot police were used to crush authorities that Solidarity had ceased ministries, for the first time in more the union. Virtually all of the Solidarity leaders were arrested or detained, as to exist after the imposition of martial than 40 years, Poland had a government led and dominated by non- were many affiliated intellectuals. In communists. 4 In December 1989, the Sejm Judicial proceedings are carried out POLITICAL CONDITIONS considered the government's reform through a Supreme Court and program to rapidly transformation the provincial and local courts. The political scene in Poland reflects Polish economy from a centrally the growth of pluralism since the planned system to a free market, and it advent of the Mazowiecki government amended the constitution to eliminate Principal Government Officials in September 1989. While most leading references to the "leading role" of the President-Lech Walesa political figures are identified with the Communist Party and renamed the anti-communist opposition of the 1980s, country the "Republic of Poland." Prime Minister-Jan Krzysztof the Solidarity forces have begun to split Bielecki The Polish United Workers' Minister of Finance-Leszek into groupings of the center-left and (Communist) Party dissolved itself in Balcerowicz center-right. In addition, the Polish January 1990, creating in its place a Minister of National Defense-Piotr Peasants Party has shown political new party, Social Democracy of the Republic of Poland. Most of the Kolodziejczyk strength by identifying itself with the Minister of Foreign Affairs-Krzysztof interests of the country's large rural property of the former Communist Skubiszewski population. Many other parties have Party was turned over to the state. Ambassador to the US-Kazimierz also formed; the 1991 parliamentary The May 1990 local elections were elections will show which of them will Dziewanowski entirely free. Candidates supported by Ambassador to the UN-Stanislaw play a role in the future political life of Solidarity's Citizens Committees won Poland. Pawlak most of the races they contested, Freedoms of the press, association, although voter turnout was little over Poland maintains an embassy in the and assembly were restored by the 40%. The cabinet was reshuffled in United States at 2640 16th St. NW, Mazowiecki government, and the July 1990; the national defense and Washington, DC 20009 (tel. 202-234- censor's office was abolished. interior affairs ministers, who were 3800/3801/3802); the consular annex is Constitutional changes are planned to hold-overs from the previous com- at 2224 Wyoming Ave. NW, give formal recognition to the human munist government, were among those Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-234- rights which are now respected in replaced. 3800). Poland has consulates in practice by the Polish state. In October 1990, the constitution Chicago, New York City, and Los was amended to curtail the term of Angeles. President Jaruzelski. In December, ECONOMY Lech Walesa became the first popularly elected president of Poland. At year's Poland is undergoing a profound end, talks were underway to form a Travel Notes transformation as the government government that would serve until the rapidly introduces a free-market 1992 parliamentary elections. system to replace the centrally planned Entry Requirements: Effective April 15, 1991, Poland discontinued visa economy. During 1990, the economic requirements for visitors of 90 days or reform program stopped hyperinflation, GOVERNMENT less. stabilized the currency, brought an end Tourist Attractions: Poland's major to chronic shortages of consumer goods, The present government structure tourist attractions include the winter and produced a sizable trade surplus. reflects compromises made in the resort area of Zakopane, near the At the same time, however, the econ- roundtable agreement between the Czechoslovak border; the Wawel Castle, omy suffered a recession, with sharp former communists and the opposition. medieval Cloth Hall, and St. Mary's declines in industrial production and The bicameral legislature, the Church in Krakow; the magnificently real incomes and steadily increasing National Assembly, is made up of the restored Teutonic fortress of Malbork; the coastal resort of Sopot; and the unemployment. The United States and 460-member Sejm (lower house) and reconstructed portions of Gdansk and other Western countries have been the 100-member Senate (upper house). Szczecin (two Hanseatic cities) in the supporting the growth of a free The constitution was amended in north. Favorite attractions in enterprise economy by providing direct September 1990 to allow election of the metropolitan Warsaw include Chopin's economic aid, restructuring the debt president by general suffrage. The birthplace at Zelazowa Wola, Gen. president nominates a prime minister Pulaski's birthplace and museum at and rescheduling payments, and Warka, the Wilanow and Lazienki encouraging private investment in who, together with his cabinet palaces of the kings of Poland, and the Poland. members, must be approved by the painstakingly restored "Old Town." Sejm. A new constitution is being National Tourist Office (ORBIS): 500 drafted and must be approved by the Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10110 (tel. parliament elected in 1991. 212-391-0844). 5 Agriculture and shipbuilding. Accordingly, exports Foreign Trade Nearly 30% of Poland's work force is have become more diversified, includ- engaged in agriculture. Unlike the ing those to hard-currency markets; Before 1990, Poland's trade was divided industrial sector, Poland's agricultural meat, coal, and copper remain impor- about equally between hard currency tant export commodities. markets and CEMA countries, where sector remained largely in private Poland's industrial base suffered goods and services were traded at hands during the decades of communist rule. Private farms occupy three greatly during World War II, and much artificial CEMA prices, and the fourths of the land and account for of the investments in the 1950s were transferable ruble was the unit of directed toward reconstruction. The account. Trade with CEMA countries about four fifths of agricultural need to rebuild existing capacities and declined during 1990, and as of January employment and production. These 2.8 the orthodox communist economic 1991, trade with all these countries million private farms, however, are small-average 5.5 hectares each-and system imposed on Poland in the late switched to world market prices and 1940s resulted in the intense central- hard currency settlements. Poland had often fragmented. In contrast, the roughly 5,000 state farms average ization of industries. Large and a current account surplus of more than nearly 900 hectares each. unwieldy economic structures operated $1.8 billion for the first three quarters under detailed central command. In of 1990, but its trade balance suffered Production of wheat, feed-grains, part because of this systemic rigidity, during the final quarter due to rising oil vegetable oils, and protein meals is insufficient to meet domestic demand. with the emphasis on central planning, prices and other factors. Oil deliveries the economy performed poorly even in from Iraq (made to offset Iraq's $500 However, Poland is the leading comparison with other economies in million debt to Poland) stopped in producer in Eastern Europe of potatoes, rapeseed, sugar beets, Eastern Europe. August 1990 in keeping with UN grains, hogs, and cattle. Attempts to In 1989, the Mazowiecki govern- sanctions, while at the same time ment began a comprehensive reform Soviet deliveries fell below projected increase domestic feed grain production program to replace the centralized levels. With the unification of Germany are hampered by the short growing command economy with a free-market in 1990, traditional trade ties with East season, poor soil, and the small size of