Posted on 08/22/2006 9:55:37 AM PDT by redwhit
Back to Story - Help Poland's Walesa quits Solidarity union By MONIKA SCISLOWSKA, Associated Press Writer 5 minutes ago
Lech Walesa said Tuesday he has quit the Solidarity trade union that he founded and which helped bring down communism in Eastern Europe. "I have given up my membership last year because Solidarity and I have gone separate ways," he told The Associated Press.
Walesa also said he plans to stay away from events marking the 26th anniversary of Solidarity's founding on Aug. 31 in part because he disapproves of the union's support for Poland's new conservative leaders.
The 62-year-old Nobel Peace laureate said he left after Solidarity members ignored his criticism of their support for the Law and Justice Party and its leaders, twin brothers Lech and Jaroslaw Kaczynski, during last fall's election campaign.
Lech Kaczynski won the presidency and Jaroslaw is now prime minister.
"When my arguments were not reaching them, I gave instructions to terminate my membership," Walesa said. "It is not over the Kaczynskis, but that was the last straw."
"I am not paying my fees any more," he added.
Walesa founded Solidarity in 1980 at the shipyards in Gdansk. It was a broad social movement made up of workers and intellectuals that opposed communism.
Despite being forced underground in the harsh martial law crackdown begun in 1981, it persevered and eventually succeeded in helping to bring down the communist regime in 1989.
Since then, it has become a trade union like any other, representing a range of workers. Although it has lost much of its original influence, it is the second-largest trade union in the country and its members are a visible presence during worker protests.
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I remember how hopeful Americans were at the time that change was coming to Poland and Eastern Europe.
"Yeah, all he ever did was bring about the downfall of Communism in Europe."
I always liked him. He reminds me of my brother.
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“I was voting for Tusk. I knew these two clowns will screw up. “(Kaczorom nie brakuje ambicji!)”
Twins are controlling their arena now: They look more foolish each day. Walesa is too proud, he never liked them. He knew. "Game goes on."
These people care more about themselves then our people and their own nation. Our government brings embarrassment in world stage.”
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Serdeczne pozdrowienia/Mit freundlichen Grüßen/Best regards Salutations/Atentamente/Med venlig hilsen/Cordiali Saluti
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