Soviet border troop moves worry U.S.

Press, 22 September 1980, Page 6

Soviet border troop moves worry U.S.

NZPA-Reuter - Chicago President Carter has issued a veiled warning to the Soviet Union not to interfere in Poland's internal affairs following the recent labour unrest there.

Although he did not mention the Soviet Union by name, Mr Carter told the Polish National Alliance in Chicago, a heavily Polish city: “We will not interfere in Poland's affairs—and we expect that others will similarly respect the right of the Polish nation to resolve its problems on its own.”

The Polish labour crisis, with its widespread strikes, has provoked concern in the United States and other Western countries. It is feared that the Kremlin might intervene following Warsaw’s decision to grant workers the right to establish independent trade unions and the replacement of the

Polish Communist Party; chief, Edward Gierek.

Mr Carter's statement came a day after the American State' Department reported signs of increasing Soviet military activity near the border with Poland. Officials confirmed a report in the “Boston Globe" newspaper that some of the 20 troop divisions in the western Soviet Union and some of the 20 divisions in East Germany had begun deployment preparations. Although earlier the officials said that the activity was related to Poland later they said that it was also possible the activities were the tail end of the Warsaw Pact manoeuvres held earlier this month.

The “Boston Globe,” which also reported that reservists were beginning to be mobilised in the Soviet Union, said it was unclear

whether the activity amounted to preparations for an invasion or were part of a planned show of force to intimidate Polish workers.

Referring to the wave of strikes that disrupted Poland and caused the Government to negotiate directly with strike leaders over their demands for independent unions and other reforms, Mr Carter said: “It now appears the crisis may be on its way to a peaceful and constructive resolution. "Poland has reminded us that the desire for human rights and human dignity is universal.”

Chicago has an estimated one million people of Polish origin. President Carter was clearly pitching for this ethnic vote which he needs to help him carry the state of Illinois in November’s presidential election.