Warsaw, March 2 : 57 per cent of Poles in a OBOP poll said they are in favour of keeping existing visa requirements vis-a-vis citizens of countries east of Poland. 31 pct were against it. Also 43 pct of those speaking in favour of visas would want the U.S. to lift the visa requirement for Poles. 28 pct of the polled spoke in favour of lifting U.S. visas for Poles and Polish visas for eastern neighbours.

Warsaw, March 3: Piotr Nowina-Konopka, chancellor of the European College in Natolin, Warsaw, a co-founder and activist of the Robert Schuman Foundation, was decorated with the Knight's Order of the French Legion of Honour. The ceremony was performed by the French Ambassador to Poland, M. Patrick Gautrat. The order was conferred upon in recognition for its recipients's contribution to the development of Polish-French relations and his services for the European Union. Nowina-Konopka, former minister and Sejm deputy, is a co-founder and secretary of the Freedom Union (UW). The French Order of the Legion of Honour founded by Napoleon in 1802 is the highest French distinction conferred upon outstanding and merited military and civilian persons.

Visegrad Group: EU labour markets should open to new members

Prague, March 8: European Union labour markets should open without any restrictions to citizens of new EU states, believe PMs of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia as well as the Hungarian minister for integration who all met in Prague at a summit of the Visegrad Group. However, during the meeting, attended by PM Leszek Miller, the sides failed to agree on a joint position on the EU Constitutional Treaty. Poland strongly advocates the vote-taking system to the EU Council adopted in Nice in 2000. Miller said that the creation of any barriers should be treated negatively and that fears of old EU members were groundless. Czech PM Vladimir Spidla said the Group shared opinions on a number of matters and that it would not cease to exist after integration. Slovak PM Mikulas Dzurinda declared his country would liberalise its labour market for new EU members while Hungarian Minister Endre Juhasz said his country would act on the principle of reciprocity. Also EU financial affairs and the post of the head of the European Investment Bank were discussed. L. Miller said that for the first three years following integration the bank will be governed by a representative of the Czech Republic and as of 2007 by Marek Belka from Poland. The meeting is meant to prepare the Visegrad Group states for a forthcoming EU summit in Brussels scheduled for March 25-26.

PM backs plans to form Central European fuel concern

Prague, March 8: PM Leszek Miller backed plans to form the Central-European fuel concern to include firms from Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. "Consolidation is an answer to competition challenges. We support plans to form the Central-European concern. Polish Orlen is advanced in negotiations with Hungarian MOL. Talks are also in progress with fuel and power enterprises from Slovakia and Czech Republic," Miller said following Visegrad Group's summit. "If the consolidation is not carried out, our enterprises may simply be swallowed by big western concerns," he added. Miller discussed fuel concern formation plans with Czech and Slovak PMs.

Cimoszewicz visits Nigeria

Abudja, March 8: Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, now on a two-day visit to Nigeria, said here that Poland had a broad range of cooperation offers to present to that country that cover ship-building, extraction, agricultural machines and arms industries. He added that after integration with the EU Polish investors would be able to sponsor investments in Nigeria from EU funds. Cimoszewicz recalled that Poland's investments in Nigeria included construction of a mine which unfortunately was flooded. "But we may construct another one," he declared. Nigerian defence minister will be invited to Poland to an arms industry fair scheduled for September. Cimoszewicz, who is accompanied by a group of businessmen said he would like to see their Nigerian counterparts paying a return visit to Poland. The agenda of his visit assumes a meeting with President Oluseguna Obasanjo.

MP voices reservations to security level of soldiers in Iraq

Camp Babylon, March 8: A lot has to be done to improve security of Polish soldiers, according to Citizens' Platform (PO) MP Bronislaw Komorowski, deputy head of the Sejm defence committee and a member of a delegation to the so-called Polish zone in Iraq, led by the deputy Defence Minister Janusz Zemke. Komorowski said that Hausner's economic austerity plan was, in his opinion, tantamount to limiting spending for the armed forces. "Hausner's plan will be implemented in Poland not in Iraq," Minister Zemke reacted. Zemke said 90 percent of equipment sent to Iraq passed the test, bases were better organised than previously and soldiers felt more secure. The third contingent would zoom in on cooperation with Iraqi civillian authorities and training for police and armed forces. The delegation also visited the base of the Multinational division in Karbala and Hillah and met with the region provisional authorities.

Debt will exceed 55 pct of GDP if zloty/euro at over 4.5

Warsaw, March 8: Poland's public debt will exceed 55 percent of the GDP if the Polish zloty weakens to below 4.5 per the euro at the end of 2004, Economy Minister Jerzy Hausner warned. Success of his austerity plan, which foresees gradual spending cuts in 2004-7, hinges on zloty firming to at least 4.5 per euro from current 4.80. "Success of the plan boils down to preventing public debt from exceeding 55 percent of the GDP. If we exceed it, then we will also exceed 60 percent. This depends on the forex rate. If it is 4.30-4.50 then we will make it. The sooner such a rate is achieved the better," Hausner said at a meeting with entrepreneurs. Exceeding the barrier of 55 pct of the GDP this year would make it necessary to halt the growth of the debt in the coming years which would be only possible by deep cuts or tax rises

Hausner wants treasury minister to present privatisation projects

Warsaw, March 9: Economy Minister Jerzy Hausner wants the state treasury minister to present main privatisation projects within the coming two weeks. Hausner met entrepreneurs at the National Economic Chamber to discuss his austerity plan. He hopes for investment boost and expects new legislation on economic activity to help attract investments. Hausner also wants the parliament to work on the bills from his austerity plan as a matter of urgency. The minister told the entrepreneurs that Poland's economy would grow 5 percent in first quarter of 2004. Production will grow over 20 percent month-on-month.

Rover may sign Daewoo-FSO agreement on March 15

Warsaw, March 8: The British MG Rover may sign an agreement with Poland to invest in Daewoo-FSO's Warsaw car plan on March 15, Deputy Treasury Minister Ignacy Bochenek informed and said it is premature to estimate the value of the project. The plant's annual manufacturing capacity is 250,000 units but it will depend on MG Rover.

Sejm resolution on German claims urged by RKN deputy

Opole, March 8: The National Catholic Movement (RKN) Sejm deputy from Opole Jerzy Czerwinski called on MPs, especially those elected in districts located in Poland's western territories, to support the draft resolution on German compensation claims against Polish citizens and entities. "I call on all MPs (..) There should be no division into opposition and the ruling coalition on that matter," Czerwinski declared. The draft resolution, written by several right-wing Sejm groups, was debated in parliament and won support from all caucuses, but the SLD and the PO want to introduce some changes. The Sejm considers all issues pertaining to Poland's taking over of properties formerly owned by resettlers finally closed, the draft says. "The issues cannot be in any way reviewed by" the Tribunal of Justice in Luxembourg and the Human Rights Tribunal in Strasbourg. This applies to possible compensation claims as well. "The Sejm states that Poland will not feel bound by any ruling made by the EU institutions in these cases." The draft also calls on the government to include proper reservations in the EU Constitutional Treaty and to make relevant declarations to EU governments. Czerwinski criticised the government for not defending Polish interests.

Europol: Poland ready for cooperation with Europe's police forces

Warsaw, March 8: Poland is well prepared for cooperation with police forces of other countries, Europol representatives said. According to Polish liaison officer in The Hague, highly valued is Poland's experience in countering money laundering. The first of two seminars and devoted to type of information police may expect from Europol data base started in Legionowo with the participation of policemen from Hungary. Poland, being an observer, after integration would try to get the Europol membership as soon as possible.

Silesian University wants to cooperate with China

Katowice, March 8: Uniwersytet Slaski (US) of Katowice want to carry out cooperation with China. This Silesian higher school took part in the 9th China International Exhibition Tour CIEET Spring 2004 in Beijing what was a follow-up of the recent visit of Chinese parliamentarians in Katowice. "Both sides expressed the will to initiate scientific cooperation, and the US authorities want to include Chinese in the curricula," US spokeswoman said. English courses with basic Chinese will be inaugurated at US probably next academic year. In Beijing, US was among 286 universities and colleges from 26 countries participating.

Catholic women union says situation of women is bad

 

President sends condolences to Spanish king and PM

Warsaw, March 11: In connection with a series of terrorist attacks in Madrid on Thursday President Aleksander Kwasniewski sent condolences to King Juan Carlos of Spain and Spanish PM Jose Maria Aznar. The President extended his most sincere condolences and expressed deepest sympathy to the victims, their families and to the people of Spain. Together with the entire civilized world Poland is condemning this terrible crime, Kwasniewski wrote and expressed the hope that its perpetrators would be caught and brought to justice. Powerful explosions rocked three Madrid train stations just three days before Spain's general elections, killing more than 170 rush-hour commuters.

Senate Speaker meets U.N. Secretary General

Warsaw, March 11: During a visit to New York Senate Speaker and the deputy head of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly was received by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. Pastusiak also met with Polish Americans leaders and discussed the proposal to set up political action committee which would assist the implementation of the so-called Agenda 2004 designed to promote moves aimed at lifting U.S. visas for Poles, increasing the participation of Polish Americans in U.S. administration and intensifying Polish-U.S. scientific cooperation.

Polish businessmen satisfied with talks in Africa

Windhuk, March 11: Businessmen accompanying Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz on his tour of African countries said they were satisfied with the course of their to-date talks. Some have already signed new contracts. Cimoszewicz is on official visits to sub-Saharan Africa. He has already visited Nigeria and Angola. At present he is staying in Kenya. Areas of possible cooperation include shipbuilding and construction industries.

Hausner expects no strong zloty appreciation when plan discussed

Warsaw, March 10: Deputy PM Jerzy Hausner does not expect Polish zloty to appreciate too strongly during legislative work on the austerity plan but faster work on the bills may bring about market reassurance and strengthening. "I think that the trend will not be strong, but it is important whether what should take place will be taking place in a systematic way. If the work starts, if there are signs that it is fast, that will encourage investors to calm", he said. The Sejm sent three bills to Sejm committees last week, and the zloty firmed in response to it. In February, the zloty was losing in value on uncertainty over the political endorsement of the austerity plan.

Economy ministry works out foreign investment support bill

Warsaw, March 11: The economy, labour and social policy ministry prepared a bill that foresees financial backing for big foreign investors in Poland, deputy economy minister Slawomir Zielinski said. "We want to encourage foreign investors to come to Poland. The new legislation will provide for very clear investment support rules. Investors will know beforehand what they can expect," he said. Under the EU legislation the financial assistance cannot exceed 15 percent of investment value. The assistance consists in tax privileges and investment land. "There will be systemic foundations for such support and clear rules," the minister said. The Polish Trade and Foreign Investment Agency is to hold talks with potential investors and coordinate the assistance.

European Integration Council discusses future EU budget

Warsaw, March 10: The EU budget for 2007-2013 should have such construction so that it can serve common interests of the entire Union and the implementation of the rule of solidarity, stressed government officials during of the National Council for European Integration. PM Leszek Miller noted that the government treats EC February proposals concerning EU's future financial frames as a good starting point for further negotiations.Jaroslaw Pietras of the European Integration Office said negotiations preceding final budgetary decisions will be as difficult as accession negotiations.

Poland may annually pay 3 bn euro EU contribution in 2007-2013

Warsaw, March 10: Poland may annually pay over 3 billion euros contribution to the EU budget, Deputy Finance Minister Igor Chalupec said. In February the EC offered a significant support for new EU members till 2013. Poland could expect over 70 bn euros in 2007-2013. "Poland's contribution to the EU may be much above 3 bn euros a year while at the current financial perspective it is 2.2 bn euros", Chalupec admitted. "The scale of positive cash flows hinges on our capacity to absorb money. It pays off to pay a big contribution when the absorption is large". Final decision on the budget of the enlarged Union will be made only in 2005. "The annual absorption capacity of 35 bn euros requires co-financing. Poland would have to generate 10 bn euros".

Poland voices reservations to EC agricultural policy changes

Warsaw, March 10: Poland cannot agree on all directions of changes to the Common Agricultural Policy but with her observer status is unable to say anything whether or not they should be adopted, deputy Agriculture Minister Zofia Krzyzanowska told a conference on Common Agricultural Policy in Warsaw. Poland was unhappy with the amount of direct subsidies and the freezing of national milk production quota by 2013 that were adopted after the conclusion of negotiations on membership. Van Eylen of the European Commission defended EC's decisions saying that farmers' production should match market demand and that the EU cannot sponsor over-production.

EU commissioner pays brief visit to Slubice

Gorzow Wielkopolski, March 10: Michel Barnier, EU commissioner for the institutional reform and regional policy, paid a brief visit to Slubice, western Poland. During a lecture at the local Collegium Polonicum Barnier spoke about the EU draft constitution and answered students' questions. He assured that all of Poland's 16 provinces will benefit from EU structural funds which in his opinion should be spent for development of infrastructure, schools, scientific research or ecological projects.

Slavonic Four to work out electricity supply securing measures

Cracow, March 10: Representatives of national security offices of Poland, Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, or the so called Slavonic Four, said in Cracow they would work out procedures averting threats to their countries electricity supplies security. To meet that goal a meeting of experts should be held soon, head of Poland's National Security Office (BBN) Marek Siwiec said. "We haven't discussed claims related to a recent break in supplies of electricity from Russia as we do not deal with insurance. We want to present the presidents with recommendations how to avoid such situations in future," he added. Oleg Chernov of Russia invited Poland to take part in international manoeuvres aimed at fighting cross border crime since people and drug smuggling will become the most serious border-related crimes after Poland joins the EU. "We've registered scores, and soon we will have thousands people smuggling routes. The infrastructure is used mainly by criminals and combat groups' veterans from all over the world. We agree that we have here a new bomb which is ticking ever more loudly. We'll have to address this problems," Siwiec said.

Zemke: Polish firms may win contract for T-72 tank modernization

Camp Babylon, March 10: Deputy Defence Minister Janusz Zemke said odds were for Polish firms to win a tender worth 800 million USD for the modernisation of T-72 tank and deliveries of armoured vehicles for new Iraqi armed forces. Zemke and Citizens' Platform MP Bronislaw Komorowski stressed that only Poland and Ukraine were able to modernize the Soviet-designed tank. To win the tender, Zemke stressed, Polish companies should foster cooperation with Ukraine and increase their involvement in Iraq as an offer based on international cooperation. Wednesday was the last day of a five-day visit paid to Iraq by five Sejm MPs and two senators of the national defence committee.

