Polish Militia Grants Field Exit Visa

Andrew Field, who taught Slavic Languages and Literatures here last year, has been granted an exit visa by the Polish authorities despite his conviction for assaulting a border guard.

According to dispatches of the Associated Press yesterday, Polish officials have given him clearance to leave the country. He plans to wait a few days, however, in the hope of getting the status of his case clarified, and of getting his ball money returned.

The status of his case is doubtful; his conviction carried an eight month suspended sentence, and the recent decision of the Polish militia only means that his stay in Poland may be ended. The U.S. Embassy in Warsaw is making sure that the suspended sentence can be considered final.

Three Years' Salary

Field was fined 250 zlotys (about $10) by the Polish court, and released on a ball of $3000 posted by his parents. He is seeking to have this money returned. Its equivalent in zlotys, 75000, is three times the average yearly salary of Polish citizens.

The charges arose from an argument between Field and a Polish-German border guard on Jan. 21, when the guard questioned the validity of the American's transit visa. According to court testimony, the visa was filled out incorrectly in Moscow by Polish embassy officials.

Although Field admitted that he shook the officer by the lapels in the course of the argument, for which he was convicted, he claimed that the dispute was merely "a linguistic misunderstanding."

A second charge, of using "abusive and offensive language," did not stand up in court.

Field is 26 years old, and comes from South Orange, N.J. When arrested he was traveling from Moscow to Paris with his wife Audrey. He plans to return to Cambridge.