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Published by: Jargon Media Sp. z o.o. Index Number: 236683 ISSN: 1898-4762 NO. 39 WWW.KRAKOWPOST.COM FEBRUARY 14-FEBRUARY 20, 2008 As Tusk nears 100 days, opposition plans attack on cabinet Poles win World Press Photo contest Two Poles are among this year’s 59 winners in the prestigious World Press Photo competition 2 Poland buys gas from godfather Poland has been buying natural gas from the Russian mafia – that’s the conclusion of last week’s investigative journalism program “Superwizjer” on TVN 4

LOT airlines hit by strikes Polish airline LOT is threatened by strikes as different groups of its employees demand substan- tial increases in salaries 5

Obwarzanek to be President Vladimir Putin and his designated successor, Dmitry Medvedev, received Tusk warmly in Moscow, signaling a thawing of chilly Polish-Russian relations. PHOTO/Konrad Falecki/CIR protected by EU Michal Wojtas These results may reflect voter happiness Europe, especially the EU, many of whose robarometer poll showed that Poles’ biggest Poland applied to the European STAFF JOURNALIST with Tusk’s foreign policy. He has already vis- leaders were upset with some of Kaczynski’s concern is the health-care system. The Eu- ited the three European capitals that are most policies. robarometer is a poll of residents of all EU Commission to add the snack to The Tusk government will be hitting the important to Poland: Berlin, Moscow and But better Polish relations with the outside countries. the list of protected products 6 100-day mark March 9. Brussels, headquarters of the EU. world will count for little with voters if the Since Tusk became prime minister, miners The end of the traditional honeymoon pe- The visits brought positive changes in Po- Tusk government is unable to address domes- and customs officials have struck for better riod for a new government is likely to bring land’s relations with Germany, Russia and the tic problems. Tusk created great expectations pay. Teachers may do the same if the govern- the Tusk forces trumpeting their accomplish- EU. Neither German leader Angela Merkel nor by saying during his campaign that Poland had ment fails to meet their demands. Discovery Historia ments and opposition parties unsheathing their EU leaders liked Kaczynski’s skeptical, ag- the capability of emulating Ireland’s economic Recent economic growth and a surge in the swords and attacking. gressive stance towards Germany and the EU. miracle. number of Poles taking jobs overseas have led focuses on Krakow Jaroslaw Kaczynski’s Law and Justice Par- They expressed relief after meeting Tusk. Just before the vote Tusk issued a list of 10 to many corporations raising pay. But public- ty, which Tusk’s Civic Platform Party routed in President Vladimir Putin and his designated promises to the Polish people that he would sector wages have failed to rise substantially, Discovery Historia and Krakow the October elections, will try to convince the successor, Dmitry Medvedev, received Tusk implement if his party won. The list includes causing unhappiness among those workers. will cooperate to organize several public that the Tusk government has failed to warmly in Moscow, signaling a thawing of higher economic growth, solving the country’s Another problem for the government is its events to promote the city 11 live up to its promise. chilly Polish-Russian relations. health-care crisis, a flat income tax, a compre- strained relations with President Lech Kaczyn- Law and Justice officials such as Kaczynski Tusk failed to convince Russian leaders to hensive fight against corruption and rapid de- ski, like his brother Jaroslaw, a member of the and key party figure Jacek Kurski are already change their plans to lay a gas pipeline from velopment of the highway system. Law and Justice Party. Reach your clients before maintaining that Tusk’s government has failed Russia under the Baltic Sea to Germany. Po- The opposition is sure to bring up those The president has the ability to veto legisla- to achieve anything in its first three months be- land and the Baltic countries want the pipeline items on the list that they think Tusk has failed tion that the Tusk forces get passed, and the they set foot in Krakow. cause it has been busy undoing the good things laid on their soil as an assurance against Russia to address. Tusk coalition’s slim majority in parliament The Krakow Post is the Law and Justice-led government created. cutting off gas to their homes and factories. The health-care system