WORLD : Walesa Foresees Tragic Times

GDANSK, Poland — Solidarity leader Lech Walesa gave a grim prediction today that the revolution the trade union started 10 years ago could end in tragedy because of widespread public apathy in Poland.

“People are not participating. . . . Whatever good is done by Parliament and the government finds no responses in society,” Walesa said on the eve of Solidarity’s 10th anniversary.

“It can only end tragically, and it will end tragically. I am deeply convinced of it,” he told a news conference. “The only question is how long will it take. If we don’t try to change this situation quickly, then very hard times await us.”

Walesa appeared to be warning of eroding public support for the government because of hardships caused by the switch to a Western-style economy and disappointment at the pace of political change.