Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has issued a sharp warning to the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) calling for political and ideological neutrality or face closure.
“The Institute will survive only if it will maintain political and ideological neutrality. And if it will continue to display such one-sided views publicly, it will be forced to close,” stated Tusk after the publication of the newest book on Lech Walesa, published by IPN historian Pawel Zyzak.
In the controversial new book, entitled Lech Walesa: Idea and History, the 24-year-old writer alleges that the renowned Solidarity hero has an illegitimate child and was a communist secret police spy.
“I appeal to the employees of IPN not to abuse public funds because if they continue to be so one-sided, they will not have any in the future,” warned the PM.
Tusk added that the IPN exists to celebrate Poland’s public heroes, not to slander them.
“I am not surprised that there is so much emotion surrounding this institution. Those who abuse the public’s patience and money are similarly threatening for the IPN – and that must change,” Tusk replied in response to Walesa’s blog publication today that he will withdraw fully from public life – and may even leave Poland – if the slander continues.
The Prime Minister pledged his support for Walesa. “I will always support Lech Walesa when he is unjustly accused and this new biography has undoubtedly done. Poland needs him as a testament and authority of those important years.” (mmj)
Source: tvn24.pl
Related links: Walesa to withdraw from public life? Thenews.pl. 30 March 2009.