may be the biggest would make it difficult to override many ve- currently available They are also condemning Tusk’s foreign During the meeting with Tusk, Russian challenge. It seems to swallow every bit of toes. policy as dangerous and criticizing every min- officials indicated they have accepted the new money thrown at improving it, and re- The opposition is likely to criticize the Tusk on board flights of ister of his cabinet. fact that elements of an American missile de- mains broken. forces for an inability to implement many of LOT, Brussels News organizations already are speculating fense shield could be built in Poland. Poland’s Every previous government has failed to the changes they have said they want to make. and Lufthansa that the opposition will try to convince par- willingness to let the U.S. station anti-missile solve the situation. But Tusk is on the health- It can’t be disputed that, so far, few of those liament to pass a no-confidence vote against missiles on Polish soil has upset Putin and his care hot seat at the moment. changes have become law. airlines Justice Minister Zbigniew Cwiakalski in the generals, creating a major source of friction in A strike of doctors and nurses led to hospital Once the opposition begins attacking the beginning of March. Polish-Russian relations. directors substantially raising their wages. But government after the 100-day honeymoon pe- However, Tusk and his Civic Platform Party A final decision on whether Poland will al- because they don’t have the money to pay the riod is over, will the public turn on the Tusk still enjoy a high level of support among Poles, low the missiles may be made on March 10, increased wages, many face bankruptcy before forces as well? That remains to be seen, of surveys show. Forty-eight percent of voters when Tusk visits Washington for talks with the end of the year. course. back Civic Platform while only 19 percent fa- President Bush. Another item that Tusk and Tusk rejects the idea of raising taxes to fix If the public does sour on the government, it vor Law and Justice, according to a poll whose Bush are likely to discuss is Poland’s planned the health-care crisis. This puts the pressure will be the same pattern that has occurred with results were published Feb. 8. withdrawal of its forces from Iraq – a Tusk squarely on Health Minister Ewa Kopacz. every other government. Only if the public That means the ruling party has managed campaign pledge. The opposition and news organizaitons will continues to support the Tusk forces will the to gain 7 percentage points of popularity since The prime minister is likely to try to con- closely follow what she does to try to resolve Civic Platform be the first party since indepen- the elections while Law and Justice has lost an vince the Americans that he will strive for the crisis. dence in 1989 to win two succesive general astonishing 13 percentage points. both good relations with Washington and with To underscore the problem, the latest Eu- elections. 2 The Krakow Post POLAND FEBRUARY 14-FEBRUARY 20

R E G I O N A L N E W S Viktor Yanukovich wants new Poland elections in Ukraine Tusk conciliatory after The party of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchen- sticking ko threatened late last week to call new polls only four months after the last snap elections, accusing the pro-Russian bloc of hamstringing parliament. “The countdown has begun and, in accordance to planned with the constitution, the president has the right to mayor’s letter of protest dissolve parliament if plenary meetings do not take place every 30 days,” party spokesman Roman Zv- arytch said, quoted by Interfax. GMO The pro-Russian opposition, which is calling on Ukrainian leaders to reverse a decision to request fur- ther NATO integration, has been blocking parliamen- Agency LUK livestock tary work since January. Ukraine’s pro-Western coalition in December ap- pointed Orange Revolution leader Yulia Tymoshenko prime minister and named a government that favors fodder ban the ex-Soviet republic winning NATO and EU mem- bership. Sandwiched between Poland and Russia, agence france-presse Ukraine is a key transit route for Russian natural gas to the EU and has had strained relations with Presi- Poland is sticking to plans to ban the use dent Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin. of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) Tymoshenko and Yushchenko rose to fame when they led the 2004 Orange Revolution protests that in livestock fodder, despite an earlier