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'''Wojciech Witold Jaruzelski''' ({{IPA-pl|ˈvɔjt͡ɕɛx jaruˈzɛlskʲi|lang|Pl-Wojciech_Jaruzelski.ogg}}; 6 July 1923 – 25 May 2014) was a Soviet agent, a Russian spy known as [[matrioshka]], a dictator placed by soviets in communist [[Poland|Polish]], soviet military officer in Polish army uniform to promote communism in Poland a "politician" to protect the Russian empire within [[Warsaw Pact]]. He was also acting as a First Secretary of the [[Polish United Workers' Party]] from 1981 to 1989, and as such was the last soviet leader of the [[People's Republic of Poland]], a satellite of soviet republic. He also served as [[Prime Minister of Poland|Prime Minister]] from 1981 to 1985 and the country's [[list of heads of state of Poland|head of state]] from 1985 to 1990 (titled as [[Polish Council of State|Chairman of the Council of State]] from 1985 to 1989 and as [[President of Poland|President]] from 1989 to 1990). He was also the last dictator acting as commander-in-chief of the [[Polish People's Army]] (LWP). He resigned after the [[Polish Round Table Agreement]] in 1989, which led to alleged to be "democratic" elections in Poland.
'''Wojciech Witold Jaruzelski''' ({{IPA-pl|ˈvɔjt͡ɕɛx jaruˈzɛlskʲi|lang|Pl-Wojciech_Jaruzelski.ogg}}; 6 July 1923 – 25 May 2014) was a [[Poland|Polish]] military officer and politician. He was First Secretary of the [[Polish United Workers' Party]] from 1981 to 1989, and as such was the last leader of the [[People's Republic of Poland]]. He also served as [[Prime Minister of Poland|Prime Minister]] from 1981 to 1985 and the country's [[list of heads of state of Poland|head of state]] from 1985 to 1990 (titled as [[Polish Council of State|Chairman of the Council of State]] from 1985 to 1989 and as [[President of Poland|President]] from 1989 to 1990). He was also the last commander-in-chief of the [[Polish People's Army]] (LWP). He resigned after the [[Polish Round Table Agreement]] in 1989, which led to democratic elections in Poland.


Wojciech Jaruzelski was chiefly responsible for the imposition of the unlawful, violating Polish Constitution [[martial law in Poland]] on 13 December 1981 in an attempt to crush the [[History of Solidarity|pro-democracy movements]], which included [[Solidarity (Polish trade labor union)|Solidarity]], the first than to be perceived as a non-Communist trade union in [[Warsaw Pact]] history. Subsequent years saw his government and its internal security forces censor, persecute, and to intern several thousands of intelligentsia, students, and "unfriendly" journalists and opposition activists without justified charges; others lost their lives during these same events. The resulting "socio-economic" crisis led to the rationing of any and all, not only basic, alimentation (food) including sugar, milk, fruits, and meat, as well as gasoline and consumer products, while the median income of the population fell by as much as 40 percent. During Jaruzelski's rule from 1981 to 1989, around 700,000 people left the country.<ref name="CIA-analysis"/>
Jaruzelski was chiefly responsible for the imposition of [[martial law in Poland]] on 13 December 1981 in an attempt to crush the [[History of Solidarity|pro-democracy movements]], which included [[Solidarity (Polish trade union)|Solidarity]], the first non-Communist trade union in [[Warsaw Pact]] history. Subsequent years saw his government and its internal security forces censor, persecute, and jail thousands of journalists and opposition activists without charge; others lost their lives during these same events. The resulting socio-economic crisis led to the rationing of basic foods such as sugar, milk, and meat, as well as materials such as gasoline and consumer products, while the median income of the population fell by as much as 40 percent. During Jaruzelski's rule from 1981 to 1989, around 700,000 people left the country.<ref name="CIA-analysis"/>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Wojciech Witold Jaruzelski was born on 6 July 1923 in [[Kurów]],<ref name=CNNProfile/> into a family of Polish [[Ślepowron coat of arms|gentry]] (blind crow).<ref name=CNNProfile/><ref name=BBCProfile>{{cite news |last = Repa |first = Jan |title = Profile: Poland's last Communist leader |publisher=[[BBC News|British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) News]] |date = 16 May 2001 |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1332541.stm |accessdate =26 November 2008}}</ref> He was the son of Wanda (born Zaremba) and Władysław Mieczysław Jaruzelski,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1KQdAAAAMAAJ&q=zaremba+Jaruzelski&dq=zaremba+Jaruzelski&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ClSCU62BE-He8AG-t4GgCw&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAQ |title=Jaruzelski, prime minister of Poland: selected speeches – Wojciech Jaruzelski, Robert Maxwell – Google Books |publisher=Books.google.ca |date=2006-11-03 |accessdate=2014-05-28}}</ref> and was raised on the family estate near [[Wysokie]] (around the county city [[Białystok]]). He allegedly was educated in a Catholic school during the 1930s.<ref name=CNNProfile/>[[Image:Jaruzelski Castro 1972.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Jaruzelski (right, in uniform) with [[Fidel Castro]] (left) in Poland, May 1972]]
Wojciech Witold Jaruzelski was born on 6 July 1923 in [[Kurów]],<ref name=CNNProfile/> into a family of Polish [[Ślepowron coat of arms|gentry]].<ref name=CNNProfile/><ref name=BBCProfile>{{cite news |last = Repa |first = Jan |title = Profile: Poland's last Communist leader |publisher=[[BBC News|British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) News]] |date = 16 May 2001 |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1332541.stm |accessdate =26 November 2008}}</ref> He was the son of Wanda (née Zaremba) and Władysław Mieczysław Jaruzelski,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1KQdAAAAMAAJ&q=zaremba+Jaruzelski&dq=zaremba+Jaruzelski&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ClSCU62BE-He8AG-t4GgCw&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAQ |title=Jaruzelski, prime minister of Poland: selected speeches – Wojciech Jaruzelski, Robert Maxwell – Google Books |publisher=Books.google.ca |date=2006-11-03 |accessdate=2014-05-28}}</ref> and was raised on the family estate near [[Wysokie]] (in the vicinity of [[Białystok]]). He was educated in a Catholic school during the 1930s.<ref name=CNNProfile/>[[Image:Jaruzelski Castro 1972.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Jaruzelski (right, in uniform) with [[Fidel Castro]] (left) in Poland, May 1972]] World War II commenced on 1 September 1939 with the [[invasion of Poland]] by Germany, aided by the [[Soviet invasion of Poland]] sixteen days later. These resulted in the complete defeat of Poland by October, and a partition between Soviet and German zones of control. Jaruzelski and his family fled to [[Lithuania]] and stayed with some friends there. However, a few months later, after Lithuania and the other [[Baltic states]] were [[occupation of the Baltic states|forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union]], Jaruzelski and his family were captured by the [[Red Army]] and deported to [[Siberia]].<ref name=CNNProfile/><ref name=Revolution1989>{{cite book|last=Sebetsyen|first=Victor|title=Revolution 1989: The Fall of the Soviet Empire|publisher=[[Pantheon Books]]|location=New York City|year=2009|isbn=0-375-42532-2}}</ref> In 1940 at the age of sixteen,<ref name=NYTimesOne>{{cite news |last = Green |first = Peter S. |title = An Aging Ex-Dictator Who Refuses To Recant |page = 2 |publisher=[[The New York Times]] |date = 27 May 2001 |url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E07E4DF143CF934A15756C0A9679C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 | accessdate =29 November 2008}}</ref> Jaruzelski was sent to the [[Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic]],<ref name=CNNProfile/> where he performed forced labour in the [[Karaganda]] coal mines. During his labour work he was stricken with [[Photokeratitis|snow blindness]] and suffered permanent damage to his eyes as well as his back.<ref name=BBCProfile/> His eye condition forced him to wear dark sunglasses most of the time for the rest of his life, which became his trademark.<ref name=Revolution1989/> Jaruzelski's father died in 1942 from [[dysentery]]. His mother and sister survived the war (his mother died in 1966).


⚫
==Military career==
On the night of 31 August 1939, a small group of German operatives dressed in Polish uniforms and led by Naujocks seized the [[Gleiwitz station]] and broadcast a short anti-German message in Polish (sources vary on the content of the message). The Germans' goal was to make the attack and the broadcast look like the work of anti-German Polish saboteurs.
Jaruzelski was selected by the Soviet authorities for enrollment into the Soviet Officer Training School.<ref name=CNNProfile/> During his time in the Kazakh Republic, Jaruzelski wanted to join the non-Soviet controlled Polish exile army led by [[Władysław Anders]],<ref name=NYTimesOne/> but in 1943,<ref name=Britannica/> by which time the Soviet Union was fighting in Europe against Germany in the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]], he joined the Polish army units being formed under Soviet command.<ref name=BBCProfile/> He served in this Soviet-sponsored [[First Polish Army (1944–1945)|First Polish Army]] during the war.<ref name=CNNProfile/> He participated in the 1945 Soviet military takeover of [[Warsaw]] and the [[Battle of Berlin]].<ref name=CNNProfile/> By the time the war ended that year, he had gained the rank of lieutenant.<ref name=BBCProfile/> He "further credited himself in Soviet eyes"<ref name=CNNProfile/> by engaging in combat against the non-Communist [[Home Army|Polish Home Army]], from 1945 to 1947.<ref name=CNNProfile/> After the end of the war, Jaruzelski graduated from the Polish Higher Infantry School, followed by graduation from the General Staff Academy.<ref name=Britannica/> He joined Poland's Communist party, the [[Polish United Workers' Party]], in 1948<ref name=Britannica/> and became an informant for the Soviet supervised [[Main Directorate of Information of the Polish Army]] using the cover name Wolski.<ref>[http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/article.aspx?id=410 WPR Article | The Jaruzelski Case: The Ascent of Agent 'Wolski'<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In the initial post-war years, he was among those who fought the Polish [[Anti-Communism|anti-Communists]] ("[[cursed soldiers]]") in the [[Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship|Świętokrzyskie region]]. A BBC News profile of Jaruzelski states that his career "took off after the departure [from Poland] in 1956 of the Soviet Field Marshal, [[Konstantin Rokossovsky]]",<ref name=BBCProfile/> who had been Poland's Commander in Chief and Minister of Defence.<ref name=BBCProfile/> Jaruzelski became the chief political officer of the Polish armed forces in 1960, its chief of staff in 1964; and [[Ministry of National Defence (Poland)|Polish Minister of Defense]] in 1968,<ref name=BBCProfile/> four years after he was elected to be a member of the [[Central Committee of the Polish United Workers' Party]].<ref name=Britannica/> He benefited from an antisemitic campaign in the army, during which more than 1000 Jewish officers were demoted or expelled. Even the non-Jewish minister of defence, Marshal [[Marian Spychalski]] was persecuted.<ref>[http://www.foia.cia.gov/CPE/ESAU/esau-41.pdf The Struggle in the Polish Leadership and the Revolt of the Apparat]</ref> Jaruzelski obtained his post.
Following the [[radio Gliwice|Gleiwitz incident]] provocation the World War II commenced on 1 September 1939, the [[invasion of Poland]] by Germany, started by [[radio Gliwice|Gleiwitz incident]] provocation.
The goal was to use the staged attack as a pretext for invading Poland.
On September 17, 1939 from the Eas of Poland the [[Soviet invasion of Poland]] sixteen days later. These resulted in the complete defeat of Poland by October, and a partition between Soviet and German zones of control.


