Good example

This is a good example to follow. Lech Walesa, the former Polish president, is now back in his old job as an electrician at Gdansk shipyard.

Through his leadership, Solidarity won the fight against the communist regime in Poland, and history made him president of that country. He led his country and nation for five years and made himself a well-known politician throughout the world. However, in the recent race for the top position for another five years, he was beaten by his communist opponent. He stepped down gracefully without any hard feelings, accepting his defeat naturally. So he is now an ordinary citizen again.

"I'm still too young to retire," he said "and I need money to live. Therefore I have come back to Gdansk as an electrician in the shipyard earning US$250 a month."

This is indeed a dramatic event which may not pass unnoticed. Lech Walesa is an honest man, a man of high integrity. He did not build up wealth during his presidential tenure.

Like Mrs. Corazon Aquino of the Philippines, who stepped down from her post as president and returned to being an ordinary citizen, Walesa led his country to democracy. Aquino, also, has never claimed to be the person most worthy of honor in her country. Both Lech Walesa and Corry Aquino deserve our praise and honor. They seem to have no post-power syndrome. I hope this good example can be followed by those holding power in Indonesia.

H.W. PIENANDORO

Bogor, West Java