Opposition seeks backing for German claims bill

Warsaw, March 10: Four opposition caucuses in the Sejm appealed for support of their bill blocking German claims to property and lands in western Poland. In January the Catholic-National Movement (RKN), the Movement for the Reconstruction of Poland (ROP) and the Accord for Poland (PP) filed a bill preventing Germans resettled from west Poland after WWII from reclaiming their estates after Poland joins the EU. The bill states that "all issues related to the takeover by Poland of property left by behind by resettlers are considered finalised and on no account further debatable". It also proposes the inclusion of similar rulings in the future EU constitution. RKN leader Antoni Macierewicz called the idea to include property claim rulings in the EU constitution the bill's "most important postulate" and criticised the ruling Democratic Left Alliance's (SLD's) demands to drop it from the text. He also admitted he was hoping for the bill's clear support by the centrist Citizens Platform (PO). The majority of both SLD and PO MPs are from west Poland and it is their support we mainly seek, Macierewicz stated, adding that now was the last chance to regulate the property issue. Over the past 14 years Polish governments have done nothing in this sphere. Now Poland's future depends on whether we ignore this problem or do something about it, he admonished.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi in Cracow

Cracow, March 10: 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi of Iran visited Cracow at the invitation of Cracow Mayor Jacek Majchrowski. She took part in a charity action for relief to the victims of the earthquake in the Iranian town Bam, and thanked Cracow people for the humanitarian aid for her fellow countrymen. She joined a human "Chain of Cracow for Bam Aid" organised by the Polish Humanitarian Action. Mayor said he was glad the Nobel laureate came to back the charity campaign for Iranian earthquake victims, in which also other Polish towns participate. Shirin Ebadi also visited a photo exhibition showing Bam weeks before the disaster. Ebadi also met with students from the oriental studies department at Jagiellonian University.

Internal Affairs Ministry ready for April summit

Warsaw, March 10: All services subordinate to the interior minister are ready to perform tasks linked with the April 28-30 European Economic Summit in Warsaw. Internal Affairs Minister Jozef Oleksy took part in a meeting of the team for emergency situations to discuss preparations for the summit. The event is expected to attract politicians and businessmen from around the world. The debates are to be held at the Palace of Culture and Science in the center of the city. Meanwhile, Warsaw authorities in view of antiglobalists' plans to hold demonstrations during the forum are afraid of riots and consider moving the event to a different site or even to a different city.

Four Poles dead after Madrid attacks

Madrid, March 14: Four Poles (two women, a man and his seven-month-old child) have died in hospitals after last week's bomb attacks in Madrid. Six other Poles injured in the blasts, including mother of the deceased child, are hospitalised. Poland's Consul in Madrid Zbigniew Adamczyk said that there are reasons to be concerned that Poles might be among unidentified victims of the attacks. Most of the 30 victims who have not yet been identified are peeople who had travelled on a train from Alcala de Henares, a town inhabited by thousands of Poles who usually commute to Madrid to work

President declares national mourning, PM meets Spanish Ambassador

Warsaw, March 14: President Aleksander Kwasniewski declared on Friday a one-day national mourning. The president said he took the step as a sign of solidarity with the victims of the terrorist bombings in Madrid. On Saturday, Prime Minister Leszek Miller lit a memory candle in front of the Spanish Embassy in Warsaw. Later, the PM met with Spain's Ambassador to Poland Miguel Angelo Navarro Portera whom he asked to convey to the leaders of Spain words of sympathy and solidarity with the Spanish nation. Miller also expressed Poland's determination in the joint struggle against all forms of terrorism. The PM declared that Poland is ready to grant assistance to Spain if such need would arise. On Friday evening, several hundred people took part in a silent peace manifestation outside the Spanish Embassy.

President, PM meet defence ministry reps, military commanders

Warsaw, March 14: President Kwasniewski taking part in a meeting with Defence Ministry officials and top military commanders has said that the passed year was difficult for the army involved in Iraq, Afghanistan and in other missions, adding that the current year will not be easier. "... Poland involved itself in the military mission in Iraq, we are also present in other places where one must undertake a struggle against terrorism or participate in peace missions. We assess that these decisions, although difficult, proved to be right decisions..." said the supreme commander of the armed forces. The President added that in 2004 "we will continue our mission in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unfortunately, the number of threats in the world is not falling, it is growing. Developments in Madrid are best and most tragic proof of this." Kwasniewski stressed that despite difficult financial situation, Poland managed to maintain the level of financing of the armed forces in tune with obligations adopted by Poland vis-a-vis NATO. The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Miller.

Miller expects changes in Spain's attitude to Iraq, EU treaty

Tarnow, March 15: According to PM Leszek Miller, a change in the Spanish ruling force after Sunday's parliamentary elections will influence that country's stand on the presence of its troops in Iraq and the EU Constitutional Treaty. However, Miller said, even though modifications may be expected one should wait until the new government issues an official position. "Frankly speaking, a revision by Spain of its position on the EU constitution would be the worst that could happen to Poland as it would render Poland a sole defender of the Nice settlements," the PM explained. So far both Poland and Spain have defended the vote-taking system to the EU council worked out in Nice.

Oleksy: Gov't does not consider troops pullout from Iraq

Warsaw, March 15: The pullout of Polish troops from Iraq is not being considered, deputy PM Jozef Oleksy said on Monday. The fact that terrorism reached Europe could not be the only reason for making such an important strategic decision, he said. Head of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero pledged to bring home the 1,300 troops Spain has stationed in Iraq when their tour of duty ends in July. The opposition Socialists won Spain's general election, unseating once-favoured conservatives stung by charges they provoked the Madrid terror bombings by supporting the U.S.-led war in Iraq and made Spain a target for al-Qaida.

Schroeder to visit Warsaw on March 23

Warsaw, Berlin, March 12: German Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will arrive in Warsaw on March 23 for several hours of talks with PM Leszek Miller. Both held a telephone conversation during which they exchanged views on the European constitution, the international situation and on bilateral relations. The Miller-Schroeder meeting is expected to focus on the future EU constitution, especially the proposed voting system in the EU council.

Cimoszewicz discusses business opportunities in Africa

Nairobi, March 14: Poland prepared a USD 90 million fishing contract, signed a contract to sell Polish fibreboard in Kenya and received some 150 inquiries during African visit of Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, which wound up on Sunday. Cimoszewicz and a group of Polish businessmen were in Kenya, Nigeria, Angola and Namibia for talks with local business partners. Cimoszewicz was satisfied with the outcome of the visit. "I think that if we take advantage of business opportunities in the four countries, then the situation of Polish companies will improve. The point is not to waste contacts we have established," he said. In Angola, Poland specified terms of a contract to build an exploration ship and ten contained ships, to be signed in May 2004. The contract Poland signed in Nigeria will double sales of Polish fibreboard in the country as the material is used for low-cost house construction. Kenya wants to import tractors and cut flowers, and modernise its railway network. The Kenyans will buy any number of tractors, and this is the chance for Polish businessmen. "No investment was made in Kenya's railway network in the past 100 years. That is a job to do and money to be make make in the country," Cimoszewicz said in Nairobi.

UP's Nalecz wants talks on cabinet reshuffle

Warsaw, March 14: Tomasz Nalecz, deputy head of the Union of Labour, the junior member of the ruling SLD-UP coalitions, called for the start of talks with the SLD on forming a new government. According to Nalecz, current government leadership is unable to carry out necessary changes for the Polish left. SLD's secretary general Marek Dyduch said there will be no official response on the part of his party. This is not the first proposal regarding the government and the PM. Sejm Speaker Marek Borowski said that a discussion on changes in the government should be suspended until Poland joins the EU. Opposition leaders claimed early elections would be the solution for the present situation.

Gniezno: Christian division is obstacle for peace

Gniezno, March 13: The division of Christians is not only the basic obstacle for the reliability of the Church but also an obstacle for peace, participants in the 5th Gniezno Congress said in a message to Europeans on the last day of the three-day meeting of over 600 lay spiritual representatives of Christian movements, organisations, politicians, culture and media people from 15 European countries. They stressed that "we have to testify to our unity in diversity, overcome the existing divisions, testify to forgiveness, reconciliation and brotherhood in the spirit of the civilisation of love." The message expresses hope that Christian legacy and values will be respected in a new constitution of the EU. "Abandoning the Christian tradition would be a spiritual self-destruction. We are aware that sacredness is the foundation of Europe of the past and of Europe," the message reads. Cardinals and bishops called on Christians to build Europe together. They took part in a discussion on what the Christians of the East and the West can offer each other to build a single Europe. President Kwasniewski said Gniezno is a special place for such a meeting as here Poland joined the road to Europe thousand years ago. He highly appreciated the role of the Christian community in the creation of a united Europe. He said the diversity of cultures, religions and traditions will determine the wealth of the integrating Europe. On Saturday, Congress participants held a debate on a Christian Europe facing violence. Referring to the March 11 Madrid bomb attacks, secretary-general of the Conference of European Churches bishop Keith Clements, said we cannot respond with violence to terror. Speaking about a new European security policy, Clements reflected on whether security should only be built with military means or by eliminating poverty, injustice, which are the source of terrorism. At the end of the day the youth recited the rosary with the Pope, as the prayer was telecast to ten European countries joining the EU on May 1. The Congress has to reach the conscience of man who will say: "No more bloodshed, no more hate," Primate of Poland, Cardinal Jozef Glemp said to the meeting under the motto "A Europe of the Spirit - Christian in the process of European integration." The pontiff warned of the attempt to separate the past from history and culture from tradition in the process of European integration, and "politics and economy from spiritual values."

April economic summit in Warsaw as planned

Warsaw, March 14: The April 28-30 European Economic Summit will be held at Warsaw's Sofitel Victoria hotel. Organizers said the new venue of the event should be safe and to a smaller degree disorganize the daily life of Warsaw residents. According to earlier plans the summit-related events were to be held at the Palace of Culture and Science but Warsaw mayor has been against holding the summit in the very centre of Warsaw. The issue has aroused considerable controversies, especially after bomb attacks in Madrid.

Zaddik Elimelech's death anniversary commemorated

Kwasniewski: Poland left alone in defence of Nice system

Warsaw, March 16: President Aleksander Kwasniewski commenting on signals coming from Spanish socialists that they might change Spain's stand on the voting system in the EU council said that "it seems we are being left alone in the battlefield." However, Kwasniewski added that electoral declarations can differ from government declarations. In his opinion Spanish socialists will change their stand on the Constitutional Treaty and will be more flexible than the Aznar government in talks on the shape of a compromise. The President stressed there is a need for a compromise on both sides, on the French-German as well as on the Polish-Spanish side. Speaking on the political developments in Poland, the president stressed that possible talks on a government change should start not earlier than June 13, after elections to the European Parliament. Those elections will show society's evaluation of the government. Commenting on Spanish announcements envisaging the withdrawal of its forces from Iraq, Kwasniewski said the stabilization mission cannot be changed into a destabilization mission. "Spain wants to withdraw its troops just like we want to withdraw our troops. However we cannot change the stabilization mission into a destabilization one. We must carry it out to the end and this means an increase of the role of the U.N. and NATO," said the President.

President of Kyrgyzstan to hold talks, sign accords with Poland

Warsaw, March 15: Economic and political cooperation within an anti-terrorist coalition will be the main subjects of an official visit to Poland by President of Kyrgyzstan Askar Akayev which started with talks with President Kwasniewski. Akayev will also hold talks with Sejm and Senate speakers Marek Borowski and Longin Pastusiak, and will be received by PM Leszek Miller. The guest will also visit Cracow and deliver a lecture at the university. An agreement on cooperation in construction and a program of scientific cooperation will be signed. The Kyrgyz State National University has a Polish language department. Poland is interested in seeking "market niches" in Kyrgyzstan and the region. Poland's to-date economic exchange with Kyrgyzstan is rather insignificant. After 9/11, 2001, Kyrgyzstan joined the anti-terrorist coalition.

PM supports plans to form Central-European fuel concern

Tarnow, March 15: PM Leszek Miller upheld the position of the Polish government on the necessity to form a Central-European fuel concern to include Poland's PKN Orlen and Hungarian Mol. The intentions of both governments concerning such a fuel concern leave no doubts (...) EU integration means a stronger competition and if fuel and power firms from this part of Europe want to remain on the market they must be stronger and must consolidate, the PM said. He added that "this draft is going in this direction and we will support it". In early March Miller backed plans to form a Central-European fuel concern to include firms from Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The Prime Minister said it could prevent these firms from being absorbed by Western companies. Last November MOL and PKN started talks on future cooperation which can be based on a merger, a joint venture or exchange of shares between the two firms. The final decision is expected by April.

Cimoszewicz to attend presentation of Polish Season in Paris

Warsaw, March 15 : Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz takes part in a presentation of the program of Polish Season in France for media on Tuesday. The program of the visit also includes meetings with French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin and Minister for European Affairs Noelle Lenoir. The Polish Season in France, to be held between May 1 and December 31, envisages over a hundred artistic events, theatre productions, fashion shows, concerts, exhibitions and film reviews, as well as conferences and scientific seminars. Outstanding Polish artists will present their works in Paris and other French towns. Detailed information about the Polish Season in France can be found on www.iam.pl webside.

Foreign ministry does not comment on Zapatero's statement on Iraq

Warsaw, March 15: The announcement of Spanish troop withdrawal from Iraq is a press statement only and not an official position of the Spanish government, Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Boguslaw Majewski said. "We see no reasons to comment on it," he added. Jose Luis R. Zapatero, the leader of the Spanish socialist party that won the Sunday parliamentary elections, said the Spanish troops will be withdrawn from Iraq by June 30. On that day the coalition authorities in Iraq plan to hand over power to the Iraqis. "Iraq's security hinges on the presence of stabilization forces there," Majewski declared. "Poland together with several dozen allied states has been consistently and successfully implementing the mandate it had undertaken when it involved itself in that process."

NBP governor: Privatisation acceleration plans good signal

Warsaw, March 15: National Bank of Poland (NBP) governor Leszek Balcerowicz praised a privatisation acceleration as a positive signal." It is a positive signal that privatisation acceleration has been announced," he said. The treasury ministry increased from 157 to 211 a list of companies to be privatised this year. Over ten companies will be privatised through the bourse. The remainders of shares in stock exchange-listed companies are to be sold.

SLD leaders: Change of Prime Minister almost certain after May 1

Warsaw, March 15: A change in the post of prime minister is almost certain, but it will take place only after Poland joins the EU on May 1, one can infer from statements by several politicians of the ruling Democratic Left Alliance (SLD). The issue of forming a new cabinet surfaced when Tomasz Nalecz, leader of the Union of Labour (UP), SLD's junior coalition partner in government, called on his party to start talks with the SLD on the question of replacing the present cabinet. PM Leszek Miller said that Nalecz's remarks were detrimental for Poland. "If someone thinks the cabinet should be replaced, let him do it" rather than speaking about it. "Such verbal declarations (..) only frighten off investors, create turmoil in financial markets and simply harm Poland," Miller said. Former SLD deputy leader Andrzej Celinski says Nalecz was right but he warned against haste and supported view that such a move should wait for after Poland's EU accession.

LPR wants referendum on Polish military presence in Iraq

Warsaw, March 15: The League of Polish Families (LPR) wants a national referendum on further stationing of Polish troops in Iraq which would be held together with the elections to the European Parliament scheduled for June 13. The League will submit relevant draft resolution at the next Sejm sitting. "The society faces adverse consequences (of the fact that troops are stationed in Iraq) in the form of many (possible) victims and the nation has the right to make a decision whether the Polish troops will be stationed in Iraq or not," LPR leader Roman Giertych said. "Citizens have the right to decide whether to involve Poland in a war against Islam and if they want to be on the frontline in such a war," Giertych argued. "It is not obvious that Poland should be on the frontline of that struggle and that we should pull chestnuts out of the fire for someone else," he said and added that Poland was "the next target" for terrorists and was "helpless" as far as counteracting terrorist attacks was concerned.

