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Walesa row mars Polish festivity

President Lech Kaczynski has not invited the 1980s Solidarity leader and former president to a Warsaw gala ball, due to be attended by some 800 guests.

Mr Kaczynski said he had been insulted by Mr Walesa so often that he did not want subject himself to more.

Mr Kaczynski's slight has angered government and church officials.

Lech Walesa is an icon in his homeland for his role in toppling communism in 1989, the BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw says.

The former shipyard worker went on to become president in 1990-95. He was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983.

Read entire article at BBC