SPEECH BY RYSZARD STRZELECKI AT THE OFFICE OF THE POLISH PROSECUTOR-GENERAL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 6, 2014
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 16, 1964
• Content Type: REPORT

N I .
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
5
3
1
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
50X1 -HUM
This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title
18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited5
bOv1
X -HUM
S-E-C R-E-T
50X1 -HUM
COUNTRY Poland
SUMO' Speech by Ryszard Strzelecki
at the Office of the Polish
Prosecutor-General
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE &
DATE ACQ.
REPORT
DATE DISTR. 1 6 1/A4
NO. PAGES 1
REFERENCES
50X1 -HUM
50X1 -HUM
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION. SOURCE GRADINGS ARE DEFINITIVE. APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE
a translakon of the
of a speech made by Ryszard Strzelecki3OSecretary of
.
Committee of the Polish United Worker's Party (PZPR/
of the Prosecutor-General in May 1963
Polish original
the Central
at the Office
Distribution of Attachment
OCI Retention
STATE : Retention
ORE : Retention
S-E-C-R-E-T
STATE
DIA I ARMYI NAVY AIR I NSA
vl
50X1 -HUM
50X1 -HUM
50X1 -HUM 5
4
GROU 1
3
Excluded from automatic
downgrading and
declassification
2
1
50X1 -HUM
(Note: Field distribution indicated by "#".)
50X1 -HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
I
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4 ,A
, . - -54.-ro NI NIL UM' kla ??,I I IV IVI
... .--
Speech by Ryszard Strzelecki in the Office of the
Prosecutor-General, May 196'3
To strengthen and develop the offensive
for the consolidation of the Socialist le al order
should like to take advantage of today's meeting to tackle a
50X1 -HUM
number of essential matters which you encounter every day in your difficult
work, and which merit particular attention. Comrade KOSZTIRKO, in his
introductory speech, and our Comrades the Public Prosecutors who have so
far taken part in the discussion, have deaat with almost the who field
of activity of-the Public Prosecutor's Office.
2. I do not propose to adopt an attitude to what has been said here,
since the discussion has only just begun. Instead, I would like to draw
41.?
attention to the fact that the speeches made so far have been of a high
standard, presenting the problems correctly, dealing with the most important
questions which deserve the greatest attention and call for the concentration
of our energies, strength and resources in order to combat the types of
crime which are the most grievous, and against which we must conduct the
most decisive and effective struggle.
3. The combating and prevention of crime, closely linked with the
reinforcement of the rule of law and of public law and order, have always
been and continue to be at the centre of our Party's attention. - The Third
Congress of our Party attached much, attention to these very matters, setting
concrete tasks ia the sphere cy.0 ,ronzthening the rule of law and social
discipline, in particular as regards the increased protection of communal
property. In accozdance with the directives of the Congs5
-HUM
the Party courts have devoted, and are devoting, much
attention to the appraisal of measures undertaken in this sphere An
example of this was the assessment of penal policy which was made in
September 1961 and the formulation in it of recommendations contained in
the resolution of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the PZPR.
This assessment was completed after many months of Party discussion in the
/Party
A speech made at a confersnce at the Public Prosecutor's ogfice on
19th May__50X1-HUM
-
J
GDOUP 1
Excluded from autcmatic
downgrading and
deelasellIcatlan
1.11111(
geleo.re
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
iMI tf,,M Irr,M 50X1-HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
. ?
- 2 -
Party courts and in wide Party and non-Party circles in offices responsible
for the administration of justice.
4. The correct policy of the Party created conditions for the effective
combating of crime. The basic factors which influence the development
- and strengthening of this tendency, this direction, are the stabilisation
of socialist social relations and economic and cultural development in our
country. An essential role is also played by the fact that, together with
the foundation of democratic principles in our social and political life,
there has been a constant strengthening of the basic legal-institutional
guarantees of the socialist rule
judiciary;
the exact and uniform observance
of law, such as
procuratorial
of the law etc.
made to penal,
adapting it to
administration
the independence .of the
supervision; which ensurAs.
50X1-HUM
Amendments have also been
material and litigatory legislation
social requirements. As regards
of justice, a law has been passed
Court which has brought about all the conditions
with the aim of better
the organisation of the
concerning the Supreme
for the proper fulfilment
by the Supreme Court of its constitutional functions. In the sphere of the .
national economy, questions concerning the legal service of enterprises
have been settled which, as well as'. ensuring the high quality of this
service, will also help to prevent breaches of the law in our economy.
5.
The examples quoted here, chosen by me from among many others,
testify to the due implementation of the resolution of the Third Party
Congress aiming at the reinforcement of law and order and an intensification
of the struggle against crime. Thanks to this, the organs of prosecution
and the administration of justice have been given broad opportunities for
action. Nevertheless, in order to obtain constantly improving results,
an energetic conscious effort is needed which will succeed in making use
of these opportunities and transforming them into real achievements.
