Czesław Kiszczak (Minister of Internal Affairs), 'Re: Meeting with Representatives of the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States'

Warsaw, May 14, 1990

MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS

INTELLIGENCE SERVICE

Top secret

Recipients:

President

Wojciech JARUZELSKI

Prime Minister

Tadeusz MAZOWIECKI

URGENT MEMO

Re: meeting with representatives of the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States

Pursuant to the decision of the Prime Minister, a meeting took place in Lisbon on May 2, 1990 between representatives of the Intelligence Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Poland and of the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States.

The Parties were represented by 3-person delegations led by the Deputy Director of Department I of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Deputy Director of Operations of the CIA.

The subject of the talks were the following issues:

- fight against international terrorism;

- the possibility of organizing a Foreign Broadcast Information Service office in Warsaw;

- agreeing on the system of working contacts between the two services, including setting the date and place of the next meeting.

The two delegations discussed in detail the level of threat of terrorist activity on an international scale, with particular regard to Polish and American aspects. The American side has provided a reconnaissance report on the threat to the Polish missions in Lebanon and the potential threat to passengers and "LOT” [Polish airlines] airplanes, especially those using airports in Frankfurt am Main and Bangkok.

The American side requested that the relevant Polish authorities submit a proposal to organize an FBIS office in Warsaw, an overtly operating cell of the CIA.

This facility would operate on commercial terms, employing some 35 people (5 US citizens and 30 Polish citizens - language specialists). Its activities would be limited to monitoring radio and television broadcasts as well as the press and publications in East and Central Europe. Attached is a summary memo on FBIS.

Both sides expressed their willingness to maintain working contacts in order to exchange information and cooperate in combating negative international phenomena (terrorism, drug trafficking, illicit arms trafficking). Next meeting was scheduled in Warsaw in June of this year.

Both sides stressed their concern to maintain the secrecy of contacts and intentions regarding cooperation and exchange of information. On the US side, the meeting in Lisbon, in addition to the President and the CIA leadership, the following were informed:  Secretary of State James BAKER, Advisor to the President for National Security, Brent SCOWCROFT, and the US Ambassador to Warsaw, John Davies.

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1. The first meeting of representatives of the Polish and the US intelligence services has shown that there are phenomena and problems that need to be coordinated in solving. The talks took place in a constructive atmosphere, based on the desire to open a new stage, which should be characterized by understanding, goodwill and avoidance of irritations that could harm the broadly-understood Polish-American relations.

2. The American proposal to open the FBIS office has the character of an informal probe. The Polish authorities' initial position makes the application contingent on a formal request through diplomatic channels.

The CIA representatives indicated that they had made a similar probe with 2 other East European countries, but they made it clear that they were very interested in the location of the institution in Warsaw.

I propose that the Polish side take a generally positive position, with the express proviso that the FBIS office should only operate within the official statutory framework. The detailed operating conditions of the FBIS would require necessary consultations with the US and domestic experts.

I would like to kindly ask Mr. President and Prime Minister for approval.

MINISTER INTERNAL AFFAIRS

[signature]

Gen. of the Branch Czesław KISZCZAK