Environmentalists to PM on river regulation

Warsaw, March 15: Poland's environmentalists appealed to the Prime Minister Miller to halt a national river regulation project, claiming it could destroy the country's rivers, the Warsaw-based Gaja ecological society released. We are horrified by this plan to devastate Poland's rivers under the hypocritical slogan of 'removing flood damage', the letter read. Gaja activists said artificial river regulation was ecologically destructive and not only offered no protection from floods but in fact increased their danger. They stressed that countries like Holland, Germany, France, Canada and the U.S. were abandoning river regulation.

Rembrandt's etchings on show at Royal Castle

Presidents of Poland and Kyrgyzstan discuss cooperation

Warsaw, March 16: President of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan Askar Akayev continued his official visit to Poland. He met with President Aleksander Kwasniewski which focused on economic and political cooperation in the framework of the antiterrorist coalition. Four agreements were signed after presidential talks. Kwasniewski emphasized Kyrgyzstan's stabilising role in central Asia and declared Poland was interested in having that region "seen in the strategy of the EU." Akayev announced his country would step up its involvement in the struggle against terrorism, especially after Madrid attacks. Kwasniewski said it was hard to overestimate Kyrgyzstan's role in the war against terrorism. The country had made its airfields available to the US and NATO forces operating in Afghanistan, was staunchly fighting organized crime and drug trafficking, the leading sources of funds for terrorist groups. Kwasniewski informed that Poland funded scholarships for Kyrgyz students, while Akayev recalled that a chair in Polish studies had been founded at the national university in 1999.

Polish, Italian president talk over the phone

Warsaw, March 16: The EU constitution and bilateral relations dominated Tuesday's phone conversation between President Aleksander Kwasniewski and his Italian counterpart Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. Ciampi said the prompt adoption of the EU constitution was necessary, Kwasniewski stressed Poland was always ready for dialogue on the issue. Both politicians agreed that the EU's future shape required compromise solutions. The presidents praised Polish-Italian relations, agreeing that ties between both countries were developing well.

Miller, Zapatero hold phone talk

Warsaw, March 16: PM Leszek Miller talked over the phone with secretary general of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party Jose and the future Spanish PM Luiz Rodriguez Zapatero. Miller also expressed conviction that close Polish-Spanish contacts would become even closer under the rule of social-democratic left. Zapatero thanked for the Polish government and society reaction to the Madrid tragedy and said he visited hospitalised Poles wounded in the attack. The two underlined the importance of Polish-Spanish relations and defined mechanisms for consultations and the exchange of opinions on top priority international affairs during the formation of a new Spanish government.

Cimoszewicz: Poland open for compromise on EU Constitution

Warsaw, March 17: We are open for a serious discussion concerning a compromise on the EU Constitution draft, Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz said and stressed that so far no one had taken advantage of this readiness. >From this point of view a meeting of Polish PM Leszek Miller with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, planned for Tuesday, March 23 in Warsaw, might be an occasion to seek such a compromise, Cimoszewicz said after a meeting with his Finnish counterpart Erkki Tuomioji. Cimoszewicz stressed that "an international agreement can be signed when it is seen by all partners as an optimum solution that is favourable for all sides and based on their equal treatment." Speaking about statements by Jacques Chirac and Herhard Schroeder, he said Poland did not lack openness and flexibility. "I think it's high time one should prove one's openness and flexibility in talks and not only in declarations," he said. The Polish minister admitted that a possible withdrawal of Spanish troops from Iraq "would be a problem and a question of reliability between allies. We are allies not only in Iraq but also in NATO and in struggle against terrorism.".

Cimoszewicz: Let's wait for Spain's official position

Warsaw, March 17: Foreign Minister Cimoszewicz believes it is too early to draw far-reaching conclusions from a statement by Spain's PM-elect Zapatero concerning the EU Constitution and the presence of Spanish troops in Iraq. He said the new Spanish government would be set up in a few weeks and soon we would have an official position. Zapatero pledged to withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq by June 30 if the UN does not take charge. He also said that it was his intention to accelerate work on the EU Constitution. Cimoszewicz stressed that no one can hope that any circumstances will make it possible to impose anything on Poland. He confirmed Poland was willing to seek agreement and compromise understood as a solution in which each side is meeting its partners halfway.

Pastusiak meets Akayev

Warsaw, March 16: Senate speaker Longin Pastusiak met Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev and discussed with him bilateral parliamentary contacts, cooperation in science and Polish community in Kyrgyzstan. Some 1,500 Poles live there. Akayev was lively interested in the Polish experience of preparations for joining the EU, especially in the harmonization of the law. The issue of building a Polish cemetery in the Kyrgyz capital was also discussed

Pastusiak, Meckel discuss EU Constitution draft

Warsaw, March 17: Seante Speaker Longin Pastusiak met with Markus Meckel, the head of the German-Polish Parliamentary Group in the Bundestag. Possibilities of reaching a compromise on the EU Constitution draft have been discussed. Meckel said Poland would be isolated after the change of a Spanish government and added it should be interested in being a strong partner in a strong Europe. And Europe's weakness is its lack of a constitution, he stressed. Pastusiak told his guest Poland was interested in adopting the Constitutional Treaty and this should take place in June before the elections to the European Parliament. He also confirmed Poland's readiness to hold talks but stressed that one should not define any conditions before talks about a compromise. He also said that Poland was waiting for an offer from Germany and France.

Huebner among ten new commissioners attending EC meeting

Brussels, March 16: Future commissioners from ten countries entering the EU on May 1, including Danuta Huebner from Poland, attended for the first time a EC meeting in Brussels. The discussion centred on the agenda of the work for May-October, access of citizens of new members to EU labour markets and terrorism fighting.

Polish, Finnish Foreign Affairs committees discuss EU issues

Warsaw, March 16: Questions regarding the EU dominated the meeting of the Sejm Foreign Affairs Committee with visiting representatives of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Finnish Parliament with its chairwoman Liisa Jaakonsaari. She assured Polish deputies that no "black scenario" has come true after Finland joined the UE but she admitted that neither "the vision of a rosy world" has come true, too. She said she believes it is necessary to work out a joint position on the European foreign policy and security questions so that Europe could become "a stronger player on the international arena.”

Polish, Armenian MPs discuss bilateral relations

Warsaw, March 16: Sejm Speaker Marek Borowski and head of the Armenian National Assembly Artur Bagdasarian met to discuss bilateral and international relations as well as and Armenia's policy towards the Polish minority. Bagdasarian was interested in European legislature, Poland's political system and the functioning and powers of the Sejm. The Armenian side expressed readiness to develop closer interparliamentary contacts between the two countries and interest in Polish experience in European integration

Defence minister: no raising of Iraq forces

Warsaw, March 16: Poland is not planning to enlarge its Iraq force and Spain's plans to withdraw its troops from Iraq are not yet final, Polish defence minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski said responding to newly-elected Spanish PM J.L.R. Zapatero's announcement that Spain would withdraw from Iraq by June 30. Szmajdzinski reminded that Zapatero had probably named June 30 for Spain's pullout from Iraq as it was the assumed deadline for handing the country over to the Iraqis. Right now all we have are hypothetical statements, not decisions. We'll have to wait until Spain forms a new government.

Terrorists detained in Iraq - Polish general

Camp Babylon, March 16: Several terrorists who took part in the December attack on the military base in Karbala in Iraq that claimed lives of five Bulgarian soldiers have been detained. The detentions were done recently by soldiers from the brigade and the Iraqi police. The exact number of detainees has not been given. They led the December attack. The operation was a good example of cooperation between Polish and Bulgarian intelligence services. A few days earlier soldiers from the brigade and Bulgarian soldiers apprehended four suspects in a secret munitions depot. Two of the men were on the wanted list.

Eurostat: Poland's 2003 deficit at 4.1 pct

Brussels, March 16: Poland's public finances deficit was at 4.1 percent of the GDP in 2003, the EU statistics office, Eurostat, informed. Public debt was at 45.4 percent. Eurostat for the first time released deficit and debt data in the 10 countries which join the EU on May 1 together with data for 15 existing EU members. Eurostat stressed that the data do not take into account its recent decision on the treatment of pension funds. The consequences of this decision, which may lead to the revision of the deficit and debt data, will be analysed on an individual basis before publication of final 2003 data in September. Earlier EC experts maintained the decision means non-inclusion of open pension funds OFE into public finances which may entail upward deficit revision by around 1.5 percentage points to some 5.6 percent. Eurostat data will be the basis for the EC to launch "excessive deficit procedures" against the countries with deficits at over 3 percent of the GDP. Governor of the National Bank of Poland Leszek Balcerowicz did not rule out that Eurostat's decision to not to include open pension funds OFE into public finances, could delay Poland's entry of the euro zone. The government plans to join the euro zone in 2009.

Gillette to invest 120 million euros in Lodz

President on possibility of government reshuffle

Warsaw, March 18: If a government reshuffle was to take place it should be clear for the public opinion, President Aleksander Kwasniewski said but added that it should not take place before the elections to the European Parliament. "I believe that the scenario which provides first for joining the EU and holding the elections to the EU Parliament and then for a thorough analysis of the situation is much more reasonable. But if there are other reasons - and I understand that a split in the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) might be such a cause - to take faster steps then I can accept it. But if this means a necessity to act faster then this must be more effective," The president said on the radio. "Unity which is not to produce good results in Poland's public life is not a good solution. And in my opinion a risky split which could produce the same result is not a good solution, either. A split in the party which is to make the left regain vitality, popularity and its electorate is good but each of these scenarios is very uncertain," the president said.

President on EP elections

Warsaw, March 17: I think voters are aware that our EP delegates must be as good as possible and strive in their work both for Poland and Europe, President Kwasniewski said commenting recent on support for Polish political groupings in the EP elections. The centrist Citizens Platform (PO) would get 22 percent support, followed by the radical Samoobrona Farmers Party with 21 pct, Law and Justice (PiS) with 13 pct, the League of Polish Families (10 pct) and the currently ruling Democratic Left Alliance-Union of Labour (SLD-UP) coalition with only 8 pct. The survey shows a rise in support for Samoobrona, known for its negative stand towards enlargement. Kwasniewski said sending EU-hostile delegates to the EP would be pointless. I trust in my countrymens' common sense, the President added.

Spain's pullout from Iraq would be a mistake, says Kwasniewski

Warsaw, March 17: Spain's pullout from Iraq would be a mistake and would encourage terrorist centres to carry out actions similar to those which took place in Madrid, President Kwasniewski said. He spoke at a conference "Strong Poland in Strong Europe" devoted to common European defence and foreign policies. According to him, sixty years after the end of WW2 Europe "is ripe to have its own common defence and foreign policy." Kwasniewski said that one will be able to speak about a common, European policy only when there will be a common approach towards Russia-EU and Ukraine-EU relations, when there will be determination to help Ukraine in keeping its sovereignty.

Akayev meets with Miller, visits Cracow

Warsaw, March 17 : Prime Minister Leszek Miller and President of Kyrgyzstan Askar Akayev reviewed mutual economic cooperation. Kyrgyzstan's increasing significance on the international arena had an impact on growing intensity of bilateral contacts between the two countries. This was due to a dynamic development of political and economic relations, testified to by exchange of visits of presidents, and contacts at the ministerial and experts levels, the establishment in 2002 of the Polish-Kyrgyz Intergovernmental Commission for Economic and Trade Cooperation and the Polish-Kyrgyz Economic Society in 2004. Both sides stressed that intensive economic and commercial cooperation is an important element of bilateral relations. Miller said Poland is ready to supply equipment for agriculture and food processing industries and mining. "We also want to cooperate in construction and development of roads and communal infrastructure”, the PM said. As an EU member Poland will support development of contacts with the states of Central Asia. The two countries actively participate in the global struggle against terrorism and Poland highly appreciates support rendered by Kyrgyzstan to the anti-terrorist coalition during operations against Talibans and al-Quaida. We want to tighten coperation with Kyrgyzstan in fighting terrorism, also with the use of NATO structure and possibilities, Miller declared. Akayev also visited Cracow and delivered a lecture at the Jagiellonian University on democratic and market transformations in Kyrgyzstan.

Miller at the rescue operation coordination centre

Warsaw, March 17: Prime Minister Leszek Miller has said Poland is prepared to deal with possible terrorist threats, however, all services need to carry out exercises. Miller visited the National Centre of Coordination, Rescue Operations and Protection of the Population at the National Police Headquarters. Meanwhile, Polish State Railways have set up a HQ for emergency situations, furthermore the company decided to direct more guards of the Rail Protection Service to rail stations and trains. Warsaw city authorities decided to wage an information campaign on how citizens should behave in case of a bomb attack or in other emergency situations. Necessary information is to be highlighted on billboards and in leaflets. Sejm deputies motivated by recent terrorist acts voted for the government to present a report on Poland's preparations for coping with possible terrorist attacks.

Hausner: Poland's economy to grow 5.2-5.3 pct in Q1

Warsaw, March 18: Economy Minister Jerzy Hausner expects Poland's economic growth to accelerate to 5.2-5.3 percent in first quarter of this year from 4.7 percent in fourth quarter of 2003. He said it was too early to revise 2004 GDP growth forecast. The 2004 budget projects Poland's economic growth at 5.0 percent, against 3.7 in 2003. "There are no reasons to upgrade the forecast for the whole year. This would be premature but I will try to prove that the projected growth is realistic," Hausner said.

Ukraine, Poland break trade record last year

Kiev, March 17: Last year's trade between Poland and Ukraine reached a record-breaking 2.3 billion USD, the highest since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, with Polish exports at 1.5 billion (31 pct up on 2002) and imports from Ukraine at 740 million (up over 50 pct on 2002). Ukraine is currently Poland's biggest CIS trade partner after Russia. According to the Ukrainian side, Polish exports to that country in 2003 were only 708 million USD, which suggests a large part of the ware "disappeared" in Ukraine. Poland's main exportware to Ukraine includes Daewoo Lanos cars (assembled in Ukraine), machinery, equipment, plastics, coloured metal products and food. From Ukraine Poland mainly buys iron and coloured metal ores, natural gas, and chemical and food products. Polish investment in Ukraine rose 50 percent last year and came to 153 million USD.

NATO to invest 537 mn zlotys in Poland this year

Warsaw, March 17: NATO is ready to invest 537 million zlotys in the development of Poland's military infrastructure in 2004, Deputy Defence Minister Janusz Zemke said. "NATO's investment concentration in Poland will take place in 2004-2006. NATO member-states will spend 1.8 bn zlotys, including Poland's spending at 370 mn zlotys", Zemke commented. "The investment will chiefly concern the re-development and modernisation of airfields, sea bases, depots of combustibles and ammunition as weel as the development and modernisation of various command and communications systems", he added. NATO will cover 80 pct of the investment, and the remaining part will be financed by Poland.

