Word: gierek
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...Poles, who are noted for their bitter political humor, are asking an ironic riddle these days. What is the difference between Gierek and Gomulka? The answer: there is none-but Gierek does not know...
That is all too harsh a judgment of Edward Gierek, 58, the pragmatic technocrat who took over as party leader after Wladyslaw Gomulka, 66, was forced to resign because of last December's Baltic coast riots. In fact, Gierek has done many things that Gomulka in recent years would not have dared. Last week he made important moves in his overall strategy to ease economic and religious tensions in Poland, and to shunt aside hard-line leaders who also happen to be his rivals for power. Specifically, Gierek: - Introduced a new Five-Year Plan to the party...
...question remained, however, whether Gierek's somersault on prices would embolden other workers to make fresh demands next week or the week after. The Polish press launched a campaign obviously inspired by the regime to warn Poles that the latest concessions "reached the absolute last boundary...
Local Shake-Up. Gierek desperately needs time to gain the full confidence of Poland's disgruntled workers. He is replacing unpopular local party officials with men and women from the factories. He continues to send ministers and high party officials scurrying throughout the country to talk with workers and farmers. Last week he personally visited Radom, Kielce and Katowice, matter-of-factly explaining to workers the impoverished state of the economy and appealing for understanding and help...
...Gierek also spent several mysterious hours in Bialystok, near the Soviet border. In the past, the thick forests near Bialystok have sheltered secret meetings between Soviet and Polish leaders. With the 24th Soviet Party Congress scheduled to begin in Moscow on March 30, the Russians are anxious to stabilize the situation next door. For the moment, the Soviets are backing Gierek. If he fails to keep the situation under control, however, the Kremlin may well consider other options...