Walesa says he'd prefer martial law to new rules
July 19, 1983
Warsaw
Lech Walesa says he would prefer martial law to the new restrictive measures Poland's parliament is expected to pass this week to replace military rule. The new laws would effectively rule out any legal opposition in Poland. The former Solidarity leader accused the Polish authorities of imposing a dictatorship with the new measures.
Mr. Walesa went back to his workplace, the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk, after two weeks' unauthorized leave and promptly won more time off. His unauthorized leave could cost him his job under Polish law, but the yard's decision to give him more vacation makes it appear unlikely it will fire him.