Poles have developed a tradition of almost unanimous support for their country's accession to NATO over the years of preparation for the event. The level of support has only slightly fluctuated around 70 percent.
They also agree that this will be a fact of utmost importance in the history of Poland and might even be willing to sacrifice part of the state's sovereignity to ensure stability and safety within a supranational framework. After all, they seem to think, both sides will benefit equally from the enlargement.
Furthermore, those polled, in line with the declarations of Polish officials, support a further eastward enlargement of the alliance. Most, for example, believe Slovakia and Lithuania should follow Poland's example (61 and 57 percent respectively). They are slightly more skeptical about Ukraine's participation in NATO, with 44 percent of those polled being positive about the idea and 25 percent opposing it. Only in the case of Belarus's entry is the number of supporters more or less equal to the number of opponents (35 and 33 percent respectively).

-If a referendum on Poland's accession to NATO were held next Sunday, how would you vote?
For 65
Against 8
Abstain 18
Not sure 8
No answer 0
(Source: Demoskop, July 1998)

-Do you think it is possible that even as a NATO member Poland would be left to defend itself if attacked?
Yes 20
No 62
Not sure 17
No answer 1
(Source: Demoskop, July 1998)
-How would you rate the importance of Poland's accession NATO?
Historic event 44
Important but not crucial 41
Not very important 3
Unimportant 4
Not sure 8
(Source: CBOS, January 1998)

How do you see Poland's future in NATO?
Joining NATO will guarantee 56
Poland's independence
Joining NATO will subordinate 30
Poland to a foreign power
Not sure 14
(Source: CBOS, January 1998)

-Do you think that NATO's primary task is to defend its member states against aggression or to maintain order in Europe?
Defend its member states 18
Maintain order in Europe 25
Both tasks equally 46
Not sure 11
No answer 0
(Source: Demoskop, July 1998)

(All figures in percentages. Source: Demoskop,
December 1998)

Poland's Key Economic Indicators in 1992-1998

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
(change, previous year = 100)

Gross domestic product (constant prices) (1) 102.6 103.8 105.2 107.0 106.0 106.8 104.5-105
Sold industrial production (constant prices) (2) 102.8 106.4 112.1 109.7 108.3 111.5 104.8
Construction and assembly production 106.6 108.0 100.5 108.1 104.6 117.1 111.6
of construction companies (constant prices) (2)
Completed housing units 97.2 71.0 80.6 88.2 92.6 118.6 99.6
Overall agricultural production (constant prices) (1) 87.3 106.8 90.7 110.7 100.7 99.8 106.0
Revenue from export of goods(1) 109.7 97.1 124.8 135.0 106.7 111.5 111.5
Expenditures on imported goods (1) 106.1 117.7 112.0 138.9 131.9 118.2 114.0
Investment spending (constant prices) (1) 100.4 102.3 108.1 117.1 119.2 122.2 120.0
Prices of consumer goods and services
• average yearly 143.0 135.3 132.2 127.8 119.9 114.9 111.8
• December-to-December 144.3 137.6 129.5 121.6 118.5 113.2 108.6
Real supply of money in total (Dec. 31) 109.1 98.8 106.8 110.9 109.0 113.8 115.1
Average net salary in corporate sector (2) 96.4 98.7 104.2 103.4 105.9 106.8 103.8
%
Unemployment (Dec. 31) 14.3 16.4 16.0 14.9 13.2 10.3 10.4
State budget deficit as a percentage of GDP (1) (3) (4) 6.4 3.3 3.6 3.3 3.4 2.6 2.4

(1) 1998— source:the Government Center for Strategic Studies
(2) 1998—in businesses employing more than five people
(3)—state budget deficit according to the new rules introduced in 1998 (privatization income is not counted into the revenue)
(4)—-the years 1992-1993 cannot be compared with the following years due to new calculations of GDP (since 1994) taking into account the unregistered segment of the economy

Source: Central Statistical Office, National Bank of Poland, Ministry of Finance, Government Center for Strategic Studies

-Poland's membership in NATO will most likely entail the need to meet certain obligations. Would you agree to:
Obligation Definite yes Probable yes Probable no Definite no Not Sure No answer
Sending Polish troops to defend other member states 19 47 15 7 10 1
Regular routine exercises of NATO troops in Poland 16 51 17 6 10 0
Deployment of NATO troops in Poland 13 40 24 10 13 0
Tax rises to cover costs of accession 4 18 28 39 11 0
Sending Polish troops on NATO peace-keeping missions 20 52 11 6 11 0
Regular routine flights of NATO aircraft over Poland 10 34 26 18 12 0
Deployment of NATO nuclear missiles in Poland 2 10 17 59 11 0

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