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Poland--Politics and government Clear All

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Eastern Europe

Poland

Ryszard Kukliński Collection

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United States. Central Intelligence Agency

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George H.W. Bush and Lech Walesa

CIA Reports on the Collapse of Communism in Europe

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Eastern Europe

Soviet Union

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Stein, John H.

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McMahon, John Norman

1929-

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North America

United States

Mikhail Gorbachev, 1986

Gorbachev, Mikhail Sergeevich

1931- 2022

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Stalin, Joseph

1879- 1953

A photo of Joseph Stalin from 1943

Stalin and the Cold War

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Walesa, Lech

1943-

Portrait of Mao Zedong on Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, China, 1972.

East Asia

China

Photograph of Gorbachev-Bush summit at Malta, 1989

End of the Cold War

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Middle East

Lebanon

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Eastern Europe

Bulgaria

Sino-Soviet Relations

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China-Europe Relations

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Documents

January 8, 1982	Intelligence Information Cable, 'Possible Future Phases of Martial Law' Report details further steps in the martial law process. Such as alleviating military pressure when regions are sufficiently calm, improving economic conditions and increased Soviet influence.
December 24, 1981	Intelligence Information Cable, 'Soviet Pressure on Polish Government to Act Against the Polish Church' Report discusses how after breaking Solidarnosc resistance, the next most important part of maintaining power is to lessen the influence of the Catholic Church. The Soviets propose tactics such as smear campaigns against priests, paternity suits, and getting priests drunk.
December 24, 1981	Intelligence Information Cable, 'Possible Polish Strategy During the Present Phase' Report takes information from a former Polish General. He discusses efforts to strike a deal with leaders of Solidarnosc (Solidarity) to oust extremists and set up a new "Worker's Solidarity" organization to take protests against the government off the streets.
December 21, 1981	Central Intelligence Agency, 'Background to Present Situation in Poland and Possible Soviet Role' Report outlines the various factors leading up to martial law, including Soviet influence, possible Warsaw Pact intervention, and possible public backlash.
December 18, 1981	Intelligence Information Cable, 'Soviet Influence Among the Current Polish Leadership and Composition of the Council of National Salvation' Report elaborates on how the imposition of martial law makes the Polish government more reliant on Soviet authorities.
December 15, 1981	Intelligence Information Cable, 'Background to the Polish Imposition of Martial Law' Report comes after the declaration of martial law, and takes intelligence from a former Polish General Staff Officer to illuminate some of the details that went into the planning of martial law.
December 7, 1981	Memorandum from [Redacted] to the Director and Deputy Director of Central Intelligence, 'Polish Preparations for Martial Law' Translated report details the latest available information to the status of martial law in Poland, and argues the government will not instate martial law in their conflict with Solidarnosc and instead opt for political solutions. It outlines the evidence for this with military and government intelligence.
November 13, 1981	Memorandum from John Stein to the Director of Central Intelligence, '[Redacted] Report' Translated document contains regulations on the movement of people in anticipation of martial. This includes plans for a Citizens militia as well as isolation centers.
November 13, 1981	Memorandum from John Stein to the Director of Central Intelligence, '[Redacted] Report' Translated report details both the militarization of national units such as the economy and administrative organs, as well as plans for the augmentation of the armed forces.
November 13, 1981	Memorandum from John Stein to the Director of Central Intelligence, '[Redacted] Report' Translation outlines new regulations concerning communication within Poland, including mail service, radio, and telephone.