Government officials recortedly used allegedm the financial accounts of the Gdansk chapter ofWalesaa pretext to detain him. Spokesmen for the regime emphasized that he was not arrested but only questionedew hours.
Police in Gdansk also briefly detained as many asournalists and employees of Western news media who were trying to gain information on Walesa's whereabouts. The journalists were told to stay away from trouble spots According to the western press, the regime began jamming BBC and Voice of America medium-wave broadcasts to Poland last weekend, fj ^
A short official ceremony was held yesterday at the shipyard monument in Gdansk to commemorate slain workers, but the government later sealed Off the area and used percussion grenades and tear gas to disperse two small crowds of workers. Civilian security forces circulated throughout the city.
Comment: The authorities clearly did rxtt want torecedent for Walesa and other union activists to claim the right to speak out. They almost certainly also were concerned about many parts of Walesa's message, which amountedall for renewed commitmentree trade union.
Whether intended or not, Walesa's determination to speak may help win back the support of union activists who considered somo of his .letters too conciliatory. He is likely to aontinuo trying to convey his messaqe to the workers. ft
The detention of Western lournalists could portend the expulsion of thoso who continue to cover politically sensitive events. The intensified radio jamming may bo intended to prevent broadcast of Walesa's statements back into Poland.
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