154. Editorial Note
On November 17, 1971, former Polish Ambassador to the United States Jerzy Michalowski told Ambassador Walter Stoessel in Warsaw “that he was sure a visit by the President following his Moscow trip would be welcomed by the Polish Government.” Subsequently, the Polish Embassy in Washington twice asked whether President Nixon might make other stops before or after his Moscow visit. (Memorandum from Eliot to Kissinger, November 24; National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 698, Country Files—Europe, Poland, Vol. I 1969–1971) In response, Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs Henry Kissinger wrote in a memorandum to Under Secretary of State John Irwin on January 6, 1972: “I received a report through State Secretariat…on Polish inquiries about a Presidential visit in connection with the Moscow summit. For now it would be best to discourage any speculation on this subject.” (Ibid.)
[Page 369]On March 1, 1972, Andrzej Wojtowicz, First Secretary of the Polish Embassy in Washington, mentioned during lunch with Robert Livingston of the National Security Council staff that President Richard Nixon had voiced an interest in visiting Warsaw during his initial meeting with the new Polish Ambassador, Witold Trampczynski. (Memorandum for the Record, March 8; ibid.) On March 20 Polish Foreign Minister Stefan Olszowski summoned Stoessel to the Foreign Ministry “to express official interest in knowing whether there was desire on part of President to stop in Poland on return from Moscow. If so, question would be studied in ‘friendly and constructive way.’” Stoessel concluded: “In view lack of reaction to informal, unofficial approach … on prospect for Presidential visit…, and spurred by announcement of date for Moscow visit, Poles have decided to broach matter officially at high level. Seems clear they do not wish to pressure President, but want it well understood that, if he would like to stop in Warsaw, he will be welcome to do so. I would assume that, if interest is expressed on our side, then official invitation would be forthcoming in short order.” (Telegram 1078 from Warsaw, March 20; ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL POL–US)