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'Our National Debt Is Our Most Important Problem': An Exclusive Interview With Lech Walesa
| Article
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18553 |
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Section : |
CURRENT ISSUES
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| Issue
Date : |
4 / 1991 |
2,053 Words |
| Author
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Jozef Ruszar
Jozef Ruszar is a former Solidarity activist who works for
Radio Free Europe. |
THE WORLD & I: What is the most important economic problem facing Poland today, and what are the possibilities of its resolution?
Lech Walesa: At present, definitely the most important problem is the weight of our national debt, which is threatening to crush us. It's extremely difficult to introduce reforms carrying such a burden. But we have lately been happy to hear that there is quite a strong possibility that this problem will be resolved. We are very glad that the West is so favorably inclined toward Poland, and we hope that our proposal to reduce the debt by 80 percent will be received with understanding.
W&I: What are the major steps to be taken in transforming from a planned to a free-market economy?
Walesa: Apart from changes in the minds of people, which will not happen overnight, certain steps were taken as far back as a year ago, that have already improved the economic outlook. I am referring here to the Balcerowicz Plan, which stabilized Polish currency and enhanced our credibility with the IMF, among others. Right now the largest companies in Poland, state-owned up to now, are being turned over to private hands, and private ownership is being restored. The successful completion of this process will turn the recession around.
W&I: Why is it so important to reduce Poland's debt? What are the chances of reducing it by 80 percent, or even 50 or 30 percent?
Walesa: According to the latest information, the West is wiling to reduce this debt by 33 percent. This is very little and, naturally, will not help us in our reform program. To put it bluntly, it's too little, too late. If this debt is to be reduced in any significant way, it should be 80 percent. Otherwise, the reforms that we in Poland are pioneering will be half measures, and that could affect the process of democratization everywhere in Central and Eastern Europe.
W&I: In what way does the chaos in the Soviet Union impact on Poland's economy? In connection with events in the Soviet Union, what is your biggest fear? Is there a possibility that the Red Army will withdraw from Poland soon? Why are pulling the Red Army out and withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact more difficult issues for Poland than they are for Hungary or Czechoslovakia?
Walesa: The chaos in the Soviet Union, not only the economic
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