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August 8, 1944

Harriman's notes on Mikolajczyk and Stalin Meeting

[Hand written illegible] stay that [illegible] will be bet to [second half of this line is written illegibly]!

Communism is for Germany as a saddle for a cow.

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Poland and Soviet Union must march together, each not interfering in the others internal affairs. (in answer to question re policy of Russia toward Poland)

 

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Most cordial

 

[hand written word illegible] about whether 1935

 

Stalin said question of abandonment of 1935 constitution and acception of 1921

 

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M. said he would try but difficult

 

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The Rada (Polish Council) had no authority as government

 

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A way must be found to give some basis for new set up

 

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Also gov. should be made up of men selected by the parties

 

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Stalin will send dist supplies but 1st officer with cipher who can communicate

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Warsaw was to have been taken on Aug 6 but Germans move up 4 Panzer and 2 others to hold bridgehead

 

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Difficulties will be overcome and Warsaw taken

 

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M. said he would return when Warsaw taken. Stalin did not object – made no comment

 

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M. thinks the critical day was meeting with Molotov, where he said and heard both [ed note: cut off]

 

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M. will communicate when he has consulted

 

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Stalin admitted that all people including communists had accepted leadership of the underground commander and were fighting together

 

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Stalin had had word from his own [Red] Army officer at headquarters in Warsaw to this effect.

 

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Committee disagreed on boundary. [hand written word illegible]  “we must accept,” Morowski “we can not object,” Witos: “we have not tried,” [word illegible]  “we should not discuss now” [ed note: cut off]

 

 

Mik has [more] confidence in Stalin but no respect for Committee and feels they can’t get on without him.

 

M. wants to authorize gov to hold things till a real election can be held.

 

[ed note: the following was written upside down]:

 

In 25 years Poland must have good [hand written word illegible] relations [word illegible] with Britain and U.S.

 

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M. said that Bierut was intelligent and sensible man. 45 years old in [word illegible] in [word illegible] education and social affairs

 

B. wants to leave politics to Mik

 

M. thinks B is a communist but [hand written word illegible] said [word illegible] interested in Poland’s welfare

 

Stanislaw Mikolajczyk gives Harriman points discussed during a meeting he had with Stalin about Polish affairs.


Document Information

Source

Container 173, W. Averell Harriman Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

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Original Uploaded Date

2020-03-05

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219988