Refinancing debt commitments in the face of government insolvency on the basis of The People’s Republic of Poland 1981–1983. The fiasco of the plan to limit Polish public debt in light of internal and external conditions

Abstract

The government of the People’s Republic of Poland lost the ability to settle existing foreign loan liabilities in March 1981. Information of this state passed on to foreign banks and diplomats came as a big surprise for western observers and politicians of the capitalist nations. The Cabinet of General Jaruzelski attempted to calm the directors of creditor banks with promises to pay off at least instalments of the debts as soon as foreign currency reserves were built up and a constructive economic recovery plan had been proposed. In as much as the negotiations over the recovery plan were conducted efficiently, so the talks on refinancing the debts were characterised by tension and covered only the nearest months.
The breakdown in political and economic relations between Poland and the closest allies of the USA after 13th December 1981 was partially compensated for with an improvement in relations with the Soviet Union (and other Comecon nations), who supported the Junta of Jaruzelski with cheap supplies of raw materials and Dollar loans. In the period 1981–1983 Poland was consigned to a fate as a high-risk country, against whom even her biggest creditors were prepared to publicly announce its insolvency. Diplomatic initiatives and elaborate games helped to avoid the catastrophe of bankruptcy, but failed to limit the debt. Polish negotiators were unsuccessful in their efforts to refinance the debt and cancel the accumulation of interest payments. Such factors as Martial Law and its accompanying social repression, and the economic burden connected with Martial Law had a negative impact on these diplomatic activities.