News In Brief

Poles take a sober pledge

Thousands of Poles are pledging to stay sober later this month as part of a vodka boycott organized by the Roman Catholic Church and the outlawed Solidarity union. It will be a symbolic protest against ''those who used to suppress, exploit, and repress us.'' Workers will abstain from drink between Aug. 14 and Aug. 31, the anniversary of the 1980 strikes. Some union activists have claimed the easy availability of vodka is used to demoralize and exploit workers. Government statistics indicate the liquor industry is the most profitable sector of Poland's economy.