Politics of the past: the use and abuse of history - Socialists ...

Instead, police records confirm the genuine nature of the Polish opposition
and its leaders. Advocates of conspiracy theory still maintain
their stance however.
Recently, documents were revealed which state that Lech Wałęsa
was registered as an informant at the time of his arrest in December
1970. Wałęsa’s accusers admit that all contact ceased in 1974
and are unable to respond to the doubts raised in relation to the nature
and intensity of such contacts. Nonetheless, the lack of clarity
pertaining to the years 1971-1974 allows opponents to undermine
Wałęsa’s credibility as the leader of the Polish freedom movement
and the genuine nature of his stance in 1989 and subsequent
years. It follows that the credibility and genuineness of the Round
Table compromise agreement and the transition to democracy are
also called into question.
The investigations that have taken place in Poland have certainly
not served reconciliation. On the contrary, they have generated
pressure for political change and for the replacement of the ruling
class – the very things the leaders of the right hope will come about.
Despite the adoption of a very broad definition of collaboration with
the secret services – the mere fact of being registered suffices –
the right has not achieved its aims. The premise that the opposition
and Solidarność were manipulated by agents has not been confirmed
either. There are extensive records of the activities of genuine
agents, but little interest has been shown in them unless they played
an important part in the opposition, in Solidarność, in the events of
1989, or had important roles in the Third Republic. No such individuals
have been identified. I therefore believe that the significance
of investigation as an issue in contemporary Polish politics is declining.
Nonetheless, we shall continue to have to deal with theories
about plots and allegations against prominent individuals.
These attitudes stem from awareness on the right that its role in
the struggle for freedom and in the efforts to build a democratic
state was secondary. The aim is therefore simply to detract from
the merits of those who deserve recognition.
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