World : Poland Chief Urges OK of Solidarity
Premier Mieczyslaw F. Rakowski urged the Communist Party today to legalize the banned Solidarity trade union on condition that it not be a government opponent that would “pull the country into anarchy.”
He indicated, however, that Solidarity would be asked to forgo strikes during a two-year trial period after it is legalized and to give up any financial assistance it receives from the West.
During the proposed trial period both sides would gather “positive and negative experiences,” leading to permanent legalization, Rakowski said, according to a TV broadcast of his speech to a heated meeting of the party’s 230-member Central Committee.
The trial period would last until May 3, 1991--the 200th anniversary of the adoption of a short-lived but still admired progressive constitution in Poland that was overthrown by imperial Russia.
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