The World - News from Nov. 16, 1988

Lech Walesa, leader of the banned Solidarity trade union, said he no longer believes that stalled talks with Poland’s Communist government on the country’s future will take place. But he accepted an offer to discuss the role of trade unions in Poland in a television debate with Alfred Miodowicz, the leader of the government-sponsored trade union alliance and a member of the ruling Communist Party Politburo. It would be Walesa’s first appearance on state television since Solidarity was suppressed under martial law in 1981. In August, the government offered to hold talks with Solidarity, saying it would consider the possibility of re-legalizing the union. But the sides have failed to agree on terms for a meeting.