FOR MEDIA SATURDAY, 19 DECEMBER 1981
MESSAGE BY THE PRIME MINISTER TO THE RALLY OF
THE FEDERATION OF POLISH ORGANISATTONS IN VICTORIA
You are meeting here today to express your justifiable
indignation over the recent developments in Poland. I-lay I
express at the outset my deep sympathy and understanding for
all cf you who have relatives or friends in Poland. All
Australians must share your grief at the suffering which the
Polish nation is enduring now. Australia has been fortunate
to have had the contribution made to our society by Polish
immigrants you have made us a richer culture and a more
diverse nation. Your distress and anxiety about what is happening
can only be sharpened by the lack of communication between
Poland and the outside world and the absence of any complete
picture of events.
The Australian Government condemns not only the original
imposition of martial law in Poland, but also the violence with
which it is increasingly being imposed. President Mitterand
expressed the reactions of all free nations when he said:
" Whether it be the result of the external pressure or internal
oppression, the loss of public, collective and individual
liberties is always to be condemned and must for that reason
be clearly, vigorously and constantly denounced." I join in
that denunciation.
We condemn the curtailment of new-found freedoms enjoyed for
such a short time. We are shocked to learn that this crack-down
on freedoms is being accompanied by use of such force as is
now leading to deaths, injury on a wide scale and jailings and
internments of tens of thousands of pepole.
We hear reports of brutal confrontation against innocent
and unarmed people. We hear: cf faciory workers being beaten
and shot. We are not sure of the whereabouts of Lech Walesa
and the Polish authorities keep silence on this question of
vital importance to Poland's well-being.
The present violation of human rights in Poland is taking place
on a major scale. It is not surprising that people in freedom--
loving countries, including Australia, are raising their voices
in protest.
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Wie believe that this sort of violence can only breed an
intensification of confrontation and further violence.
The events of the past week have proved that Archbishop Glemp,
the primate of Poland, spoke truly when he said that the
authorities in Poland are not authorities of dialogue.
There must be no outside interference or coercion whatsoever.
This means, not only the thr ' eat of dir: ect intervention, but
also the application of other kinds of pressure. The Governmaent
would condemn the creation of any impression of outside interfer-ence.
Only if they are left alone will the Pole., enjoy a free and
peaceful society. But the Polish authorities must not now take
a direction which puts that objective beyond reach.
The Government is watching developments carefully and is paying
close attention to what it can do to help the Polish people..
We are acutely conscious of Poland's economic difficu. ties and
thehardships and shortages being faced by the Polish people.
Similarly, how we can help refugees from ' Poland is a matter of
theutmost concern. Wie are discussing what may be possible with
other Western Governments, especially Canada and the United
States. May I repeat the Government's deepest concern abl-out the situation
in Poland, and condemnation of the activities of the
authorities. Responsible governments everywhere are looking to the Polish
authorities to exercise restraint and responsibility so that
the future of a free and stable Poland is assured.
I understand your concerns and I share them. I will be
watching the situation closely. We should all pray for peace
in Poland and for the well-being of Yp~ Zrelatives and friends.
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