farms. system. Germany, one of Poland's major trading partners, were disrupted. While the government's economic reform has generally resulted in sharp Economic Reform Program Poland's external debt exceeds $43 billion, and its debt service ratio (the price increases to the consumer, the The Sejm passed enabling legislation in ratio of hard debt service obligations to costs to farmers for their inputs have December 1989 on the government's hard currency earnings) is one of the risen faster than the prices they can economic reform program. The reform world's highest, even after successive demand for their products. State program resulted in a drop in the reschedulings by Poland's commercial monopolies still control agricultural inflation rate from 78.6% in January and official creditors. Scheduled debt- procurement, processing, and 1990 to 4.9% in November, and it service payments in 1989 amounted to distribution. The price for bread is stabilized the currency. At the same $5.2 billion (equivalent to about 60% of subject to government controls. On the time, however, industrial production the value of total exports in hard other hand, fertilizer and pesticide fell by 25%, average real incomes currency), but only about $1.5 billion prices have risen rapidly, and energy dropped by more than 20% and average was actually paid. Most of Poland's costs have increased several fold real wages by almost 30%. By the end debt (about $28 billion) is owed Implementation of the govern- of 1990, unemployment grew from a to Paris Club governments, which in ment's privatization program in the few thousand to more than a million 1990 extended to Poland a rescheduling agriculture sector-specifically the (6.1%, according to the Polish Central agreement; the fifth rescheduling since breakup of the state monopolies in Planning Office). 1981, the 1990 agreement included a procurement and distribution-will A vital element of the economic temporary moratorium on debt-service help bring the costs of inputs and reform is the privatization of state- payments. The 1991 agreements with production into balance, but the small owned enterprises. Enabling the Paris Club reduces Poland's official size and often fragmented nature of legislation was passed by the Sejm in debt by a minimum of 50%. land holdings and the large portion of July 1990. A Ministry of Ownership the population engaged in farming will Transformation has been created to Consumer Supplies limit profitability. oversee the conversion of state As a result of the economic reform enterprises into private firms and Industry prepare guidelines for the creation of a program, prices for consumer goods Before World War II, Poland's stock market. The challenge facing the have risen in response to market forces. industrial base was concentrated in the Polish government is how to privatize Demand has been dampened by falling coal, textile, chemical, machinery, iron, thousands of state enterprises, while real wages, whose growth is tied to preventing profiteering and cushioning increases in productivity. The serious and steel sectors. Today it extends to fertilizers, petrochemicals, machine the work force against unemployment consumer shortages that were once as many large, unprofitable state firms endemic to the Polish economy have tools, electrical machinery, electronics, face bankruptcy. now largely disappeared. 6 DEFENSE Poland took part in the Two-Plus- individual freedom, while at the same Four meetings on the borders of the time carefully avoiding interference in Poland's armed forces number 305,000. unified Germany. A Polish-German Poland's internal affairs. Toward this Career soldiers make up about one- border treaty was signed in November end, for example, the US government third of the army. Men are required to 1990. provided a total of $765 million in serve a 12-month period of basic agricultural assistance during 1981. military service. US-POLISH RELATIONS In response to the 1981 imposition Poland is reducing armaments to of martial law, President Reagan After Gomulka came to power in 1956, levels agreed upon in the Treaty on introduced a number of sanctions Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Poland appeared ready to follow against the Polish regime, including (CFE), signed in Paris in November policies of increased internal liberal- suspending trade credits and food aid, 1990. As of the end of 1990, Poland had ization and greater autonomy in foreign refusing to negotiate the rescheduling affairs. Consequently, relations with 2,850 tanks, 654 fighter planes, 2,377 of Poland's debt, and restricting the armored personnel carriers, 40 combat the United States began to improve. export of advanced technology to helicopters, and 2,300 heavy artillery However, during the 1960s, erosion of Poland. In October 1982, the US internal liberalization and reversion to pieces and missile launchers. Further suspended most-favored-nation (MFN) a policy of full and unquestioning reductions are planned in order to status for Poland in response to the conform with CFE obligations. support for Soviet foreign policy Polish government's decision to ban Warsaw Pact members met in early objectives caused those relations to Solidarity. 1991 and disbanded the organization on stagnate. In 1968-69, an anti-Semitic The United States responded to the March 31. Polish officials have begun to campaign in Poland contributed to a further deterioration. gradual human rights improvements in restructure the military to increase 1983-84 by easing the sanctions and civilian control and de-politicize its The atmosphere for US-Polish opening a dialogue with Poland. After ranks. relations improved significantly after Gierek succeeded Gomulka as first the amnesty for political prisoners was At the end of 1990, less than 50,000 declared in September 1986, the United Soviet troops were in Poland under secretary of the Communist Party, and States began a re-engagement with Polish-Soviet agreements, primarily to the new Polish leadership expressed its Poland which led to the lifting of sanc- provide logistical support to Soviet interest in improving relations with the tions in February 1987, as President United States. President Nixon visited troops stationed on the territory of the Reagan restored Poland's MFN tariff former German Democratic Republic. Warsaw May-June 1972, when a status. In June 1987, the United States Negotiations are underway on their consular convention was signed. Visits renewed participation in the Poznan withdrawal and on terms for the transit to the United States later that year by International Fair. In 1988 the US and through Poland of Soviet forces being the Polish foreign minister and the Poland agreed to upgrade their withdrawn from Germany. Minister of Foreign Trade led to the diplomatic relations and ambassadors US Secretary of Defense Richard Polish government's decision to settle were exchanged. Cheney visited Poland in December the question of defaulted pre-World President Bush, who had visited War II bonds with American 1990 at the invitation of Minister of bondholders. Poland as vice president in 1987, paid a National Defense Kolodziejczyk. Their Edward Gierek visited the United state visit to Poland in July 1989, talks included the role of visits and States in October 1974. This visit, the shortly after the parliamentary training programs in expanding the elections in which Solidarity candidates US-Polish relationship. first by a Polish leader, underlined the considerable progress that had been scored an overwhelming victory. With the formation in September 1989 of a made in US-Polish relations. During government dominated by Solidarity, FOREIGN RELATIONS this period, several important agree- relations between the US and Poland ments were concluded to promote Poland is developing a new, cooperation in science and technology, entered a new phase. independent foreign policy, while health research, commerce, and