Regime flexes muscles

Press, 1 September 1982, Page 8

Regime flexes muscles

NZPA-Reuter Warsaw Poland's martial lawrulers mounted a huge show of strength in response to calls by the underground opposition for mass demonstrations to mark the Solidarity trade union's second anniversary. Communist Party authorities have issued warnings of violence breaking out at demonstrations commemorating the birth of Eastern Europe's first independent union, now suspended under military rule.

The authorities staged a huge display of .strength in Warsaw yesterday and bolstered the police presence in Gdansk, birthplace of Solidarity, and other industrial cities.

State television showed a collection of explosives, metal spikes, chains, and other weapons which it said had been seized in a Warsaw flat and were to have been used against the police in the demonstrations.

The anniversary has developed into a trial of strength between the Solidarity underground and the authorities, who have sought in public statements to isolate the leaders as extremists who do not represent the views of the Solidarity rank-and-file. More than 100 security force vehicles, including armoured cars, water-cannon, trucks, jeeps and vans, were - taken to streets and squares where the demonstrations are planned.

The authorities have also suspended the sale of liquor throughout Poland for three days in an apparent move to forestall clashes.