photo - PR“I am ready to cooperate with Solidarity,” said the former president of Poland, who resigned his membership some years ago, thinking that the union had become too party political in its outlook.
After a meeting between the former and present leader of Solidarity, Piotr Duda said he has asked Lech Walesa for counselling in matters related to the union’s disputes with the government, adding that Walesa could be an outstanding negotiator .
The 48 year-old Duda was elected to lead the trade union in October, replacing Janusz Sniadek, who had given his support to the Law and Justice party in elections.
Lech Walesa accepted the initiative saying he has a great wish to cooperate with Solidarity.
“I only add that it would be wise if we close the historic chapter of the union. What we were at the beginning was rather a social movement, not a veritable trade union. We had lots of issues to deal with and matters to fight for. Now the situation is different. Solidarity is a trade union and should deal with issues related to workers.”
Healing woundsWalesa refused to take part in the 30 year anniversary in August of the trade union he helped founder. “I don‘t feel like celebrating,” he said.
Walesa first came into conflict with the Solidarity trade union during his term of office as president of Poland in the first half of the 1990s, when the shock economic therapy post-1989 put thousands out of work.
Tensions were already noticeable following the Round Table talks of 1989 when many in the movement thought Walesa made too many compromises with the communist leadership.
Conflicts with leading members of the old Solidarity movement, including Lech and Jaroslaw Kaczynski, led to Walesa gradually severing his links with the trade union.
Meanwhile, Lech Walesa urged Poles to vote in Sunday’s local elections. “It is our civic duty - we must vote,” said the former president, saying that he will, as suaul vote straight after 12 O’clock Mass.
(pg/ab)