other Following Solidarity leader Lech Walesa's visit to the United States in strengthening friendly ties to the areas. The continued improvement in United States and other Western bilateral relations was reflected by November 1989, the Congress passed countries. Although still a member of visits to Poland by President Ford the Support for East European CEMA-an organization whose future (1975) and President Carter (1977). Democracy (SEED) Act, which authorized a $928 million assistance is in question-Poland has a permanent The birth of Solidarity in 1980 raised the hope that progress would be program for Poland and Hungary. Key observer at NATO headquarters and is made in Poland's external relations as provisions of the act were a $200 million pursuing associate status in the contribution to the $1 billion European Community. well as in its domestic development. international fund to stabilize Poland's US policy throughout the Solidarity period had two goals: to encourage currency and a $240 million grant to greater respect for human rights and 7 create an enterprise fund. These and to pursue an independent foreign policy The US Embassy in Poland is other SEED programs were designed and to develop an internationally located at Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31, to support the Polish government's competitive free-market economy. As Warsaw (tel. 628-3041-9). The consulate economic reform program and the it does so, the close cooperation at Poznan is at Ulica Chopina 4 (tel. country's rapid transition to a free- existing in US-Polish relations in can be 595-86, 595-87); at Krakow, Ulica market economy. expected to continue and to intensify. Stolarska 9 (tel. 577-93, 597-64). During Prime Minister Mazowiecki's visit to Washington in Principal US Officials March 1990, the US and Poland agreed Published by the United States Department to conclude a Business and Economic Ambassador-Thomas W. Simons, Jr. of State Bureau of Public Affairs Office Deputy Chief of Mission-Michael of Public Communication Agreement to promote closer economic Washington, Hornblow DC June 1991 Editor: Phyllis A. and trade ties. As of June 1991, the Political Counselor-Daniel Fried Young agreement was before the Sejm Economic Counselor-Paul Wacker- awaiting ratification. Department of State Publication 8020 barth President Walesa made a state visit Background Notes Series This material is Press and Cultural Affairs Counselor- to Washington in March 1991 and in the public domain and may be reprinted signed with President Bush a joint Stephen Dubrow without permission; citation of this source is declaration on relations between the Consul General-Anthony Perkins appreciated. two countries. Principal Officer, Poznan-J. Christian For sale by the Superintendent of Docu- Poland is rapidly reorienting its Kennedy ments, US Government Printing Office, political and economic relations in order Principal Officer, Krakow-Michael Washington, DC 20402. Barry Thomas W. Simons, Jr. U.S. Ambassador to Poland Thomas W. Simons, Jr. was appointed as U.S. Ambassador to Poland in August 1990. Mr. Simons' career as a Foreign Service Officer includes the following assignments: U.S. Delegation to Kennedy Round trade negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, 1965-67; consular and political officer in Warsaw, Poland, 1968-71; PM political military affairs officer, 1972; SP staff mem- ber, 1974; Moscow political officer, 1975; Chief of the External Reporting Unit, U.S. Embassy in Moscow, 1975-77; Deputy Chief of Mission, Bucharest, Romania, 1977-79; political counselor in Lon- don, 1979-81; Director of the Office of Soviet Union Affairs in the Department, 1981-85. Mr. Simons received a Meritorious Honor Award in 1971. He attended the University of Paris in 1957; he received a B.A. degree from Yale University in 1958, a M.A. degree from Harvard University in 1959, and a Ph.D. in 1963. Mr. Simons was born on September 4, 1938, in Crosby, Minnesota. U.S. Embassy Officials in Poland Deputy Chief of Mission Darryl Johnson Political Officer Daniel Fried Economic Officer Paul Wackerbarth Press and Cultural Affairs Officer Stephen Dubrow Consul General Anthony Perkins Principal Officer (Poznan) J. Christian Kennedy Principal Officer (Krakow) Michael Barry Jan OLSZEWSKI POLAND (Phonetic: ohlZHEVskee) Premier (since December 1991) Addressed as: Mr. Premier Jan Olszewski has called his cabinet a "government of hope." Although he has never held public office and has limited experience with economic issues, he has pledged to steer Poland out of its "economic, social, and civilizational recession." Olszewski was President Lech Walesa's original choice for Premier when Walesa was elected in December 1990; before forming a government, however, Olszewski resigned because of political differences with Walesa. Olszewski was born in 1929 in Warsaw. A © noted opposition lawyer during the Communist era, he was suspended from practicing law and brought to trial for defending leading dissidents during the 1960s; he was allowed to resume practice in 1970. During 1976-77, Olszewski helped found the Workers Defense Committee (KOR)-a precursor to the Solidarity trade union-and later coauthored the founding statutes of Solidarity in August 1980. During the mid-1980s, Olszewski represented the family of pro-Solidarity priest Jerzy Popieluszko, who had been murdered by the secret police. He participated in the 1989 Roundtable Talks between Solidarity and the Communist government. Olszewski helped form the Center Accord party (Centrum) in 1990 and is a member of its political council. He served on Walesa's advisory council before the October 1991 parliamentary elections. 8 January 1992 Krzysztof SKUBISZEWSKI POLAND (Phonetic: skoobeeZHEHVskee) Minister of Foreign Affairs (since 1989) Addressed as: Mr. Minister Krzysztof Skubiszewski is working to make post - Communist Poland a leading force in Central Europe by developing a network of bilateral, regional, and international relations. He supported UN actions throughout the Persian Gulf crisis. Skubiszewski was born on 10 August 1926 into a wealthy and educated Poznan family. He is a graduate of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, where he has been a full professor of law. Skubiszewski attended Harvard in the late 1950s on a Ford Foundation grant and was awarded an LL.M. degree. A highly respected professor of international law, he lectured at the University of Geneva in 1961 and at the University of London in 1963. In 1964 he reportedly did research at Columbia. During 1981-84 Skubiszewski was a member of Cardinal Josef Glemp's Social Council on Polish - West German forum. In 1987 he became a member of the bipartisan consultative council appointed by then President Wojciech Jaruzelski to advise the President on how to solve the country's economic and social problems. When Skubiszewski was appointed Foreign Minister, he became involved in including Poland in the German reunification process. He worked with the German Government on a draft treaty in 1990 to recognize the Oder-Niesse border between Poland and Germany. Skubiszewski has written on international organizations, Polish-German border issues, and military law. He has no political affiliation. He speaks English and French. 