ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 24, 1995 TAG: 9512270065
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WARSAW, POLAND
SOURCE: Associated Press
Pledging to continue the country's democratic and free-market reforms, former Communist Aleksander Kwasniewski was sworn in Saturday as president of Poland.
Kwasniewski, 41, succeeds Lech Walesa, the former Solidarity leader, whom he edged in the Nov. 19 election on promises of creating brighter prospects for Poland's young people.
With his wife, Jolanta, standing beside him, Kwasniewski took the presidential oath before the National Assembly.
Walesa, who refused to attend Saturday's ceremony, became Poland's first popularly elected president in 1990, one year after his Solidarity trade union movement toppled a more than 40-year communist dictatorship.
But his popularity plummeted during his term as Poles rejected a style they viewed as obstinate: He fired three prime ministers, alienated potential allies and feuded constantly with the parliament.
In a nationally televised inauguration speech, Kwasniewski reaffirmed his democratic and market-oriented stance and promised to continue working to bring Poland into NATO and the European Union.
``I believe we can overcome the divisions and seek what unites Poles,'' he said.
Kwasniewski's inauguration was tarnished by allegations that Poland's prime minister, his longtime ally, spied for Moscow.
It also was marred by protests against both men as about 2,000 people chanted ``Down with the Communists'' and ``Lech Walesa'' in a demonstration outside parliament.
The November election deeply divided Poland into supporters of Walesa, a staunch anti-communist, and those behind the youthful-looking Kwasniewski, many of whom think historical resentments should be forgotten.
The espionage allegations against Prime Minister Jozef Oleksy were made public Tuesday after a Walesa supporter asked the military prosecutor's office to investigate.
Oleksy denies he betrayed his country. He acknowledges frequent contacts with high-ranking Russians but says the evidence against him was ``fabricated to a great extent'' by Walesa supporters.
In his inauguration speech, Kwasniewski addressed worries that he and his allies who now control all major offices in Poland could revert to old communist policies.
``This is not a turning point or a revolution. This is still the road forward,'' he said.
``Nobody can question the enormous achievements of the last six years,'' since democratic and market transformations began, he said. ``To all those who have carried out this great breakthrough, I express the words of utmost respect.''
In a call to Western investors, Kwasniewski said Poland is open, stable and a good place to do business.
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Newly sworn-in President Aleksander Kwasniewskiby CNBpromises to continue working to bring Poland into NATO.