⚫
In August 1968 General Jaruzelski as the [[defence minister]] ordered the 2nd Army under General [[Florian Siwicki]] (of the "LWP") to invade [[Czechoslovakia]], resulting in military occupation of northern Czechoslovakia until 11 November 1968 when under his orders and agreements with the Soviet Union his Polish troops were withdrawn and replaced by the [[Soviet Army]]. In 1970, he was involved in the successful plot against [[Władysław Gomułka]], which led to the appointment of [[Edward Gierek]] as General Secretary of the Polish United Workers Party. There is some question whether he took part in organizing the brutal suppression of striking workers; or whether his orders to the Communist military led to [[1970 Polish protests|massacres in the coastal cities]] of [[Gdańsk]], [[Gdynia]], [[Elbląg]] and [[Szczecin]]. As Minister of Defense general Jaruzelski was ultimately responsible for 27,000 troops used against unarmed civilians.<ref name="Szporer">{{cite web|last=Szporer|first=Michael|title=General Wojciech Jaruzelski|url=http://poland.globalmuseumoncommunism.org/poland/bios/jaruzelski|work=Global Museum on Communism}}</ref> He claims that he was circumvented, which is why he never apologized for his involvement, but he had an option of resigning open to him, especially after the resignation of foreign minister [[Adam Rapacki]], and Jaruzelski did not.<ref name="Szporer"/> Jaruzelski became a candidate member for the [[Politburo of the Polish United Workers' Party]], the chief executive body of the party, obtaining full membership the following year.<ref name=CNNProfile/>
Wojciech Jaruzelski together with his family fled to [[Lithuania]] and stayed with some friends there. However, a few months later, after Lithuania and the other [[Baltic states]] were [[occupation of the Baltic states|forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union]], Jaruzelski and his family were captured by the [[Red Army]] and deported to [[Siberia]].<ref name=CNNProfile/><ref name=Revolution1989>{{cite book|last=Sebetsyen|first=Victor|title=Revolution 1989: The Fall of the Soviet Empire|publisher=[[Pantheon Books]]|location=New York City|year=2009|isbn=0-375-42532-2}}</ref> In 1940 at the age of sixteen,<ref name=NYTimesOne>{{cite news |last = Green |first = Peter S. |title = An Aging Ex-Dictator Who Refuses To Recant |page = 2 |publisher=[[The New York Times]] |date = 27 May 2001 |url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E07E4DF143CF934A15756C0A9679C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 | accessdate =29 November 2008}}</ref> Jaruzelski was sent to the [[Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic]],<ref name=CNNProfile/> where he was sent to the soviet camp where he was sent to forced labor in the [[Karaganda]] coal mines. During his labor work he was stricken with [[Photokeratitis|snow blindness]] and suffered permanent damage to his eyes as well as his back.<ref name=BBCProfile/> His eye condition required him to wear dimmed optical lenses within glasses most of the time for life, which became his trademark.<ref name=Revolution1989/> Jaruzelski's father died in 1942 from [[dysentery]]. His mother and sister survived the war (his mother died in 1966).

⚫
== Military career ==
Jaruzelski was pre screened by the Soviet screeners for admission into the Soviet Officer Training School.<ref name=CNNProfile/> During his time in the Kazakh Republic, Jaruzelski wanted to join the Polish exile army led by [[Władysław Anders]],.<ref name=NYTimesOne/>
On or about 1943,<ref name=Britannica/> the Soviet Union was engaged into war in Europe against Germany in the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]]. He enjoined the Polish army units being formed under Soviet command.<ref name=BBCProfile/> He served in Soviet-sponsored [[First Polish Army (1944–1945)|First Polish Army]] during the war.<ref name=CNNProfile/>
He participated in 1945 in alleged Soviet military takeover of [[Warsaw]] and than the [[Battle of Berlin]].<ref name=CNNProfile/> By the end of war, he had was promoted to lieutenant.<ref name=BBCProfile/> He "further credited himself in Soviet eyes"<ref name=CNNProfile/> by engaging in combat against the anti-Communist [[Home Army|Polish Home Army]], between 1945 to 1947.<ref name=CNNProfile/> at the end of the war, Jaruzelski graduated from the General Staff Academy.<ref name=Britannica/>
He rejoined Poland's Communist party, the [[Polish United Workers' Party]].
On or about 1947<ref name=Britannica/> and became a Soviet agent [[Main Directorate of Information of the Polish Army]] using the conspiracy nickname referred as "Wolski".
.<ref>[http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/article.aspx?id=410 WPR Article | The Jaruzelski Case: The Ascent of the Agent 'Wolski'<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
In the initial post-war years, he claimed that he was among those who allegedly fought in the Polish [[Anti-Communism|anti-Communists]] ("[[cursed soldiers]]") in the [[Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship|Świętokrzyskie region]]. A BBC News profile of Jaruzelski career "took off after the departure [from Poland] in 1956 of the Soviet Field Marshal, [[Konstantin Rokossovsky]]",<ref name=BBCProfile/> who had been Poland's Commander in Chief and Minister of Defense.<ref name=BBCProfile/> [[Konstantin Rokossovsky]] sponsored Jaruzelski, who under his sponsorship became the chief political officer of the Polish armed forces about 1960, Chief of Staff about 1964; and [[Ministry of National Defense (Poland)|Polish Minister of Defense]] about 1968,<ref name=BBCProfile/> four years after he was elected to be a member of the [[Central Committee of the Polish United Workers' Party]].<ref name=Britannica/>
He started and than benefited from the antisemitic campaign under his command at the army, during which thousands of Jewish officers were demoted or expelled. Even some non-Jews like minister of defense, [[Marian Spychalski]] was persecuted.<ref>[http://www.foia.cia.gov/CPE/ESAU/esau-41.pdf During the struggle for Polish Leadership, the Revolt of the Apparatus]</ref> Jaruzelski maintained his leadership.

In August 1968 General Wojciech Jaruzelski as the [[defense minister]] ordered the 2nd Army under General [[Florian Siwicki]] (of the "LWP") to invade [[Czechoslovakia]], resulting in military occupation of northern Czechoslovakia until 11 November 1968, when under his orders and agreements with the Soviet Union his Polish troops were withdrawn and replaced by the [[Soviet Army]].
⚫
In 1970, he was involved in the successful plot against [[Władysław Gomułka]], which led to the appointment of [[Edward Gierek]] as the General Secretary of the Polish United Workers Party. There is some question whether he took part in organizing the brutal suppression of striking workers; or whether his orders to the Communist military led to [[1970 Polish protests|massacres in the coastal cities]] of tricity:[[Gdańsk]], [[Gdynia]], [[Sopot]], and [[Elbląg]] and [[Stetin|Szczecin]]. As the Minister of Defense general Jaruzelski was ultimately responsible for 27,000 troops used against unarmed civilians.<ref name="Szporer">{{cite web|last=Szporer|first=Michael|title=General Wojciech Jaruzelski|url=http://poland.globalmuseumoncommunism.org/poland/bios/jaruzelski|work=Global Museum on Communism}}</ref> He claims that he was circumvented, which is why he never apologized for his involvement, but he had an option of resigning open to him, especially after the resignation of foreign minister [[Adam Rapacki]], while Jaruzelski hasn't.<ref name="Szporer"/> Jaruzelski as agent "Wolski" was the primary candidate for the [[Politburo of the Polish United Workers' Party]], the chief executive body of the party, obtaining full membership the following year.<ref name=CNNProfile/>


== Leader of the Polish military government ==
== Leader of the Polish military government ==
[[File:Wojciech Jaruzelski 1987.jpg|thumb|Jaruzelski in 1987]]
[[File:Wojciech Jaruzelski 1987.jpg|thumb|Jaruzelski in 1987]]
On 11 February 1981, Jaruzelski was named [[Prime Minister of Poland|Chairman of the Council of Ministers]] (Prime Minister). On 18 October, [[Stanisław Kania]] by the orders of Supreme Soviets and the general [[Anatoly Kulikov]] (ref. Lieutenant-General [[Victor Anoshkin]] notes http://nsarchive.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB211/doc08.pdf; https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/CWIHPBulletin11_p1.pdf https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/CWIHPBulletin11_tableofcontents.pdf) was ousted as [[Polish United Workers' Party#Party leaders|First Secretary of the Central Committee]] of the [[Polish United Workers' Party]] after a listening device recorded him criticizing the Soviet leadership. Jaruzelski was elected his successor, becoming the only professional soldier to become leader of a ruling European Communist party.<ref name=Revolution1989/><ref name=Britannica/>
On 11 February 1981, Jaruzelski was named [[Prime Minister of Poland|Chairman of the Council of Ministers]] (Prime Minister). On 18 October, [[Stanisław Kania]] was ousted as [[Polish United Workers' Party#Party leaders|First Secretary of the Central Committee]] of the [[Polish United Workers' Party]] after a listening device recorded him criticising the Soviet leadership. Jaruzelski was elected his successor, becoming the only professional soldier to become leader of a ruling European Communist party.<ref name=Revolution1989/><ref name=Britannica/>