12 March 1991 Jan PARYS POLAND (Phonetic: PAHreesh) Minister of Defense (since December 1991) Addressed as: Mr. Minister Jan Parys, who has held his position only since 24 December 1991, is already a controversial figure: on New Year's Eve he forced then Defense Minister VAdm. Piotr Kolodziejczyk to retire from the military, a move that-according to the presidential spokesman-irritated President Lech Walesa. According to press reports, Walesa called several ministers-including Parys-on the carpet and later announced he would still consider Kolodziejczyk for the position of inspector general of the armed forces. Parys was a virtual unknown before his appointment; however, press reports say that he has been a behind-the-scenes player in defense issues since 1990, when he worked in the Central Planning Office on government policy toward defense industries. As a staff member of the National Security Council, he worked on various committees responsible for defense reform. Parys has publicly criticized deep cuts in the defense budget and has said that he hopes to procure high-technology weapons systems from the West to offset inevitable personnel reductions. He is a member of Zdzislaw Najder's Atlantic Club, which advocates Polish membership in NATO. Parys has proclaimed his view that, as Poland faces an increasing number of independent armies on its eastern border, cooperation with NATO must be the basis for national security. Parys was born on 23 December 1950. He earned a doctorate in sociology from the University of Warsaw in the late 1980s and later worked at the International Affairs Institute in Bern, Switzerland. He became a member of the Polish Academy of Sciences in 1989. Parys has written two books on Catholicism and many articles on the economics of national security. He speaks English. 15 January 1992 Information for visitors Palace of the Council of Ministers HELPFUL HINTS FOR VISITORS TO WARSAW (Warsaw) PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION PROVIDED The Presidium of the Council of Ministers is located in IN THE WELCOME PACKET. IT CONTAINS: the former Radziwill Palace, a building rich in Polish history and tradition. It was built in 1642 for the Hetman 1. List of Restaurants 2. Map Koniecpolski, commander of the Polish armies, by Ita- 3. Shopping and Sightseeing in Warsaw lian architect C. Tencalla. The original building was damaged and rebuilt several IF YOU ARE STAYING AT THE VICTORIA times before being completed in its present neo-classicist HOTEL AND WANT TO WALK TO OLD TOWN - form in 1818 when it was purchased by the Government AN EASY TEN MINUTE STROLL: of the Polish Congress Kingdom for the use of its Leave the lobby of the hotel, turn to right and walk Governor. one block plus to the main street, KRAKOWSKIE The Palace is named after one of its previous owners, PRZEDMIESCIE. Turn left. Continue on Krakowskie Prince Karol Radziwill, who acquired it from the Lubo- Przedmieście about four blocks until you see an open mirski Family. Radziwill donated the building to the square on your right. In the center is a statue on a tall court in 1773, and it was here that Polish theater and column and the red-colored Royal Castle. The Historic ballet reached new innovative heights in the years before Old Town Square is two blocks away down Piwna or partition. Swietojanska. Following the partition of Poland between Prussia, Rus- HERE ARE SOME POPULAR AND CONVENIENT sia, and Austria in 1795, the Palace once again became à RESTAURANTS. THE RECEPTION DESK AT popular theater and was badly neglected until the total THE HOTEL SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE reconstruction in 1818 when two wings were added. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries the buil- NECESSARY RESERVATIONS. (REQUIRED BY MOST RESTAURANTS) ding served as an administrative office of the occupying Czarist authorities. The Presidium of the Council of 1. Staropolska Krakowskie Przedmieście 8 Ministers has occupied the Palace since shortly after World War II, In 1955, the Warsaw Pact was signed (on your way to Old Town on there. the right hand side) 26-90-70 A monument to the Polish patriot and Marshal of France, Prince Józef Poniatowski stands in front of the 2. Bazyliszek Old Town Square 7/9 Palace. The present monument, presented to the Polish 31-18-41 nation by the people of the city of Copenhagen replaces 3. Kamienne Schodki the original blown up by the Germans in 1944. Old Town Square 26 (Roast duck ONLY) 31-08-22 4. Krokodyl Old Town Square 31-44-27 5. Swietoszek Club Jezuicka (off Old Town Square) 31-56-34 6. Wilanow (You will need a taxi or car for this one, but it is worth it!) Wiertnicza 27, near Wilanow Palace 42-18-52 7. Kuznia Krolewska (Also need a car or taxi) 42-31-71 SHOPS OF INTEREST Warsaw Ghetto Monument CRYSTAL AND GLASS In 1940, the Nazis established a Ghetto in Warsaw into 1. Pulawska, pavilion no. 6 opposite Dolna interesection which they herded most of the Jews from Warsaw and and St. Michael's Warsaw Province. Conditions became steadily more 2. Piekna, first floor crowded and unsanitary and the Jews in the Ghetto were 3. Old Town Square, at Swietojanska corner increasingly brutalized by the Nazis. In the summer of 4. Freta and Nowomiejska off of Old Town Square 1942 the Nazis began a systematic liquidation of the Ghetto, which was accompanied by a sharp increase in SILVER violence toward the Jews with mass executions and the 1. ORNO, Marszalkowska 83 transportation of hundreds of thousands to death camps. 2. ORNO, Nowy Swiat 52 On April 19, 1942, an armed insurrection broke out, pre- 3. Cepelia stores pared by the Jewish Resistance Organization and led by 23 year old Mordechai Anielewicz. Despite their over- GIFTS whelming superiority in arms manpower, the Nazis were Cepelia Shops: unable to crush the uprising and undertook the systema- Pulawska 54/56 tic destruction of the area by blowing up Ghetto buil- Plac Konstytucji 5 and 2 (both two floors) dings and shelling Jewish resistance posts, which finally Marszalkowska 99/101 (across from the Forum Hotel) led to the collapse of the insurrection in May, 1943. The Old Town Square 8/10 (two floors) entire district was then bulldozed into a sea of rubble - Nowy Swiat 29, 34, 35, 64 not a single building survived. The Monument to the heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto WS LINENS unveiled on April 19, 1948, the fifth anniversary of the 1. Cepelia stores (see GIFTS) outbreak of the armed uprising in the Warsaw Ghetto. 2. Polski Len, Marszalkowska 140 Located on Zamenhof Street, just beyond its intersection 3. Ziemia Bialostocka, Al. Ujazdowskie 22 with Anielewicz Street, named after the leader of the 4. Len Sklep, Szpitalna 81 uprising, it was funded by contributions from the world Jewish community and bears the inscription: "The LEATHER Jewish Nation - to its fighters and martyrs". 1. Hoża 33 2. Galanteria Skórzana, Al. Jerozolimskie 29, Pulawska 53 3. Koszykowa 58 4. Andrzej Kloda, Krakowskie Przedmieście 18 Tomb of the Unknown Soldier GOING-OUT KIND OF PLACES (Warsaw) DISCOS The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands beneath the 1. The Interpark Disco (the Park) shattered remnant of the Saski Palace - a lonely fragment Hours: Open until 10 p.m. Reopens at 11 p.m. until of colonnade dominating Victory Square in Warsaw. 3 a.m. on weekends. 2 a.m. weekdays Victory Square is rich in historic associations. The origi- Located in a park off Al. Niepodległości nal Saski Palace was built by the Polish King Stanislaw Big with college crowd, but others weel videos Augustus II in the eighteenth century. Beneath its win- (probably the nicest disco in town) dows Polish battalions and the citizenry of Warsaw 2. Remont fought a futile battle against overwhelming numbers of Hours: Same format as #1 above invadig Czarist troops before being defeated in 1794. Located on Armii Ludowej Here in the Square before the Tomb, the story of Similar to the Park described above modern Poland has unfolded in miniature. Napoleon's 3. Rusalka troops paraded there. It became the scene of Czarist mili- Hours: Open until 6 in the morning on weekends tary reviews during the occupation of Warsaw by the Located on Wybrzeże Helskie, on the other side of 0 Russians. Following the abortive Polish insurrection of the Wisła River (right on it). Across from the ZOO 1830 the Czarist authorities planned to construct an in Praga immense fortress on the site to overawe their intransigent Bit of a rougher joint-may want a dollar to allow Polish subjects. The plan was later changed and an ort- people