August 3, 1984
The President has taken note of the release of political prisoners announced by the Polish
Government on July 21. He believes that it represents a significant move in the direction of
national reconciliation in Poland. Therefore, in accordance with his step-by-step approach for
dealing with the Polish situation, he has decided to take two steps.
First, the President has authorized the lifting of the ban on landing rights for regularly scheduled
flights by the Polish state airline, LOT, subject to the regularization of our civil aviation
relationship, and the full reestablishment of scientific exchanges between the United States and
Poland.
Second, the President has indicated that complete and reasonable implementation of the amnesty
decision will create a positive atmosphere that would allow the reactivation of Poland's
application for membership in the International Monetary Fund. The United States would, of
course, consider any final application on its merits, including Poland's willingness to fulfill the
obligations of IMF membership.
The purpose of our sanctions has from the very beginning been to encourage movement away
from confrontation toward reconciliation in Poland. While the United States remains concerned
with the situation in Poland, we view the Polish Government's amnesty declaration as a potentially
positive development.
The United States is prepared to take further positive steps in response to further significant
movement toward national reconciliation in Poland. In the meantime, we will be consulting with
our NATO allies and others on the situation in Poland and a Western response to it.