Word: martialled
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...Jaruzelski's view, there was little choice but to impose martial law; he had to bring a halt to Solidarity's increasing demands. If the government failed to do so, he could see no way to stave off the final collapse of Poland's mismanaged, strike-hobbled economy. At the same time, he had to reassure the Soviets, who, no matter how reluctant they might be to intervene directly in Polish affairs, let it be known that they would do so if Solidarity was on the verge of seizing control of the state. Yet, by moving so forcefully against...
Indeed, some Western diplomats believe Jaruzelski acted strictly on his own when he declared martial law. The reasoning: Jaruzelski anticipated a strong Soviet reaction if he did not move decisively against Solidarity's increasing demands. In this view, Jaruzelski is essentially a Polish nationalist still striving to achieve a historic compromise acceptable to the moderates in Solidarity, the liberals in the Politburo, the church and the army...
...case, the declaration of martial law neatly fitted Moscow's immediate needs. On the one hand, the Soviets have been alarmed at the dramatic rise of Solidarity and at the aspirations of freedom that it has encouraged. On the other, they have no wish to intervene themselves, lest this cause trouble elsewhere in Eastern Europe, alienate the governments and Communist parties of Western Europe, break the Soviet-U.S. arms negotiations, and lead to a cancellation of Western trade. They are well aware, for example, that the multibillion-dollar natural gas pipeline deal they signed with West Germany this fall...
...Polish Communist Party as well as the armed forces and the government, but in his speech to the nation last week he chose to call himself "a soldier and chief of government." There was no mention of the Communist Party. Politburo members were reportedly not told that martial law was being declared until two hours before the troops began to move. The Polish party is deeply demoralized after losing an estimated one-third of its 3 million members during the past year. It is distressing to the entire Communist world for a country's armed forces to become more powerful...
Ironically, the day martial law was imposed in Poland and fear, pain and grief descended upon the country, the sun rose with unusual clarity and brilliance, following two bleak weeks of gray skies and snow. In Gdansk, where Polish hopes for freedom had begun and had now terminated overnight, all that could be seen of the roundup of Solidarity's leadership were riot police encircling the union headquarters...