POLAND IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR^363replaces the receiver and returns to the table.) I would like to ask you,
Mr. Ambassador, when and where the Polish forces wish to go into
action against the Germans ...
KOT: I venture to emphasize that every Polish division formed...
is of great importance in developing friendly feelings among the people
at home towards the Polish-Soviet rapprochement.
STALIN: Of course. I realize that. (The telephone rings, and he goes to it and lis-
tens. He replaces the receiver and returns, saying in an undertone as
though to himself, "They say they've all been released.')
KOT; I wish to thank you for your promise concerning the further formations
for our army and for the release of our citizens...
STALIN: As for myself, I personally am anxious to contribute to the restoration of
an independent Polish state without regard to its internal regime.
Conversation between General Sikorski and Stalin in the Kremlin,SIKORSKI: But I return to our question. I have to tell you, Mr. President, that your
declaration of an amnesty is not being put into effect. Many, and those
some of our most valuable people, are still in labour camps and prisons.
STALIN: (making notes) That is impossible, since the amnesty concerned every-
body, and all the Poles have been released. (These words are
addressed to Molotov, who nods.)
ANDERS: (at Sikorski's request handing over the details) That is not in accor-
dance with the true state of affairs...
SIKORSKI: It's not our business to supply the Soviet Government with detailed lists
of our people ... but I have with me a list of some 4,000 officers who were
carried off by force... Those men are here. Not one has come back.
STALIN: That's impossible. They've fled.
SIKORSKI: But where could they flee to?
STALIN: Well to Manchuria, for instance.
ANDERS: It isn't possible that they have all fled... These people are perishing
and dying there in terrible conditions.
STALIN: They must have been released, and haven't arrived yet... Please
understand that the Soviet Government has no reason for detaining
even a single Pole.
ANDERS: Nonetheless, information is coming in concerning people exactly
known to us, together with the names of the prisons and even the
numbers of the cells in which they are locked up...
MOLOTOV: We've detained only those who after the war began committed crimes,
provoked diversions, set up radio stations etc....
SIKORSKI: Don't let's discuss cases arising in wartime. It would be a good thing
now, Mr. President, if you were to give public explanations of this
question... After all, these people are not tourists, but were carried
off from their homes by force. They didn't come here of their own
choice; they were deported, and endured tremendous suffering.
STALIN: The people of the Soviet Union are well disposed towards the Poles.
But officials can make mistakes.^49