Dividing and Conquering

international | miscellaneous | opinion/analysis Thursday November 06, 2003 23:52 by Robert Looby

An Example from Communist Poland

Newly discovered material from communist Poland archives gives an insight into how authorities seek to undermine opposition groups by exploiting differences between radicals and moderates. This can involve government support for (ousted) moderates.

A Polish secret services document dating from Feb 21st 1981 anticipated that the radical wing of Solidarity (KSS-KOR) intended to either remove Lech Wałęsa or force him to resign from the position of chairman of Solidarity’s National Negotiation Commission (KKP) on the grounds that he was “too amenable to the government.” He would be replaced by a KOR man. The document envisaged a range of “defensive and offensive” measures to be taken in the event of Wałęsa’s removal. These included:

1. The Polish Press Agency publishing background information and the reasons for Lech Wałęsa’s removal by extermist [sic] elements in Solidarity.

2. A declaration from the episcopate in defence of Lech Wałęsa.

3. An immediate meeting between Wałęsa and a member of the government (but not the prime minister) and the publication of a government press release expressing “sincere regret” at Wałęsa’s removal.

4. The preparation and dissemination (by the secret service) of leaflets defending Wałęsa and attacking KSS-KOR. The leaflets were to contain a profile of Wałęsa, explanations of why the KOR wanted him out, an emphasis on KSS-KOR connections with the west and details of who voted against Wałęsa.

5. Other agents were to raise the subject of Wałęsa’s removal in workplaces and demand to know of Solidarity activists who was behind Wałęsa’s removal as well as demand his return. These agents were to accuse KOR and in particular Jacek Kuroń of being behind the dismissal. This was intended to spur universal defence of Wałęsa and condemnation of KOR – i.e. the radicals.

6. Journalists were to interview pro-Wałęsa workers.

7. Western correspondents were to be encouraged to blame KOR for a “revolution” in Solidarity.

8. The next stage was to be an attack on Wałęsa’s opponents, compromising them, and leading to their isolation.


There is no suggestion that Wałęsa was working with the communist authorities or in any way disloyal to Solidarity. The document merely illustrates how the authorities will exploit any divisions in opposition movements – including personal divisions, tactical differences and differences between radical and moderate wings.

The document is published in Polityka, 25th October, 2003 with a commentary by Grzegorz Majchrzak.