in hodox cathedral erected to symbolize the Russification of Poland. This was demolished by the new Polish Republic NIGHT CLUBS in 1924 4. Kongresowa The site of the Tomb itself, Saski Palace, was headquar- Hours: Show starts at 10 p.m.; should be seated by ters for the Polish general staff between the two World nine; Open until 3 a.m. Located in the Palace of Culture across from train Wars and was gutted during the Siege of Warsaw in station 1939. The shell was blown up by the departing Germans in 1945. Restaurant and dancing as well as "camp" floorshow The Tomb and its occupant, a student who fell defen- Great atmosphere ding the former Polish city of Lwów in the 1920 Russo- Good time in a large group -Polish War also reflect the shifting currents of Polish *Reservations required* history. The Tomb also contains symbolic samples of 5. Czarny Kot (Black Cat) earth from the forests and cities of Poland as well as from Hours: 10 p.m. until 2 or 3 a.m. Located in the Victoria Hotel the battlefields of the Second World War on which Must dress" Polish soldiers distinguished themselves. Live music, dancing and floorshow 6. Akwarium (Jazz Club) Hours: Show begins at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. 1 Located on Emilii Plater 49, behind the Palace of Culture (on the side the street of the train station) Restaurant downstairs, as well as in club itself (meat and potatoes) *Reservations* 7. Kamieniołomy (Europejski Hotel) Hours: Show begins at midnight Located in Europejski Hotel on Krakowskie Przed- mieście 13 (enter around corner) Must dress" restaurant, sometimes live music, dancing and floorshow 8. Krokodyl Restaurant Wilanow Palace Hours: 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. (The President's Residence in Warsaw) Located in Old Town Square; tel. 31-44-27 Florshow: sometimes Wilanow Palace, begun in 1677 by King Jan Sobieski Live Band: 8:30 p.m. III, is one of Poland's most impressive historial buil- Food: Quite All right dings. Its owners over the centuries included many of the Atmosphere: Like a wine cellar, beatnik great families of the Polish aristocracy - Sieniawski, Lubomirski, Czartoryski, Potocki - and its history often CAFES reflected the country's fluctuating fortunes. 9. Petit Trianon The Palace was completed in its present from in 1799 by Hours: 1 p.m. to Midnight; Telephone: 31-73-13 Princess Isabel Lubomirska, one of the most brilliant Located on Piwna in Old Town (off open square women in 18th century Europe. In 1805 her son, Stanis- across from Royal Castle) laus Potocki, opened the Palace and its library to the Good French food public, one of the first such institutions in Poland. In Tiny Place (tables the size of postage stamps) 1891 the Palace was taken over by the Branicki Family. *Reservations* During the Second World War, Wilanow was looted of 10. Świętoszek (The Klub) 1, most of its collection, and the gardens were totally des- Hours: 1 p.m. until? Telephone: 31-56-34 troyed. In 1945 the Palace and its grounds became part Located in Old Town - Jezuicka 6/8 (at back of of the Warsaw National Muzeum. It has since been Royal Castle, last street keep an eye out for sign restored in its original style and contains special apart- above door ments for use by the most important guests of the Polish Delicious Food (smoked salmon, and caviar blini state. recommended) The Palace Museum has been designed, on the basis of Americanized, but not quite, atmosphere original Palace inventories, to reflect the authentic flavor Nice place of the building's 18th and 19th century history. Many *Reservations advisable at night* items pillaged from its collection have been recovered and the Museum has obtained a large selection of art Boat Trip on the Wisła River works of the period from other sources. It is possible every day during summer and early fall on The Palace is French Baroque and contains a main buil- the following hours to take a boat trip on the Wisła ding flanked by wings to form an open rectangle. It is at River: 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 14:30, 16:00, 17:30. the center of a complex of buildings which include the The ticket costs 210 zloties. The boat will depart if there 17th century old tavern, as well as the church, smithy, are a minimum of 20 passengers. They have difficulty and classical guard house, all added in the 18th century. getting the required number of passengers during the The Museum houses three Polish portrait galleries which week. However Saturday and Sundays are normally well contain paintings of the royal family from the 16th attended. Call 28-05-26 for reservtions. through the 18th century as well as a representative selection of Polish 19th century art. A collection of royal portraits previously displayed in the destroyed royal castle are included in the collection. The building is a masterpiece of its time set amid superb gardens which display it to maximum advantage. 0 O 0 0 00000 0 00000 O 00000 Old Town THINGS TO DO AND SEE (Warsaw) Warsaw has much to offer by way of things to do and The Old Town (Stare Miasto) area of Warsaw has been see. The only trick to it is finding out what's good before the site of a fortified settlement since pre-Roman times. you get there, or what's coming to town before it has left. Its elevated position overlooking the Vistula enabled Following is a general introduction to the various actici- whoever held it to dominate river traffic on that vital ties we most commonly engage in. The emphasis is on waterway. what you might expect when you try some of them out In the thirteenth century, Warsaw was a modest settle- and, equally important, what might be expected of you. ment of wooden buildings enclosed by an earthern wall For specific idesa on things that would suit you interests and protected by a fortress. The present plan of the Old take a look at the WARSAW DIRECTORY, ask ACA Town, centered upon an open square, evolved in the what's playing at the local theaters, check the NOW's fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Merchants weekly announcements of goings-on around town, or of the city built combination shops, factories, and homes pick up a Stolica at a Ruch stand. The Stolica is pub- with the working quarters in the cellar and ground floor lished every week and provides the most current infor- and living space in the upper stories. A city wall of brick mation on movies, museums, operas and ballets. To help replaced the clay fortifications and the Royal Castle was get you started, we have included two maps at the end of erected on the site of the former fortress. this section indicating a few shops and city sights. Above Development of the Old Town in its present form was all, ask around! essentially completed by the end of the sixteenth century when the city became Poland's capital. What had been a SHOPPING provincial market town rapidly developed into an intel- lectual and social center rivaling the former capital, Kra- Shopping in Poland can be a challenging experience. pre- ków. An influx of new residents flocking to the court requisites for success include patience, perseverance and created a building boom and an elegant new town soon a keen sense for the vagaries of the system. Don't be spread beyond the city walls as villas, cafes, theaters, and inhibited. An average of two hours in every Pole's day is churches were erected. consumed with the task of locating needed goods and By the end of the eighteenth century, the Old Town had taking the time to get them. For the average US diplo- degenerated into a somewhat dilapidated adjunct to the mat - not subject to rartions and shortages and with burgeoning new areas. However, at the beginning of the sccess to duty-free shops, commissaries and mail-order twentieth century, a concerted effort was made to save it catalogs - shopping locally is a veritable luxury. The from ruin. By the 1930's, the area had once again become point being, not