Poland Drops Case Against Lech Walesa : Accepts Testimony That He Didn’t Mean to Slander Officials

The government dropped slander charges against Solidarity founder Lech Walesa today after he testified he did not intend “to demean anyone” in questioning official figures of voter turnout in parliamentary elections last year.

A triumphant Walesa, wearing a thick wool sweater with the words “God and Motherland” embroidered on the front, walked from the courtroom after the ruling to the chants of “Solidarity, Solidarity” from several hundred supporters gathered in the chill air outside.

“This is the first step the authorities have made since Dec. 13, 1981, toward reconciliation,” Walesa said, referring to the day martial law was imposed in Poland. “Common sense has won.”

Walesa’s lawyer, Anna Skowronska, said government prosecutor Rajmund Blaszkowski dropped the charge against Walesa as the afternoon court session began. Judge Jerzy Lenarczyk approved the move and ended the trial, which began today.

Statement Satisfactory

“The fact that they withdrew from the trial means the statement Walesa made earlier was satisfactory to the accusers,” Skowronska said.

Walesa had told the judge, “My intention was not to slander anybody nor to demean anyone.”

Walesa, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize three years ago for founding the independent trade union in the Gdansk shipyards in 1980, had faced up to two years in prison for contending that only 60% of voters turned out for parliamentary elections last Oct. 13. The government had said 79% voted.

There had been speculation that the court might try to bring Walesa and the elections officials he is accused of slandering to terms to avoid a prolonged trial and strengthen Walesa’s popularity.

300 Supporters on Hand

As Walesa went into the courtroom today, about 300 Solidarity supporters chanted pro-Solidarity slogans outside the courtroom. At least three people in the crowd were arrested.

Walesa was given a bouquet of red and white carnations as the crowd shouted: “We shall win! Solidarity! Solidarity! There is no freedom without Solidarity!”

In announcing the 79% turnout, the government maintained that the parliamentary election showed the nation had returned to normal after the turmoil of martial law, which crushed the now-outlawed Solidarity union.

Walesa, who has stood by his figures, was alleged to have given his estimate to Western news agencies, which then used the lower figures in reporting on the election.