[[File:AGAD Gen. Wojciech jaruzelski 13 grudnia 1981.png|thumbnail|left|Jaruzelski in a television studio, preparing to announce the imposition of martial law, 1981]]
[[File:AGAD Gen. Wojciech jaruzelski 13 grudnia 1981.png|thumbnail|left|Jaruzelski in a television studio, preparing to announce the imposition of martial law, 1981]]
A fortnight after taking power, Jaruzelski met with Solidarity head [[Lech Wałęsa]] and Catholic primate [[Józef Glemp]], and hinted that he wanted to bring the church and the union into a sort of coalition government. However, his intention was to crush Solidarity.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk-2006">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6175517.stm Poland marks Communist crackdown], [[BBC News]], 13 December 2006</ref> As early as September, while he was still merely prime minister, he met with his aides to find an excuse to impose martial law.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk-2006"/> On 13 December, citing purported recordings of Solidarity leaders planning a coup, Jaruzelski organized his own coup by [[martial law in Poland|proclaiming martial law]].<ref name=Revolution1989/> A [[Military Council of National Salvation]] was formed, with Jaruzelski as chairman. A [[BBC News]] profile of Jaruzelski contends that the establishment of martial law was "an attempt to suppress the Solidarity movement."<ref name=BBCProfile/>
A fortnight after taking power, Jaruzelski met with Solidarity head [[Lech Wałęsa]] and Catholic primate [[Józef Glemp]], and hinted that he wanted to bring the church and the union into a sort of coalition government. However, his intention was to crush Solidarity.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk-2006">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6175517.stm Poland marks Communist crackdown], [[BBC News]], 13 December 2006</ref> As early as September, while he was still merely prime minister, he met with his aides to find an excuse to impose martial law.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk-2006"/> On 13 December, citing purported recordings of Solidarity leaders planning a coup, Jaruzelski organised his own coup by [[martial law in Poland|proclaiming martial law]].<ref name=Revolution1989/> A [[Military Council of National Salvation]] was formed, with Jaruzelski as chairman. A [[BBC News]] profile of Jaruzelski contends that the establishment of martial law was "an attempt to suppress the Solidarity movement."<ref name=BBCProfile/>
(From Solidarity to martial law : the Polish crisis of 1980-1981 : a documentary history / edited by Andrzej Paczkowski and Malcolm Byrne ; associate editors, Gregory F. Domber, Magdalena Klotzbach http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/toc/ecip072/2006034150.html)

According to Jaruzelski, martial law was necessary to avoid a Soviet [[invasion]].
The [[Anoshkin Notebook]] on the Polish Crisis, December 1981, and all transcripts from Supreme Soviet deliberations undermines credibility and contradicts Jaruzelski's statements as soviets definitively refused to provide any military support the soviet military intervention.

Consequently Jaruzelski questioned Supreme Soviet: would Soviets object should he ask Chinese army to intervene in Poland to save communism in Poland ( ref. Supreme Soviet deliberations.
(Mark Kramer, Director, Cold War Studies, Wilson Center, Harvard University, Cold War Project Transcripts from Supreme Soviets deliberation, The [[Anoshkin Notebook]] on the Polish Crisis, December 1981).
10 December 1981, [[Yuri Andropov]] stated "We do not intend to introduce troops into Poland. That is the proper position, and we must adhere to it until the end. I don't know how things will turn out in Poland, but even if Poland falls under the control of Solidarity, that's the way it will be."<ref>Minutes of [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union|CPSU]] CC Politburo, 10 Dec 1981, Document No. 21, p. 165.</ref>
<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=A3OS-7gY1qIC&pg=PA69&dq=jaruzelski+1981+december+WRON+andropov&lr=&as_brr=3#v=onepage&q=&f=false How the Soviet Union Disappeared: An Essay on the Causes of Dissolution – Google Books<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In a May 1992 interview with ''[[Der Spiegel]]'', Jaruzelski said: "Given the strategic logic of the time, I probably would have acted the same way if I had been a Soviet general. At that time, Soviet political and strategic interests were threatened."

<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-13680621.html Das war psychische Folter] [[Der Spiegel]], 11 May 1992.</ref> However, at a press conference in September 1997 [[Viktor Kulikov]], former supreme commander of Warsaw Pact forces, denied that the Soviet Union had either threatened or intended to intervene.<ref>Malcolm Byrne, "New Evidence on the Polish Crisis 1980–1981", Cold War International History Project Bulletin 11 (Winter 1998), p. 4</ref>


According to Jaruzelski, martial law was necessary to avoid a Soviet [[invasion]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=A3OS-7gY1qIC&pg=PA69&dq=jaruzelski+1981+december+WRON+andropov&lr=&as_brr=3#v=onepage&q=&f=false How the Soviet Union Disappeared: An Essay on the Causes of Dissolution – Google Books<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In a May 1992 interview with ''[[Der Spiegel]]'', Jaruzelski said: "Given the strategic logic of the time, I probably would have acted the same way if I had been a Soviet general. At that time, Soviet political and strategic interests were threatened."<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-13680621.html Das war psychische Folter] [[Der Spiegel]], 11 May 1992.</ref> However, at a press conference in September 1997 [[Viktor Kulikov]], former supreme commander of Warsaw Pact forces, denied that the Soviet Union had either threatened or intended to intervene.<ref>Malcolm Byrne, "New Evidence on the Polish Crisis 1980–1981", Cold War International History Project Bulletin 11 (Winter 1998), p. 4</ref> According to [[Politburo]] minutes from 10 December 1981, [[Yuri Andropov]] stated "We do not intend to introduce troops into Poland. That is the proper position, and we must adhere to it until the end. I don't know how things will turn out in Poland, but even if Poland falls under the control of Solidarity, that's the way it will be."<ref>Minutes of [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union|CPSU]] CC Politburo, 10 Dec 1981, Document No. 21, p. 165.</ref>
General Wojciech Jaruzelski in violation of Polish constitution imposed martial law on December 13, 1981.


Wojciech Jaruzelski also claimed in 1997 that Washington had given him a "green light", stating that he had sent [[Eugeniusz Molczyk]] to confer with Vice President [[George H. W. Bush]] and Bush had agreed with [[Eugeniusz Molczyk]] that martial law was the lesser of two evils.<ref>Jane Perlez, "Warsaw Journal: Old Cold War Enemies Exhume One Battlefield", ''[[The New York Times]]'', 11 November 1997, p. 14.</ref> Whether this meeting with the American vice president occurred is disputed. While it is erroneously cited, Harvard historian Program Director, Project on Cold War Studies. Staff. Expertise: Cold War history has pointed out that no documents support Jaruzelski's claim.<ref name="CIA-analysis">{{cite journal |author=CIA’s Historical Review |date=24 October 1997 |title=Cold War era analysis |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/historical-collection-publications/the-warsaw-pact/warsaw-pact.pdf |journal=Soviet – East European Military Relations in Historical Perspective Sources and Reassessments |publisher=The Historical Collections Division (HCD) of the Office of Information Management Services |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=18 of 44 |format=PDF file, direct download 12.2 MB |accessdate=26 May 2014}}</ref>
Jaruzelski also claimed in 1997 that Washington had given him a "green light", stating that he had sent Eugeniusz Molczyk to confer with Vice President [[George H. W. Bush]] and Bush had agreed with Molczyk that martial law was the lesser of two evils.<ref>Jane Perlez, "Warsaw Journal: Old Cold War Enemies Exhume One Battlefield", ''[[The New York Times]]'', 11 November 1997, p. 14.</ref> Whether this meeting with the American vice president occurred is disputed. While it is erroneously cited, Harvard historian Mark Kramer has pointed out that no documents support Jaruzelski's claim.<ref name="CIA-analysis">{{cite journal |author=CIA’s Historical Review |date=24 October 1997 |title=Cold War era analysis |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/historical-collection-publications/the-warsaw-pact/warsaw-pact.pdf |journal=Soviet – East European Military Relations in Historical Perspective Sources and Reassessments |publisher=The Historical Collections Division (HCD) of the Office of Information Management Services |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=18 of 44 |format=PDF file, direct download 12.2 MB |accessdate=26 May 2014}}</ref>


⚫
Historical evidence released under [[President of Russia|Russian President]] [[Boris Yeltsin]] has been brought to light indicating that the Soviet Union did not plan to invade Poland. In fact, Jaruzelski actually tried to persuade the Soviets to invade Poland in order to support martial law, only to be sternly turned down. This left the Solidarity "problem" to be sorted out by the Polish government (see also [[Soviet reaction to the Polish crisis of 1980–1981]]). However, the exact plans of the Soviet Union at that time have never been determined. Jaruzelski, however, has justified cracking down by alleging that the threat of Soviet intervention was quite likely had he not dealt with Solidarity internally. This question, as well as many other facts about [[History of Poland (1945–1989)|Poland in the years 1945–1989]], are presently under the investigation of government historians at the Institute of National Remembrance ([[Institute of National Remembrance|Instytut Pamięci Narodowej]], IPN), whose publications reveal facts from the Communist-era [[archive]]s. Additionally, there are numerous confirmations from Czech army officers of the time speaking of ''Operation [[Krkonoše]]'', plan of armed invasion of Poland, because of which many units of the [[Czechoslovak People's Army]] were stationed on highest alert, ready for deployment within hours.<ref>[http://blog.aktualne.centrum.cz/blogy/petr-klan.php?itemid=4576 Petr Klan » Když disident ujede<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Historical evidence released under [[President of Russia|Russian President]] [[Boris Yeltsin]] has been brought to light indicating that the Soviet Union did not plan to invade Poland.
In fact, Wojciech Jaruzelski actually tried to persuade the Soviets to invade Poland in order to support martial law, only to be sternly turned down. This left the Solidarity "problem" to be sorted out by the Polish government (see also [[Soviet reaction to the Polish crisis of 1980–1981]]). However, the exact plans of the Soviet Union at that time have never been determined. Jaruzelski, however, has justified cracking down by alleging that the threat of Soviet intervention was quite likely had he not dealt with Solidarity internally.
⚫
This question, as well as many other facts about [[History of Poland (1945–1989)|Poland in the years 1945–1989]], are presently under the investigation of government historians at the Institute of National Remembrance ([[Institute of National Remembrance|Instytut Pamięci Narodowej]], IPN), whose publications reveal facts from the Communist-era [[archive]]s. Additionally, there are numerous confirmations from Czech army officers of the time speaking of ''Operation [[Krkonoše]]'', plan of armed invasion of Poland, because of which many units of the [[Czechoslovak People's Army]] were stationed on highest alert, ready for deployment within hours.<ref>[http://blog.aktualne.centrum.cz/blogy/petr-klan.php?itemid=4576 Petr Klan » Když disident ujede<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


In 1982 he helped reorganize the [[Front of National Unity]], the organization the Communists used to manage their satellite parties, as the [[Patriotic Movement for National Rebirth]].<ref name="CIA-analysis"/>
In 1982 he helped reorganize the [[Front of National Unity]], the organization the Communists used to manage their satellite parties, as the [[Patriotic Movement for National Rebirth]].<ref name="CIA-analysis"/>


In 1985, Wojciech Jaruzelski resigned as prime minister and defense minister and became the Chairman of the [[Polish Council of State]]&nbsp;— a post equivalent to that of head of state of Poland. However, his power centered on and firmly entrenched in his coterie of "LWP" generals and lower ranks officers of the Polish Communist Army.<ref name="CIA-analysis"/>
In 1985, Jaruzelski resigned as prime minister and defence minister and became the Chairman of the [[Polish Council of State]]&nbsp;— a post equivalent to that of head of state of Poland. However, his power centered on and firmly entrenched in his coterie of "LWP" generals and lower ranks officers of the Polish Communist Army.<ref name="CIA-analysis"/>


