Recognize Free Unions, U.S. Urges

The State Department on Tuesday urged the Polish government to employ reconciliation, not force, in dealing with spreading labor unrest.

“Free labor unions can help the Polish economic reform effort, not hinder it,” spokeswoman Phyllis Oakley said.

“Indeed, it is hard to see how economic reform can succeed without the participation of free trade unions. Economic reform is a truly national undertaking. It must include all the people.”

The mildly worded statement contained no direct criticism of the Polish government. U.S.-Polish relations have improved since martial law was lifted in 1983, but the ban on the Solidarity labor union remains, and the U.S. statement concentrated on that issue.

“As tension mounts in Poland, the United States continues to encourage dialogue and national reconciliation,” it said, “not confrontation and intimidation by force as the means to resolve Poland’s difficulties.”