LECH WALÊSA
Lech Wa³êsa (born 1943) - trade union leader, politician, Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1983, President of the Republic of Poland (1990-1995). He holds honorary degrees from several universities, including Harvard, Columbia and Gdañsk. In 1980 he was the leader of the strike at the Gdañsk Shipyard, and later became head of the Inter-Factory Strike Committee. From 1980 to 1981 he was head of the Solidarity National Committee. He took part in negotiations with the Communist authorities, the outcome of which was the agreement reached at the Round Table talks in 1989. In 1990 he was elected leader of the Solidarity trade union. Polish President 1990-95. He is the author of several autobiographical books, 'Droga nadziei' (A Path of Hope - 1987), and 'Droga do wolno¶ci' (The Path to Freedom - 1991).