Walesa snubs Libertas with call for Yes
Tuesday May 26 2009
LECH Walesa, Poland's veteran pro-democracy activist and former president, said he wants Irish voters to back the Lisbon Treaty despite his links with Declan Ganley's Libertas which is campaigning for a 'No' vote.
Mr Walesa defended his decision to speak at events organised in various EU capitals by Libertas ahead of the European elections. But in an embarrassing turn of events for the 'No' camp group, he said Ireland should back the treaty.
"On the Lisbon Treaty I don't agree with Libertas," he said.
"Libertas and I both have almost the same diagnosis of the EU's failings, but the remedies we propose are quite different. I want to reform the EU from within. They want to demonstrate from the outside and I don't agree with this."
Mr Walesa was interviewed by Reuters in the port of Gdansk, where he led the Solidarity trade union's protests against communist rule in the 1980s.
Libertas says the charter will lead to more bureaucracy and less democracy in the 27-nation European Union.
Mr Walesa's association with Libertas has resulted in reports he was paid substantial five-figure sums to speak at their conferences. But the large figures were denied by Libertas.
Mr Walesa (65) has previously conceded he agreed to speak at Libertas events for the money.
When pressed on why he associated with Libertas, Mr Walesa, who is known for his fiery temper, said: "Should we not talk to them? Should we lock them up and beat them up? I will not listen to those who say that and criticise me."
Mr Walesa is now being pressed to campaign for the treaty during the second referendum in the autumn.
"I don't like the Lisbon Treaty but this is a better driver than no driver at all," he said. "We have to accept it as soon as possible and then start thinking how to improve it."
A Libertas spokesman said: "We share with Lech Walesa a common view of the problems facing the EU -- it needs to be more democratic and accountable to its people."
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