Replies

Having been in Army G-2 during the Polish crisis of 1980-81, Gen. Jaruzelski should be given some credit for what he did. His taking command and actually working with Lech Walensa, saved Poland from being invaded by the Soviets and their East German lackeys.

I lived in Warsaw 1981-83 including during the time martial law was declared. I worked at our embassy. What you are saying is just BS to use an earthy term. This is how Jaruzelski justified his crackdown on the Poles and Solidarnosc'. He was not working with Walesa.

Maybe you do not have any understanding of what is like to live in a police state like Poland under the Communists. This "beneficent, patriotic" Jaruzelski was killing and torturing his own people. Even bread was rationed except for the ruling elites.

Yes, we were privy to reports about the Soviets massing at the borders thus forcing to crack down even harder on Solidarnosc' thru martial law. The idea that Walesa was working with Jaruzelski is ludicrous.

The suppression of the democracy movement resulted in the mass imprisonment of thousands of dissidents, the deaths of dozens and economic stagnation that contributed to the system's eventual undoing. It also pushed many Poles to flee the country and seek exile in the West.

Remember the fate of Father Jerzy Popiełuszko?

I really have a hard time controlling myself when I read the crap about giving Jaruzelski "credit" for anything good. I seriously doubt the Soviets would have invaded Poland. The Poles would fight regardless of the odds and the Soviets knew that. And imagine if the GDR invaded invoking images of the Nazis during WWII.

Kabar,

My term “working” was not in the literal sense, of which you are correct. But things could have been much worse, and this is from my view of reports that were coming from the Embassy, the military attaché’s, and relatives of another watch officer had in several cities in Poland.

I recall the G-3 asking “when will the soviets invade?” My answer was, all of the indicators have been met except for Moscow giving the order to move.” And my years were off, 1980-83 is the correct period.

I’m not making Jaruzelski a saint but just that things could have been worse regarding a Soviet invasion.

I think the CIA has finally declassified some of their HUMINT reporting on this. I’ll have to check the web.