Poland to get funds for SME development

Warsaw, March 17: Winners of next week's competition for the best projects of SME operations that may boost firms' competitiveness between 2004 and 2006 may get more than 1.7 billion euros, deputy Economy Minister Marek Szczepanski said. Out of this amount 1.250 billion euros comes from the European Fund for Regional Development. The remainder has to be generated by Poland. The program was adopted by the government on Tuesday after having been agreed with the EC. It is aimed at boosting the development of small and medium sized enterprises and implementing innovative solutions in them on the one hand and direct support for firms on the other.

Archbishop Michalik new chairman of Polish Episcopate Conference

Warsaw, March 18: Przemysl archbishop Jozef Michalik was elected Thursday a new chairman of the Conference of the Polish Episcopate. Poznan metropolitan archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki was elected a deputy chairman. For the first time in the history of the Polish Catholic Church after the WW2 chairman of the Conference has not been a primate. Todate chairman of the Conference of the Polish Episcopate was Poland's primate cardinal Jozef Glemp.

Martial law era interior minister sentenced

PGNiG, Statoil: memorandum on gas delivery diversification

Warsaw, Feb. 19: The Polish oil & gas company (PGNiG) and Norwegian Statoil will sign memorandum on cooperation concerning the diversification of gas deliveries, Prime Minister Leszek Miller said in the Sejm. "A memorandum provides for diversification of gas deliveries, that are to include Norwegian gas", Miller said. The PM added that he had asked the foreign minister to invite the Russian ambassador to the Foreign Ministry. In the afternoon minister Cimoszewicz will hold a talk with the Russian minister Iwanow. Miller added that the situation was undermining trust in Russian gas suppliers not only in Poland but also in Western Europe: "now all the customers in the entire Europe will have to decide whether their are dealing with a supplier who can be trusted in full". According to him, Gazprom decision to cut off gas supplies to Belarus means a 30-percent cut in deliveries to Poland so these 30 pct must be covered by the stored gas or through a growth in home extraction and an increase in deliveries of Russian gas through a Ukrainian pipeline.

Poland seeks gas supplies diversification

Warsaw, Feb. 19: Poland has been seeking for gas supplies diversification, deputy economy minister Jacek Piechota said in on Thursday. He added that gas supplies to individual customers and small industry would not be constrained at present. "But if this situation continued, we should expect (...) gas supplies reduction to the biggest customers. There are no plans to constrain gas supplies to municipal customers or to the small industry," Piechota said. "If a Belarus-Gazprom conflict continued, supplies for big industry would have to be reduced which would mean a 15-20 percent reduction. Then gas supplies via Drozdowicze (through Ukraine) and Zgorzelec, plus domestic extraction (...), would allow for gas supplying on a permanent basis," Piechota said. "A Yamal gas supplies agreement foresees Gazprom's financial liability. If the Polish industry incurs any losses in effect of Gazprom's operations, we have a right to certain claims and the Russian side will have to meet them," he added.

PM: Poland used 97 percent of PHARE 2001 funds

Warsaw, Feb. 19: Poland has used 97 percent of PHARE 2001 pre-accession funds. Under way are 30 projects, including road construction and natural environment protection programs, PM Miller said in the Sejm. With 97 percent of funds absorbed the level of their use is very high, Miller said. According to him, this was possible owing both to a very good preparation of local projects and appropriate government supervision. The PM recalled that February 15, 2004 was the deadline for contracting PHARE 2001 funds. This means that all tenders have been settled and all agreements have been already signed. Miller recalled that PHARE 2001 had been the oldest EU aid program under which Poland had received nearly 4 billion euros since 1990. The implementation of PHARE projects helped Poland learn to better use EU cohesion and structural funds.

Unnecessary suspiciousness - Cimoszewicz on Berlin summit

Warsaw, Feb. 18 : We should not be suspicious of the leaders of Britain, France and Germany meeting for a summit in Berlin, foreign minister Wl. Cimoszewicz said. Also former minister Bronislaw Geremek sees the summit as a forum for debate and shaping positions rather than formulating stands on EU's behalf. "Mechanisms of consultation of this sort are nothing new and we should not be suspicious," Cimoszewicz said at the European College in Natolin. He added that declarations of the British and German officials were very clear cut and did not inspire suspicions. "Every talks that can produce a sensible proposal for Europe should be welcomed. I am convinced that the outcome of the Berlin meeting will confirm positive opinions of it." The trilateral summit did not mean that the scenario for a Europe of two speeds was taking shape. A hard core for Europe was but a slogan for the time being," he claimed. "I do not think this can be a realistic scenario for the EU." Professor Geremek also does not think that the Berlin summit is an element of the two speeds scenario. However, he believes that the emergence of Europe divided according to the level of integration is an important threat for Poland and the EU as a such.

Parliament speakers, PLC reps discuss Middle East peace process

Warsaw, Feb. 18: Sejm Speaker Marek Borowski received delegation of the Palestinian Legislative Council, led by Dr. Marwan Kanafani, to discuss the peace process in the Middle East and cooperation between the council and the lower chamber of the Polish parliament. Borowski pointed out that the need was to return to Road Map to Peace and put a stop to acts of violence especially those directed against civilians. The speaker assured that Poland as new EU member would not spare effort to galvanize the EU into finding a peaceful solution to the Middle East crisis. Senate Speaker Longin Pastusiak told the delegation that Poland opted for a peaceful coexistence of two sovereign states within internationally acknowledged boundaries. He also expressed concern about the construction of a wall that may increase tension between the two states.

Huebner glad about prospects of cooperation with Lamy

Warsaw, Brussels, Feb. 18 : European Minister and Poland's candidate for an EU commissioner Danuta Huebner said she was glad she would be working together with EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy (the European Commission announced that Huebner would be cooperating with Lamy from May 1, 2004 to October 31). Huebner and nine other new commissioners will meet with their 20 colleagues from the current EU member countries on March 16 in Brussels and would attend for the first time a meeting of the EC.

EC proposes 70 bn euros for Poland in 2007-2013

Brussels, Feb.18 : The European Commission proposed substantial assistance to new EU members between 2007 and 2013 in its "Third Report on Economic and Social Cohesion". Poland could count on more than 70 bn euros. The report proposes that almost equal amounts be spent on assistance to less developed regions in the 15 present and the 12 new member states in that period. The EC proposed that a total of 336 bn euros be put at the disposal of structural and cohesion funds. 140 bn euros would be allocated for 10 states joining the EU, 22 bn for Bulgaria and Romania, and 174 bn for the present member states. The report does not break down these totals into individual countries, but calculations made on assumptions similar to those used by the EC, show that between 2007 and 2013 Poland could tap as much as 73 bn euros. The final decisions on the budget and common policies in the enlarged EU will be made by the leaders of 25 member states including Poland in 2005. When presenting the report in the European Parliament, EU commissioner in charge of regional policies Michel Barnier stressed that the enlarged Union needed generous regional and structural policies that would be the implementation of the solidarity principle.

President meets people of culture

Warsaw, Feb. 18: During his annual meeting with people of culture President Kwasniewski stressed that it will be people of art and letters who to a large extent will determine Poland's place in the EU. "I would like Polish culture to be a Polish trademark in the European Union," he said. Kwasniewski stressed the need of investment in culture, especially of long-term investments such as Warsaw's Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Warsaw Uprising and the Museum of the History of Polish Jews. He called on the MPs not to spare funds for investment of this kind. Ewa Wycichowska, director of the Polish Dance Theatre pointed to threats the Polish culture faces in view of the planned 22-percent VAT on artistic products and frequent incidents of art censorship.

Poland to help Iraq to protect its national heritage

Warsaw, Feb. 19: Poland's participation in protecting Iraq's national heritage and cultural exchange between Poland and Iraq were discussed by Culture Minister Waldemar Dabrowski and Minister of Culture of the Iraqi Governing Council Mufid Muhammad Juwad al-Jaza'iri. Poland has prepared a training programme for Iraqi archeologists and will also take part in the renovation of the Babylon Archeological Museum.

Norman Davies receives Grand Prix of Polish Cultural Foundation

Warsaw, Feb. 18 : Norman Davies, prominent British historian, author of books on Poland's history, received 2003 Grand Prix of the Polish Cultural Foundation in a ceremony held in Warsaw. It is for the first time in the 11-year old tradition thjat this prestigious distinction was awarded to a foreigner. Davies was honoured in recognition of his indepth studies on Poland's history. He is the author of several books on Poland, of which "God's Playground, a History of Poland" has won greatest international popularity.

Kwasniewski: Vienna to help mediate EU constitution

Vienna, Feb. 19 : Austrian President Thomas Klestil will mediate to find a settlement on the future European constitution, President Aleksander Kwasniewski said in Vienna while on a working visit to Austria. He said he had asked Klestil "to use his contacts with France and Germany" and added that he "believes it is possible" and he "trusts Austrian commitment." According to Kwasniewski, Klestil's role may be very helpful. Both agreed that there should not be "new lines of divisions" or "two speeds" in the enlarged UE. President's Vienna program envisaged a meeting with Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel.

Miller: contacts with Italy important element of foreign policy

Warsaw, Feb. 19: According to PM Leszek Miller, Poland was keen on having close contacts with Italy, keeping balance within the EU and building strong cross Atlantic bonds. "That is why we think it would be fair to start regular inter-governmental consultations modelled on those we have with Germany France and Spain, Miller said after a meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. The highly valued economic cooperation with Italy and growth of Italian investments in Poland. Italy is Poland 2nd trade partner and 5th largest investor. Frattini stressed that Italian firms were interested in privatisation of Polish companies. Miller stressed that Poland would welcome Italian resignation from the transition period in free flow of people and expressed hope that migration of Poles would pose no threat to the Italian labour market. Frattini opted for an agreement regulating control over the free flow of people. Miller thanked Italy for its involvement in the enlargement and a quest for a compromise on the EU constitutional Treaty. Poland supported an Italian project aimed at strengthening the role of NATO in the southern part of NATO.

Cimoszewicz, Frattini for quick compromise on constitution

Warsaw, Feb. 19: Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz coming out of a meeting with his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini confirmed Poland's readiness for open talks on all, even the most controversial, issues related to the European Constitution. Both ministers agreed that a compromise on the constitution should be reached in few weeks as protracted talks would adversely affect EU decision-making efficiency. At a press conference both ministers referred to a Wednesday summit of leaders of France, Germany and Great Britain. Cimoszewicz commented that "anything that leads to proposals and initiatives serving common interest should be supported." Frattini praised participants in the summit for a clear statement about the willingness to avoid any divisions in the enlarged EU. The ministers announced consultations of experts on the EU budget for 2007-2013 in order to quickly get ready for an EU debate on the issue. Cimoszewicz and Frattini said bilateral economic development was impressive even despite Poland's huge deficit in turnover. The two discussed ways of promoting Polish economy in Italy to reduce the trade deficit. Both ministers believed there was a need for setting up a "dialogue forum", that means annual meetings of both governments' representatives so as to provide "stability" for Polish-Italian top level contacts.

Statoil and PGNiG may sign contract on gas supplies

Warsaw, Feb. 19: Norwegian Statoil and PGNiG oil and gas company do not rule out signing a contract on supplies to Poland of 1 to 2 bn cubic metres of natural gas annually, according to PGNiG CEO Marek Kossowski. "If such a contract is signed, we will consider building a Bernau-Szczecin pipeline to carry the Norwegian gas," Kossowski said. "The pipeline could carry the gas starting in 2006," he added. Statoil deputy CEO Peter Mellbye said the parties would also consider supplies of liquefied gas by sea to Polish ports. Poland now buys some 0.5 bn cu m of natural gas in Norway. Statoil and PGNiG signed a memorandum of cooperation in gas supplies.

No threat of energy crash

Warsaw, Feb.19: There was no threat of an energy crash in connection with suspension by Russia of gas supplies via Belarus, PM Leszek Miller admitted. "The gas we get via Belarus accounts for 30 pc of our total needs. Don't believe those who say we faced an energy crash," Miller said. He noted that if need arose domestic storage tanks could be tapped on. Moreover, gas consumption from domestic sources could be stepped up, and gas supplies coming via Ukraine could be increased. "But the situation is a reminder of the need for diversification," Miller agreed. Government spokesman Marcin Kaszuba denied charges by the opposition that Poland's energy security was in danger. "There wasn't even the slightest degree of danger and there is no threat of gas supplies being halted," he declared (...) The eastern direction is not the only one Poland gets its gas from," he stressed but admitted that „the situation would become dangerous if it lasted for several weeks. Then perhaps large industrial users would be at risk," he said. "Everything returned to normal and fast, just as it had been predicted," Kaszuba said. Now "it is a matter for politicians to tackle," he added and said that the talk between Poland's and Russia's foreign ministers had taken place. Kaszuba also said that "the search for possible diversification of gas supplies has in no way been given up." On Friday officials of PGNiG company meet Danish DONG Co. officials "to discuss further cooperation in implementing the agreement on the construction of the Baltic Pipe pipeline and gas supplies," Kaszuba revealed. Opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party demanded an immediate setting up of a crisis task force that would cooperate with the Sejm in examining the potential threats to Poland's energy security. PiS deputies also want criminal responsibility before the Tribunal of State for persons responsible for the onset of energy security threat.

EC does not reveal scale of aid to Poland

Warsaw, Feb.19: Poland will get more than 50 bn euros in assistance from the EU structural and cohesion funds in the years 2007 through 2013, according to head of the regional development direction of the EC Jean-Charles Leygues who visits Warsaw. He declined to state the exact figure, though. Leygues presented the guidelines of the Third Cohesion Report but refused to confirm suggestions that Poland will get assistance to the tune of 70 bn euros. He explained that allocations for individual countries must first be approved by the European Council before they could be made public. He added, however, that the scale of aid to Poland "will exceed that once granted Spain." Leygues warned that the final value would be determined by the level of absorption of aid made available between 2004 and 2006, i.e. 11 bn euros. "If it turns out that a large portion of that aid is not used, the Commission will run into difficulties persuading net donor countries to approve new, larger funding," Leygues said.

Polish, German MPs meet

Warsaw, Feb. 19: Plans for the foundation of a Centre Against Expulsions in Berlin dominated meeting in the Sejm between German and Polish MPs. The idea to build the centre evoked strong protests in Poland, which sees its post-war expulsions of Germans from its western territories as justified by Germany's earlier aggression on Poland. CDU foreign spokesman Friedbert Pflueger suggested a network of centres coordinated by the Council of Europe. Pflueger reminded that the German and Polish presidents had signed a declaration pledging a new approach to expulsions and resettlement in Europe and appealed for the foundation of a EC body to monitor the foundation of national remembrance sites devoted to expulsions. The Polish side expressed fears that an expellee centre could lead to warping the historical truth about post-war expulsions of Germans from Poland.

GUS: January's unemployment rate up to 20.6 pct

Warsaw, Feb. 20: January's unemployment rate grew to 20.6 pct from 20.0 pct in December 2003, the Central Statistical Office said Friday. The number of jobless was at 3.29 million in January 2004, up by 117.5 thousand from December 2003.