These activities will be carried on by our organs of prosecution and'
the administration of justice, but it is still necessary to raise them to
Frz
Jever higher
50X1-HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
#51 .4= cra wrAi 50X1 -HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
?
ever higher degrees of efficiency.
6. The Council of State's examination of the reports cf the Prosecutor
General, the Supreme Court and the Supreme Chamber of Control has made it
possible to report that in the last few years there has been a marked step
forward in the sphere of combating and counteracting crime. Evidence of
this is provided, first and foremost, by the better and more elfpctive
combating of major swindling offeaces in a number of branches of the
national economy. It must be said that in this too the machinery of
prosecution has been of no little assistance with its great contribution
of self-sacrificing work and consistent attitude in the fight against crime.
7. The results which we have achieved in combating thefts of communal '-
property are to a great extent the result of the regular decline of economic
offences and the correct concentration of strength and resources onthe
struggle against swindling offences in specified branches of the economy
so that these have been steadily purged of swindling gangs such as existed
in the purchase of wool, in the leather and milling industries and other
spheres.
8. In this struggle, there arose and evolved a correct method for
co-ordinating the functioning of organs of control and of the prosecution
and administration of justice. This has been mentioned, among other
things, in today's discussions, which have provided an assessment of this
phenomenon and have also drawn a number of valid conclusions. It may
probably be stat3d3on the basis of these experiences, that the prosecuting
machinery has in principle properly discharged the tasks imposed upon it,
that it has organised and co-ordinated correctly the ptruggle against crime
and that everyone concerned must continue to develop and strengthen the
methods of co-ordination with the full co-operation of all the organs
called upon to combat criminal offences.
9. Can we, however, in pronouncing these words of positive assessment
and satisfaction with what we have achieved, and recognition of what you
SEC-6),H
/have
50X1 -HUM
9684
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
r. cnY1 ij m
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
ii;r7 st& Largi
- 4 -
have accomplished so far, rest entirely contented? It seems to me that
this would be very premature. Almost all the previous speakers have adopted
the same standpoint on this subject.
10. We cannot be entirely satisfied with the sizeable results achieved
so far, becauee we can certainly say that the tempo of bringing into
practical existence the organs of prosecution and the administration of
justice - as laid down in the resolution of the Secretariat of the Central
Committee of the PZPR - and the mastery of new forms and resources has not
always - in some individual instances even to a marked degTee - cOrresponded
with the requirements of penal policy, with our capabilities, or withthe
reserves which exist in our organisation Lapara.g.
11. The extent of criminal offences, and especially economic offences, is
0111 considerable. The report of the Prosecutor-General to the Council
of State gives the figures. One cannot accept the interpretation which?
has been heard from time to time that the increase in the amount of damage
detected does not reflect actual tendencies in the sphere of criminal
offences, but must be treated only as a result of the more energetic and
more effective activity of our prosecuting machinery. Undoubtedly there
is a lot of truth in this and we must not fail to take it into account, for
in doing this we should contradict the words spoken here about the
improvement in the working of our machinery. But it is also a fact - and
I entirely agree here with what previous speakers have said - that the
phenomenon of big economic crimes and swindles continues to be a considerable
and menacing phenomenon and we have not yet found any excellent way of
quickly and effectively smashing it, punishing it and, by doing this
successfully, of taking action against the existence and the occurrence
of this kind of offence.
12. If the energetic and effective working of our machinery for inspection
and prosecution were keeping in step with the increase in the number, of
swindles brought to light, the effects of this activity would undoubtedly
FIIP474
fizs
/catch up 50X1 -HUM
96S4
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
50X1 -HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
- 5 -
catch up with swindlers much faster than has hitherto been the ease. For,
as we all know well, the results of investigation show that in many cases
swindlers carried on their activities with impunity for years on end even
though attention was repeatedly drawn to them and although individual organs
of investigation and even of prosecution were tackling these cases. An
?
example of this is the leather industry, in which a gang flourished for 10
years with impunity all over the country, deMoralising our administrative
machinery to a marked degree. We also know that in many instances the
organs of investigation and prosecution got to the source of this criminal
.11.1
.10
activity but did not have the energy to penetrate to the heart of the matterv
to analyse in detail the mechanics of swindling crimes, and bring about
much sooner those results which were finally achieved only after 10%years.
