The World - News from May 15, 1989

Solidarity founder Lech Walesa raised the possibility that his union might support its longtime foe, Polish leader Wojciech Jaruzelski, as a candidate for president in upcoming elections. Addressing a rally of about 3,000 people after a Mass in St. Brygida’s Church in the seaport of Gdansk, Walesa said he believes Jaruzelski has changed since his government banned Solidarity in October, 1982. “I see Jaruzelski as a different man following our meeting on April 18,” Walesa said. “I cannot be guided by emotions and I must be a cool politician now.” The April 18 meeting, called to review the government-Solidarity accords restoring legal status to the union, was the first face-to-face session between the two since Jaruzelski imposed martial law in December, 1981.