Fifth anniversary of Solidarity. (president's statement) (transcript)

Fifth Anniversary of Solidarity In the history of Eastern Europe since World War II, there have been few events whose anniversaries can be celebrated with any sense of pride or satisfaction. The lot of these countries has been one of repression, of sacrifice, of waiting for a better day that never comes. Five years ago, however, in a unique, spontaneous, and overwhelming expression of the public will, the working people of Poland exacted from their government the right to form their own free trade unions. "The myth of the "worker state," as communist governments so misleadingly characterize themselves, was thereby shattered for all time.

During the ensuing 15 months, …