re- forced a re-run of a rigged presidential election vic- think, the Agriculture Ministry announced tory by Moscow-backed rival Viktor Yanukovych, early this week. who now heads the opposition. (AFP) Ministry spokeswoman Malgorzata Ksiazyk told AFP that the government had Moscow rejects Polish pipeline decided to put on ice a move to amend a proposal as difficult and costly restrictive law that is due to come into force A senior Kremlin official late last week rejected on Aug. 1. a proposal by Prime Minister Donald Tusk for an In January, Poland’s newly-installed alternative to a controversial Russian gas pipeline liberal government had said it planned to under the Baltic, RIA Novosti news agency reported change the incoming law in order to stay in on the eve of a visit to Moscow by Tusk. line with EU rules. “From an economic point of view the project is Poland’s previous conservative-national- very difficult and much more costly” than the Rus- ist administration, which clashed regularly sian-backed Nord Stream pipeline, presidential aide with Brussels on a host of issues, had in Sergei Prikhodko was quoted as saying. “It is not very profitable or acceptable.” (AFP) 2006 announced that it would ban GMOs in fodder from this year. Council of Europe condemns Despite the expectations that Warsaw Belarus over executions would change tack in the wake of the con- servatives’ defeat in a snap election last The Council of Europe, the continent’s main October, the new government “shares the rights watchdog, condemned Belarus authorities viewpoint on GMOs” of its predecessor, Wednesday for their “blatant disregard” for human Agriculture Minister Marek Sawicki told rights in executing three prisoners late last week. reporters after a cabinet meeting Tuesday. Secretary General Terry Davis said he was “sad- Under the rules of the 27-nation EU, a dened” by Minsk authorities’ “stubborn determina- tion” to isolate their country from the rest of Europe. member state has the right to apply a “safe- “With the three executions carried out yesterday, guard clause” against GMO products if it they continue to flaunt their blatant disregard for can provide scientific evidence to question the human values and achievements common to all Mayor of Krakow Jacek Majchrowski. their safety. other European countries,” he said in a statement. But last year the EU’s executive body, Belarus is the only European country that is not a Philip Palmer paring numerous documents and had passed them when they visited last November. He concluded by the European Commission, found fault with member of the Council of Europe, whose 47 mem- staff journalist on to the Chancellery in advance of the meeting as suggesting that, in his view, the city was not receiv- Poland’s proposed law, saying Warsaw had ber states have all banned the death penalty or im- failed to come up with the required proof of posed a moratorium on executions. requested. ing the equal treatment that had been promised to all But it is a member of the UN, and Davis said Prime Minister Donald Tusk was prompted So it came as somewhat of a shock when the the competing cities. In fact, through their actions, risks to the environment or people. Tuesday’s executions of Sergei Morozov, Valery last week to reply in conciliatory terms to a letter mayor was told Feb. 5 during a phone call from the Prime Minister’s Chancellery were even “un- Poland is planning to turn to the Eu- Gorbatoi and Igor Danchenko “go against the let- of protest addressed to him by the Mayor of Kra- Slawomir Nowak, Head of the Prime Minister’s Po- dermining the solidarity” that had been established ropean Court of Justice to overturn the ter and the spirit of the recent resolution of the UN kow Jacek Majchrowski. The mayor was furious litical Office, that there was no need for Krakow’s between all the relevant parties up to that point. Commission’s ruling, the government said General Assembly, which called for a worldwide after the opportunity his team had been offered to representatives to come to Warsaw for the meet- The mayor received an immediate response Tuesday. moratorium” on such actions. (AFP) present the city’s plans for the Euro 2012 Football ing. In the letter, Majchrowski described the ac- from the prime minister who seemingly made little A survey published by the environmen- Czech couple tries to dupe Swiss Championships to the prime minister in person was tions of the Prime Minister’s Office as “alarming,” attempt to account for the actions of his Chancel- tal campaign organization