13. The efficient and complete disclosure of crimes and the detection
of their perpetrators and absolute and ruthless penal suppression are not
only ends in themselves. It is important not only to apprehend and severely
punish criminals, but also to limit and eradicate crime and to remove the
conditions which are conducive to it. Lenin, in his speeches, spoke of
the great preventive significance of punishment, indicating that this above
all determines the inevitability of. punishment. The correct functioning
of the organs of prosecution and the administration of justice must, then,
establish conditions in which no swindler will be able to plunder for long
and his criminal activity will meet with an immediate reaction in the form
of ruthless penal suppression. This will also undoubtedly act as a
deterrent on demoralised people and will warn them and hinder them from
entering upon a path of crime. This is also one of theimportant factors
in prophylactic action.
14. In this action our machinery must show greater effectiveness. We
must perfect our methods and means of operation, our initiative must
be
quicker than the inventiveness of criminal elements. I entirely agree with
the pronouncements of Comrades who have spoken here of the precise,
?ea F.R3i, FIP
L'f4M
/premeditated
oAs4
50X1 -HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
? e?????.. woer-are cnY1 ij m
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
. HUI `4Z1 Ii % =I II
. , .
-6-.
premeditated and complex methods of criminal gangs, which sometimes remind
one rather of some staff operation than of the normal activity of plunderers.
This precision, this organisational and conceptional preparation of crimes
which are often - I should even say mainly - carried out by people perfectly
acquainted with the place, environment, terrain and possibilities. within
which they are operating - all this -create really immense difficalties in
the exposing, detecting and proving of crimes. But it also imposes on
our investigating and prosecuting machinery new obligations for the
systematic raising of their standards of work, the raising of qualifications,
the discovery of better ways of neutralising tho ingenuity of criminals.
Our initiative must be faster, better, more accurate.
15. Organs of the Prosecutor-Generals office must devote more attention
to matters concerning improvidence and shortcomings on the part of
administrative organs. These matters deserve special attention.
16. Negligence by employees in the performance of their duties, the
disregard of their obligations by the personnel managers of economic units,
often result in huge material losses. We may take as examples of such cases
the purchase of the 1ine7.' "KASPROWY", and ?tilers such as the fire in the
liner "KONOPNICKA"; the fire in the rolling mill at the Huta Lenina;
the fire in the motor-bus factory at JELCZ and SANOK. Many other examples
could be quoted which show that lack of supervision, lack of regard for
duty, not infrequently border on criminal offences, or are in fact criminal
offences and involve the national economy in losses of many millions.
17. The activity of the machinery for prosecution and the administration'
of justice constitute a single organic entity and inconsistencies in only
one of its stages or elements may nullify, to a great extent, the
achievements of other elements. Here again may be seen the great part
which is played by the co-ordination of aotivities, and of the correct
joint administration of all our resources and means.
18 The positive results achieved by the organs of prosecution are in
te; Fo)Mr7
L1:4
/some cases,
50X1 -HUM
9684
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
eza /74 rp cnyi_uum
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06 : CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
- 7 -
some cases, even to a marked extent, being nullified by weaknesses'in the
judicature and in the pronouncement of sentences. In spite of further
changes in the judicature'- particularly in the Penal Chamber of the Supreme
Court - it can still be said that the criticism of the liberality of courts
which was madenttheThird Party Congress still stands to a large degree.
One cannot remain indifferent to such facts .as the sentence in thewell-
known case against the personnel of the "Praha" bar, in which the court did
not hold that there had been a theft of communal property and treated .
leniently the perpetrators of irregularities running into millions, thus
4116
declining to apply the January law. Too often there are also case 6 of
failure to pronounce a sentence of forfeiture of property even in oases
where this is obligatory in law, and the degree of economic punishment
decreed by some courts is often not commensurate with the amount of damage 4
caused by the perpetrator's activities.
?
19. The situation as rogards the carrying out of sentences, in particular
cf economic sentences, also calls for further improvement. This improvement
will not only determine the effective recovery of damage suffered by the
State, but will also have a fundamental influence on the attitude .f' public
opinion to the efficacity of punishment with regard to swindlers and will
establish the conviction among criminal elements that the plundering of
communal prcperty does not pay. "The rebuilding of Socialist productive
strength and the consolidation of Socialist ownership relations" - said
Comrade WIESLA5 at the Third Party Congress - "constitute the decisive front
of Socialist construction in our country". For these reasons the protection
of communal property is on a level with that of the rig4ts of a citizen as
a first priority task which the Party sets before the community and the
State machinery.
20. Economic crimes, and particularly big swindling cases, bring in their
train not only material losses of millions but also do great moral and
political harm; they disorganise the economic machine, demoralise the State
,
c.
/apparatus
50X1 -HUM
9684
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
#.7,1 rom J1V1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
- 8 -
apparatua and, above all, give rise to understandable public indignation that
criminal activity enables amoral individuals to achieve a luxurious living
standard, private gains and fraudulent criminal profits from peoples' work
and from communal property. Insufficiently energetic and consistent exposure
and combating of criminal acts may have an influence and, here and there,
?
certainly do have a demoralising influence on the attitude and industry of
working people. The battlefront against major crimes of swindling is at
the same time a front in the political struggle for a positive attitude, in
working people, for the establishment of a mass social belief in popular
justice, of adherence to principle in the struggle with evil.