only are there many a good buy" to be the center of intellectual life in Poland - the home of found for the looking, there is also a lot to learn about artists, writers and actors. Poland in the process. Old Town was left in ruins by bitter street fighting Due to an erratic system of supply and distribution, what during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. The area was an outlet is supposed to sell, or what you could swear it rebuilt in the years following World War II in its original stocked a couple weeks ago, may bear little resemblance style, using architectural designs from the city archives, to what it is selling today. A good adage to go by is, if photographs, and paintings. you like what you see buy it! At the entrance to Old Town stands the statue of King Self-service shopping is rare in the American sense out- Zygmunt III on a high column, and to the right is the side of a few large departament stores. In most cases, a site of the Royal Castle which is in the process of being salesclerk will assist you. When she retrieves an item off restored. the shelf for you, you're free to examine it without obli- gation. She'll wait while you it over, however. This is not to pressure you to buy so much as to make a decision, so she can move on to the next customer. If you want the item, she'll write up a receipt which you take to the cas- hier (Kasa) and pay. Once you show the salesclerk your paid receipt, she'll wrap up your item and give it to you. In a self-service store, on the other hand, no one may The Royal Castle enter the merchandise area without first picking up a (Warsaw) store basket. This method is used to control the number of people in the store at any one time. Thus, even if you The ruins of the Royal Castle occupy a commanding have no intention of buying anything and just want to height overlooking the Vistula River. Archeological look around, you must still drape a store basket over your research has revealed that a fortress of some kind has arm. If there are two of you together, both need a basket. been on this site since prehistoric times. On busy days you can expect to wait in line to get a The Castle, totally destroyed by the German Occupation basket. Forces during World War II, was begun by Prince Several Polish phrases you may encounter regularly are: Konrad II in the 13th century. It was completed in its "Nie ma," which means they don't have what you want; present form by King Zygmunt III, an occasional alche- "Remont," which means the shop is under reconstruc- mist who, legend has it, burned down his magnificent tion; "Spis kontrolny towarów," which means shop, or & Wawel Castle in Krakow during an experiment. This part of the shop, is closed for inventory; and "Urlop," fire, which lasted five days, plus strategic and political which means the shop is closed because the shopkeepers considerations, led Zygmunt to move his capital to War- have all gone on vacation. The latter is an epidemic phe- saw. Poland was at this time the largest nation in Europe nomenon in July and August. Other reasons posted on and a major political power. store fronts for shop closing include: "Dezynsekcja" It was in the Great Hall of his new castle in 1611 King (fumigation), "Przyjęcie towaru" (deliveries), "Awaria" Zygmunt received the homage of the Russian Czar Vasi- (maintenance repairs), "Brak personelu" (personnel shor- lii. The Castle was severely damaged and pillaged of its tage), or "Choroba personelu" (all personnel out sick). treasures during the Polish-Swedish Wars, and it was About Lines: Lines in Poland are a fact of life. The only restored to its former glory during the region of most common lines you'll find yourself in will be to pick King Stanislaw Augustus in the late 18th century. up a basket, to get to the salesclerk, to pay for your mer- Following the third partition of Poland in 1975, the chandise and to pick up your purchase. Lines are rarely Castle served as headquarters for successive waves of disorderly, although customers behind you may get irri- rulers - Russian, French, Ducy of Warsaw, Congress tated if you take too long to examine something or if you Kingdom. Under the Russian Occupation of the 19th don't have your money ready when you go to the cashier. and 20th centuries the Castle fell into disrepair and was And while it is perfectly acceptable for someone to hold a stripped of its marble facade. place in line for you, to cut in front of someone is clearly It was restored in the years after 1918, when Poland out of the question, with some exceptions. Certain people recovered her indepedence, and once again became the are permitted by regulation to be served ahead of others. ceremonial center of Polish life. In the period between These include pregnant women, women with small child- the wars it was the scene of diplomatic meetings, military ren in tow, and the disabled. There is often a separate reviews and state dinners. This period ended abruptly line for these shoppers, known collectively as "inwali- with the outbreak of World War II. The building was dzi". If not, they simply move to the front of the line and severely damaged in the 1939 Siege of Warsaw, looted by are served as they appear. If you fall into one of these the Nazis in 1941, and totally destroyed by the retrea- categories, you will be encouraged by onlookers to take ting German Army in 1944. advantage of the system. 1 Plans for the Castle's reconstruction were approved by the Polish Government in 1971, and work has now begun Shopping Tips: to restore to the Polish people a building which in many *Bring your own bag or box to carry your purchases as ways symbolizes their proud history and ancient tradi- 8, they are rarely provied. tions. Work on the restoration is well advanced and cer- *A few foods (e.g., pickles, sauerkraut and ice cream) do tain wings and segments of it are completed and can be not come with their own containers, which you must visited. supply. Fresh foods are usually wrapped in paper. Fro- zen foods that exist are packaged, but quality is dubious. *Bread is neither packaged nor wrapped for you. You can check a loaf for freshness, but must use the small pieces of paper set out for this purpose. Once touched, the bread is considered your purchase. (It doesn't seem to matter that there is no way of telling which side of the WARSAW paper last touched the bread and which side touched human hands. But you can be sure it is inappropriate to Warsaw, the capital city of Poland since 1596, has regai- nadle the bread directly). ned its prewar population of 1,3 million. Like Paris, *Juice and soda water are sold in deposit bottles. The Warsaw is not only the administrative but also the cultu- deposit is included in the price. Theoretically you get ral capital of the country. Over half of all Polish writers, your deposit back when you return the bottles to any artists, and scientists and about a fourth of all Polish uni- store where the same product is sold. However, some versity students are concentrated there. There are numo- stores ask that you buy the same of new bottles, less the rous scientific institutions, libraries, and museums, inc- deposit, rather than pay you the deposit. Supersam will luding the National Museum, directed by Stanislaw take any returnable bottles, regardless. Lorentz, the leading spirit behind the current campaign to reconstruct the Warsaw Royal Castle. Popular Shops: Following are a few of the Polish out- The Royal Castle was leveled during a systematic Nazi lets more commonly used by the foreign community. destruction of what was left of the city after the 1944 Generally speaking, shops are open Monday through Warsaw Uprising against the German occupants. About Friday and a half day on "shopping Saturdays". Shop- 90% of the city was in ruins at the end of World War II ping Saturdays are- the first and last Saturdays of the and the city's population was down to 200.000. Earlier, month. the