38 percent for Kwasniewska's presidency

Opole, Feb. 18 : 38 percent of Poles in a Polish Polling Group (PBG) survey said they would back Polish First Lady Jolanta Kwasniewska in the presidential elections, an 8 percent rise on January figures. Next in line with 11 percent each were Citizens Platform (PO) leader Donald Tusk, Samoobrona leader Andrzej Lepper and Law and Justice (PiS) founder and Warsaw mayor Lech Kaczynski.

Polish missionaries serve in 94 countries

Warsaw, Feb. 19: Over 2,000 missionaries from Poland are working in 94 countries at present, according to a report of the Polish Episcopate Missions Committee prepared on the occasion of the 20 th anniversary of the Centre of Formation for Missions. The monks form the most numerous group of missionaries, and every second of them works in Africa or Latin America. Next most numerous are nuns, half of them serving in Africa. The most numerous groups of Polish missionaries are stationed in Brazil (325), Cameroon (137), Argentina (132), Bolivia (118), Zambia (107), Papua New Guinea (74), Tanzania (61) and Kazakhstan (60), while Benin, Jordan, Kirgyzstan, Cuba, Lesotho, Liban, Mali, Martinique, Nigeria, Puerto Rico and Thailand have only one Polish missionary each.

Kwasniewski meets journalists on Iraq, EU

Warsaw, March 18: President Aleksander Kwasniewski told a group of French journalists that Poland had been "led astray by information on weapons of mass destruction" in Iraq. He also stressed that the withdrawal of Polish troops from the Iraqi coalition would have no sense. "It's mid-March and I ask what sense such troop pullout would have if it meant the return of war, ethnic cleansing and aggression towards neighbouring countries." Earlier Kwasniewski did not exclude possibility that Poland may withdraw its forces from Iraq in early 2005 when the stabilization mission ends in success. He said that military forces would be replaced by peacekeeping forces and at that phase Poland may limit its contingent in Iraq. Kwasniewski also reported on Poland's EU preparations and expressed hope for a prompt resolution of conflicts around the EU constitution. Also discussed was Poland's involvement in the Iraq reconstruction program and possible scenario's after Spain's withdrawal from Iraq. The President answered questions on Poland's relations with Germany, France and the U.S.. He stressed that Poland's friendly ties with all three countries were unchanged. Present at the meeting were journalists from France and Brussels-based correspondents.

PM: Poland's stand on Iraq remains unchanged

Warsaw, March 19: PM Leszek Miller confirmed that Poland's evaluation of the situation in Iraq and the country's position on the presence of its armed forces there remained unchanged. Miller did not want to comment on a Thursday statement by President Kwasniewski on Poland being "led astray" as to the presence of arms of mass destruction in Iraq. "I do not know the context of the statement nor how the statement was translated," Miller stressed. He added he and Foreign Minister Cimoszewicz met to discuss international affairs. Miller underlined that when the Polish government made the decision to get involved in Iraq it believed the situation was politically and morally justified. "We can't say today that Iraq without Saddam Hussein is worse than it was with him Saddam Hussein," the PM stressed. He added that Poland would not be there even a day longer than the situation will require. „We are for an increased role of the UN and NATO in the process of normalisation of the situation in Iraq," emphasised Miller.

President has left for Persian Gulf countries

Warsaw, March 19: President Aleksander Kwasniewski has left Friday for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to discuss ways of boosting economic cooperation and promote Poland during a six-day visit in the region. During first ever official visits paid by a Polish president to

these four countries, Kwasniewski will also discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and Iraq as well as stabilisation process there.

Prime Minister does not plan to resign, gov't spokesman says

Warsaw, March 18: Government Spokesman Marcin Kaszuba said that PM Leszek Miller does not plan to resign. The announcement of Friday media conference revived speculations on Miller's possible resignation. Meanwhile, deputy PM and Internal Affairs Minister Jozef Oleksy has said that "some kind of a (cabinet) reconstruction would help in a situation when the government image has so badly deteriorated." Asked when such steps could be taken, Oleksy replied that there will be a number of developments before May 1 "which should give a signal on Poland's stability." Former Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) deputy head Andrzej Celinski thinks that talks on a possible government reshuffle should be "suspended for several weeks." SLD's leader Krzysztof Janik denied that he had asked PM Leszek Miller to resign on Wednesday. He added that the SLD was not considering sacking the PM. Rzeczpospolita daily cited several sources as saying that Janik had asked Miller to step down on Wednesday. Miller was to be replaced by Interior Minister Jozef Oleksy. Reportedly, The PM refused to resign. Spokesman for the SLD caucus said that basing on Janik's report on his meeting with Miller, it seems that the Prime Minister asked to return to the debate on a possible cabinet reshuffle after the EU summit in Brussels scheduled for March 25-26.

Oleksy: no signs of any preparations for terrorist attacks

Warsaw, March 18 : There are no signs testifying to any attempts to prepare terrorist attacks in Poland, Interior Minister Jozef Oleksy said in the Sejm presenting a report on the state of Poland's preparation for a potential terrorist attack but stressed that we must maintain a heightened state of alert. A motion to present a government report to the Sejm was forwarded by the League of Polish Families. "There cannot be a 100 percent guarantee of security for our people and our country," Oleksy said but stressed that Poland's services were prepared for such attacks. The minister assured that all information and signals concerning possible threats, terrorist organizations and their links with people staying in Poland have been collected by the Internal Security Agency, police, the Intelligence Agency and military services. Oleksy stressed that Poland's borders have been better sealed. Dams, sewage system, power grids have been under permanent surveillance, the Interior Minister said and added that safety measures have been also applied to schools, public transportation, churches and other places. "We are appealing to all Poles to be vigilant to people behaving in a strange way and to look out for unattended bags and backpacks," Oleksy said.

Oleksy promotes European integration among local gov't activists

Warsaw, March 18: Deputy PM Jozef Oleksy appealed to local government activists to attach top priority attention to European integration issues at a meeting of the Union of Polish Counties in Warsaw. He underlined local government's low awareness of the fact that May 1, 2004 is a historic date for Poland. "I would like this date to be inscribed in the memory of generation," Oleksy stressed. He assured that counties would not be liquidated but "incentives for target local government unions will be created.". Apart for the future of counties, the two-day debate focused on the situation in the health care sector and the implementation of the law on local government revenues. The Union of Polish Counties was set up in 1999 and affiliates 314 counties and localities.

EU commissioner urges Poland to step up preparations

Brussels, March 18: Forty four days before joining the European Union Poland is 55 percent ready for paying out direct subsidies for farmers, believes the European Commission. EC said the country struggled with personnel recruitment and training. However, EU commissioner for agriculture Franz Fischler warned that any additional delay in preparations may deprive farmers of subsidies and expose the budget to paying back EU money assigned for subsidies.

CBOS: growing number of Poles criticise gov't and PM

Warsaw, March 18: Only 11 percent of the polled said they supported Leszek Miller government (14 pct in February) and 10 pct said they were glad Miller was the Prime Minister (down by 4 pct since February), according to a recent CBOS poll. 57 pct of Poles described themselves as opponents of the Miller government (up 7 points on February's figure) and 75 pct of the polled said they were unhappy with having Miller on top of the government (68 pct in February). This has been the toughest assessment of Miller's cabinet since it was appointed in 2001. None of the previous cabinets after 1989 had ever had such low ratings. Only 12 pct of the polled were convinced that the government economic policy was creating chances for improvement (down 3 points) whereas 79 percent (up 5 points) said it was not.

February's unemployment rate at 20.6 pct

Warsaw, March 19: The unemployment rate in February 2004 was unchanged from January at 20.6 percent. The number of the jobless in February 2004 was 3.295 million.

Polanski receives Super Victor statuette, meets president

Warsaw, March 18: Polish-born film director Roman Polanski received the statuette of Super Victor as an honorary lifetime achievement award. Super Victor is conferred upon outstanding personalities of culture and media by the Polish Television Academy. Polanski came to Warsaw for a brief visit. He also met with President Kwasniewski. The two discussed the programme of the Polish Culture Season 2004 which is to be held in France.

The President starts visit to United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi, March 22: President Aleksander Kwasniewski arrived in Abu Dhabi for a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This is the third country, after Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the President has visited during his current tour of the Persian Gulf region. At the start of his visit to Abu Dhabi Kwasniewski held talks with UAE President Sheikh Zayed ibn Sultan an-Nahayan. The President also made a call at the Trade and Industry Chamber. The visit has largely centred on economic cooperation. The President also met Poles living in the Emirates. He said Poland wanted the Gulf states to be ever more present in its political and economic relations. In the evening Kwasniewski flew off to Dubai to meet with UAE Finance and Industry Minister Sheikh Hamdan ibn Rashid al- Maktum and heir to the throne and UAE Defence Minister Sheikh Muhammad ibn Rashid al-Maktum. In Dubai Kwasniewski will take part in an economic forum. Poland is one of the most important partners of the UAE out of the Central-Eastern Europe. In 2003, trade exchange with the Emirates amounted to 112.5 million USD, which was nearly 43 percent up the 2002 level.

Schroeder-Miller talks: green light for EU constitution?

Warsaw, March 23 : A compromise on the voting system in the EU Council is the main topic of Tuesday's talks between Prime Minister Leszek Miller and chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Warsaw. Schroeder's visit may be of key importance for overcoming deadlock in works on the EU Constitutional Treaty. Miller has declared that the talks will not be held under the slogan "Nice or death," associated with hardline opposition to a compromise. Also the German side expressed hope that Schroeder's visit would bring progress in talks on the EU constitution. foreign minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz said he was 90 percent certain that the meeting would produce "political results". It will also deal with bilateral relations. Miller's foreign policy adviser Tadeusz Iwinski pointed to fears of possible German claims harboured by some Polish circles and added: "We want to clarify this matter." Miller and Schroeder will also discuss struggle against terrorism, Iwinski said.

Regional Partnership foreign ministers meet in Brussels

Warsaw, March 22: Foreign Minister of Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary held a meeting in Brussels within the Regional Partnership. It was held at the invitation of Poland. The ministers discussed preparations for the nearest meeting of the European Council, questions related to the EU Constitutional Treaty and the New Financial Perspective. They expressed the will to conclude negotiations on the Treaty as soon as possible so that to ensure efficiency and openness of the future Union. They also expressed the opinion that the New Financial Perspective should envisage means adequate to the new members' needs, especially within the cohesion policy area, with due respect paid to the principles of EU financial discipline. In connection with the EU enlargement on May 1, 2004, the ministers decided continue to develop mutual contacts. Pragmatic and informal character of their cooperation was also stressed. Matters of importance for further development of the EU, including Western Balkans and the New Neighbourhood Initiative, with special attention paid to EU's relations with Ukraine, are to be discussed in future.

RKN calls on Miller to warn Schroeder on compensation claims

Warsaw, March 22 : Head of the Catholic National Movement (RKN) Antoni Macierewicz called on PM Leszek Miller to raise the question of German compensation claims in his talks with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. The Sejm adopted a resolution on German claims March 12 that says that "all questions pertaining to Poland's taking over of land properties formerly owned by German resettlers are finally closed and cannot be reviewed" by the Tribunal of Justice in Luxembourg or the Human Rights Tribunal in Strasbourg. Another provision in the resolution says that "the Sejm calls on the cabinet to include identical reservations in the EU Constitutional Treaty now under negotiation." Miller should tell Schroeder that "unless German claims are declared groundless there is no room for a further discussion of the EU constitution," Macierewicz said.

Party will not oust Miller

Warsaw, March 22: There are a lot of voices calling for a cabinet change but I don't think the party will withdraw its backing of the Prime Minister, Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) secretary Marek Dyduch said, responding to a statement by interior minister Jozef Oleksy that withdrawing Miller's party mandate for the PM post could oust him from government. Oleksy said on the TV that Miller should "give some serious thought" to his future as government head and suggested the SLD National Council could remove him from government by taking away his mandate. Things are simply not done this way but we certainly won't shy away from a debate on government changes, Dyduch said, adding that SLD would most probably refuse to drop its backing for Miller. Asked about a Thursday-meeting of SLD leaders he said one of the main topics would be the expected departure from SLD of a splinter group around Sejm (parliament) speaker Marek Borowski.

New left-wing party may be founded on Sunday

Warsaw, March 23: High quality state, strong Europe and left-wing government are the three pillars of the program of a new left-wing party which setting up will probably be announced Sunday by a group of ten prominent dissidents from the ruling Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) including Sejm speaker Marek Borowski. "We will try to support the cabinet, although we may try to change it after some time," one of the group members Andrzej Celinski said. Its another member said the new party will support the Jerzy Hausner austerity package in parliament. The new party will most likely be called Socjaldemokracja Polska (Polish Social Democracy) and can count on some 30 MPs in the present House. Celinski, who is working on the party's program, says it will be more sensitive than SLD to the needs of weaker social groups. Celinski, recent ex-deputy chairman of SLD, said that SLD ceased to be a left-wing party and abandoned its electoral commitment to build a high quality state.

Rokita for early elections

Wroclaw, March 22 : Parliamentary elections should take place as soon as possible as each day under the Miller government was a "day lost for Poland", Citizens Platform (PO) leader Jan Rokita said. Rokita said that in his opinion the ruling Democratic Left Alliance was nearing its end but that this did not mean the left will disappear from Poland. What we are witnessing is the ultimate end of communist Poland. This is the final step of the Solidarity revolt, the one omitted in 1990-1991, when no one delegalized the communists, Rokita said.

Economy Ministry: GDP up 4.7-5.0 pct in 2004

Warsaw, March 22: The Economy Ministry forecasts this year's GDP growth at 4.7-5 pct, versus 3.7 pct in 2003. "A continuation of last year's acceleration of GDP is expected in 2004. Both exports and domestic demand are expected to have a positive influence on GDP", the ministry said. "You can also assume that the labour factor will have a positive effect in 2004, chiefly through a rise of the number of the employed and a fall of unemployment.”. The annual inflation is predicted to rise by some 2 pct from 0.8 pct in 2003, whereas the unemployment to fall to below 19 pct from February's 20.6 pct.

Nalecz openly calls for Miller's resignation

Warsaw, March 23: Tomasz Nalecz, member of the junior coalition member, the Union of Labour and the deputy Sejm speaker , said PM Miller should resign. Nalecz said that "today, it is obvious to all that Leszek Miller must resign." According to him "a politician who is negatively assessed by 90 percent of society cannot lead a government, even if someone feels this is an unfair evaluation..." said Nalecz.

Polish consulate opens in Irkutsk

Moscow, March 23: A new Polish consulate has been opened in Irkutsk. The Irkutsk region is the third largest centre, after Moscow and Petersburg, of Poles living in Russia. New consulate, apart from issuing visas and other consular activities, will focus on cooperation with local Polish communities. Its consular district, more than ten times larger than Poland, includes Irkutsk and Chita regions, Krasnoyarsk Territory and autonomous republics of Buriatia and Tuva.

