Poland’s new P.M. pledges unhesitating reforms

Press, 29 September 1988, Page 10

Poland’s new P.M. pledges unhesitating reforms

NZPA-Reuter Warsaw Poland’s new Prime Minister, Mieczyslaw Rakowski, has pledged to bring more non-Commun-ists into the Government and unhesitatingly enact political and economic reforms. Mr Rakowski, a Communist Party Politburo member, told Parliament after it confirmed him that he hoped to present a coalition Cabinet in two weeks. Its main job would be to win the trust of a significant sector of Polish society. Mr Rakowski said he was not the “hero” Poland needed to lead it but he nevertheless pledged to try with “steadfastness and determination to implement the political and

economic reforms without delay or hesitation”. The Communist leader, Wojciech Jaruzelski, presenting Mr Rakowski as a man of energy, courage and commitment to reform, said Poland was undergoing “emotional and uncertain” times and its economic troubles were causing society suffering and concern. Mr Rakowski, aged 61, a tough politician, said he would vet Ministerial candidates for commitment to reforms and then discuss them with different groups before making his choice.

“We shall see whether, on the basis of reform, it will be possible to build a Cabinet with a broader political base than has been the case so far, and

thus with broader social confidence,” Mr Rakowski said. The outgoing Government of Zbigniew Messner, dismissed for bungling the economy and failing to implement the party-drafted reforms, included a few independents and members of the satellite Peasant and Democratic parties. Mr Jaruzelski said Opposition representatives could also be brought into the Cabinet later if Gov-ernment-Opposition talks starting next month proved successful. Mr Jaruzelski hopes the "round table” talks will bring agreement on Poland’s future and formation of a pro-reform coalition. However, the banned

Solidarity trade union will be the main Opposition group at the talks. It and other groups say nothing can be achieved unless the Government relegalises the union. Mr Rakowski, the chief negotiator with Solidarity in 1980-81, is known to dislike the union and its leader, Lech Walesa. His appointment is considered a guarantee for Communist hardliners that there will be no sell-out to Solidarity. Referring to Mr Rakowski’s former negotiating role, Mr Jaruzelski said, “He launched many efforts in favour of agreement. On the other hand, he never hesitated to stand up in defence of the supreme values of the socialist State.”