Walesa Warns of Plot, Urges 6-Week Strike Moratorium

BIELSKO-BIALA, Poland — Solidarity leader Lech Walesa made repeated calls Friday for a six-week strike moratorium in Poland, saying there was a plot to stir up labor unrest and undermine the outlawed union’s talks with the government.

The government said four strikes erupted in different parts of Poland. Government spokesman Jerzy Urban called them dangerous because of the difficult economic situation.

At meetings with workers in this southern industrial town and with students in Krakow, Walesa said Poles had every reason to strike but they had to give the talks on Poland’s future a chance.

“Someone is trying to destroy the reforms,” Walesa said in a reference to political, social and economic changes under discussion at the talks. “Someone wants to show that Walesa and others are not in control. Someone wants to introduce martial law,” he added.