DIPLOMATIC FILE: Western States’ Reactions to Martial Law Imposition in Poland
DIPLOMATIC FILE: Western States’ Reactions to Martial Law Imposition in Poland

Summary/Abstract: On 13 December 1981, when the Polish government went on the counteroffensive against the opposition and imposed martial law nationally, the country was in the focus of the whole world’s attention. Everybody was anxious whether or not the local political strife would morph into a sharp conflict, and perhaps a regular war, between two military blocs. The Military Council for National Salvation, which grabbed power, uncertain of reactions from the United States and Europe, listened very attentively to signals reaching Warsaw (in a process the Polish diplomatic service played an important part). Due to the surprise factor and an efficient conduct of martial law imposition, plus lack of resolve on the part of European states, the first weeks of martial law were a time of full success for General Wojciech Jaruzelski and his associates.

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