Greenpeace has denied to them at very short notice. given the fact that a visit from UEFA’s inspectors lery, but made it very clear that the non-attendance found that 76 percent of Polish consumers bank with int’l airline plan The meeting was arranged at the invitation of is scheduled for the near future. He even suggested of the Krakow delegation should not be seen as a oppose GMOs. A Czech couple who pretended they wanted to the Chancellery of the President of the Council that the inspectors from European football’s gov- sign of discrimination. Despite the planned fodder rules, Poland launch an international airline were stopped by the of Ministers for Feb. 6 and represented a chance erning body might see the actions as tantamount to Furthermore, Krakow’s application had most is to continue allowing the import of genet- police before convincing a Swiss bank to lend them for the six cities in the frame to host tournament a politicization of the selection procedure and judge certainly not been rejected and the City would con- ically modified food for human consump- around $3.5 bln (2.39 bln euro). matches (Chorzow, Gdansk, Krakow, Poznan, War- the application “negatively” as a result. He stressed tinue to receive the same level of encouragement tion, provided it is clearly labelled as con- Czech police said late last week in a statement saw and Wroclaw) to present their case. The mayor that the situation was all the more “puzzling” since and financial backing as the other cities on the “re- taining GMOs and cannot be transformed that they had launched criminal proceedings for loan of Krakow’s office had gone to the trouble of pre- the UEFA inspectors had rated Krakow very highly serve list.” into other products. fraud against the 54-year-old husband and his 43- year-old wife. The attempted fraud, based on false papers from a non-existent U.S. financial institution, was stopped just before the signature of a preliminary agreement with the “renowned” Swiss bank for the 3.5 bln dol- lar bank guarantee, police said. They said they start- Poles among laureates of World Press Photo ed investigating the case during the first half of 2006 in close cooperation with the U.S. Federal Rerserve Iwona Bojarczuk connected with sport or nature. and U.S. justice department. (AFP) staff journalist British photographer Tim Hetherington won the biggest Latvian court sentences judges Two Poles are among this prize of the competition – the for accepting bribes, corruption year’s 59 winners in the presti- Photo of the Year 2007 award. gious World Press Photo com- The photo shows a young Two Latvian judges are facing eight years in prison petition. American soldier in a bunker in after being convicted for having accepted bribes in re- Rafal Milach of Gliwice was Afghanistan. One of his hands is turn for favorable judgments, the Baltic News Service a first-time winner while Tomasz on his forehead and the other on (BNS) reported late last week. Gudzowaty of Warsaw won for his helmet. A court in Riga, the Latvian capital where both the sixth time. He looks as if he has just es- Beatrise Talere and Irena Polikarpova served on a dis- Milach, a graduate of the caped death. There is fear in his trict tribunal, also ordered the confiscation of some Academy of Fine Arts in Kato- eyes. He appears to be barely of the women’s assets. Talere was ordered to hand wice, won first prize in the cat- breathing. over several dozen pieces of jewelry and Polikarpova egory of Arts and Entertainment Hetherington took the picture around 7,000 lats (9,960 euro, $14,850). Stories for photos of retired cir- in the Korengal Valley of Af- Both judges appeared surprised by the decision, cus artists. ghanistan on Sept. 16, 2007. BNS reported. They declined to speak to reporters. His pictures show old men The viewer can see the help- The sentences were issued by judge Anna Klimov- in retirement homes clinging to lessness the soldier is feeling, ica, who recently received an award in recognition of memories of the life they loved. said Gary Knight, chairman of her contribution to the Latvian justice system. Some donned circus costumes the selection committee. Klimovica also banned Talere and Polikarpova for the photographer. A record 5,019 photographers from leaving the country or approaching their former Milach, who took the photos from 125 countries submitted workplaces before the sentences take effect. over several years, said he has 80,536 photos in this year’s com- They remain free pending an appeal before the entered photos