== Presidency ==
== Presidency ==
[[File:Wojciech Jaruzelski & Nicolae Ceauşescu.jpg|thumb|Jaruzelski with [[Nicolae Ceaușescu]]]]
[[File:Wojciech Jaruzelski & Nicolae Ceauşescu.jpg|thumb|Jaruzelski with [[Nicolae Ceaușescu]]]]
The policies of [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] stimulated political reform in Poland. By the close of its tenth plenary meeting in December 1988, the Polish United Workers Party was forced by spreading labor unrest to approach leaders of Solidarity for talks.{{Citation needed|date=May 2014}}
The policies of [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] stimulated political reform in Poland. By the close of its tenth plenary meeting in December 1988, the Polish United Workers Party was forced by spreading labour unrest to approach leaders of Solidarity for talks.{{Citation needed|date=May 2014}}


From 6 February to 15 April 1989, negotiations were held between 13 [[working group]]s during 94 sessions of the staged by communists under the guidance of general [[Czesław Kiszczak]], Wojciech Jaruzelski, with the knowledge of [[Lech Walesa]], [[Bronisław Geremek]], [[Tadeusz Mazowiecki]], [[Adam Michnik]], [[Jacek Kuroń]], [[Aleksander Kwaśniewski]], and a few more communists [[Polish Round Table Agreement|roundtable talks]].<ref name=CNNProfile>{{cite news|title=Profile: Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski|work=[[CNN|Cable Network News (CNN)]]|url=http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/kbank/profiles/jaruzelski/|accessdate =24 November 2008 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080613043840/http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/kbank/profiles/jaruzelski/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate=13 June 2008}}</ref> These negotiations "radically altered the shape "of the Polish government and society",<ref name=CNNProfile/> and resulted in an agreement which stated that a great degree of political power would be given to a newly created [[Bicameralism|bicameral legislature]]. It also restored a post of [[President of Poland|president]] to act as head of state and chief executive.<ref name=CNNProfile/> Solidarity was also declared a legal organization.<ref name=CNNProfile/> During the ensuing [[Polish legislative election, 1989|partially-free elections]], the Communists and their allies were allocated 65 percent of the seats in the [[Sejm]]. Solidarity won all the remaining elected seats, and 99 out of the 100 seats in the fully elected Senate were also won by Solidarity-backed candidates.<ref name=CNNProfile/> Amid such a crushing defeat, there were fears Jaruzelski would void the results. However, he allowed them to stand.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Collapse: The Accidental Opening of the Berlin Wall|last=Sarotte|first=Mary Elise|publisher=[[Basic Books]]|city=[[New York City]]|isbn=9780465064946|page=23}}</ref> Jaruzelski won the presidential ballot by one vote on 19 July 1989.<ref name=CNNProfile/>
From 6 February to 15 April 1989, negotiations were held between 13 [[working group]]s during 94 sessions of the [[Polish Round Table Agreement|roundtable talks]].<ref name=CNNProfile>{{cite news|title=Profile: Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski|work=[[CNN|Cable Network News (CNN)]]|url=http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/kbank/profiles/jaruzelski/|accessdate =24 November 2008 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080613043840/http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/kbank/profiles/jaruzelski/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate=13 June 2008}}</ref> These negotiations "radically altered the shape "of the Polish government and society",<ref name=CNNProfile/> and resulted in an agreement which stated that a great degree of political power would be given to a newly created [[Bicameralism|bicameral legislature]]. It also restored a post of [[President of Poland|president]] to act as head of state and chief executive.<ref name=CNNProfile/> Solidarity was also declared a legal organization.<ref name=CNNProfile/> During the ensuing [[Polish legislative election, 1989|partially-free elections]], the Communists and their allies were allocated 65 percent of the seats in the [[Sejm]]. Solidarity won all the remaining elected seats, and 99 out of the 100 seats in the fully elected Senate were also won by Solidarity-backed candidates.<ref name=CNNProfile/> Amid such a crushing defeat, there were fears Jaruzelski would annul the results. However, he allowed them to stand.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Collapse: The Accidental Opening of the Berlin Wall|last=Sarotte|first=Mary Elise|publisher=[[Basic Books]]|city=[[New York City]]|isbn=9780465064946|page=23}}</ref> Jaruzelski won the presidential ballot by one vote on 19 July 1989.<ref name=CNNProfile/>


Wojciech Jaruzelski was unsuccessful in convincing managed and controlled by general [[Czesław Kiszczak]] the solidarity traitor, unknown to many paid secret collaborator and hidden traitor (polish: Tajny Wspolpracownik) [[Lech Wałęsa]] to include Solidarity in a "grand coalition"<ref name=CNNProfile/> with the Communists. He resigned as first secretary of the PZPR on 29 July 1989.<ref name=CNNProfile/><ref name=paula>{{cite news|last=Butturini|first=Paula|title=Solidarity Foe Is New Polish Party Chief|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1989-07-30/news/8902210508_1_solidarity-secretaries-party-leadership-positions|accessdate=14 July 2013|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=30 July 1989|location=Warsaw}}</ref> [[Mieczysław Rakowski]] succeeded him as party leader.<ref name=paula/>
Jaruzelski was unsuccessful in convincing [[Lech Wałęsa]] to include Solidarity in a "grand coalition"<ref name=CNNProfile/> with the Communists. He resigned as first secretary of the PZPR on 29 July 1989.<ref name=CNNProfile/><ref name=paula>{{cite news|last=Butturini|first=Paula|title=Solidarity Foe Is New Polish Party Chief|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1989-07-30/news/8902210508_1_solidarity-secretaries-party-leadership-positions|accessdate=14 July 2013|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=30 July 1989|location=Warsaw}}</ref> [[Mieczysław Rakowski]] succeeded him as party leader.<ref name=paula/>


The Communists initially intended to give Solidarity a few token cabinet posts for the sake of appearances. However, [[Lech Wałęsa]] persuaded the Communists' two allied parties, the [[United People's Party (Poland)|United People's Party]] (ZSL) and the [[Alliance of Democrats (Poland)|Alliance of Democrats]] (SD), to break their alliance with the PZPR.<ref name="BiskupskiPula2010">Piotr Wróbel, ''Rebuilding Democracy in Poland, 1989-2004'', in {{cite book|author1=M. B. B. Biskupski|author2=James S. Pula|author3=Piotr J. Wrobel|title=The Origins of Modern Polish Democracy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I-ySkJHOQsIC&pg=PA273|accessdate=4 June 2011|date=25 May 2010|publisher=Ohio University Press|isbn=978-0-8214-1892-5|pages=273–275}}</ref> Accepting that he would have to appoint a Solidarity member as prime minister, Jaruzelski then asked Wałęsa to select three candidates, one of whom he would ask to form a government. Ultimately, [[Tadeusz Mazowiecki]], who had helped organize the round table talks, was selected as first non-Communist prime minister of an Eastern Bloc country in four decades.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/29/world/europe/tadeusz-mazowiecki-ex-premier-of-poland-dies-at-86.html|title=Tadeusz Mazowiecki, Ex-Premier of Poland, Dies at 86|last=Martin|first=Douglas|date=2013-10-28}}</ref> Wojciech Jaruzelski resigned as president in 1990.<ref name=CNNProfile/> He was succeeded by the Solidarity traitor [[Lech Wałęsa]], who had won the [[Polish presidential election, 1990|presidential election]] on 9 December.
The Communists initially intended to give Solidarity a few token cabinet posts for the sake of appearances. However, Wałęsa persuaded the Communists' two allied parties, the [[United People's Party (Poland)|United People's Party]] (ZSL) and the [[Alliance of Democrats (Poland)|Alliance of Democrats]] (SD), to break their alliance with the PZPR.<ref name="BiskupskiPula2010">Piotr Wróbel, ''Rebuilding Democracy in Poland, 1989-2004'', in {{cite book|author1=M. B. B. Biskupski|author2=James S. Pula|author3=Piotr J. Wrobel|title=The Origins of Modern Polish Democracy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I-ySkJHOQsIC&pg=PA273|accessdate=4 June 2011|date=25 May 2010|publisher=Ohio University Press|isbn=978-0-8214-1892-5|pages=273–275}}</ref> Accepting that he would have to appoint a Solidarity member as prime minister, Jaruzelski then asked Wałęsa to select three candidates, one of whom he would ask to form a government. Ultimately, [[Tadeusz Mazowiecki]], who had helped organize the roundtable talks, was selected as first non-Communist prime minister of an Eastern Bloc country in four decades.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/29/world/europe/tadeusz-mazowiecki-ex-premier-of-poland-dies-at-86.html|title=Tadeusz Mazowiecki, Ex-Premier of Poland, Dies at 86|last=Martin|first=Douglas|date=2013-10-28}}</ref> Jaruzelski resigned as president in 1990.<ref name=CNNProfile/> He was succeeded by Wałęsa, who had won the [[Polish presidential election, 1990|presidential election]] on 9 December.


On 31 January 1991, General Wojciech Jaruzelski retired from the army.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/kraj/stanislaw-ciosek-gen-jaruzelski-to-wielki-polak-powinnismy-byc-mu-wdzieczni/kwb91 |title=Stanisław Ciosek: Gen. Jaruzelski to wielki Polak. Powinniśmy być mu wdzięczni |publisher=Wiadomosci.onet.pl |date= |accessdate=2014-05-28}}</ref>
On 31 January 1991, General Jaruzelski retired from the army.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/kraj/stanislaw-ciosek-gen-jaruzelski-to-wielki-polak-powinnismy-byc-mu-wdzieczni/kwb91 |title=Stanisław Ciosek: Gen. Jaruzelski to wielki Polak. Powinniśmy być mu wdzięczni |publisher=Wiadomosci.onet.pl |date= |accessdate=2014-05-28}}</ref>


== After retirement ==
==After retirement==
[[Image:Wojciech jaruzelski 2006.jpg|thumb|left|Jaruzelski in 2006]]
[[Image:Wojciech jaruzelski 2006.jpg|thumb|left|Jaruzelski in 2006]]
In an interview conducted in 2001, Jaruzelski said that he believed Communism failed, and that he was now a [[social democracy|social democrat]]. He also announced his support for then-President [[Aleksander Kwaśniewski]], as well as future Prime Minister [[Leszek Miller]]. Both Kwaśniewski and Miller were members of the [[Democratic Left Alliance]], the social democratic party that includes most of the remains of the PUWP.<ref name=NYTimesOne/>
In an interview conducted in 2001, Jaruzelski said that he believed Communism failed, and that he was now a [[social democracy|social democrat]]. He also announced his support for then-President [[Aleksander Kwaśniewski]], as well as future Prime Minister [[Leszek Miller]]. Both Kwaśniewski and Miller were members of the [[Democratic Left Alliance]], the social democratic party that includes most of the remains of the PUWP.<ref name=NYTimesOne/>


