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Polish Foreign Minister Adam Rapacki speaks before the United Nations General Assembly on October 2, 1957.

Rapacki Plan

On October 2, 1957, Polish Foreign Minister Adam Rapacki proposed the denuclearization of Central Europe (East and West Germany, Poland, and Czechoslovakia). This collection features materials from 1958 and 1959, the height of discussions concerning the Rapacki Plan, drawn from volumes of Polskie dokumenty dyplomatyczne, a series produced by the Polish Institute of International Affairs. The collection offers insights into Poland’s greatest diplomatic initiative of the late 1950s, one which Warsaw hoped would fundamentally alter the dynamics of European security and carve out a larger role for Poland on the international stage. For an overview of the collection, see Ryan Musto's essay "Polish Perspectives on the Rapacki Plan for the Denuclearization of Central Europe," from Sources & Methods.

Polish Foreign Minister Adam Rapacki speaks before the United Nations General Assembly on October 2, 1957.

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June 9, 1958

Department II File Note, 'Finland and the Rapacki Plan'

File note reports on Finland's stance on the Rapacki Plan. Finland hesitates to get involved, and instead waits to see the positions adopted by other powers. However, Finland does support the plan as an effort towards international détente.

February 28, 1958

File Note of Ambassador J. Katz-Suchyf in New Delhi to Comrade Adam Rapacki

The Polish ambassador to India describes his efforts to bring attention to the Rapacki Plan. He details objections and criticisms made by key figures in India.

October 20, 1958

Code Message No. 11027 from Foreign Minister Rapacki to Milnikiel (London)

Message from Rapacki to the ambassador in London which lays out the new two-stage proposal for the Rapacki Plan. Rapacki also requests that5 Milnikiel meet with leaders of the Labor Party to gather their opinions on the Plan.

January 14, 1958

Record on the Results of MOFA Collegium Session on Jan. 14, 1958

The Polish Foreign Ministry outlines further action on the Rapacki Plan following its rejection by the NATO Permanent Council. This further action includes introducing new elements to the Plan and keeping it relevant and up-to-date.

January 23, 1958

Code Message No. 961 from Ambassador Gajewski in Paris to Ogrodziński

The Polish Ambassador relays his conversation with General de Gaulle to Przemysław Ogrodzinsk of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in which de Gaulle praises the Rapacki Plan and its importance for neutralization in central Europe, and encourages Poland to continue its efforts.
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Polish Perspectives on the Rapacki Plan for the Denuclearization of Central Europe

On October 2, 1957, Adam Rapacki proposed the denuclearization of Central Europe. Ryan A. Musto evaluates documents dating from the height of international discussions concerning the Rapacki Plan in 1958-1959.

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