Poland Out of Hiding

When the government of General Wojciech Jaruzelski declared an amnesty and released all political prisoners three weeks ago, leaders of the outlawed Solidarity trade-union movement were expected to savor their freedom while keeping out of the limelight. But diffidence has never been Solidarity's style, and last week union activists once again risked imprisonment by publicly challenging the regime.

After a two-day strategy session in the Baltic port of Gdansk, Solidarity called simultaneous press conferences there and in Warsaw to deliver a stunning announcement: the organization was moving back aboveground and would openly campaign for recognition. "We do not want to act clandestinely," said Solidarity Chairman Lech Walesa in announcing the formation of the Temporary Council of Solidarity, which will seek to persuade the government to permit independent trade unions. "It is necessary to work out and agree upon a new model of open and legal activity," Walesa added.

The regime's reaction was swift and uncompromising. Government Spokesman Jerzy Urban announced that the new council was illegal and that its members could be arrested. Said he: "The group consisting of some former Solidarity activists mistakenly assesses its possibilities." To drive home the point, authorities summoned Walesa and five members of the seven-man council for weekend questioning. Walesa described his 30-minute interrogation session as "cultured and friendly," but noted that there was still a "lack of understanding" by Polish officials. Said the Gdansk shipyard electrician: "At the moment there is no good will on the other side. There is no reasonableness."

The government's harsh response toward Solidarity could pose risks for the country. Warsaw can ill afford a new clash with opposition forces at a time when Western nations have indicated a willingness to aid the floundering Polish economy in exchange for improvements in human rights. Jaruzelski is especially eager for the U.S. to lift economic sanctions that include suspension of Poland's most-favored-nation status and bans on all trade credits and transfers of new American technology.

But Jaruzelski seems to fear Solidarity as much as he does foreign condemnation -- or more. It was Solidarity's emergence as a rival to the Communist hierarchy that led to the imposition of martial law in December 1981 and a ban on union activity. By its sullen response to Solidarity's latest initiative, the government showed anew that the official party line is simply not open to question.