Polish prisoner

Socialist Organiser no. 85, 20 May 1982 · scan p. 5 · about 373 words

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no coincidence that those three men went together to see the Pope (in early February). The delegation was probably made up to represent the factions so as to make it easier to reach a common position. As for the activity of the simple clergy, in most cases it is directed against the state.

Experience has shown that the section of the Solidarnosc leadership most influenced by the Church - the grouping around Lech Walesa - has been the most "moderate" in its attempts to arrive at a deal with the bureaucracy. by the cocaine interests TPAT ot this current withlr the Polish workers' movement which brings both the Church state into common position favouring the martial law crackdown, and seeking long-term res. traints on Solidarnosc.

But their action has also produced a • necoenna of the debate on programme and perspective in the ranks Solidarnosc ulus ons the peaceful and gradual transformation oi the Polst state under the impact or sondarnos have been shattered, and there are signs Unal militants have been forced to turn Tnell altenuon explicitly revolutionary solutions. AS THE attention of the British left shifts understandably towards campaigning against the Falklands war, it is important to remember the need for solidarity with the Polish labour movement.

Struggles across the May Day weekend meant that the 1,000 internees released by Jaruzelski's Stalinist junta were swiftly replaced by over 1300 fresh arrests.

Posed

International support for the Solidarnose leaders in jail or victimised out of their jobs, and material aid for their families is crucial to their struggle.

The Solidarity Trade Union Working Group has been actively promoting a campaign for union branches and Labour Parties to "adopt' a prisoner. So far around 100 out of a list of 2000 have been adopted -including five Polish miners adopted by South Wales NUM lodges following a successful speaking tour.

Draft

Meanwhile the Working Group continues its activity without any significant assistance from the leaders of the British labour move. ment.

Readers should campaign both for their own branch organisations to. adopt a prisoner, and for resolution: to Regional and National Executives demanding ful scale support for the Work. ing Group.

Further details - fror STUWG, 64 Philbeact Gardens, London SW5.