The World : Church Hits Polish Regime

Poland’s Roman Catholic Church launched its harshest attack in years on the country’s Communist rulers, accusing them of blocking talks with Solidarity that were intended to seek national reconciliation. A bluntly worded church statement blamed the Warsaw regime for the collapse of efforts to hold talks between the government and the banned trade union. “Big hopes were aroused” for the planned talks, and “steps towards assuring domestic peace were supported by wide social groups and the church,” the statement said. Church relations with the regime have plummeted since September, when anti-Solidarity politician Mieczyslaw Rakowski became premier.