Union of Labor (UP), Ryszard BUGAJ; Christian-Democratic Party
(PCHD), Pawel LACZKOWSKI; Conservative Party, Aleksander HALL;
Nonparty Reform Bloc (BBWR)
non-Communist non-Solidarity: Confederation for an Independent
Poland (KPN), Leszek MOCZULSKI; German Minority (MN), Georg PORYLKA;
Union of Real Politics (UPR), Janusz KORWIN-MIKKE; Democratic Party
(SD), Antoni MACKIEWICZ

Other political or pressure groups: powerful Roman Catholic
Church; Solidarity (trade union); All Poland Trade Union Alliance
(OPZZ), trade union

International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS,
BSEC (observer), CBSS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EU
(applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,
MINURSO, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN,
UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM,
UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate
partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jerzy KOZMINSKI
chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802
FAX: [1] (202) 328-6271
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Nicholas Andrew REY
embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31, Warsaw
mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, Unit 1340, APO AE
09213-1340
telephone: [48] (2) 628-30-41
FAX: [48] (2) 628-82-98
consulate(s) general: Krakow

Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar
to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white

Economy
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Economic overview: In 1995, Poland continued to make good progress
in the difficult transition to a market economy that began on 1
January 1990, when the new democratic government instituted "shock
therapy" by decontrolling prices, slashing subsidies, and
drastically reducing import barriers. Although real GDP fell sharply
in 1990 and 1991, in 1992 Poland became the first country in the
region to resume economic growth with a 2.6% increase. Growth
advanced to 3.8% in 1993, 5.2% in 1994, and 6.5% in 1995. Most of
the growth since 1991 had come from the booming private sector,
which now accounts for about 60% of GDP, due in large part to the
creation of new p