Walesa Cheered in Call for Support for Polish Strike

Solidarity leader Lech Walesa urged hundreds of cheering supporters in Gdansk on Sunday to launch a “resolute counteroffensive” against the government by taking part in a 15-minute strike Feb. 28 to protest planned food price increases.

In a defiant mood one day after a prosecutor warned him that he risks a five-year prison sentence for continued union activities, Walesa condemned a police crackdown on his outlawed independent trade union movement.

The crackdown reflects government concern about public reaction to the food price increases of 12% to 13% planned for March.

“The best sons of our land are being imprisoned and that is why this (strike) has to succeed,” witnesses quoted Walesa as telling more than 1,000 supporters packing a courtyard outside St. Brigida’s Church.

Walesa, who was charged Saturday with inciting unrest and organizing illegal protests, told the crowd he intended to return to his job as an electrician this morning at the Lenin Shipyard after a two-week vacation.

“Regardless of whether I am arrested or not, everyone knows what he is supposed to do on Feb. 28,” Walesa said.

Walesa, contacted by telephone at his Gdansk apartment, confirmed witnesses’ accounts of his speech. “I asked them whether they knew that the (strike) decision was irrevocable and whether they wanted it,” he said. “They shouted ‘yes,’ so I said that they should realize that from Feb. 28, there will be a resolute counteroffensive.”

Earlier, Walesa joined more than 5,000 worshipers for a Mass for three prominent Solidarity activists--Adam Michnik of Warsaw, Bogdan Lis of Gdansk, and Wladyslaw Frasyniuk of Wroclaw--arrested in last Wednesday’s raid on a clandestine union meeting in Gdansk that was called to make plans for the Feb. 28 protest.

Four other activists at the meeting were released Friday after being presented with charges against them.

Walesa’s lawyer said the union leader was told by the Gdansk prosecutor Saturday that he and seven union activists have been charged with inciting public unrest and organizing illegal protests.