Telegram from Keith to Secrertary of State James Byrnes

DIVISION OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS AND RECORDS COPY TELEGRAPH BRANCH DEPARTMENT OF STATE INCOMING TELEGRAM DECLASSIFIED E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) Dept. of State letter, Aug. 9, 1973 By NLT He 9 NARS Date 7.25.75 a Control 5631 Action: EUR Reca'd November 19, 1946 Info: 12:07 p.m. 3 U TROM: Warsaw via War A-R OCD TO: Secretary of State EUR/K DC/R NO: 1785, November 18, 4 p.m. Popiel and I had two-hour conversation in my hotel room on 16th. Zagorski interpreted. I requested Popiel to toll me what he cared to re present situation and what he anticipated as subsequent developments. Following is summary of Popiel's views: Methods used in referendum will be employed in coming elections which will be a farce. Provisions of election law will enable present regime to disenfranchise thousands of voters and also candidates whereever 1t so chooses. Mikolajozyk can be prevented from obtaining office but even if such steps are not taken because of possible bad impression such action might cause PSL chief party leaders and others could be removed from political participation. This would at best leave Mikola jozyk heading up in mse jm group of unimportant PSL deputies. He (Popiel) is not going to give present Polish Govt satisfaction of advertising to world that his group is collaborating with regime. He contemplates re- fusing five seats which will be offered him confidentially advising his followers to support Mikolajczyk. Mikola jozyk may be forced, however, in order to save thousands of his adherents from arrest and mistreatment to boycott elections. After olections PPR with aid of Bloc Party roprasentatives will run govt KRN will meet once o7 twice a year for perfunctory showing of hands to approve govt's actions. While PSL my be colerated after elections and even allowed to publish a newspaper ship would continue. If PSL attempted to make itsAlf troublesome =