Ambassador John Granouski, U.S. envoy to Poland, has reported here to members of Congress that Warsaw is the scene of a bitter power struggle marked by virulent anti-Semitism. He nevertheless urged rejection of the B’nai B’rith recommendation that Poland should be deprived of its “most-favored-nation”status. It was learned that the ambassador said that long-range hopes of reducing tensions and encouraging liberal elements in Poland Justified the United States in continuing to extend special tariff privileges denied to the USSR. The “most-favored-nation” status was extended to Warsaw in 1960, mainly because of liberal steps taken after 1956.
Ambassador Granouski said that Poland’s crisis was precipitated last June when Communist Party chief Wladylsaw Gomulka slavishly followed Moscow’s anti-Israel line on the Six-Day War and thereby antagonized many Poles, including some Party officials. He said that out of sheer frustration, Gomulka intemperately attacked Polish Jewry, charging that Jews were ” Zionists” and therefore potential traitors. This, said the ambassador, opened a Pandora’s box of anti-Semitism.
Gomulka is being challenged by Gen. B. Moczar, Interior Minister, a doctrinaire Communist who also dabbles in anti-Semitism. The general appears likely to improve his political position in the power struggle with Gomulka, the envoy reported. But he expressed doubt that Gomulka would lose his post, although other leaders may fall at a Party congress to be held next winter.
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