Audio Walesa calls for freer markets; chides U.S. on helping poor countries (story audio) Photos Lech Walesa Tools E-mail this page Print this page Sponsor

Former Polish leader Lech Walesa told a Minneapolis audience Tuesday night that freer global markets would help poorer countries get ahead. (MPR Photo/Annie Baxter)

Lech Walesa, who was the leader of the trade union Solidarity movement in Poland during communist rule, is in Minnesota this week talking about free markets. Walesa was one of the key figures in the collapse of communism in his country, and is a Nobel Peace Prize winner. He spoke Tuesday night at a dinner held in his honor in Minneapolis. Walesa also called for a more equal distribution of the world's wealth.

Minneapolis, Minn. — Lech Walesa greeted the Twin Cities audience members with humility and humor, warning that he might not have anything useful to say, and could even waste their time.

But his tone was self-effacing for only so long. His attitude grew more confrontational, as he addressed the crowd as "you America, the superpower."

Walesa spoke through a female interpreter.

"Until the end of the 20th century, the United States was always the ultimate refuge to everyone else around the world. The ultimate. Are you still the ultimate hope to the world? I have my doubts," he said.

Walesa praised the U.S. decision to invade Afghanistan after 9/11, but criticized the war in Iraq.

Until the end of the 20th century, the United States was always the ultimate refuge to everyone else around the world. Are you still? I have my doubts. - Lech Walesa

He argued the U.S. is spending too much time trying to fix other countries' problems, without showing them how to do so themselves.

In many ways, it's not surprising that an historic agitator like Walesa would come armed with strong opinions.

He was a pivotal figure in clashes between Polish workers and the communist government during the 1970s, was kept under surveillance, and detained on numerous occasions. He championed a political movement that led to the fall of the communist regime in Poland, and as the country's president in the early '90s, helped democracy and a free market economy.

Walesa shared his views on how the world's superpowers can help build free markets in the developing world. He said they can't simply provide poor countries with money and food, but need instead to help in the creation of jobs.

"So this is the task that today's world faces -- to help the others, to help them lift themselves to a different level. Not by giving them ready-caught fish, but the fishing rods."

Walesa said developing other countries' economies raises standards of living and creates a demand for American goods.

One Twin Cities executive in the audience said that's what happened in Poland. Inge Thulin is vice president of international operations at Maplewood-based 3M. He says Walesa made it possible for companies like 3M to expand into Poland and central Europe.

"We have a big interest in Poland, because it's strategically very important to us," said Thulin. "When you think about it, Poland is not only the bridge to central and east Europe, but also the bridge to west Europe and to the world."

Walesa's hour-long speech covered a variety of weighty subjects, such as globalization and the impact of China's population. But he also seemed to delight in teasing the audience and poking fun at himself.

Walesa jokingly predicted that European countries would join forces and form a United States of Europe.

"This is my idea, so I hope to be elected president of those United States," Walesa said. "And of course, we will shortly federate that United States of Europe with the United States of America, and I hope that you will vote for me then when I run for presidency. At this point I didn't hear you laugh so loud."

Lech Walesa's Minnesota visit continues with a speech Wednesday night at St. John's University in Collegeville.