Walesa Seeks Quick Dose of Foreign Cash

A desperate plan to jolt Poland into a free-market economy is faltering and will fail without a quick dose of foreign capital, Solidarity leader Lech Walesa said today.

At the same time, he added, Poland must create a climate in which outside resources could be put to use.

“We are like a car with four wheels running in different directions, moving fast but slipping backward. Nothing can be done from inside the car,” Walesa said.

Asked in an interview if foreign assistance already committed might alleviate the crisis, Walesa answered with a resounding “No.”

He added, “It is too slow and too little. This is why I see this as blacker and blacker. We cannot reform our old system within our own means. This is impossible without outside help.”

Finance Minister Leszek Balcerowicz argued that his shock-therapy plan has shown encouraging signs since its launch on New Year’s Day, but in a separate interview he echoed Walesa’s warnings on foreign assistance.

Although he appreciates Western ideas to help Eastern Europe, he said, the crisis is immediate. “We are interested in speed,” he added with a wan smile.

A wide range of foreign visitors have arrived in Warsaw, but concrete results are few, he said.