The Soviet Union expresses concern about the moves towards liberalisation
within the ruling Polish United Workers Party (PUWP) and cautions
that the process must not go too far. The Alliance emphasises that
Poland must be free to decide its own future. Any Soviet use of
force would be in flagrant breach of the principles enshrined in
the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the
Helsinki Final Act.
Meanwhile, with strikes, demonstrations, and continuing food shortages,
Poland is plunging further into economic depression. In October,
the General Secretary of the PUWP, Stanislav Kania, is replaced
by General Jaruzelski, the commander of the armed forces. On 13
December 1981, Jaruzelski declares martial law. Personal freedoms
are drastically curtailed, universities closed, activities of many
organisations, including Solidarity, are suspended, and over 5,000
activists, including Lech Walesa, are jailed. Addressing the nation,
Jaruzelski indicates that the crackdown was necessary to prevent
Soviet intervention.
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