in the competi- petition. Latvian Supreme Court, which must be filed within tion for years but his only reward Fifty-nine photographers from 10 days. Talere was charged over four separate inci- until now has been “a free issue 23 countries won awards. The dents of bribery amounting to between 100 and 500 of the exhibition catalogue.” competition has taken place each lats each. Investigators showed that she had also ac- Milach, whose photos have year since 1955. cepted material gifts from defendants in return for been published in magazines There is great diversity among favorable verdicts. Polikarpova was charged for ac- such as “Newsweek,” “Viva” this year’s winners, although the cepting one 500-lat bribe. and “Przekroj,” also studied at vast majority are portraits. Raimonds Zundurs, a co-owner of a legal firm, the Institute of Creative Photog- Some photos are classic press was given a suspended three-year sentence for having raphy in Opawa. photography, depicting wars and bribed the judges. Fellow defendant Raimonda Spore, Gudzowaty won a third place other great events. a bailiff, received a suspended five-year term. in the Individual Sport Photo Others are stylized, looking Another defendant, bailiff Inese Rozite, is believed competition for a picture of almost like paintings rather than to have fled Latvia. people doing yoga in Varanasi, photos. The winning photographs With varying degrees of success, Latvia and its India. can be seen at the web site: fellow ex-Communist states in Eastern Europe have The four photos that earned stepped up efforts to battle corruption. (AFP) him wins in the past have been www.worldpressphoto.org Rafal Milach of Gliwice was a first-time winner while Tomasz Gudzowaty of Warsaw won for the sixth time. FEBRUARY 14-FEBRUARY 20 POLAND The Krakow Post 3 Companies want to Euro 2012 stadiums will improve rules for foreign workers be subsidized by gov’t LUK Agency LUK

the krakow post some situations, work permit promises and work permits are issued regardless of About 50 percent of foreigners who the local labor market. have received work permits in the The biggest demand for foreign job Mazowsze region are working as direc- help is in such branches as trade, financial tors, well-qualified workers, or foreign consultancy, real estate and gastronomy. language teachers. Citizens of Ukraine, In the Mazowsze region 47 percent of Vietnam and China are those most often permissions were issued to Europeans, employed. including 1,500 Ukrainians, 382 Belaru- The spokeswoman of the Voivod- sians, 267 Turks and 187 Russians. ship Labor Office in Warsaw, Wieslawa Among the Asian countries most often Lipinska, told the Polish Press Agency permitted in Poland are citizens of Viet- (PAP) that in 2007 the office issued about nam, China, India and South Korea. 6,500 work permits. Experts say that without foreigners the Zofia Owczarek Poland’s preparations for the games. The 2012 organizing committee, with Tusk as The document is valid for 12 months. Polish economy would suffer. staff journalist meeting included many national politicians chair. The group includes Deputy Prime Many employers believe the procedures If the government doesn’t simplify the and sports officials. Ministers Waldemar Pawlak and Grze- are too complicated. law Poland might have serious trouble Prime Minister Donald Tusk has assured Tusk said he viewed the soccer organiza- gorz Schetyna, Minister of Infrastructure Work visas are issued by the Polish with organizing Euro 2012. the mayors of three of the four Polish cities tion’s warning as helpful, not troublesome. Cezary Grabarczyk, Minister of Sports and Consul if a foreigner has a written prom- “We lose the competition about the where the Euro 2012 soccer championships “We need to remain in the highest state of Tourism Miroslaw Drzewiecki, the mayors ise of work from his future employer, if workers from abroad. The best ones will be held that the government will help readiness,” he told the newspaper Gazeta of Gdansk, Poznan, Warsaw and Wroclaw, the work permit is not required, or if he choose different countries because we finance construction of their stadiums. Wyborcza Wroclaw. representatives of the Polish Football As- will submit a work permit promise. This aren’t attractive employers for them,” Tusk told the mayors of Poznan, Gdansk The main reasons that Tusk adminis- sociation and leaders of all of the parties kind of visa is given for the period indi- said Teresa Walewska from the American and Wroclaw that the government would tration