French Communist chief adamant on Polish stand

By With Analysis From Monitor Correspondents Around The World; Edited By Susan Garland

February 5, 1982

St. Ouen, France

French Communist Party chief Georges Marchais, facing an evident rift in his party and out of step with Italian Communists, walked a fine line in a speech at this week's 24th French Communist Party Congress, according to Monitor contributor William Echikson.

Mr. Marchais affirmed his party's independence from Moscow, but didn't budge in his support for martial law in Poland. He is expected to be reelected Sunday as the party's general secretary.