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Polish miners in pit closure riot
By Matthew Day in Warsaw
(Filed: 12/09/2003)
Warsaw endured some of the worst rioting seen since the fall of communism yesterday, as demonstrating miners affiliated to the Solidarity trade union attacked buildings and left a a trail of destruction. At least 40 policemen were injured when hundreds of miners broke away from a demonstration against proposed pit closures. Police guarding government offices were attacked with petrol bombs, cobblestones and fireworks. The fighting marked a sharp turn for the worse in relations between government and unions and will damage the name of Solidarity, which launched the protests that destroyed communism in Poland 20 years ago. Piotr Wesoly, 44, who has worked in a pit for 26 years, said: "We have nothing to lose. If they sack us we have no place to go - and I have two kids and a wife to look after." The miners smashed windows at the offices of the ruling Democratic Left Alliance party, which has its roots in the old Communist Party, but reserved most venom for the economic ministry. Miners, who easily outnumbered police, besieged the ministry, situated on one of Warsaw's most picturesque squares. At least two policeman were engulfed in flames from a barrage of petrol bombs and isolated officers were attacked by groups of miners wielding pick-axes. The police managed to clear the square only after heavy use of teargas and water cannon. Fighting then spread to the prime minister's office, where lines of policeman fought off frequent and determined attacks from rioters. The government has to cut subsidies to the mines as part of the country's accession to the European Union next year. Since the return of democracy in 1989, Polish governments have shied away from tackling losses at the hugely unprofitable mines, in part because of their role as the vanguard of the anti-communist struggle.
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