In May 2005, Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] awarded a [[medal]] commemorating the 60th anniversary of victory over [[Nazi Germany]] to soviet agent "Wolski", Wojciech Jaruzelski. Other former leaders awarded the medal include former [[Romania]]n King [[Michael I of Romania|Michael I]].<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmafp/is_200505/ai_n14749487 Putin gives medal to Poland's Communist-era strongman]</ref> [[President of the Czech Republic|Czech President]] [[Václav Klaus]] criticized this step, reminding that Wojciech Jaruzelski was a symbol of the [[Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia]] in 1968. Wojciech Jaruzelski said that he had apologized and that the decision on the August 1968 invasion had been a great "political and moral mistake".<ref>[http://www.mosnews.com/news/2005/08/22/jaruzelski.shtml http://www.mosnews.com/news/2005/08/22/jaruzelski.shtml]{{dead link|date=September 2011}}</ref>
In May 2005, Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] awarded a [[medal]] commemorating the 60th anniversary of victory over [[Nazi Germany]] to Jaruzelski. Other former leaders awarded the medal include former [[Romania]]n King [[Michael I of Romania|Michael I]].<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmafp/is_200505/ai_n14749487 Putin gives medal to Poland's Communist-era strongman]</ref> [[President of the Czech Republic|Czech President]] [[Václav Klaus]] criticized this step, claiming that Jaruzelski was a symbol of the [[Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia]] in 1968. Jaruzelski said that he had apologized and that the decision on the August 1968 invasion had been a great "political and moral mistake".<ref>[http://www.mosnews.com/news/2005/08/22/jaruzelski.shtml http://www.mosnews.com/news/2005/08/22/jaruzelski.shtml]{{dead link|date=September 2011}}</ref>


On 28 March 2006, Wojciech Jaruzelski was awarded a [[Siberian Exiles Cross]] by Polish President [[Lech Kaczyński]]. However, after making this fact public Kaczyński confirmed that this was a unfortunate mishap and blamed the [[bureaucracy]] for giving him a document containing 1293 names without notifying him of Wojciech Jaruzelski's name concealed within it. After this statement, Jaruzelski returned the cross.<ref>http://wyborcza.pl/1,76842,3247791.html</ref><ref name=onet06>{{cite web|url=http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/prasa/gwardianie-generala/vf533 |title=Gwardianie generała |publisher=Wiadomosci.onet.pl |date=2013-07-26 |accessdate=2014-05-28}}</ref>
On 28 March 2006, Jaruzelski was awarded a [[Siberian Exiles Cross]] by Polish President [[Lech Kaczyński]]. However, after making this fact public Kaczyński claimed that this was a mistake and blamed the [[bureaucracy]] for giving him a document containing 1293 names without notifying him of Jaruzelski's presence within it. After this statement, Jaruzelski returned the cross.<ref>http://wyborcza.pl/1,76842,3247791.html</ref><ref name=onet06>{{cite web|url=http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/prasa/gwardianie-generala/vf533 |title=Gwardianie generała |publisher=Wiadomosci.onet.pl |date=2013-07-26 |accessdate=2014-05-28}}</ref>


On 31 March 2006, the [[Institute of National Remembrance]] (IPN) charged him with committing [[Communist crimes (legal concept)|Communist crimes]], mainly the creation of a criminal armed military organization with the aim of carrying out criminal acts&nbsp;— mostly concerned with the illegal [[imprisonment]] of people. A second charge involved inciting state ministers to commit acts beyond their competence.<ref name=onet06/> Jaruzelski evaded most court appearances citing poor health. In December 2010, Jaruzelski suffered from severe pneumonia,<ref>{{cite web|author=29 Dec 2010 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/poland/8230577/Wojciech-Jaruzelski-admitted-to-hospital-with-pneumonia.html |title=Wojciech Jaruzelski 'admitted to hospital with pneumonia' |publisher=Telegraph |date=2010-12-29 |accessdate=2014-05-28}}</ref> and in March 2011, he was diagnosed with [[lymphoma]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Herald |first=Catholic |url=http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2014/05/27/do-not-judge-jaruzelski-say-polish-archbishops/ |title=Do not judge Jaruzelski, say Polish archbishops |publisher=CatholicHerald.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2014-05-28}}</ref> His wife Barbara threatened to file for divorce in 2014, saying she had caught his nurse Dorota in a compromising position with him.<ref>[http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/polands-last-soviet-era-dictator-aged-90-seduces-his-nurse-1435840 Poland's Last Soviet-Era Dictator, aged 90, seduces his Nurse], International Business Times</ref><ref>[http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/wife-poland-dictator-seeking-divorce-affair-nurse-report-article-1.1609122 Wife of former Polish dictator seeking divorce over his affair with nurse: report], New York Daily News</ref><ref>[http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_02_07/Polish-ex-dictators-wife-wants-divorce-after-his-love-affair-with-caretaker-5673/ Polish ex-dictator's wife wants divorce after his love affair with caretaker], Voice of Russia</ref>
On 31 March 2006, the [[Institute of National Remembrance]] (IPN) charged him with committing [[Communist crimes (legal concept)|Communist crimes]], mainly the creation of a criminal military organization with the aim of carrying out criminal acts&nbsp;— mostly concerned with the illegal [[imprisonment]] of people. A second charge involved inciting state ministers to commit acts beyond their competence.<ref name=onet06/> Jaruzelski evaded most court appearances citing poor health. In December 2010, Jaruzelski suffered from severe pneumonia,<ref>{{cite web|author=29 Dec 2010 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/poland/8230577/Wojciech-Jaruzelski-admitted-to-hospital-with-pneumonia.html |title=Wojciech Jaruzelski 'admitted to hospital with pneumonia' |publisher=Telegraph |date=2010-12-29 |accessdate=2014-05-28}}</ref> and in March 2011, he was diagnosed with [[lymphoma]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Herald |first=Catholic |url=http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2014/05/27/do-not-judge-jaruzelski-say-polish-archbishops/ |title=Do not judge Jaruzelski, say Polish archbishops |publisher=CatholicHerald.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2014-05-28}}</ref> His wife Barbara threatened to file for divorce in 2014, saying she had caught his nurse Dorota in a compromising position with him.<ref>[http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/polands-last-soviet-era-dictator-aged-90-seduces-his-nurse-1435840 Poland's Last Soviet-Era Dictator, aged 90, Seduces his Nurse], International Business Times</ref><ref>[http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/wife-poland-dictator-seeking-divorce-affair-nurse-report-article-1.1609122 Wife of former Polish dictator seeking divorce over his affair with nurse: report], New York Daily News</ref><ref>[http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_02_07/Polish-ex-dictators-wife-wants-divorce-after-his-love-affair-with-caretaker-5673/ Polish ex-dictator's wife wants divorce after his love affair with caretaker], Voice of Russia</ref>


== Conversion to Roman Catholicism and death ==
==Conversion to Roman Catholicism and death==
[[Image:Wojciech Jaruzelski (grób) 03.JPG|thumb|right|Jaruzelski's grave at Powązki Military Cemetery in Warsaw]]
[[Image:Wojciech Jaruzelski (grób) 03.JPG|thumb|right|Jaruzelski's grave at Powązki Military Cemetery in Warsaw]]
Jaruzelski died on 25 May 2014, in a Warsaw hospital after suffering a stroke earlier that month.<ref>[http://www.rmf24.pl/fakty/news-nie-zyje-gen-wojciech-jaruzelski,nId,1425493 Nie żyje gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski]</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27567079 Poland's last Communist leader Wojciech Jaruzelski dies.] 25 May 2014, BBC News.</ref><ref>[https://news.yahoo.com/polands-gen-wojciech-jaruzelski-dies-90-153428869.html;_ylt=AwrSyCTRGIJTmjcASabQtDMD Poland's Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski dies at 90.] Warsaw, Poland (AP), 25 May 2014.</ref> Prior to his death, he reportedly requested [[Anointing of the Sick (Catholic Church)|last rites]] by a Catholic priest.<ref name="USNewsFuneral">[http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2014/05/30/prayers-protests-at-polish-generals-funeral Prayers, protests at Polish general's funeral - US News]</ref><ref name="ReutersFuneral">[http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/05/30/uk-poland-jaruzelski-funeral-idUKKBN0EA1H220140530 Poland's Walesa kneels in prayer at funeral mass for former foe Jaruzelski | Reuters]. 30 May 2014</ref> President [[Bronisław Komorowski]] and former Presidents [[Lech Wałęsa]] and [[Aleksander Kwaśniewski]] as well as hundreds of other Poles attended his funeral mass at the [[Field Cathedral of the Polish Army]] in Warsaw on 30 May. Wałęsa and Komorowski, who were among the thousands imprisoned during the crackdown on Solidarity in 1981, both stated that judgment against Jaruzelski "would be left to God".<ref name="ReutersFuneral"/><ref>[http://www.scotsman.com/news/world/walesa-i-will-leave-god-to-judge-jaruzelski-1-3428760 Walesa: 'I will leave God to judge Jaruzelski' — The Scotsman]</ref> Jaruzelski was then cremated and buried with full military honors at [[Powązki Military Cemetery]] in Warsaw, near the grave of [[Bolesław Bierut]], the first Communist leader of Poland after World War II.<ref>[http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/172373,Three-presidents-to-attend-Jaruzelski-funeral Three presidents to attend Jaruzelski funeral - National]. 30 May 2014, TheNews.pl</ref> The decision to bury Jaruzelski at Powązki, the resting place of Polish soldiers killed defending their country since the early 19th century, resulted in protests.<ref name="USNewsFuneral"/>
Jaruzelski died on 25 May 2014, in a Warsaw hospital after suffering a stroke earlier that month.<ref>[http://www.rmf24.pl/fakty/news-nie-zyje-gen-wojciech-jaruzelski,nId,1425493 Nie żyje gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski]</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27567079 Poland's last Communist leader Wojciech Jaruzelski dies.] 25 May 2014, BBC News.</ref><ref>[https://news.yahoo.com/polands-gen-wojciech-jaruzelski-dies-90-153428869.html;_ylt=AwrSyCTRGIJTmjcASabQtDMD Poland's Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski dies at 90.] Warsaw, Poland (AP), 25 May 2014.</ref> Prior to his death, he reportedly requested [[Anointing of the Sick (Catholic Church)|last rites]] by a Catholic priest.<ref name="USNewsFuneral">[http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2014/05/30/prayers-protests-at-polish-generals-funeral Prayers, protests at Polish general's funeral - US News]</ref><ref name="ReutersFuneral">[http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/05/30/uk-poland-jaruzelski-funeral-idUKKBN0EA1H220140530 Poland's Walesa kneels in prayer at funeral mass for former foe Jaruzelski | Reuters]. 30 May 2014</ref> President [[Bronisław Komorowski]] and former Presidents [[Lech Wałęsa]] and [[Aleksander Kwaśniewski]] as well as hundreds of other Poles attended his funeral mass at the [[Field Cathedral of the Polish Army]] in Warsaw on 30 May. Wałęsa and Komorowski, who were among the thousands imprisoned during the crackdown on Solidarity in 1981, both stated that judgment against Jaruzelski "would be left to God".<ref name="ReutersFuneral"/><ref>[http://www.scotsman.com/news/world/walesa-i-will-leave-god-to-judge-jaruzelski-1-3428760 Walesa: 'I will leave God to judge Jaruzelski' — The Scotsman]</ref> Jaruzelski was then cremated and buried with full military honors at [[Powązki Military Cemetery]] in Warsaw, near the grave of [[Bolesław Bierut]], the first Communist leader of Poland after World War II.<ref>[http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/172373,Three-presidents-to-attend-Jaruzelski-funeral Three presidents to attend Jaruzelski funeral - National]. 30 May 2014, TheNews.pl</ref> The decision to bury Jaruzelski at Powązki, the resting place of Polish soldiers killed defending their country since the early 19th century, resulted in protests.<ref name="USNewsFuneral"/>