city's entire prewar Jewish population of 300.000 was Pewex. This is a Polish foreign trade organization wiped out by the Germans in a campaign which culmina- which has outlets in all major cities and hotels ted in the April/May 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. throughout Poland. Pewex stores offer a variety of The Warsaw Historic Museum on the Old Town Market imported and domestic goods otherwise rationed or Square has some extraordinary photographs of Warsaw unavailable. They are open to Poles and foreigners at the end of World War II. alike and accept only hard currency or special coupons The Old Town has been reconstructed with particularly called "bony". Prices are reasonable. When you go, loving care and is a must for any visitor to Warsaw, but take some small change along so you can pay in exact it should be remembered that most of the splendid old amounts; otherwise, you may get bony or an assort- churches and palaces are in fact faithful postwar recons- ment of other foreign coins for change. Each Pewex tructions. Although some of Warsaw's finest buildings tends to specialize in certain types of stock; although dated back to the 17th and 18th centuries, the recons- these, too, can change. Overall, merchandise ranges truction included much less distinguished 19th century from food, clothing, cosmetics and toys to carpets, building and some rare examples of Gothic architecture sporting goods, household appliances and accessories. including the Cathedral of St. John and the walls of the Old Town. While the center-of the city has been recons- Baltona. This is a duty-free, hard currency store. It tructed largely as it had been the rest of it follows a offers the same imported goods as Pewex stores, but postwar plan which takes into account the fact that War- at duty- free rates and on a more limited scale. Unlike saw is also one of the country's largest industrial centers. Pewex, Baltona also sells fresh produce throughout the year. Other shops reserved for diplomats include the Dip- lomatic Meat Store, discussed in Section I, and the Diplomatic Grocery Store. The latter is much like any Polish grocery store, called "Spożywczy", alt- hough the quality may be higher. Both stores deal in zloties. Polna Market. This is a private open-air market open Monday through Friday 0700-1500 on Satur- days. Among other things, you can find there fruits and vegetables, eggs, cheeses, poultry, herbs and spi- ces, homemade pickles, sauerkraut and horseradish, baskets and fresh cut flowers. Prices vary considerably according to the season. Cepelia. This is the State-run outlet for Polish folk The Polish opposition took an a dramatically new - and arts and crafts, woven and embroidered fabrics, wood legal - role in the Parliament, challenging the traditional carvings and furniture, carpets, tapestries, linens, political authorities. For 40 years, post-war Poland was ceramics, jewelry and other souvenirs. You pay in dominated and controlled by the Polish United Wor- zloties. kers' (Communist) Party (PZPR) whose Politburo, hea- Desa. This is the State-run outlet for Polish fine arts ded by the party First Secretary, is its decision-making where you can find old and contemporary paintings, authority. The PZPR was also supported by its ,,coali- prints and jewelry, and antique reproductions. Items tion" partners, the United Peasants' Party (ZSL) and produced before 1945 cannot be exported so check the Democratic Party (SD). In the new pluralist envi- before you buy. If there is any question of the item's ronment, however, the relationships among these parties origins, the Desa should be able to provide an export and with the opposition changed rapidly. In August, certificate. Sales may be in zloties or hard currency. 1989, Solidarity's leader, Lech Walesa, forged a new coalition of Solidarity's parliamentary forces together Ruchs. These are the numerous kiosks you see all with the ZSL and SD. A Solidarity activist was elected over town, which claim to be "the world's smallest Prime Minister and he put together a coalition govern- department stores. They sell newspapers, magazines, ment that included ministers from all parties, including maps, stamps, postcards, bus and tram tickets and four from the PZPR, which was now in the minority. various other odd trinkets and things. The new non-communist government was approved by Bookstores. "Księgarnie" offer books, records, maps the Sejm on September 12, 1989. and travel brochures at very reasonable prices. Some of the larger bookstores have English, French, Ger- In accordance with the round-table agreements, and in a man and Russian texts and translations. move to assure necessary stability through a period of dramatic change, the PZPR First Secretary, General Flea Markets. There are several flea markets in War- Wojciech Jaruzelski, was elected as President of the saw and each is worth a visit, if only for the expe- Republic, a new office created by the round-table. Mie- rience. You can find anything from ball bearings to a czyslaw Rakowski replaced Jaruzelski as first Secretary sable coat. Just beware of possible pickpockets. of the PZPR. Flower Shops. "Kwiaciarnia" are all over the city and constitute one of the pleasures, if not traditions, The institutional transformation of Poland's political of life in Poland. life is proceeding too rapidly for a freeze-frame picture, such as this description, to remain accurate for long. The political culture is itself is undergoing extraordina- rily rapid change and one can see the potential for both great achievement or chaotic failure. If this ongoing experiment works, it will provide a model for a peace- ful" transformation from a post-Stalinist authoritarian socjalist system to a more democratic, open, tolerant and prosperous society. POLISH OBSERVANCES Rather than reiterate what already exists in a basic intro- duction to Polish culture, we direct you to Living In Poland: A Guide to Customs and Values. It was written by Sarah Kaiser Hyams in 1983 following a tour in Warsaw and is available in the CSO office. was offcially reinstated following WWII, however, and is DINING OUT now considered symbolic of communist Poland. National Colors & Flag: Poland's national colors are Restaurants in Warsaw come in a variety of shapes and red and white, derived from the colors of the original sizes, and with an equal diversity of food, atmosphere eagle emblem. The same colors are depicted in the Polish and decor. They are often affected by food shortages, flag consisting of a red horizontal plain below a white however. You may find the menu to be lengthy and one. complicated, only to discover that one or two items are National Anthem: Symbolic of the Poles' indefatigable actually available. If there isn't a price listed next to the struggles for independence throughout history, her item, you can be sure they don't have it. Ask the waiter national anthem opens with the line: "Poland has not yet for his recommendation before you decide. The bill will perished as long as we are alive". (Jeszcze Polska nie zgi- include a ten percent service charge, to which you may neła, póki my żyjemy). The anthem emerged in 1797, add a personal tip of you wish. Private restaurants tend during the Period of Partitions, among the Polish legions to have a larger selection of choices and better food, alt- fighting with the French under General Henryk hough you'll pay for it in the bill. Dąbrowski. It was formally adopted in 1918 with the Every restaurant has its cloakroom. During the winter coming of independence. this is not an optional service; you are obliged to leave 1 your coat ot jacket there whether you want to or not. The fee is five zloties, some leave more. The attendants are usually people on disability pensions, and the fees go to supplement their income. Other types of places to eat include cafes, cafeterias, milk THE GOVERNMENT bars and pizza parlors. These are