Controversy over Jaruzelski meeting

27th November 2010

President Bronislaw Komorowski found himself under fire after inviting General Wojciech Jaruzelski, Poland’s last communist leader, to a discussion about the forthcoming visit with Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president.

The general, who imposed martial law in 1981, was invited to a special meeting of the National Security Council along with all of Poland’s past presidents and prime ministers owing to his long experience of the Russians.

“There are few people who know Russia as well as General Jaruzelski does,” said Slawomir Nowak, a senior aide to President Komorowski, in a radio interview justifying the invitation.

But his presence at the table angered many given his harsh ...