Polish general receives German medal

Warsaw, March 22: Polish land force commander general Edward Pietrzyk has been awarded the Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. Pietrzyk had been distinguished for his contributions to tightening friendship between Poles and Germans. The general, in command of Poland's land army since 2000, is known as a strong supporter of Poland's military cooperation with Germany. Among others he co-authored the handing over of 128 German Leopard tanks to Poland in 2002.

Most Poles have phones, one-fifth online

Warsaw, March 22: Over 75 percent of Poles in CBOS Poll had telephones, over 35 pct had a PC, 26 pct had access to the internet, 21 pct had a weblink at home. 78 pct had fixed-line phones, 54 pct cable or satellite TV, 14 pct had a PC, a phone or cable TV but no web access. Most of Poland's internauts surf by modem, 6 percent have a fixed link. 20 pct used email, 13 pct shopped online regularly. 45 pct had mobile telephones.

Kwasniewski: Poland for Mideast peace

Dubai, March 23: We would very much welcome peace and development in the Mideast region, Persian-Gulf-visiting President Kwasniewski said in Dubai. He assured Poland would not be pulling out from Iraq before its mission was over and would not enlarge its Iraq force. Explaining why Poland involved itself in the Iraq operation, Kwasniewski said that "we believed and still believe that the Saddam Hussein regime was a crucial threat to global safety and the safety of this region". Hussein used mass destruction weaponry also against his own people, he waged war against his neighbours and committed genocide. I am sure the world without Hussein is better than it had been when he was in power. This is why we took part in this mission in the belief that this would be part of a very important struggle against terrorism.

President for trade with Arab Emirates

Dubai, March 23: Trade between Poland and the United Arab Emirates could grow provided Poland is better promoted in the region, Emirates-visiting Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski said in Dubai. Earlier, Kwasniewski attended an economic forum, met members of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and visited a free trade zone. The President said afterwards that his visit in Dubai opened up a new cooperation phase between Poland and the Emirates. He also reminded that Poland's EU membership will help in trade with Arab countries. Poland is one of the UAE's major partners in Central and Eastern Europe. During his visit, Kwasniewski was assured that the UAE would open its embassy in Poland. The President underlined that his visit to the four Persian Gulf countries was to show Poland's interest in the region. Kwasniewski explained that Poland wanted to present the Arab partners with an investment offer and such actions that would enable the emirates to approach Poland in future "as a springboard for other contacts in central and eastern Europe." The President stressed the need for more information in Poland about the emirates and vice versa. Talks in Dubai also focused on the issue of resuming direct Warsaw-Dubai air connection suspended in 1999. The Polish side presented the partners from the emirates with a list of possible investments in oil, metallurgy, chemical sectors and tourism.

After having left Dubai, President Kwasniewski arrived in Qatar for a one-day visit. This is the last leg of Kwasniewski's tour of the Persian Gulf states. During his visit to Doha, the President will meet Qatar's Amir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and attend bilateral economic forum.

Miller after meeting Zapatero: We want to work together

Madrid, March 24: There is a will to continue mutual efforts and any modification of a position on the EU Constitution is to be done together, Prime Minister Leszek Miller said after a meeting with Spanish PM elect Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. Miller admitted he was becoming a supporter of an idea to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution in Poland. Miller went to Madrid to attend a funeral mass to honour the victims of the March 11 terrorist attacks. Four Poles died in result of the attacks and six Polish persons have been hospitalised. Funeral ceremonies will also be attended by some dozen heads of states and governments and other VIPs, including the Royal family, US Secretary of State Colin Powell, President of the EC Romano Prodi and of European parliament Pat Cox..

Miller, Schroeder: compromise on EU constitution in sight

Warsaw, March 23: We agreed that a compromise on the EU constitution was not only necessary but quite possible, Polish PM Leszek Miller said in Warsaw after talks at his home with visiting German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. Poland (and until recently Spain) wants the inclusion of EU Nice Treaty voting rules in the new EU constitution, the other EU members opt for a double majority system proposed by the European Convention. Spain's future government has recently announced it would withdraw its backing of the Nice Treaty. Miller said Poland was open to a compromise solution on the constitution and stressed that both he and Schroeder would instruct their foreign ministers to work on the matter together with Ireland, now holding the EU rotating presidency. Schroeder, on a brief visit to Warsaw pending the EU summit in Brussels, said there were ways for Poland to make its mark in the EU without resigning from double majority voting. I see ways to make Poland's weight in the EU felt without giving up the double majority system, Schroeder said, adding that double majority voting did not lie "solely in Germany's interest" but was better for the entire Union. According to Schroeder Polandfriendly adjustments of the system's thresholds were possible, its introduction could also be postponed until 2014. We're sure we'll find a way out of this under Ireland's EU presidency, Schroeder said. Miller and Schroeder also discussed German property claims against Poland. Miller said the German chancellor had clearly refuted all such demands on Germany's part. Both leaders also reviewed the global anti-terrorism campaign, Miller also invited Schroeder for this year's celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising against the Nazis.

Cimoszewicz: PM believes referendum on EU Constitution good idea

Warsaw, March 24: Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz said that PM Leszek Miller expressed the opinion that a referendum on the adoption of the EU Constitution was a "good idea". According to Cimoszewicz, such a decision should be taken after the draft has been presented to the Parliament. And a decision concerning further ratification procedures should be taken at that moment, he said and added that this would be the most reasonable solution. The minister expressed the conviction that there were chances to reach an agreement on the EU constitution which would not result in disputes in Poland. A referendum is a good idea but let us remember that in order to declare it valid in Poland it must be attended by 50 percent of Poles entitled to vote, Cimoszewicz said. Therefore he added such a referendum might be held together with presidential elections as this would increase voters turnout.

Citizens Platform, CDU on EU constitution, property claims

Berlin, March 23: The leaders of the centrist Citizens Platform (PO) outlined their position on the EU constitution and German exile claims against Poland at a meeting with members of the CDU. After the talks PO's Donald Tusk assured CDU was not planning to back German vindication claims after taking over government. He added that CDU head Angela Merkel would present her party's position on the issue "in a manner satisfying the Polish side" at the PO congress on May 3. These are difficult problems, also for the Germans, but after today it appears certain that CDU will not back any such claims, Tusk said. Postwar German exiles from west Poland are claiming vindication for property and land lost in result of their resettlement. If endorsed, the claims could surpass Poland's financial means.

PM for compromise on EU constitution, opposition critical

Warsaw, Dubai, March 23: PM Miller said that a compromise on the vote-counting system in the EU constitution will let Poland preserve its present position. The PM explained that he did not know what type of a compromise the sides would work out but underlined that the December Sejm resolution calling on the government to stick to the Nice system of vote-taking was still binding for the government. President Kwasniewski said in Dubai that information he received from Foreign Minister Cimoszewicz suggested that "a certain possibility of reconciling two positions on the EU constitution, one presented by Poland and another presented by Germany, was looming on the horizon." Meanwhile, opposition parties were not that happy with the course of Miller's talks with Schroeder. Leader of the Law and Justice (PiS) Jaroslaw Kaczynski said a compromise on the EU constitution has been repeatedly mentioned but it has been dealt secretly. He stressed that in the eyes of PiS the draft law of the EU Constitutional Treaty contradicts the national interest of Poland not only as regards a decision-making system but also other issues. Even sharper criticism of Miller's position was voiced by head of the National-Catholic Movement (RKN) Antoni Macierewicz, who termed it a "total surrender to the dictate of Germany."

Bolkestein: Poland can use 12 bn euros from EU funds

Warsaw, March 23: Joining the EU gives Poland both the access to the world biggest market and the possibility to use 12 bn euros in the coming years, EU Commissioner for internal market Frederik Bolkestein said. Money could be spent on infrastructure, scientific research and other fields that require support. According to Bolkestein, most of the work connected with Poland's joining the EU has been done, but there are still four fields that require much attention: mutual acceptance of professional qualifications and titles, free flow of goods (like used cars imports), and questions regarding securities market and investment services.

Police releases four foreigners finding no terror links

Warsaw, March 23: The three Pakistanis and one Ukrainian, detained Sunday for questioning over for possible links to terrorism, were released as the Central Investigation Office (CBS) found no evidence of any such connection. The police HQ spokesman said all four were in Poland legally and may remain in the country. After the men were detained police found marked-up city maps in a search of one of the men's apartments. Areas of the city were circled on the maps, including a zone with the capital's only synagogue, an area housing an embassy and police headquarters although no specific sites were marked. Reportedly, the marked areas were mainly around offices where they were applying for residence permission.

Poll: Government popularity ratings hit new record low

Warsaw, Feb. 17: The government popularity ratings hit a new record low since the start of its tenures with 92 percent of Poles negatively assessing the government. The number of dissatisfied with the performance of the Prime Minister remained unchanged to the February level standing at 82 pct, a March poll of TNS OBOP shows. The number of people positively assessing President Kwasniewski remained at 57 percent.

Poll: Poles confidence in EU falling

Warsaw, March 23: March was a successive month to record Poles' falling confidence in the EU, according to a IPSOS poll. Only 28 percent of the surveyed said they trusted the EU and 61 pct declared they did not. In February the respective figures were 30 pct and 55 percent.

Polish delegation arrives in Brussels

Brussels, March 25: A Polish government delegation with Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz arrived in Brussels on Thursday to attend a two-day EU summit starting later in the day.

Miller and Zapatero want to continue to work together

Madrid, March 24: Poland and Spain want their alliance on the EU Constitution to remain in force. If they change their position on the vote counting system in the EU Council they will do it together, Prime Minister Leszek Miller said Wednesday after a meeting with Spanish PM elect Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. So far Poland and Spain have been against plans to depart in 2009 from the voting system adopted in Nice. Germany and France want this system to be replaced with the so-called double majority method. Asked whether Spain was planning to give up its efforts to keep the Nice system, Miller said: "Spain is at the moment analysing the situation but a modification of its position is rather certain. It is still unknown how this modification can look like but it should be expected." But we want to continue to speak with one voice or a very similar one, Miller said. The Polish PM also met with his outgoing counterpart and fervent supporter of the Nice vote system Jose Maria Aznar. Miller admitted that he was becoming a supporter of an idea to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution in Poland. This is a very significant legal and political act and the Polish people should have the right to voice their opinion, he stressed.

Kwasniewski: Timing of visit to Persian Gulf states perfect

Doha, March 24: The timing of this visit was perfect as it took place just before our integration with the European Union; it convinced our partners that entering the EU we are not becoming Eurocentrist as they may have suspected, said President Aleksander Kwasniewski while summing up his six-day visit to Persian Gulf states. "On the other hand the membership of the EU strengthens Poland as the country becomes a member of a very important world's club and has the same legal, economic and political standards," he stressed. Kwasniewski said that political contacts with Persian Gulf states require trust in joint undertakings that should be developed between those states that are friendly towards each other. The president underlined the difficult situation in the region. He said that he had tough talks on Poland's presence in Iraq because of lack of optimism as to further developments there. "We will develop bilateral cooperation, we will cooperate with the entire region also on the international arena. Poland is highly valued here and this quality is being underlined by our integration with the EU. Poland's active policy in the region will be beneficial to both sides," the president summed up.

President arrives in Qatar

Doha, March 24: President Aleksander Kwasniewski arrived in Qatar on Wednesday morning for a one-day visit to that country. This is the last leg of Kwasniewski's tour of the Persian Gulf states. On Wednesday evening the president is coming back to Poland. During his visit to Doha the Polish president will meet Qatar's Amir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and attend a Polish-Qatari economic forum.

PM, President to discuss Miller's talks in Spain, EU Treaty

Madrid, March 24: PM Leszek Miller told journalists in Madrid on Wednesday that he would meet President Aleksander Kwasniewski Wednesday night or Thursday morning to discuss the outcome of his talks in Spain and an EU summit, that starts in Brussels on Thursday. "The president comes back from Qatar late Wednesday night so I will meet him either tonight or tomorrow. It will be a routine meeting. The president will also share his experience from the visit to Persian Gulf states, that concluded today," Miller added. Leszek Miller heads a Polish delegation that is leaving for a two- day EU summit on Thursday afternoon. The summit was to be devoted to the so called Lisbon strategy but after March 11 terrorist attacks in Madrid it is likely to focus on terrorism-fighting. Miller will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz. "Even though the agenda of the summit does not envisage a discussion on the EU Constitutional Treaty Ireland, that holds EU rotating presidency may come up with something it would like to present as a result of consultations on the treaty," he explained. The PM did not exclude the possibility of holding a referendum on the EU Constitutional Treaty in Poland. "I think this idea should be considered. The referendum could be held together with presidential elections to give it a chance for a higher turnout," he told journalists.

Verheugen: Poland should strive to reach compromise before May 1

Berlin, March 24: EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen suggested Wednesday that Poland should make efforts to reach a compromise on the European constitution before its accession to the Union in May. According to AFP, Verheugen told Deutschlandradio that the European parliamentary elections in June would also be a good time. The matter is to find a formula which will help Poland demonstrate its ability to compromise with upheld brow, Verheugen said. In his opinion the Tuesday meeting of Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder with Prime Minister Leszek Miller was "an important signal" of the will to offer Poland a helping hand to overcome the impasse.

Meeting on expulsions to be held in Warsaw in April

Berlin, March 24: Culture ministers of Poland, Germany and other Central European countries will meet in Warsaw in April to discuss the problems of expulsions, flights and migration in Europe and the proposal to create a coordinating centre for exhibitions, discussions and other related events, German minister of state for culture and media Christina Weiss said in Berlin Wednesday. Weiss said she hopes that this will make it possible to discuss difficult problems at a higher, spiritual level. The German minister is against the proposal launched by the German union of expellees BdV to build a Centre Against Expulsions in Berlin. In her opinion the problem of expulsions should be dealt with by a decentralised network of European centres and institutions operating in the countries concerned.

Tusk: PO to motion for self-dissolution of Sejm

Wroclaw, March 24: Sejm deputy-Speaker Donald Tusk announced in Wroclaw Wednesday that the Citizens' Platform (PO) will table a motion on self-dissolution of the Sejm and will call for new elections to be held together with elections to the European Parliament. Tusk said the PO wants the motion on self-dissolution to be examined some time between the end of March and early in April so that parliamentary and European elections could be held simultaneously in June. An appeal for the self-dissolution of parliament was issued by the Law and Justice (PiS) party last January, and the League of Polish Families called for early parliamentary elections last Tuesday.

Only 5 percent support government

Warsaw, March 24: Only 5 percent of Poles in an Ipsos survey backed the Leszek Miller government, 8 percent voiced support for the PM himself (4 points down from February). 89 percent criticized the government (5 points up from February). 84 percent criticized Miller (77 pct in February). Also down 3 points is support for president Aleksander Kwasniewski, 47 percent praising his work in March. 41 percent criticised the president (up 4 points from February). Ipsos ran the poll from March 5 to 9 on a random group of 1,005 Poles 15 and over.

