Lech Walesa-the symbol of freedom
Lech
Wałęsa
– his name has become a household word. He remained the symbolic head of
the opposition, an internationally respected human rights leader.
After
graduating from vocational school, he worked as a car mechanic at a machine
center and then, as an electrician. In
1970 he became one of the leaders of the shipyard workers and as a result
of his activities,
he was fired. To support his family he took temporary jobs. He
began to organise free non-communist trade unions and took part in many
actions on the sea coast. In
August 1980 he led the Gdańsk shipyard strike which gave rise to a
wave of strikes. The primary demands were for workers' rights. The authorities
were forced to capitulate and to negotiate with Wałęsa.The
enjoyment of relative freedom ended in December 1981,
when martial law was imposed
and many leaders including Wałęsa.
After
releasing, he managed to maintain contacts with Solidarity leaders in the
underground. The economic
situation worsened and the negotiations with the government led to
parliamentary elections and establishment of a non-communist government.In
December
Though,
he never was a professional diplomat, there is no doubt that it would be
hard to define the present position of our country without referring to
his role and achievements.
