Poland's WOJCIECH JARUZELSKI: Unlikely Detonator Of Change

History will remember him for imposing martial law on Poland, but WOJCIECH JARUZELSKI, the outgoing President, hopes it will also credit him for talking with Solidarity

Q. What would have happened had you not declared martial law in December 1981?

A. The general situation, combined with the apprehension and concern voiced by our neighbors and a general network of pressure directed against us, probably would have led to the internationalization of our internal conflict. We were very close to a fraternal regional communist conflict and to the kind of situation that occurred in Hungary in 1956 ((when the Soviets intervened militarily to put down an uprising)).

Q. Would the Soviets have actually invaded had you not declared martial law?

A. You would have to ask the Soviets...

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