inexpensive, less for- mal, and offer a limited menu of snacks and beverages. The 1989 round-table: negotiations between the Soli- Food stands selling ice cream, waffles, doughnuts, "hot darity opposistion and the Communist authorities paved dogs" (rolls stuffed with meat, cheese or mushrooms), the way for the most far-reaching transformation of fried fish and French fries, are also very popular during political life in Poland since the People's Republic was the summer. created after World War II. The Solidarity labor union was re-legalized after an eight-year ban which began ENTERTAINMENT with the introduction of martial law on December 13, 1981; Rural Solidarity was also legalized; opposition newspapers began publishing openly and legally; and Movies: Poles like to go to the movies and have a great new, independent associations were permitted to form interest in foreign films. Most foreign films have subtit- and function in nearly all areas of social and political les so there is no problem hearing the original. Tickets life. The round-table agreements also led to a profound are sold the day of the show; try to pick them up in the transformation of political institutions, particularly morning if the film is popular. Ticket prices range from of the Sejm, or Parliament, and the chief of state. The 200 to 400 zloties. Seats are always reserved. There is round-table defined the terms for new parliamentary usually no coat check to worry about. If you arrive late, you may have to wait for the intermission between the elections in June 1989. Solidarity, representing a diverse political opposition, was permitted to run candidates for news and the main feature to take your seat. Leaving 161 seats in the Sejm - 35 percent - and for all 100 seats during the film may also be hampered by locked exit in the newly-created Senate. The Solidarity candidates doors. Smoking in the theater is prohibited. won in all but one of these contests. The opposition in 1. The Stolica publishes movie listings weekly. A local the Parliament then created the Citizens Parliamentary newspaper, such as Zycie Warszawy and Tribuna Club" which has become a critically important group in Ludu, will give you the show times. The film's origin is the new legislative process. At this writing the new Par- indicated in brackets (pol. = Polish, węg. = Hungarian, liament has just begun to function and its future is not radz. = Russian, fr. = French, etc.). "B.o." is equivalent clear yet. The Parliament first convened on July 4, 1989, to the "G" for General Audiences in the US. "L. 15" or and held its first working session on July 10, 1989, to "L. 18" indicates that only people over 15 or 18 are allo- hear and address by President George Bush, an event wed in. "g" stands for "godzina" or show time. On wee- that underscored U.S. support for Poland's bold politi- kends there are special children's matinees, called cal experiment. "Poranki". Theaters & Concert Halls: Theater, ballet, opera and A BIT ABOUT POLAND musical productions are of international caliber here, if not in fact imported from abroad. Tickets are persuasi- FACTS & FIGURES vely inexpensive and are easily ordered through ACA. Performances begin around 1900 and coats must be Geography: Poland is part of a continuous plain checked at the cloakroom. merging with the USSR to the east and East Germany to Nightclubs featuring music and live entertainment (a the west. To the north is the Baltic Sea and to the south half hour floorshow) are standard fare in most of the rise the Carpathian and Sudeten Mountains, Her current large hotels. Performances begin around midnight and geographic area encompasses about 120.000 square miles. there is usually a cover charge. Reservations are This makes her variously the largest country in Eastern recommended. Europe, the seventh largest country in all of Europe, the 68th largest country in the world, and about the size of SIGHTSEEING New Mexico. Population: Poland's population now ranges around 37 Museums & Galleries: In every city of Poland you can million. It is ethnically homogeneous, with only 1,5 per- find at least an art gallery, an archaeology museum, seve- cent being of Ukranian, Byelorussian, German or Jewish ral history museums and a technology museum. Warsaw extraction. By contrast, the 150.000 square miles of pre- is certainly. no exception. Admission fees are nominal. -WWII Poland had a population of 35 million of which One day of the week is often designated for free entry. 14 percent were Ukranian, ten percent Jewish, three per- The larger museums are more likely to sell the English- cent Byelorussian and two percent German. Polish Jewry -language guidebooks. Many of the palaces and castles suffered near total annihilation during the war. The other require that you join a guided tour. English-language minorities were lost to emigration and the creation of the tours should be arranged in advance. Most palaces and post-war boundaries resulting in major shifts of historic büildings also provide felt slippers, which visi- population. tors are expected to wear over their shoes in order to Some ten million Poles live outside of Poland. 6,5 million protect the floors. On occasion, you may find an area of of these are in the US, and about two thirds of these call the museum closed off, probably to conserve heat or Chicago their home. because there are not enough guards. In such instances, Climate: While Poland lies at the same general latitude there is no harm in trying to get an escort to take you as Canada, its climatic conditions are much less stable. It through. sits between two major weather systems; the warmer Churches: Churches are very much in active use all over oceanic system of Western Europe and the cooler conti- Poland. Most Poles attend church regulary, but also visit nental system of the Soviet Union. Weather conditions them as sightseers. Thus, you won't be out of place in can thus change radically within a day or an hour, and the latter, role as long as you remain sensitive to any ser- seasonal conditions vary considerably from year to year. vices that may- be in progress. Origins: The name "Polska", or Poland, comes from the Synagogs: Only a few synagogs now exist and fewer still six Slovanic tribes that originally inhabited the present- are in use. (Warsaw has only one). They are generally -day Poznań area in the mid-10th century. They called closed to the public, however. Try to explain your inte- themselves the "Polonians", or plains people of "Wiel- rest to someone with authority on the premises or in the kopolska", or the Great Plain. The country's offcial name Jewish community. has been the Polish People's Republic since 1952. Cemeteries: Poles are regular visitors to the cemetery. Coat of Arma: Poland's national coat of arms is a white As long as it is open, you won't have any problem taking eagle on a red background which dates back to the a stroll through one. A concerted effort is made to main- Middle Ages. Through history it has undergone several tain grave sites and to keep them decorated with fresh modifications; most notably, with the removal and resto- flowers. An experience worth undertaking while you are ration of the eagle's crown. During the Period of Parti- here is to visit the Warsaw Municipał Cemetery (Cmen- tions (1772-1918), when the emblem was offcially ban- tarz Powazkowski) on All Saint Day, November 1st, or ned, it appeared for the first time with a crownless eagle August 1st, the anniversary of the beginning of the War- on the banners of insurrectionists and emigres. With the saw Uprising. By dusk, the entire cemetery with the light coming of indepedence in 1918, the Poles adopted a of memorial candles burning at every grave site. white eagle with a golden crown. The crownless eagle

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Poland Trip [Research Materials, 1992] [OA 6900] [6]

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