Walesa Needs Help to Keep Pace

Former Polish president and Solidarity leader Lech Walesa has announced that he will undergo heart surgery soon to keep his clock ticking. Doctors advised the 64-year-old who suffers from an irregular heartbeat to have a defibrillator - or pacemaker - implanted to monitor his heart. The device shocks the heart back into a normal rhythm if abnormal beating occurs and can prevent death from a sudden heart attack.

Walesa, who is still active in politics (at least in terms of his steady quips and criticisms), said his situation is not too serious. However, he admitted his heart (which has no doubt been worked hard over the years) has begun showing signs of wear. The controversy over the possible closure of the beloved Gdansk shipyard, where Walesa orchestrated the Solidarity movement's overthrow of Poland's communist government, has no doubt added to the former president's stress. Hopefully, Mr. Walesa and the shipyard both will make speedy recoveries, but our money is on Walesa's being faster and fitter...