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Poland: On the Path to Reconciliation?
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15131 |
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Section : |
CURRENT ISSUES
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4 / 1989 |
2,965 Words |
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Zdzislaw M. Rurarz
Zdzislaw M. Rurarz, formerly Poland's ambassador to Japan,
requested political asylum in the United States in 1981. |
In mid-January, it seemed that Polish communist authorities had decided to "legalize" the banned Solidarity union, after it was at first recognized by them on August 31, 1980, and then effectively suppressed by martial law on December 13, 1981.
Whether such a "legalization" is approved by the Solidarity leadership, or what its meaning will be in practice, is not yet certain. The terms set by the regime are harsh, and, if accepted, they can effectively split Solidarity, undermine its credibility, or even do away with it completely. Acceptance of Poland's "socialist system," imposed by the USSR and never freely endorsed by the Polish people, would be like accepting Soviet domination in Poland and would deprive Solidarity of the image it had at the time of its birth.
Therefore, enthusiasm about Poland's being on the path to reconciliation, raised in connection with the lifting of the ban on Solidarity, should be restrained. Nevertheless, this may be the beginning of some new developments whose course and end can be only speculated about.
Discussing Poland's path to reconciliation is impossible, however, without a brief reference to history and the country's geopolitical situation. The largest country in Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe, and one of the major nations of Europe--with a population of 38 million and a territory of 120,000 square miles--Poland is a country to be watched.
Historical Relationship
Officially born 966, the year the country was
... (1998 of 18037 Characters)
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