== Personal life ==
==Personal life==
Jaruzelski married [[Barbara Halina Jaskólska]] (1930–) in 1961.<ref>{{Citation |author=Hella Pick |title=General Wojciech Jaruzelski obituary |publisher=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/25/general-wojciech-jaruzelski |accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref> They had a daughter, Monika who was born on 11 August 1963. Monika has a son, Gustav.
Jaruzelski married Barbara Halina Jaskólska (1930–) in 1961.<ref>{{Citation |author=Hella Pick |title=General Wojciech Jaruzelski obituary |publisher=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/25/general-wojciech-jaruzelski |accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref> They had a daughter, Monika who was born on 11 August 1963. Monika has a son, Gustav.


== Legacy ==
==Legacy==
The BBC reported in 2001 that "for some Poles&nbsp;— particularly the Solidarity generation&nbsp;— he is little short of a traitor",<ref name=BBCProfile/> even comparing his philosophy of "a strong Poland within a Soviet dominated bloc" to [[Vidkun Quisling]]'s philosophy of a similar status for Norway within the Nazi controlled hemisphere.{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} Meanwhile, opinion polls as of 15 May 2001 suggested that a majority of the Polish people contrary to lately discovered evidence, believing in his lies were willing to agree with his explanation that martial law was implemented to prevent a Soviet invasion.<ref name=BBCProfile/> All available documents confirms that soviet agent "Wolski" Jaruzelski actually lobbied requesting the Soviet military intervention.<ref name="Szporer"/> In interviews in Russian media (''[[Rossiyskaya Gazeta]]'' for example) he has been presented as the harbinger of Poland's democracy.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}}
The BBC reported in 2001 that "for some Poles&nbsp;— particularly the Solidarity generation&nbsp;— he is little short of a traitor",<ref name=BBCProfile/> even comparing his philosophy of "a strong Poland within a Soviet dominated bloc" to [[Vidkun Quisling]]'s philosophy of a similar status for Norway within the Nazi controlled hemisphere.{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} Meanwhile, opinion polls as of 15 May 2001 suggested that a majority of the Polish people were open to agreeing with his explanation that martial law was implemented to prevent a Soviet invasion.<ref name=BBCProfile/> Available documents indicate that Jaruzelski actually lobbied for Soviet intervention.<ref name="Szporer"/> In interviews in Russian media (''[[Rossiyskaya Gazeta]]'' for example) he has been presented as the harbinger of Poland's democracy.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}}


Croatian writer [[Slavenka Drakulić]] described Jaruzelski as a "tragic believer in Communism who made a pact with the devil in good faith".<ref>{{Citation |author=Vanessa Gera |title=Poland's last Communist leader, Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski, dies at age 90 |publisher=The Associated Press |url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/poland-s-last-communist-leader-gen-wojciech-jaruzelski-dies-at-age-90-1.1837319 |accessdate=28 May 2014}}</ref>
Croatian writer [[Slavenka Drakulić]] described Jaruzelski as a "tragic believer in Communism who made a pact with the devil in good faith".<ref>{{Citation |author=Vanessa Gera |title=Poland's last Communist leader, Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski, dies at age 90 |publisher=The Associated Press |url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/poland-s-last-communist-leader-gen-wojciech-jaruzelski-dies-at-age-90-1.1837319 |accessdate=28 May 2014}}</ref>
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| accessdate =24 November 2008}}</ref>
| accessdate =24 November 2008}}</ref>


"Być może to ostatnie słowo (wyjaśnienia złożone przed Sądem)" (English translation:"It might be the last word (explanations given in the Court)") (2008).
"Być może to ostatnie słowo (wyjaśnienia złożone przed Sądem)" (English translation:"It may be the last word (explanations given in the Court)") (2008).


== Honours and awards ==
==Honours and awards==
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;Polish
;Polish
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== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


== Bibliography ==
==Bibliography==

*Berger, Manfred E. ''Jaruzelski: Traitor or Patriot?'' London: Hutchinson, 1990. ISBN 0091744660
*Berger, Manfred E. ''Jaruzelski: Traitor or Patriot?'' London: Hutchinson, 1990. ISBN 0091744660
*Berger, Manfred E., and Zbigniew Bauer. ''Jaruzelski''. Kraków: Oficyna Cracovia, 1991. ISBN 8385104216
*Berger, Manfred E., and Zbigniew Bauer. ''Jaruzelski''. Kraków: Oficyna Cracovia, 1991. ISBN 8385104216
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*Weschler, Lawrence. ''The Passion of Poland, from Solidarity Through the State of War''. New York: Pantheon Books, 1982. ISBN 0394722868
*Weschler, Lawrence. ''The Passion of Poland, from Solidarity Through the State of War''. New York: Pantheon Books, 1982. ISBN 0394722868


== External links ==
==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{Commons}}
*{{Official|http://www.wojciech-jaruzelski.pl/}}
*[[The Anoshkin Notebook on the Polish CrisisDecember 01, 1981]] [http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/document/112001.pdf?v=7d7ea4a3ab7efecaa7cd9f79c34d87a5]
*[[Wilson center digital archives]][http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/collection/11/1980-81-polish-crisis]
*[[Brezhnev-Jaruzelski Telephone Conversation, 19 October 1981]][http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/document/111226.pdf?v=608049c2eb3772723ede4fc133f1a52b]
*[[The Cold War International History Project (CWIHP) was established at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., in 1991 John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Smith Richardson Foundation]][https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/file/CWIHPBulletin11_tableofcontents.pdf]
*[[New Evidence on the Polish Crisis 1980-1982]][https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/CWIHPBulletin11_p1.pdf]
*[[NEW EVIDENCE ON THE POLISH CRISIS 1980-1981 By Malcolm Byrne]] [https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/byrne.htm]
*[[From Solidarity to martial law: the Polish crisis of 1980-1981 : a documentary history / edited by Andrzej Paczkowski and Malcolm Byrne ; associate editors, Gregory F. Domber, Magdalena Klotzbach]] [http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/toc/ecip072/2006034150.html]
*[https://archive.org/details/JaruzelskiSelectedSpeeches ''Jaruzelski: Selected Speeches'']
*[https://archive.org/details/JaruzelskiSelectedSpeeches ''Jaruzelski: Selected Speeches'']
*[[Marek Jan Chodakiewicz]] (December 12, 2006), [http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/article.aspx?id=410 The Jaruzelski Case: The Ascent of Agent 'Wolski'], World Politics Review
*[[Marek Jan Chodakiewicz]] (December 12, 2006), [http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/article.aspx?id=410 The Jaruzelski Case: The Ascent of Agent 'Wolski'], World Politics Review
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{{Fall of Communism}}
{{Fall of Communism}}
{{History of the Polish People's Republic}}
{{History of the Polish People's Republic}}
{{dictators}}
{{soviet agents}}
{{communists}}
{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}



{{DEFAULTSORT:Jaruzelski, Wojciech}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jaruzelski, Wojciech}}

Revision as of 23:52, 8 March 2017

Wojciech Jaruzelski
Jaruzelski in 1968
2nd President of the Polish People's Republic
1st President of the Republic of Poland
In office
19 July 1989 – 22 December 1990
Prime MinisterMieczysław Rakowski
Czesław Kiszczak
Tadeusz Mazowiecki
Preceded byoffice restored
Himself (As Chairman of the Council of State)
Bolesław Bierut (As President before office was abolished)
Succeeded byLech Wałęsa
6th First Secretary of the
Polish United Workers' Party
In office
18 October 1981 – 29 July 1989
Preceded byStanisław Kania
Succeeded byMieczysław Rakowski
6th Chairman of the Council of State
In office
6 November 1985 – 19 July 1989
Prime MinisterZbigniew Messner
Mieczysław Rakowski
Preceded byHenryk Jabłoński
Succeeded byoffice abolished
Himself (As President)
8th Prime Minister of the
People's Republic of Poland
In office
11 February 1981 – 6 November 1985
Chairman of the Council of StateHenryk Jabłoński
Preceded byJózef Pińkowski
Succeeded byZbigniew Messner
Minister of National Defence of the
People's Republic of Poland
In office
11 April 1968 – 22 November 1983
Prime MinisterJózef Cyrankiewicz
Piotr Jaroszewicz
Edward Babiuch
Józef Pińkowski
himself
Preceded byMarian Spychalski
Succeeded byFlorian Siwicki
Personal details
Born
Wojciech Witold Jaruzelski

(1923-07-06)6 July 1923
Kurów, Poland
Died25 May 2014(2014-05-25) (aged 90)
Warsaw, Poland
Resting placePowązki Military Cemetery, Warsaw
Political partyPolish Workers' Party (1944-1948)
Polish United Workers' Party (1948-1990)
Independent (1990-2014)
SpouseBarbara Jaruzelska (1961-2014, his death)
ChildrenMonika Jaruzelska (b. 1963)
ProfessionMilitary
AwardsVirtuti Militari, Order of Polonia Restituta, Cross of Valor
Signature
WebsiteOfficial website
Military service
AllegiancePoland
Branch/servicePolish People's Army
Years of service1943–1989
RankGeneral of the Army
Battles/warsWorld War II
Battle of Berlin

Wojciech Witold Jaruzelski (Polish: [ˈvɔjt͡ɕɛx jaruˈzɛlskʲi] ⓘ; 6 July 1923 – 25 May 2014) was a Polish military officer and politician. He was First Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party from 1981 to 1989, and as such was the last leader of the People's Republic of Poland. He also served as Prime Minister from 1981 to 1985 and the country's head of state from 1985 to 1990 (titled as Chairman of the Council of State from 1985 to 1989 and as President from 1989 to 1990). He was also the last commander-in-chief of the Polish People's Army (LWP). He resigned after the Polish Round Table Agreement in 1989, which led to democratic elections in Poland.

