POLAND: DEMONSTRATIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84B00049R001202900019-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 19, 2006
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: September 1, 1982
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2009/04/01 : CIA-RDP84B00049R001202900019-7
Top Secret
The clashes yesterday between police and Solidarity supporters
appear to be the largest since early May. F1 25X1
Police used tear gas, water cannons, flares, and
percussion grenades to disperse protesters in Warsaw
and at least 10 other major cities. The crowds ranged
from several hundred in Lublin to perhaps 15,000 in
Warsaw. Altogether, more than 35,000 people may have
been involved in the demonstrations, according to US
Embassy estimates. n
The groups were made up mostly of students and
younger workers. Disorders in Warsaw, Gdansk, and near
Krakow continued late into the night as de=monstrators
repeatedly regrouped after being dispersed by riot police.
Near midnight Polish officials claimed order had
been restored in most areas. Crews were dispatched to
clean up the debris in Warsaw. Curfews were imposed
in Wroclaw--a militant stronghold--and several other
cities. F
The regime relied mainly on special motorized riot
police to break up the demonstrations, but an unusually
large number of regular military, as well as regular and
auxiliary police, were held in reserve. The security
forces reportedly showed little restraint in clashes
with the protesters. Initial Polish press reports claim
both sides suffered casualties, and several hundred pro-
testers were arrested. F1
Comment: The demonstrations probably were larger
than the government expected. The authorities clearly
hoped that their massive show of force and warnings of
the past few days would intimidate potential demonstrators.
Security personnel probably will remain in a high state
of readiness out of concern that demonstrations will con-
tinue over the next several days, as they did in several
cities in May. F1
Many union activists apparently were not intimidated
and may again take to the streets. Most demonstrators,
however, probably believe they have made their point and
will lie low.
State Dept. review completed
Top Secret
1 September 1982
Approved For Release 2009/04/01: CIA-RDP84B00049ROO1202900019-7
 Approved For Release 2009/04/01: CIA-RDP84B00049ROO1202900019-7
Boundary representation is
not necessarily authoritative.
Approved For Release 2009/04/01: CIA-RDP84B00049ROO1202900019-7