Stories From Famous Folks Life - The Most Interesting Biography Library Of The Notable Persons Like Outstanding

Civil Rights Leaders, Notable Scientists Or Historical Writers

The primary demands were for workers' rights. The authorities were forced to capitulate and also to negotiate with Walesa the Gdansk Agreement of August 31, 1980, which gave the staff the right to strike and to organise their own independent union. The Catholic Church supported the movement, and in January 1981 Walesa was cordially received by Pope John Paul II within the Vatican. Walesa himself has always regarded his Catholicism being a source of strength and inspiration. In the years 1980-81 Walesa travelled to Italy, Japan, Sweden, France and Switzerland as guest in the International Labour Organisation. In September 1981 he was elected Solidarity Chairman at the First National Solidarity Congress in Gdansk. The country's brief enjoyment of relative freedom ended in December 1981, when General Jaruzelski, fearing Soviet armed intervention among other considerations, imposed martial law, "suspended" Solidarity, arrested a lot of its leaders, and interned Walesa inside a country house in a very remote spot. In November 1982 Walesa was released and reinstated on the Gdansk shipyards. Although kept under surveillance, he been able to maintain lively connection with Solidarity leaders in the underground. While martial law was lifted in July 1983, many in the restrictions were continued in civil code. In October 1983 the announcement of Walesa's Nobel prize raised the spirits with the underground movement, nevertheless the award was attacked with the government press. The Jaruzelski regime became a lot more unpopular as economic conditions worsened, and yes it was finally made to negotiate with Walesa and the Solidarity colleagues. The result was the holding of parliamentary elections which, although limited, led for the establishment of a non-communist government. Under Mikhail Gorbachev the Soviet Union was no longer ready to use military force to help keep communist parties in satellite states in power. Walesa, now head with the revived Solidarity labour union, began some meetings with world leaders. In April 1990 at Solidarity's second national congress, Walesa was elected chairman with 77.5% in the votes. In December 1990 in the general ballot he was elected President of the Republic of Poland. He served until defeated within the election of November 1995. Walesa continues to be granted many honorary degrees from universities, including Harvard University along with the University of Paris. Other honors are the Medal of Freedom (Philadelphia, U.S.A.); the Award of Free World (Norway); as well as the European Award of Human Rights. Addressing you, as the winner with the 1983 Nobel Peace Prize, can be a Polish worker through the Gdansk Shipyard, one of the founders with the independent trade union movement in Poland. It would be most effective thing will be able to say that I am not worth that great distinction. Yet, when I remember the hour once the news of the prize has spread throughout my country, the hour of rising emotions and universal joy in the people who felt they have a moral and spiritual share inside the award, I am obligated to state that I regard it

being a sign of recognition that the movement this agreement I gave all of my strength has served well town of men. I accept the award with my deepest respects for its meaning and significance, and, with the same time, I am conscious the honor is bestowed and not on me personally, but upon "Solidarity", upon the people and also the ideas for which we have fought and shall continue to do so within the spirit of peace and justice. strony internetowe Gdynia