Jaruzelski was chiefly responsible for the imposition of martial law in Poland on 13 December 1981 in an attempt to crush the pro-democracy movements, which included Solidarity, the first non-Communist trade union in Warsaw Pact history. Subsequent years saw his government and its internal security forces censor, persecute, and jail thousands of journalists and opposition activists without charge; others lost their lives during these same events. The resulting socio-economic crisis led to the rationing of basic foods such as sugar, milk, and meat, as well as materials such as gasoline and consumer products, while the median income of the population fell by as much as 40 percent. During Jaruzelski's rule from 1981 to 1989, around 700,000 people left the country.[1]

Early life

Wojciech Witold Jaruzelski was born on 6 July 1923 in Kurów,[2] into a family of Polish gentry.[2][3] He was the son of Wanda (née Zaremba) and Władysław Mieczysław Jaruzelski,[4] and was raised on the family estate near Wysokie (in the vicinity of Białystok). He was educated in a Catholic school during the 1930s.[2]

Jaruzelski (right, in uniform) with Fidel Castro (left) in Poland, May 1972

World War II commenced on 1 September 1939 with the invasion of Poland by Germany, aided by the Soviet invasion of Poland sixteen days later. These resulted in the complete defeat of Poland by October, and a partition between Soviet and German zones of control. Jaruzelski and his family fled to Lithuania and stayed with some friends there. However, a few months later, after Lithuania and the other Baltic states were forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union, Jaruzelski and his family were captured by the Red Army and deported to Siberia.[2][5] In 1940 at the age of sixteen,[6] Jaruzelski was sent to the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic,[2] where he performed forced labour in the Karaganda coal mines. During his labour work he was stricken with snow blindness and suffered permanent damage to his eyes as well as his back.[3] His eye condition forced him to wear dark sunglasses most of the time for the rest of his life, which became his trademark.[5] Jaruzelski's father died in 1942 from dysentery. His mother and sister survived the war (his mother died in 1966).

Military career

Jaruzelski was selected by the Soviet authorities for enrollment into the Soviet Officer Training School.[2] During his time in the Kazakh Republic, Jaruzelski wanted to join the non-Soviet controlled Polish exile army led by Władysław Anders,[6] but in 1943,[7] by which time the Soviet Union was fighting in Europe against Germany in the Eastern Front, he joined the Polish army units being formed under Soviet command.[3] He served in this Soviet-sponsored First Polish Army during the war.[2] He participated in the 1945 Soviet military takeover of Warsaw and the Battle of Berlin.[2] By the time the war ended that year, he had gained the rank of lieutenant.[3] He "further credited himself in Soviet eyes"[2] by engaging in combat against the non-Communist Polish Home Army, from 1945 to 1947.[2] After the end of the war, Jaruzelski graduated from the Polish Higher Infantry School, followed by graduation from the General Staff Academy.[7] He joined Poland's Communist party, the Polish United Workers' Party, in 1948[7] and became an informant for the Soviet supervised Main Directorate of Information of the Polish Army using the cover name Wolski.[8] In the initial post-war years, he was among those who fought the Polish anti-Communists ("cursed soldiers") in the Świętokrzyskie region. A BBC News profile of Jaruzelski states that his career "took off after the departure [from Poland] in 1956 of the Soviet Field Marshal, Konstantin Rokossovsky",[3] who had been Poland's Commander in Chief and Minister of Defence.[3] Jaruzelski became the chief political officer of the Polish armed forces in 1960, its chief of staff in 1964; and Polish Minister of Defense in 1968,[3] four years after he was elected to be a member of the Central Committee of the Polish United Workers' Party.[7] He benefited from an antisemitic campaign in the army, during which more than 1000 Jewish officers were demoted or expelled. Even the non-Jewish minister of defence, Marshal Marian Spychalski was persecuted.[9] Jaruzelski obtained his post.

In August 1968 General Jaruzelski as the defence minister ordered the 2nd Army under General Florian Siwicki (of the "LWP") to invade Czechoslovakia, resulting in military occupation of northern Czechoslovakia until 11 November 1968 when under his orders and agreements with the Soviet Union his Polish troops were withdrawn and replaced by the Soviet Army. In 1970, he was involved in the successful plot against Władysław Gomułka, which led to the appointment of Edward Gierek as General Secretary of the Polish United Workers Party. There is some question whether he took part in organizing the brutal suppression of striking workers; or whether his orders to the Communist military led to massacres in the coastal cities of Gdańsk, Gdynia, Elbląg and Szczecin. As Minister of Defense general Jaruzelski was ultimately responsible for 27,000 troops used against unarmed civilians.[10] He claims that he was circumvented, which is why he never apologized for his involvement, but he had an option of resigning open to him, especially after the resignation of foreign minister Adam Rapacki, and Jaruzelski did not.[10] Jaruzelski became a candidate member for the Politburo of the Polish United Workers' Party, the chief executive body of the party, obtaining full membership the following year.[2]

Leader of the Polish military government

Jaruzelski in 1987

On 11 February 1981, Jaruzelski was named Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister). On 18 October, Stanisław Kania was ousted as First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Polish United Workers' Party after a listening device recorded him criticising the Soviet leadership. Jaruzelski was elected his successor, becoming the only professional soldier to become leader of a ruling European Communist party.[5][7]

Jaruzelski in a television studio, preparing to announce the imposition of martial law, 1981

A fortnight after taking power, Jaruzelski met with Solidarity head Lech Wałęsa and Catholic primate Józef Glemp, and hinted that he wanted to bring the church and the union into a sort of coalition government. However, his intention was to crush Solidarity.[11] As early as September, while he was still merely prime minister, he met with his aides to find an excuse to impose martial law.[11] On 13 December, citing purported recordings of Solidarity leaders planning a coup, Jaruzelski organised his own coup by proclaiming martial law.[5] A Military Council of National Salvation was formed, with Jaruzelski as chairman. A BBC News profile of Jaruzelski contends that the establishment of martial law was "an attempt to suppress the Solidarity movement."[3]

According to Jaruzelski, martial law was necessary to avoid a Soviet invasion.[12] In a May 1992 interview with Der Spiegel, Jaruzelski said: "Given the strategic logic of the time, I probably would have acted the same way if I had been a Soviet general. At that time, Soviet political and strategic interests were threatened."[13] However, at a press conference in September 1997 Viktor Kulikov, former supreme commander of Warsaw Pact forces, denied that the Soviet Union had either threatened or intended to intervene.[14] According to Politburo minutes from 10 December 1981, Yuri Andropov stated "We do not intend to introduce troops into Poland. That is the proper position, and we must adhere to it until the end. I don't know how things will turn out in Poland, but even if Poland falls under the control of Solidarity, that's the way it will be."[15]

Jaruzelski also claimed in 1997 that Washington had given him a "green light", stating that he had sent Eugeniusz Molczyk to confer with Vice President George H. W. Bush and Bush had agreed with Molczyk that martial law was the lesser of two evils.[16] Whether this meeting with the American vice president occurred is disputed. While it is erroneously cited, Harvard historian Mark Kramer has pointed out that no documents support Jaruzelski's claim.[1]

Historical evidence released under Russian President Boris Yeltsin has been brought to light indicating that the Soviet Union did not plan to invade Poland. In fact, Jaruzelski actually tried to persuade the Soviets to invade Poland in order to support martial law, only to be sternly turned down. This left the Solidarity "problem" to be sorted out by the Polish government (see also Soviet reaction to the Polish crisis of 1980–1981). However, the exact plans of the Soviet Union at that time have never been determined. Jaruzelski, however, has justified cracking down by alleging that the threat of Soviet intervention was quite likely had he not dealt with Solidarity internally. This question, as well as many other facts about Poland in the years 1945–1989, are presently under the investigation of government historians at the Institute of National Remembrance (Instytut Pamięci Narodowej, IPN), whose publications reveal facts from the Communist-era archives. Additionally, there are numerous confirmations from Czech army officers of the time speaking of Operation Krkonoše, plan of armed invasion of Poland, because of which many units of the Czechoslovak People's Army were stationed on highest alert, ready for deployment within hours.[17]

In 1982 he helped reorganize the Front of National Unity, the organization the Communists used to manage their satellite parties, as the Patriotic Movement for National Rebirth.[1]

In 1985, Jaruzelski resigned as prime minister and defence minister and became the Chairman of the Polish Council of State — a post equivalent to that of head of state of Poland. However, his power centered on and firmly entrenched in his coterie of "LWP" generals and lower ranks officers of the Polish Communist Army.[1]

Presidency

Jaruzelski with Nicolae Ceaușescu

The policies of Mikhail Gorbachev stimulated political reform in Poland. By the close of its tenth plenary meeting in December 1988, the Polish United Workers Party was forced by spreading labour unrest to approach leaders of Solidarity for talks.[citation needed]

From 6 February to 15 April 1989, negotiations were held between 13 working groups during 94 sessions of the roundtable talks.[2] These negotiations "radically altered the shape "of the Polish government and society",[2] and resulted in an agreement which stated that a great degree of political power would be given to a newly created bicameral legislature. It also restored a post of president to act as head of state and chief executive.[2] Solidarity was also declared a legal organization.[2] During the ensuing partially-free elections, the Communists and their allies were allocated 65 percent of the seats in the Sejm. Solidarity won all the remaining elected seats, and 99 out of the 100 seats in the fully elected Senate were also won by Solidarity-backed candidates.[2] Amid such a crushing defeat, there were fears Jaruzelski would annul the results. However, he allowed them to stand.[18] Jaruzelski won the presidential ballot by one vote on 19 July 1989.[2]

Jaruzelski was unsuccessful in convincing Lech Wałęsa to include Solidarity in a "grand coalition"[2] with the Communists. He resigned as first secretary of the PZPR on 29 July 1989.[2][19] Mieczysław Rakowski succeeded him as party leader.[19]

The Communists initially intended to give Solidarity a few token cabinet posts for the sake of appearances. However, Wałęsa persuaded the Communists' two allied parties, the United People's Party (ZSL) and the Alliance of Democrats (SD), to break their alliance with the PZPR.[20] Accepting that he would have to appoint a Solidarity member as prime minister, Jaruzelski then asked Wałęsa to select three candidates, one of whom he would ask to form a government. Ultimately, Tadeusz Mazowiecki, who had helped organize the roundtable talks, was selected as first non-Communist prime minister of an Eastern Bloc country in four decades.[21] Jaruzelski resigned as president in 1990.[2] He was succeeded by Wałęsa, who had won the presidential election on 9 December.