Poll: Sejm popularity ratings hit record low

Warsaw, March 24: The Sejm popularity ratings hit a record low in March with 78 percent of Poles negatively assessing its work and only 11 percent voicing the opposite opinion, according to a recent CBOS poll. A month ago the respective figures were 73 percent and 14 percent. The number of Poles praising President Aleksander Kwasniewski has gone down from 65 percent to 60 percent whereas the number of people negatively assessing his work has gone up from 26 percent to 30 percent. Twenty four percent of Poles were unable to voice any opinion concerning the work of the Senate and 57 percent of those having a definite view negatively assessed its work. 19 percent of the surveyed positively assessed its work. The poll was conducted from March 5 to 8, 2004 on a representative sample of 1,022 adult Poles.

Miller in Brussels for EU summit

Brussels, March 25: Prime Minister Leszek Miller arrived in Brussels for the two-day EU summit. The first session of the European Council, starting in the evening, is devoted to a discussion on moves designed to better co-ordinate struggle against terrorism. During a working dinner late Friday the gathered will hear conclusions of consultations on a possible compromise on the EU constitution presented by the Irish side. The summit participants are expected to declare their willingness for resuming the intergovernmental conference. On Friday the council is planned to discuss economic issues, mainly the so-called Lisbon strategy.

Cimoszewicz does not rule out compromise on EU constitution

Brussels, March 25: Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz for the first time spoke about the possibility of a compromise based on the so called double majority in talks on the EU Constitutional Treaty. Cimoszewicz made a statement to this effect after meeting leaders of Visegrad Group and Benelux states and still before an EU summit in Brussels. He added that one should not be misled by the simplicity of the statement, as a lot would depend on details. The above mentioned issue was the main reason behind a collapse of the talks on the EU Constitutional Treaty in December last year. Spain and Poland strongly opposed the double majority system opting for a system, which was adopted in Nice in 2000, in that have both countries almost the same number of votes as Germany and France have. Cimoszewicz stressed that the vote taking system in the EU council by the majority of votes should mirror right relations between member states. According to Cimoszewicz this lies in the interest of the entire Europe including Poland as it will impact the political climate in Europe and the result of elections to EP. The minister added that Poland maintained its stance on including in the preamble of the constitution a reference to the Christian tradition of Europe.

EU commissioner visits film school in Lodz

Lodz, March 25: Viviane Reding, member of the European Commission responsible for education and culture on Thursday spoke about the need to create a strong European cinema and prospects for the Polish cinema in the European Union.Reding visited the State Higher Film, Television and Theatre School in Lodz, central Poland. If we want to help the Polish film industry we must create a strong European cinema. This is a new concept of the cultural policy we want to pursue, she said at a meeting with students and rector of the school. She added that it will be much easier for Polish filmmakers to work on a big market of the European continent with its 450 million citizens. The first pan-European undertaking is being organised, involving 23 states and 45 television stations beaming foreign films, she noted. Minister of Culture Waldemar Dabrowski who accompanied the guest said regulations are necessary for mutual recognition of diplomas and standards of education in Europe.

Enterprise Development Agency offers wide aid for SMEs

Warsaw, March 25: Almost ten thousand small and medium size enterprises have benefited from a 370 million zloty (96.1 million USD) aid programme of the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP) in 2003. The sum was almost four times larger than in 2002, PARP president Miroslaw Marek said. Over two thousand SMEs took advantage of PARP offered investment subsidies. Second most popular form of aid was linked with the purchase of consulting services. Among PARP's beneficiaries were also Internet companies and institutions operating in the business environment, including credit funds. Miroslaw Marek added that within the Phare 2000 programme PARP has organized training courses for 12 thousand SME employees and 22 thousand unemployed. 40 per cent of the unemployed that went through training managed to find a job, Marek stressed. The PARP head said that the agency has spent an overall sum of 550 million zlotys on various forms of its activities in 2003. This year, this sum is to reach one billion zlotys.

White: Polish regions well prepared for accession

Poznan, March 25: Polish regions are well prepared for European Union accession, according to Charles White, head of the European Union's Regional Policy Directorate General Information department. White believes Poland is better prepared than the Czechs or Hungary. He told that thanks to the better organisation of Polish regions, which he could see personally during his tour of Wielkopolska province, a real enlargement of the European Union would take place. In three years time most of the EU funds will go to regions, he added. During his talks with local governments representatives in Gniezno, Pila and Poznan White presented European Commission's plans with regard to the European regions. White assured that after 2006 about 70 percent of EU funds will be earmarked for development of regions, which will decide on their own how to use the money

Iraqi delegation invites Polish firms to tenders

Cracow, March 25: Polish firms may win the majority of tenders worth in total close to 550 million USD that will soon be announced at the Iraqi province of al-Ambar, said province representatives during their visit to Cracow. We have long experience from cooperation with Polish firms that are well known in Iraq from contracts implemented in the past. Those were good quality investments for a reasonable price. We've come here to once again invite Polish firms to Iraq, province governor Basal Manajd said at a meeting with southern Poland businessmen. He added that tenders would relate to different type of investments from housing estates to mosques and oil industry. The Iraqi representatives recalled that in order to take part in a tender a firm should be registered in Iraq which lasts about one week and asked businessmen to come personally to Iraq without mediation of other companies. Polish businessmen's security concerns were assuaged with the Iraqi province officials statement that "the situation related to security has improved and it should stabilise after the withdrawal of foreign stabilisation forces and taking over of power by the Iraqis."

Zloty moves not justified in fundamentals, FinMin

Warsaw, March 25: Finance Minister Andrzej Raczko said that zloty fluctuations are not justified in economic fundamentals but halt investment, which is the condition of the consolidation of the current growth of the economy. "I am worried by quite significant fluctuations of forex rates, which is not based on economic fundamentals", Raczko told newsmen on Thursday when the president appointed two new members of the management board of the central bank. "The moves cause that investment decisions are halted, meanwhile the boom we have at the moment should be reinforced by the mounting investment growth. It is very important for the economy", he said. The economy has picked up for a couple of quarters, and the GDP rose in the last quarter of the year as the government expects the GDP to be over 5 pct in 2004. But a growth of investment is necessary for the export-driven economic growth to sustain in the next quarters. But in 2003 investment fell 0.9 pct, vs. a 5.8 pct fall in 2002. Raczko said any change of the government may have some impact on the market, and added that the recent strengthening of the zloty was caused by a good evaluation of Poland's economic situation.

Treasury wants to consolidate whole group G8

Debe, March 25: The Treasury Ministry plans consolidation of all G- 8 group member-energy distributing companies, Treasury Minister Zbigniew Kaniewski told a privatisation seminar. "A final decision will most likely be taken on Monday, but as of today the consultations we are holding show that we will head towards a consolidation of the whole group G8", Kaniewski said. "We are thinking about the structure of a concern", he said. Kaniewski confirmed that the group will be privatised on the bourse. In mid-March Kaniewski halted privatisation of G-8 group member companies after El-Dystrybucja's bid had not met the ministry's meet price per share and financing guarantee expectations. After the Treasury closed negotiations on G-8 group sale, Deputy Treasury Minister Tadeusz Soroka said there is a plan to split G-8 group members into two groups, which is sought by some companies.

Nalecz for joining Borowski initiative by UP

Warsaw, March 25: Leading member of the Union of Labour (UP), deputy sejm Speaker Tomasz Nalecz said he will try to convince the entire UP to join Marek Borowski's initiative.

Nalecz stressed that if his party eventually does not decide to take such step then he himself will cross over to Borowski's future party. According to Nalecz the planned new party should have a similar programme to that of the UP. UP leader Marek Pol commenting on the issue said there are sign that there might be a split in his party, but did not exclude a future fusion with Borowski's party. "There is no such term as never in politics," Pol noted.

Inauguration of Polish Year in Ukraine

Warsaw, March 25: A gala concert by the National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio of Katowice in Kiev on March 30 will inaugurate the Polish Year in Ukraine. This great project organised by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute (IAM) will provide a broad panorama of Polish culture in the East and of the Ukrainian culture in Poland. Culture Minister Waldemar Dabrowski told newsmen that numerous events will present great Polish artists of the past and also artists of the young generation. Polish theatre productions, films, exhibitions, concerts of jazz and serious music will be held in Kiev, Lvov, Kharkov, Odessa, IAM director Ryszard Zoltaniecki said. Poland will also take part in the International Book Fair and the May Theatre Festival in Kiev. At the same time, reciprocal Ukrainian events will be held in Poland. The Lvov Opera company will present its production of Stanislaw Moniuszko's opera "The Haunted Manor" in Wroclaw in April. Urainian publishers will visit Cracow and Warsaw in April, followed by Ukrainian writers and translators invited to Poland.

40 percent say Poland will thrive in EU

Warsaw, March 25: Forty percent of Poles in an OBOP poll believed Poland will benefit from EU membership, 30 percent think otherwise. 23 percent said the EU will neither help nor harm Poland. 43 percent said Poland was unprepared to benefit from EU membership nor meet membership obligations, only 5 percent claimed otherwise. 29 percent said Poland was prepared to benefit from EU membership but not meet obligations, 14 percent that Poland was able to meet its membership task but not benefit from the EU. 58 percent expect EU membership to bring about changes for the better in Poland in 10 years, 10 percent awaited changes for the worse. 9 percent expected no changes at all.

Belka confirms he is a candidate for PM

Warsaw, Kuwait, March 29: Marek Belka confirmed that he was a candidate for a new Prime Minister. Professor Belka is holding the post of director for economic policy in the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Iraq by the end of March. He admitted he had accepted the proposal the offer to be a candidate for a new PM made a few days ago by President Aleksander Kwasniewski. Belka, on a visit to Kuwait, said that he had not conducted so far any talks on political support or candidates for ministerial posts.

Presidential candidate arouses controversy

Warsaw, March 29: Union of Labour (UP) leader Marek Pol has made his support for Marek Belka as a new Prime Minister dependant on a package of welfare laws to Hausner's economic austerity plan and a clear-cut time-table of Polish troops withdrawal from Iraq. President Kwasniewski met with leaders of the leading parliamentary caucuses in an attempt to gain the support for his candidate. Pol said that the president assured him that Belka was a candidate for an interim PM that would form a government of technocrats to rule Poland until new elections. Pol said Belka was a good candidate but the final decision on support has to be made by the party leadership. Like the president, Pol was also of the opinion that it was impossible to hold parliamentary elections together with elections to the European parliament. Meanwhile leader of the Polish Peasant Party (PSL) Janusz Wojciechowski said after consultations with the president that Belka candidacy was very hard to accept for the PSL. Final decision will be made by the PSL authorities. Later the President met with leader of the Citizens Platform (PO) Donald Tusk, who told Kwasniewski his party firmly speaks in favour of early elections. Tusk did not manage to convince the President to the idea of holding early elections together with elections to the European Parliament on June 13. The PO leader stressed that he and the President had the impression that gathering enough support for Marek Belka in the Sejm will not be an easy task. Kwasniewski will continue his consultations.

Sejm: Borowski resigns

Warsaw, March 2-30: Sejm speaker Marek Borowski resigned his post pending the formation of his political party, the Social Democracy of Poland. As everyone knows I'm busy forming a party and this would certainly conflict with my speaker function, Borowski explained. President Kwasniewski said he accepted the decision which showed Borowski as a "man of honour". Parliamentary praxis lays it down clearly: the biggest group gets the speakership, the smaller ones occupy lesser posts, Kwasniewski said, adding that this should be "a rule in our parliamentary life". He also said he did not know which party would be most powerful in parliament in future. On Tuesday, the Sejm resolved not to vote on Borowski's dismissal.

President values preparations for membership of EU

Warsaw, March 29: President Aleksander Kwasniewski said that government structures, local administration institutions and agencies as well as people were quite well prepared for Poland's integration with the EU. The statement was made at the cabinet council meeting in Warsaw. According to Kwasniewski, the Miller government still faces the most important task of wrapping up all issues related to Poland's integration with the EU. Kwasniewski stressed that the current government should wisely use the time it has so that Poland may enter the EU as well prepared, proud European state and not the proverbial poor relative. Leszek Miller assured there was no threat for Poland being unable to meet any commitment related to the integration before May 1. Poland will not surrender as regards the EU constitution but will seek a compromise for every country cherishing the hope that the EU Constitutional Treaty will be adopted still during the Irish presidency of the EU. Kwasniewski believes that a compromise that'll strengthen the country's position is possible. Miller added that such a compromise, to be accepted by Poland has to meet three criteria: it must provide a balance between small, medium-sized and large states, its entries must promote solutions adopted by agreements not votes and it has to be accepted by citizens. "They will decide whether or not we will have the European Constitution. A number of countries including, most likely, Poland is going to hold referenda on the constitution," Miller said.

Kwasniewski inaugurates Polish Year in Ukraine

Warsaw, March 29: President Aleksander Kwasniewski on Tuesday in Kiev inaugurates together with Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, the Polish Year in that country. The event has been organised by Warsaw-based Adam Mickiewicz Institute. Presidential aide Marek Siwiec said the timing is not coincidental: "In the year of Poland's accession to the EU we want to demonstrate how important Ukraine is for Poland, and that the EU accession does not mean that we are turning our back on Ukraine, but the opposite, it indicates our interest in developing contacts with Ukraine." Siwiec noted that a certain stage in Polish-Ukrainian relations is coming to an end as Kuchma's term in office expires this fall and Kwasniewski's next year. "Both presidents first met in Paris in January 1996. Many problems have yet not been solved, but I think the balance sheet is very positive," Siwiec said. In 1997 the two presidents signed in Kiev a Declaration on Forgiveness and Reconcilement which was to be a foundation for improvement of mutual relations. In Siwiec's opinion tension and utter distrust have been removed from Polish-Ukrainian relations which marked contacts at the begining. The EU accession is the most important event for Poland, and presidential elections and constitutional reform are the major events in Ukraine, which are to be a test of maturity of democracy the Ukrainian state.

NATO necessary as long as threats exist

Warsaw, March 29: NATO will be necessary as long as dangers exist and the admission of new members to the Alliance will mean more safety, Polish defense minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski said commenting official NATO accession by Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Calling the new entry "a triumph for NATO's open-door policy", he stressed that a bigger NATO will be safer, more stable and foreseeable. He also reminded that Poland and the new NATO members were already linked by political and military cooperation, primarily in the Polish-commandeered international force in Iraq.

Poland, Italy sign memorandum on civil servants' training

Warsaw, March 29: Polish civil servants will undergo training in Italy and their Italian colleagues will come to Poland under a memorandum signed between the Polish Interior Ministry and the Italian Administration Ministry. Poland accepted the invitation to a group of countries (Italy, France and Spain) which were planning to unify procedures and public proceeding laws without any pressure from Brussels. The planned training are to cover public administration, staff management in public sector, reform and modernisation of public administration and improvement of services for citizens and firms.

Hausner plan right for keeping economic growth, Belka

Warsaw, March 30: Marek Belka, the candidate for the post of PM, said the Hausner plan is right for keeping the economy growing. He added that Jerzy Hausner should remain in a cabinet. "Poland cannot afford abandoning economic growth. The economy is growing by at least 5 pct in the first quarter, and it is in danger if suddenly it turns out that we will have to tolerate a rise of interest rates when problems with financing our needs emerge. And the Hausner plans will be the best way to avert or solve the problems, Belka said.

