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On Saturday 30th August 2008, the former President, accompanied only by his closest associates, celebrated the 28th anniversary of the signing of the August Agreement in Gdansk.
I chose this idea, as I don't think I should celebrate with these people that steal the victory, or turn against their leader', said Walesa after laying the flowers. 'If they are heroes, if they were winning, then let them win as they wish. And I do it my way', stressed he. Lech Walesa also remarked that the direction of reforms is as it should be. 'Maybe the roads to this goal are too windy and not just enough, but this is another matter altogether, and democracy somehow deals with it', he added.
Lech Walesa did not participate in the official Holy Mass in the Saint Brigid Basilica, attended by the President Lech Kaczynski. 'There's nothing to see there - it will be just displays and bragging of those that were cowering under benches at that time, and now they are playing heroes. I would be too ashamed if I went', he summed up. He said that he can come to terms with the current president, but only on certain conditions. 'I am ready, but he must remember where were the police paramilitaries and where were the workers. He must remember who was the leader of this all. Once he learns all this, I am ready', he said. Lech Walesa is sure that soon there will be talk about one big victory, and there will be much more reverence towards these anniversaries. According to Lech Walesa, 'we need to wait for the law, for the proper historians'. 'And those that are wrong, who play their small interests today, these will fall, because democracy will look at their results and will cast them away', he added.
The main official commemoration of the 28th anniversary of the signing of the August Agreement and the 20th anniversary of 1988 strikes were held in Gdansk on Sunday. The President Lech Kaczynski took part in the commemoration; in his speech, he did not mention the merits and contribution of Lech Walesa, the former Solidarity leader, in the success of the August Agreement.
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