POLAND: JARUZELSKI'S SPEECH

Created: 12/26/1981

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

1

POLAND: Jaruzelski's Speech

X conciliatory epeeih by Premier Jaruzelski on Christmas Boo, promising to pressrve th* "positive change'1 of *her and disavowing any "lowly squaring ofill be greeted by the populace with deep ekeptioism. TASS English-language transmissions have replayed the oddreee, including its conciliatory sections, in an effort to persuade international opinion that progress is possible under the martial law ret '

jeruxeleki'premised toprogram of our' intentions* soon that may closely resemble the regime's -plans during negotiations with Solidarity before the im- position of martial law. Under that earlier plan the regime would retain primary control ofafter consultation with the public and various interest groups. Without the support of leaders of Solidarity and representatives of the Church, the promised program' '

would have no Credibility.

The Premier did not mention Poland's Communisthe pledged to create "institutionalthe "evils and distortions" of thewill not occur again. igh-rankingwho says he believes Jaruzelski is. committedrenewal, claims that the main struggle in Polandbetween the Premier.and party dogmatists. Thismay beut serious differences ofprobably exist and are complicating Jaruzelski'of his new program. V

i" ;. .' .

:Jaruzelaki--in contrast to the Soviets--downplayed any foreign responsibility-for Poland's crisis. Herealizes that Western aid is necessary to get theconomy working again. Bis expectations, at the sameime, may be modest, judging from his statement that "no one will help Poland out" of its "misfortune." 4anmV

Sovlet Oonmantary

The TASS replay today of Jaxuzelski'e addressthose conciliatory aspects dealing with "workers' self-management" and "independent trade unions." The

for Date

3>l

1

Soviets presumably intend such commentary toedge between the US and Western Europe and to head off support for the sanctions announced in Washington on Thursday, fama*^

In response to President Reagan's statement, the Soviets are calling the sanctions an attempt to hinder Polish efforts to bring about recovery, but theyade no mention of the threat of sanctions against the USSR as well. The USSR probably is sensitive about the possibility of US sanctions against it in view of those that followed its invasion of Afghanistan two years sgo. Pereonal criticism of the President, however, has been avoided thus far. VJemsV

Moscow also is sensitive about being charged with responsibility for the declaration of martial law, and it has struck back with an article in Provda that links Western intelligence services to the "counterrevolutionary activity in Poland. The CIA is given pride of piece in the so-called "antisocialist" campaign, and the article isecitation of familiar Soviet charges against Radio Tree Europe and Radio Liberty. The article may be the firsteries aimed at Western Europe portraying the US as involved In an effort to wrench Poland from -the "socialist" ccannunity. SaTsBsV

Sovlet Activity

Original document.

Comment about this article, ask questions, or add new information about this topic: