The situation in Poland

(The following appeared in the September 3, 1980, edition of Pravda and has been translated and condensed from the Russian.)

According to information published here, the number of strikes, both on the coast and in the country as a whole, has decreased considerably. Work has begun in the cities, particularly in Gdansk, where the port, the shipyards and industrial enterprises have resumed operation.

The Polish press has carried a number of articles dealing with the tasks that face the working people of socialist Poland in the situation existing in the country. Despite difficulties and mistakes, Trybuna Ludu, the organ of the Polish United Workers' Party Central Committee, emphasizes, "the party has been, is and will continue to be the main motive force in the construction of socialism; it is the party of the working class, of all occupational and social groups, and it represents various social strata and different generations." The newspaper notes that, unfortunately, everything that has been done since the Eighth Congress of the PUWP [February 1980] -- the Central Committee to the primary party organizations -- has, for many reasons, not been sufficient to overcome the existing difficulties, the mistakes made and the work not done, first of all in the economic and social fields.

The newspaper goes on to point out that forces hostile to the socialist development of Poland, to say nothing of external antisocialist forces, are using the present crisis as a "nutrient medium for anti-Polish actions" and for attacks on socialism and the leading role of the party in the life of Poland, including in the trade union movement. It would be naive not to see, the newspaper continues, that "such people have cynically used and will continue to use every method and technique of political struggle; the Polish Communists should be prepared for this.

The Polish Press Agency (PAP) has distributed a commentary which points out that imperialist circles are taking advantage of the difficulties the country is experiencing and do not want to allow the positive elimination of the problems that have arisen, which is possible only on the basis of socialist law and order. "But we believe in the collective and fruitful wisdom of the Polish working class, its high level of class consciousness and deep understanding of its role in defending the country's interest," the commentary notes.

The inspirers of antisocialist and anti-Polish actions are advancing demagogic slogans and demands. Visitors from Western countries, many of whom do not conceal their antisocialist views, are coming to the Polish People's Republic from abroad. Representatives of the reactionary Western press have become frequent visitors to Poland; outside the country, they are spreading information that is avidly used in subversive activity against the socialist system in the country.

It is noteworthy that at the time when the party is directing the Polish working people toward the overcoming of social and economic difficulties and the adjustment of the operations of enterprises and of supply and transport systems, the malicious idea is being suggested in the West, with a clearly provocational goal, that conditions exist in Poland for a so-called liberalization process. A definite meaning is being invested in this concept: the emasculation of class appraisal of the events that are taking place and the imposition of Western notions of "liberties and rights." Worth noting in this connection is a speech by Carter in which he speaks of "my admiration for and satisfaction with the development of events in Poland," including in this appraisal his notorious idea of "human rights." Reagan, another contender for the post of President, has been even more outspoken in his statements.

The bourgeois press is reporting these days that a number of Social Democratic trade unions in the West have sent rather large sums of money to those who, to all intents and purposes, are working to undermine socialist foundations in Poland.

The Polish press notes that the country now has to make complex but carefully considered and well-founded decisions, and that it should take into consideration not only the economic consequences but also all possible eventualities. How quickly the country, under the party's leadership, will be able to extricate itself from the complex situation it is now in will depend on the utmost concentration of efforts by all the Polish working people.