Funeral held for former PM Józef Oleksy

Oleksy, a communist party functionary for two decades, took part in the 1989 Round Table Talks with Solidarity trade union leaders, a process that paved the way for democracy in Poland.

He later served as prime minister from 1995 to 1996.

During the funeral homily at Warsaw's Field Cathedral of the Polish Army, Archbishop Sławek Leszek Głódż stressed Oleksy's legacy as a man of compromise.

According to the archbishop, Oleksy ''was not one of the janissaries of the old system, those in the first line of ideological and political struggle.''

The archbishop reflected that Oleksy chose ''the way of dialogue'', and likewise showed much sensitivity as a politician.

Among those attending the funeral were President Bronislaw Komorowski, Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz and Speaker of Parliament Radoslaw Sikorski.

Also present were colleagues from the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), the party created and led by former communists following the collapse of the Iron Curtain. Attendees included former president Aleksander Kwasniewski, and former prime minister Leszek Miller.

Following the service, Oleksy was laid to rest at the Powązki Military Cemetery.

Józef Oleksy had battled with cancer for many years. He died on 9 January, aged 68. (nh)

Source: PAP