Privatisation: over 1.5 thousand companies unsold

Warsaw, March 29 : A total of 1,736 state-owned enterprises were still up for privatisation last year, the treasury ministry informed. In all, 5,544 national companies were completely or partly privatised between the August 1990 startup of privatisation in Poland and February of 2004. Shares in 998 national enterprises were also sold to private investors.

New low-fare air connections launched

Warsaw, March 29: Wizz Air low cost airline will on April 19 launch air connections between the Polish southern city of Katowice and four European cities: London, Berlin, Milan and Rome, Wizz Air CEO Jozsef Varadi said on Monday. By the end of 2004 the lines will be serviced by 9 Airbus A320 and the number of aircrafts will gradually go up. Wizz Air capital comes from 20 private investors, also Polish. Meanwhile, another low cost carrier Air Polonia launched direct flights from Gdansk to London, Mondays and Fridays.

Also German EAE inaugurated a regular Lodz - Cologne/Bonn air connection. It will be serviced by ATR 42 planes capable to take 46 passengers. Planes will fly everyday, Monday to Friday. Lodz, located in central Poland, is the second largest Polish city.

President's consultations: party leaders differ on Belka as PM

Warsaw, March 30: President Aleksander Kwasniewski continued consultations with leaders of parliamentary groupings on his candidate for a new PM, Professor Marek Belka. He wants the new PM to assume his duties on May 2, the day when Miller's government steps down. Head of the Federative Parliamentary Club (FKP) Roman Jagielinski believes Belka is a good candidate. However, FKP's position would be known after the club meeting. The recently established Social Democracy of Poland (SdPL) does not reject Belka's candidacy and may support a new government provided it is not related to any party, SdPL leader Marek Borowski said. He did not reject the idea of holding early parliamentary elections but added it would be better if they were held in the fall than in spring. Borowski underlined that Foreign and Defence Ministers should stay in the new government so that they could continue todate policy. The Law and Justice (PiS) is against a government led by Belka and for early parliamentary elections on June 13 that would be held together with elections to the European parliament, PiS caucus leader Ludwik Dorn said after a meeting with the President. PiS will not approve any government elected by the current parliament dominated, as he put it, "by post-communist left wing forces." Dorn recalled that a year ago Kwasniewski himself supported the idea of holding elections together with the European ones. There is no way the League of Polish Families (LPR) could support a Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) candidate for a new PM, LPR leader Marek Kotlinowski said after meeting the president. He added that his party was for early elections that could be held even this June. Also the Polish Peasant Party (PSL) would not support Marek Belka as a new PM, its leader Janusz Wojciechowski said and added the point was not Belka himself but the plan under which Belka was to form a new cabinet. PSL expects new government to fight against corruption, have a pro-social attitude and be tough in European matters but fear that Marek Belka does not meet their expectations here.

Kwasniewski appeals for trusting Belka

Warsaw, March 30: President Kwasniewski said he would meet Marek Belka on Wednesday after the latter's return from Iraq, where he was in charge of economic issues at the Coalition Provisional Authorities of Iraq. After that meeting Belka will be available for talks with other political leaders, the President told newsmen summing up his two-day consultations on a successor for Leszek Miller who steps down the day after Poland joins the EU on May 1. The President said that all opinions on Belka were important to him though not final and appealed to all parties to place confidence in a new cabinet formed by Belka. He also said that Foreign and Defence Ministers Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz and Jerzy Szmajdzinski should stay as this would guarantee the continuation and stability of these ministries' policies. All other posts in the new government were open for new candidates.

President strongly against early elections

Warsaw, March 30: President Kwasniewski has strongly opposed the idea of early parliamentary elections. According to some parties, elections could be held on June 13 with elections to the European parliament. The President stressed the idea was wrong as the two elections were governed by different rules and should be held in different constituencies.. Additionally, Kwasniewski said, the importance of elections would be downgraded because one candidate may run for seats in the national and European parliaments and resign from one of the mandates at his/her own discretion. The need for early elections would arise only when Belka's government has failed to win a vote of confidence or if all constitutional attempts of forming a new government have proved unsuccessful. Then, said the President, early elections could be held around August 20 but it would be a "bad scenario".

Sejm: no vote on Borowski, Nalecz dismissals

Warsaw, March 30: The Sejm in a 180-166 vote resigned from a planned ballot on recalling Sejm speaker Marek Borowski, who resigned the speakership to found a political party. The Sejm also cancelled debates on a motion to recall his deputy Tomasz Nalecz. Borowski, currently forming a new leftwing party (Social Democracy of Poland - PAP) with a group of renegades from the ruling Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), resigned the Sejm speaker's post saying he feared a "conflict of interests". SLD leader Krzysztof Janik, who earlier today said SLD was for "a change of Sejm speaker", said the decision required "consultations among the caucuses" and "new decisions regarding participation in the Sejm Presidium".

Kwasniewski inaugurates Polish Year in Ukraine

Kiev, March 30: Polish and Ukrainian Presidents Aleksander Kwasniewski and Leonid Kuchma inaugurated the Polish Year in Ukraine. The event is to bring closer our nations, Kwasniewski said in his statement. "We will show that Europe needs both our countries," he continued. "You will see Poland attached to its tradition and boldly looking forward, a successful country entering the EU but above all Poland that is open to and friendly toward its neighbours". Kwasniewski's visit had been planned as an official one but due to the latest developments in Poland its status had been changed and the president's stay cut short to 24 hours. The Polish Year in Ukraine is aimed at breaking stereotypes, developing knowledge about both countries and contacts between regions, Culture Minister Waldemar Dabrowski said last week. According to head of the National Security Office (BBN) Marek Siwiec, the date of the event is not coincidental as Poland wanted to demonstrate that its membership of the EU would not mean that it will turn its back on Ukraine.

Foreign Minister of East Timor starts official visit

Warsaw, March 30: East Timor's Foreign Minister and Nobel Price winner Jose Ramos-Horta will pay an official visit to Poland on March 31 to April 4. On April 1 the ministers of foreign affairs of both countries will chair bilateral plenary talks and will meet Speakers of the Sejm and the Senate. On April 2 Jose Ramos-Horta will be received by President Kwasniewski. The visit will be a starting point of contacts between Poland and the Republic of East Timor, set up in 2002. It will provide an occasion to express support for the difficult process of building the state structures and will help specify areas of further cooperation.

Balcerowicz, Hausner: Close cooperation of NBP and government

Warsaw, March 30: National Bank of Poland (NBP) governor Leszek Balcerowicz and deputy PM Jerzy Hausner announced plans of close cooperation between the central bank and the government in face of political threats. "Our analyses show that Poland's economy faces many positive tendencies but also may threats, many difficult points. The present unstable political situation creates additional danger. It is important for state organs, that is the Monetary Policy Council (RPP) and the government, to cooperate in stabilising the situation, or in strengthening what is positive," Hausner said after RPP session. Balcerowicz cited opinions of central bank experts that positive tendencies are intensifying in Poland's economy. "These tendencies are visible in impressive industrial production growth, stable inflation and stable current account deficit. (...) It is an absolutely fundamental thing for these processes not to be interrupted. A threat, mentioned by Mr Hausner consists in the failure to reform state finances on time," the bank governor said.

Zloty will firm without government intervention

Warsaw, March 31: Candidate for PM Marek Belka said the Polish zloty is undervalued and it will firm without a government intervention. "The zloty is fluctuating like most currencies. Analysts from New York and London say that the zloty is one of the most undervalued currencies in Europe. It will firm - within six or twelve months or two years," Belka said. Late in 2003 the zloty weakened on investor fears about Poland's fiscal situation and the euro costs around 4.7 zlotys now.

PHZ Bumar signs 202 mn USD deal with India

Warsaw, March 30: PHZ Bumar signed a 202 million USD deal with the BEML company, representing the India's defence ministry, to deliver 228 WZT-3 armoured vehicles for the India's army. "Representatives of the India's defence ministry declared readiness for further purchases. We may increase the number of produced vehicles by 50," Bumar spokeswoman said. Poland's share in the production of WZT-3 vehicles is 80 percent. Bumar-Labedy SA from Gliwice will be the main contractor. Around 700 Polish subcontractors will be involved in the production. The deal is the second biggest contract of the Polish defence industry, after a Malaysian deal. Bumar and BEML also signed an agreement to set up a joint-venture company for production and delivery of various arms systems for the India's army.

Europe needs reconciled Christianity, hierarchs say

Warsaw, March 30: Europe needs a reconciled, converted and strong in faith Christianity, representatives of Catholic churches in Poland, Germany and Russia stressed in an appeal announced at the end of the international symposium on cultural and spiritual diversity in Europe. The meeting has been attended by Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad and chairman of the department for external relations of the Russian Orthodox Church Cyril.

Kwasniewski: Poland will not adopt separate stand on Ukraine

Kiev, March 31: Poland does not see the necessity to adopt its own, separate stand on the political situation in Ukraine and tensions related with the presidential elections scheduled for the fall, President Aleksander Kwasniewski said in Kiev. We know the stand of the Council of Europe, the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Kwasniewski said. Poland belongs to both organisations, I do not see reasons for which we should formulate some special opinions outside these structures. I am convinced that elections in Ukraine are held with due respect paid to all principles, and the upcoming elections will be held in the same manner, Kwasniewski declared at a press conference held with Ukraine's President Kuchma. Referring to the inauguration of Polish Year in Ukraine under the motto "Poland and Ukraine Together in Europe", the President said "there could hardly be a better slogan”. Kuchma informed that both sides discussed such problems as the Polish visa policy after EU accession, illegal migration, terrorism, streamlining customs clearance and development of border infrastructure. The Consultative Committee of the Polish and Ukrainian Presidents will shortly discuss the problem of simplification of border procedures, both with the customs clearance and the traffic at border crossings. Kwasniewski also met with the group of the Ukrainian opposition leaders.

President signs law on gov't-MPs cooperation in EU issues

Warsaw, March 31 : President Kwasniewski signed the March 11 law on cooperation between the government and the Sejm and Senate in issues related to Poland's membership of the European Union. Under the law, a Sejm committee for EU will be set up. 46 committee MPs representing almost all parliamentary caucuses will issue opinions on legal acts and will formulate draft positions for the government during its work on legal acts in the EU council. The committee will also issue opinions on candidates for the post of an EU commissioner and other important positions. The government will have the obligation to familiarise MPs and senators with its work in the EU every six months or at the Sejm or the Senate requests. The to-date existing European committee will be disbanded not later than on July.

Marek Belka starts consultations on government formation

Warsaw, March 31: Outgoing PM Leszek Miller met with candidate for the prime minister Marek Belka to familiarise him with the top priority tasks unfolding before the government. "Its very important for me that the professor has access to information so he may take over the premiership smoothly," Miller said. Belka, who flew back from Kuwait after completing his mission in Iraq's PCA, met also with head of the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) Krzysztof Janik who added they did not evaluate Belka's chances for forming new cabinet. "I informed him about the latest developments in the country, what matters most for us and what he may expect to come up in his first talks," Janik said. Final decision on Belka's candidacy for the PM would be made by the SLD caucus on April 13. At a joint press conference with PM Miller, Belka did not rule out the Hausner austerity plan would be revised, but said it is the key to the solution of economic problems, including protection of the poorest, which left-wing parties demand. Some SLD deputies, SDPL members and the ruling coalition partner UP call for including in the plan measures aimed at protecting the poorest. "The Hausner plans is not a program leading to painful cuts in social spending", Belka said. "Its implementation will help solve the problem of poverty, especially in the countryside. That will create chances for a more aggressive action towards improvement on the labour market", he said. Belka assured he would like to work with deputy PM Jerzy Hausner. Thursday has been the day of Belka's talks with political partners on the program and composition of a future cabinet.

Hausner unsure of post in new government

Warsaw, March 31: Deputy PM Jerzy Hausner said he was unsure of a post in the new government. Asked if he did not fear a government change could jeopardise his financial reform scheme, known as the Hausner Plan, he replied he had "cause for worry" in this respect but hoped Poland's political scene saw the plan's importance. The Deputy Prmie Minister added he would most like to see approval for those of his reforms which cut public spending and provide economic incentive.

Belka says Hausner play is key, but may be revised

Warsaw, March 31: Marek Belka did not rule out the Hausner plan will be revised, but said the program is the key to the solution of economic problems, including protection of the poorest, which left-wing parties demand. "The Hausner plans has been modified many times. I cannot rule out more modifications", Belka told a news conference attended by PM Miller. Some SLD deputies, SDPL members and the ruling coalition partner UP call for including in the plan measures aimed at protecting the poorest. "The Hausner plan is not a program leading to radical and painful cuts in social spending", Belka said. "Its implementation will help solve the problem of poverty, especially in the countryside and small towns. That will create chances for a more aggressive action towards improvement on the labour market", he added.

Threat of terrorist attack exists, says intelligence chief

Warsaw, March 31: A threat of a terrorist attack is realistic in Poland, head of the Intelligence Service Zbigniew Siemiatkowski told members of the Sejm committee for special services. "I am not sure whether we should be afraid of them, but we should be prepared as we are engaged in the solving of the Iraqi conflict and because we are an ally of the United States," he said and assured his agency is cooperating with other services in monitoring persons and groups of increased risk.

Iraq: Poles help train Iraqi civil defence

Camp Babylon, March 31: Polish, U.S., Spanish and Ukrainian instructors in the Polish-commandeered stabilisation zone in south-central Iraq have helped train an over 4,000-strong Iraqi Civil Defence Corps (ICDC), soon to number 5,000. Colonel Tomasz Bak, in charge of Iraqi security forces at Poland's Camp Babylon command base, said ICDC was already able to collaborate with stabilisation forces and would soon be able to operate independently. Present ICDC force was well-trained and competent. ICDC troops are currently aiding coalition forces in peacekeeping and security. In future they will take over bigger tasks in Iraq.

2003 foreign investments reached 6 billion USD

Warsaw, March 31: Some 6 billion USD have been invested by foreign companies in Poland in 2003, the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency (PAIiIZ) announced. In view of the May 1 EU accession, Poland arouses much interest as a possible place of investment, especially among small and medium business. FDI is very important as such investments are less expensive for the country, more efficient and produce many new jobs.

SkyEurope Airlines to invest 20 mn USD in Poland

Warsaw, March 31: SkyEurope Airlines, which is another low-fare air carrier to start operations in Poland on May 3, intends to invest 20 million USD in its Polish operations. SkyEurope Airlines will open its base in Warsaw. As of May 3 the carrier will launch direct flights from Warsaw to Vienna-Bratislava and Budapest. From June 14 SkyEurope will start flights from Warsaw to London, Paris and Amsterdam, and from October 8 also to Rome, Milan and Zurich. Negotiations are in progress with other Polish airports to open new bases in the future. SkyEurope, with its bases in Vienna-Bratislava, Budapest and Koszyce, is the biggest company on the market of low-fare carriers in Central and Eastern Europe.