On 31 January 1991, General Jaruzelski retired from the army.[22]

After retirement

Jaruzelski in 2006

In an interview conducted in 2001, Jaruzelski said that he believed Communism failed, and that he was now a social democrat. He also announced his support for then-President Aleksander Kwaśniewski, as well as future Prime Minister Leszek Miller. Both Kwaśniewski and Miller were members of the Democratic Left Alliance, the social democratic party that includes most of the remains of the PUWP.[6]

In May 2005, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded a medal commemorating the 60th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany to Jaruzelski. Other former leaders awarded the medal include former Romanian King Michael I.[23] Czech President Václav Klaus criticized this step, claiming that Jaruzelski was a symbol of the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. Jaruzelski said that he had apologized and that the decision on the August 1968 invasion had been a great "political and moral mistake".[24]

On 28 March 2006, Jaruzelski was awarded a Siberian Exiles Cross by Polish President Lech Kaczyński. However, after making this fact public Kaczyński claimed that this was a mistake and blamed the bureaucracy for giving him a document containing 1293 names without notifying him of Jaruzelski's presence within it. After this statement, Jaruzelski returned the cross.[25][26]

On 31 March 2006, the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) charged him with committing Communist crimes, mainly the creation of a criminal military organization with the aim of carrying out criminal acts — mostly concerned with the illegal imprisonment of people. A second charge involved inciting state ministers to commit acts beyond their competence.[26] Jaruzelski evaded most court appearances citing poor health. In December 2010, Jaruzelski suffered from severe pneumonia,[27] and in March 2011, he was diagnosed with lymphoma.[28] His wife Barbara threatened to file for divorce in 2014, saying she had caught his nurse Dorota in a compromising position with him.[29][30][31]

Conversion to Roman Catholicism and death

Jaruzelski's grave at Powązki Military Cemetery in Warsaw

Jaruzelski died on 25 May 2014, in a Warsaw hospital after suffering a stroke earlier that month.[32][33][34] Prior to his death, he reportedly requested last rites by a Catholic priest.[35][36] President Bronisław Komorowski and former Presidents Lech Wałęsa and Aleksander Kwaśniewski as well as hundreds of other Poles attended his funeral mass at the Field Cathedral of the Polish Army in Warsaw on 30 May. Wałęsa and Komorowski, who were among the thousands imprisoned during the crackdown on Solidarity in 1981, both stated that judgment against Jaruzelski "would be left to God".[36][37] Jaruzelski was then cremated and buried with full military honors at Powązki Military Cemetery in Warsaw, near the grave of Bolesław Bierut, the first Communist leader of Poland after World War II.[38] The decision to bury Jaruzelski at Powązki, the resting place of Polish soldiers killed defending their country since the early 19th century, resulted in protests.[35]

Personal life

Jaruzelski married Barbara Halina Jaskólska (1930–) in 1961.[39] They had a daughter, Monika who was born on 11 August 1963. Monika has a son, Gustav.

Legacy

The BBC reported in 2001 that "for some Poles — particularly the Solidarity generation — he is little short of a traitor",[3] even comparing his philosophy of "a strong Poland within a Soviet dominated bloc" to Vidkun Quisling's philosophy of a similar status for Norway within the Nazi controlled hemisphere.[citation needed] Meanwhile, opinion polls as of 15 May 2001 suggested that a majority of the Polish people were open to agreeing with his explanation that martial law was implemented to prevent a Soviet invasion.[3] Available documents indicate that Jaruzelski actually lobbied for Soviet intervention.[10] In interviews in Russian media (Rossiyskaya Gazeta for example) he has been presented as the harbinger of Poland's democracy.[citation needed]

Croatian writer Slavenka Drakulić described Jaruzelski as a "tragic believer in Communism who made a pact with the devil in good faith".[40]

Written works

Różnić się mądrze (English translation: To Differ Wisely) (1999).[7]

"Być może to ostatnie słowo (wyjaśnienia złożone przed Sądem)" (English translation:"It may be the last word (explanations given in the Court)") (2008).

Honours and awards

Polish
Foreign

References

  1. ^ a b c d CIA’s Historical Review (24 October 1997). "Cold War era analysis" (PDF file, direct download 12.2 MB). Soviet – East European Military Relations in Historical Perspective Sources and Reassessments. 1 (1). The Historical Collections Division (HCD) of the Office of Information Management Services: 18 of 44. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Profile: Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski". Cable Network News (CNN). Archived from the original on 13 June 2008. Retrieved 24 November 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Repa, Jan (16 May 2001). "Profile: Poland's last Communist leader". British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) News. Retrieved 26 November 2008.
  4. ^ Jaruzelski, prime minister of Poland: selected speeches – Wojciech Jaruzelski, Robert Maxwell – Google Books. Books.google.ca. 3 November 2006. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d Sebetsyen, Victor (2009). Revolution 1989: The Fall of the Soviet Empire. New York City: Pantheon Books. ISBN 0-375-42532-2.
  6. ^ a b c Green, Peter S. (27 May 2001). "An Aging Ex-Dictator Who Refuses To Recant". The New York Times. p. 2. Retrieved 29 November 2008.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "Wojciech Witold Jaruzelski". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 24 November 2008.
  8. ^ WPR Article | The Jaruzelski Case: The Ascent of Agent 'Wolski'
  9. ^ The Struggle in the Polish Leadership and the Revolt of the Apparat
  10. ^ a b c Szporer, Michael. "General Wojciech Jaruzelski". Global Museum on Communism.
  11. ^ a b Poland marks Communist crackdown, BBC News, 13 December 2006
  12. ^ How the Soviet Union Disappeared: An Essay on the Causes of Dissolution – Google Books
  13. ^ Das war psychische Folter Der Spiegel, 11 May 1992.
  14. ^ Malcolm Byrne, "New Evidence on the Polish Crisis 1980–1981", Cold War International History Project Bulletin 11 (Winter 1998), p. 4
  15. ^ Minutes of CPSU CC Politburo, 10 Dec 1981, Document No. 21, p. 165.
  16. ^ Jane Perlez, "Warsaw Journal: Old Cold War Enemies Exhume One Battlefield", The New York Times, 11 November 1997, p. 14.
  17. ^ Petr Klan » Když disident ujede
  18. ^ Sarotte, Mary Elise. The Collapse: The Accidental Opening of the Berlin Wall. Basic Books. p. 23. ISBN 9780465064946. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |city= ignored (|location= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ a b Butturini, Paula (30 July 1989). "Solidarity Foe Is New Polish Party Chief". Chicago Tribune. Warsaw. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  20. ^ Piotr Wróbel, Rebuilding Democracy in Poland, 1989-2004, in M. B. B. Biskupski; James S. Pula; Piotr J. Wrobel (25 May 2010). The Origins of Modern Polish Democracy. Ohio University Press. pp. 273–275. ISBN 978-0-8214-1892-5. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  21. ^ Martin, Douglas (28 October 2013). "Tadeusz Mazowiecki, Ex-Premier of Poland, Dies at 86".
  22. ^ "Stanisław Ciosek: Gen. Jaruzelski to wielki Polak. Powinniśmy być mu wdzięczni". Wiadomosci.onet.pl. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  23. ^ Putin gives medal to Poland's Communist-era strongman
  24. ^ http://www.mosnews.com/news/2005/08/22/jaruzelski.shtml[dead link]
  25. ^ http://wyborcza.pl/1,76842,3247791.html
  26. ^ a b "Gwardianie generała". Wiadomosci.onet.pl. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  27. ^ 29 Dec 2010 (29 December 2010). "Wojciech Jaruzelski 'admitted to hospital with pneumonia'". Telegraph. Retrieved 28 May 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ Herald, Catholic. "Do not judge Jaruzelski, say Polish archbishops". CatholicHerald.co.uk. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  29. ^ Poland's Last Soviet-Era Dictator, aged 90, Seduces his Nurse, International Business Times
  30. ^ Wife of former Polish dictator seeking divorce over his affair with nurse: report, New York Daily News
  31. ^ Polish ex-dictator's wife wants divorce after his love affair with caretaker, Voice of Russia
  32. ^ Nie żyje gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski
  33. ^ Poland's last Communist leader Wojciech Jaruzelski dies. 25 May 2014, BBC News.
  34. ^ Poland's Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski dies at 90. Warsaw, Poland (AP), 25 May 2014.
  35. ^ a b Prayers, protests at Polish general's funeral - US News
  36. ^ a b Poland's Walesa kneels in prayer at funeral mass for former foe Jaruzelski | Reuters. 30 May 2014
  37. ^ Walesa: 'I will leave God to judge Jaruzelski' — The Scotsman
  38. ^ Three presidents to attend Jaruzelski funeral - National. 30 May 2014, TheNews.pl
  39. ^ Hella Pick, General Wojciech Jaruzelski obituary, The Guardian, retrieved 29 October 2014
  40. ^ Vanessa Gera, Poland's last Communist leader, Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski, dies at age 90, The Associated Press, retrieved 28 May 2014
  41. ^ "Jaruzelski gets highest Soviet prize". Reading Eagle. Moscow. AP. 5 July 1983. Retrieved 7 September 2013.

Bibliography

  • Berger, Manfred E. Jaruzelski: Traitor or Patriot? London: Hutchinson, 1990. ISBN 0091744660
  • Berger, Manfred E., and Zbigniew Bauer. Jaruzelski. Kraków: Oficyna Cracovia, 1991. ISBN 8385104216
  • Labedz, Leopold. Poland Under Jaruzelski: A Comprehensive Sourcebook on Poland During and After Martial Law. New York: Scribner, 1984. ISBN 0684181169
  • Pelinka, Anton. Politics of the Lesser Evil: Leadership, Democracy, & Jaruzelski's Poland. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 1999. ISBN 1560003677
  • Swidlicki, Andrzej. Political Trials in Poland, 1981–1986. London: Croom Helm, 1988. ISBN 0709944446
  • Weschler, Lawrence. The Passion of Poland, from Solidarity Through the State of War. New York: Pantheon Books, 1982. ISBN 0394722868
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wojciech Jaruzelski.
Political offices
Preceded by Prime Minister of Poland
11 February 1981 – 6 November 1985 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chairman of the Council of State
6 November 1985 – 19 July 1989 		Succeeded by
Preceded by President of Poland
19 July 1989 – 22 December 1990 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by First Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party
18 October 1981 – 29 July 1989 		Succeeded by
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