21. The next problem with which I should like to deal today and which
has special political importance is the question of combating crimes of
diversion) sabotage and espionage.
22. The battlefront against the anti-Socialist powers is now along lines
, other than those of the early years of the People' S State, when hostile activity
took the form of anti-State activities or of groups undertaking violent
attempts on the lives of representatives of the People's authorities and
diversionary and sabotage actions. The conditions no longer exist today
for widespread activities of this kind. This does not, however, indicate
that there are not attempts to undertake acts of sabotage. Although they
are relatively few in number, cases of this kind must remain at the centre
of the attention of the security organs, prosecutors and the courts. This
is determined not only by the fact that they often cause important losses
but also that the intentions of this criminal activity are directed against
the most sensitive points in our national economy. The. after-effects often
greatly exceed the direct losses and paralyse the working of factories,
communications etc.
22. In this sphere also, comrades, we look for a vital improvement. Every
incident of destruction or damage to equipment in the national economy bearing
the traces of wilful action must be keenly investigated. In doing this,
C
/however,.
50X1 -HUM
%84
. Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
r= arm (-))( _Hum
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
?
? ?
- 9 -
however, great judgement, knowledge and care are needed in enquiring into
the nature of such actions. It is not necessary to turn tnis into a
witch-hunt or to seek a devil where there is none, for we still have enough
genuine devils and we are concerned with seizing and destroying these. As
soon, however, as it is established, after full consideration and ,pare in
?
the investigation of these cases, that there has been sabotage it 1s
essential to proceed with all the severity of the law. The nature of
these crimes must be proclaimed by the severity of the sentence.
23. The question of crimes of espionage also calls for delicate .care and
attention. For we know that attempts by the intelligence services of
capitalist countries at espionage penetration of countries of our Socialist
system have not weakened at all. Poland's geopolitical situation and.her
position in the Socialist camp expose our country all the more to the danger
of interference by foreign intelligence services.
24. These matters are connected with a problem of the greatest importance -
the protection of the Socialist regime Lltrog. Criminal sabotage,
diversion and espionage actions directly attack the basis of our regime.
The first duty of our security service, prosecuting and court machinery is
to oppose these operations with our highest political responsibility and
adherence to priaciple.
25. ,Standing guard over the strict observance of the rules of Socialist
law in the interest of the working masses, the machinery of prosecution
and the administration of justice ensures social order and discipline and .
defends our political and economic regime against the enemies of Socialism,
demoralised and anti-social elements whose activity throws out of gear our
Communal life and the development of our State. Sometimes it is worth
thinking of these matters in order to see in perspective among the dozens
and even hundreds of individual cases and separate tasks, the long-term
decisions and great problems; to see their political importance, since
each of these measures constitutes a part of the endeavours which we are
/undertakine50X1 -HUM
91;84
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
re..2it1FPI Elm 6;71
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4
?
undertaking jointly in the name
26. The Prosecutor-General's
State machinery, standing guard
Its activity, its participation
50X1 -HUM
50X1 -HUM
- 10 -
of important political ends and -Principles.
office is an important e]ement in our
over the interests of the State and society.
in the battle against crime, and in action
designed to strengthen the Social:1st legal order, influence to a large
degree the sum-total of results achieved by us in this sphere .The positive
assessment of the activity of tha Prosecutor-General's office whidh the
Council of State has made is a mark of the recognition given by the Party
and the Government to the self-sacrifice, idealism, political attitude and
energy of the Prosecutor-General's staff which, in spite of far from easy -
working conditions, in spite of difficult, complicated and every-increasing
tasks, has been able to mobilise its forces in order to set about the tasks
laid before it earnestly and with a sense of responsibility. The Paity
and the Government continue to count on You, on the prosecutors - leaders,
both party and non-party, in the forefront of the political struggle for
the strengthening of the Socialist regime. They count on you all the more
because, as today's discussion has shown, you yourselves see and set
yourselves ambitious tasks. Your initiative constantly enriches the
programme and the resources of this struggle rendering them ever-more
correct and effective. I wish to take this opportunity of expressing the
opinion that our meeting and discussions today wiil lead to a further
strengthening and growth of the offensive undertaken against all that is
foreign and hostile to us all, that hampers our economic development, and
that our prosecutors will - in future as hitherto - earnestly perform their.
hard and responsible work, their difficult and responsible tasks, for the
good of our People's Fatherland. I wish you well in this.
C
Ryszard STRMLECKI.
T.
"IP
50X1 -HUM
9684
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/02/06: CIA-RDP80T00246A031400080001-4