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425 Document No. 80: Protocol No. 18 of PUWP CC Politburo Meeting December 5, 1981 During a long and extraordinary discussion, the Polish Politburo deliberates over the grim state of affairs in the country. Jaruzelski later describes the atmosphere as “funereal.” The population is viewed as largely against the current leadership, Solidarity is a “total movement,” which makes the situation worse than in previous landmark crises in 1956 and 1970, and the opposition is seen as poised to take over power—legally. The Politburo mostly still opposes a military solution but is forced to consider a variety of extreme measures including disbanding the PUWP. Ultimately, the leadership grants Jaruzelski the power to make the final decision on martial law. Summing up, Jaruzelski states that it is “a horrible, monstrous shame for the party that after 36 years in power it has to be defended by the police. But there is nothing else left ahead of us.” […] Agenda 1. Evaluation of the current situation, prognosis for further developments and conclusions resulting from it [the evaluation]. 2. Various matters. On point 1 on the agenda. Information presented by Cdes. Cz. Kiszczak and S. Ciosek. Cde. S. Ciosek—there are a series of grave tensions facing the line authorities —“S” [Solidarity]. The talks began at “S’s” request. We did not agree to discuss subjects such as: law and order, territorial self-government and elections to national councils. “S” demands discussion of matters related to: 1) exclusive and uncontrolled access to the mass media; 2) legal ratification of political changes; 3) economic reform. Consent to reform depends on consent to the first two conditions . Therefore, structural transformation is the price for consent to economic reform. Since the Presidium session in Radom,7 “S” has completely resisted further talks since it considers them fruitless given that the government declared a provisional economic undertaking with respect to carrying out repressive actions when it was decided at the Seventh Plenum to accept a law on the use of extraordinary measures. [“S”] believes that this law cannot be introduced without terror. That is why [“S”] is threatening a 24-hour warning strike, and in the event [the 7 A pivotal meeting of Solidarity’s NCC Presidium on December 3–4. See Document No. 78. 426 law] is introduced, a general strike that would last until success [is achieved]. “S” is highly critical of the temporary arrangement saying that it means erasure of the reform, that it jeopardizes the interests of the working people, and that [“S”] will not agree to a price change without reform. They announced that they will not join the Front of National Accord [FNA] as they consider it a repainted FNU. “S’s” minimal program addressed to the authorities is the following: – an end to repression; – consent to draft “S” into the military and CP [Citizens’ Police]; – withdrawal of the temporary arrangement; – democratic elections to national councils at all levels, including in advance, to the NVC; – union control over the economy and especially foodstuffs; – a grant of broad authority (super-government) to the Civic National Council ; – a grant of full access to mass media for the Civic National Council. These are the main conclusions of the Presidium declaration which are to be presented and approved at the NC [National Commission] session on the eighth of this month, during which we should expect a further sharpening of “S’s” position . Hence, this is a program of open political opposition, which has nothing in common with a trade union and which openly aims at a change of regime and takeover of power. During the coming days we can expect: – a mobilization of “S” membership masses to support the leadership’s resolution ; – signs that the membership masses are more radical than the leadership. Cde. Czesław Kiszczak—the new elements of the situation are: – intensified attacks by extreme “S” forces on the party and the government with the aim of taking over power. Resolutions passed by the Presidium deliberating in Warsaw and Radom, which included regional chairmen , prove that. Very radical resolutions were passed at the meeting of the gdańsk region in the Lenin Shipyard on December 1. Wałęsa’s recent speeches are especially bellicose and aggressive (regarding the Social Council for the National Economy, access to mass media; for the first time he said that “confrontation will not happen without bloodshed”). The tone of other leaders’ speeches was equally aggressive and on the order of an ultimatum. They blackmail us with the threat...

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