officials called the meeting were in parliament. The committee secretary is cated in a written work promise or in a Trade Organization. put up a third of the cost of each of their to look at models of the stadiums and the Tomasz Arabski, the head of the Office of work permit or in a work permit promise, Vice Minister of Social Policy and stadiums. The government will pay the en- work schedules that must be followed to Prime Minister. but for no longer than one year. Labor Krzysztof Kuberski has persuaded tire cost of the construction of the fourth complete them. The committee members agreed to meet Work visas are long-term, which al- the Polish government to exert itself to stadium for the games – Warsaw’s. Gdansk, Poznan and Wroclaw pledged at least once a quarter. lows a foreigner to enter and stay in the make Poland attractive for foreigners. He Tusk promised Poznan and Wroclaw to complete their stadiums by the end of Those at the meeting also decided to Polish Republic, permanently or for a admits that Poland isn’t attractive for for- 110 mln zloty each for their stadiums. He 2010 and Warsaw by 2011. nominate Marcin Herra as manager of PL few consecutive stays, which all together eigners because of low wages and ethni- pledged 144 mln to Gdansk. Polish officials also have suggested that 2012, an organization created to coordinate last no longer than one year during the cal and religious homogeneity. The prime minister met with the three Chorzow and Krakow be included in the the Euro 2012 preparations. Herra, a gradu- visa’s validity. “We plan to change the law so that mayors – and the mayor of Warsaw – after Euro championships. The two cities are ate of the Faculty of Law and Administra- Visa application forms are at the Pol- Polish employers will pay only 100 zloty the Union of European Football Associa- awaiting a decision by UEFA, whose repre- tion of the University of Gdansk, is a for- ish Consulate or on its web site. When instead of 1,000 for employing a foreign- tions sent a note to Polish soccer officials sentatives will inspect their facilities soon. mer executive at the LOTOS Group, an oil a foreigner has a visa, the regional gov- er. To extend the permit will cost only 50 saying it was alarmed at the slow pace of Those at the meeting also created a Euro concern from Gdansk. ernment should issue a work permit. In zloty,” said Krzysztof Kuberski. Poles want Hillary in White House What’s On? agence france-presse Around two-thirds of Poles want Hillary Clinton to be elected the next president of the U.S., according to a survey published early Check out this week. Sixty-four percent of those surveyed said they wanted the Democratic senator from New York and former first lady to win the election in November, while 20 percent preferred likely Republican our weekly candidate John McCain, according to the poll published in the Dzien- nik newspaper. entertainment Sixteen percent had no opinion. Clinton still needs to win her party’s nomination to run in the fall election, and she is facing a tough challenge from Illinois senator listings at: Barack Obama. The Polish survey found that 48 percent said they would like Clin- www.krakowpost.com ton to win the Democratic nomination, while 37 percent said they wanted Obama to secure the prize and 15 percent had no preference. Asked what outcome they would like to see if Obama won the nomination battle against Clinton, 52 percent said they would prefer him to beat McCain. Twenty-four percent said they supported McCain against Obama and the same number had no opinion. The poll of 1,000 people was carried out by the TNS OBOP poll- ing institute on Saturday. Commenting on the results of the survey, Dziennik said they re- flected Poles’ rejection of U.S. President George W. Bush’s Iraq poli- cy. Poland was a gung-ho ally of the U.S. during the 2003 overthrow of Saddam Hussein, but with its soldiers’ deployment there having become deeply unpopular at home, Warsaw is due to pull its 900- strong contingent out of Iraq by the end of this year. McCain has vowed to stay the course and win in Iraq if he becomes president, while the Democrats have promised troop withdrawals. Poles are also jittery about Washington’s plans to install elements of a U.S. anti-missile shield in Poland. The U.S. says the shield is needed to defend against potential mis- sile attacks by what it calls “rogue states,” notably Iran, but Poland’s neighbor Russia has called the plan a threat to its security and threat- ened to point its own missiles at any future base. 4 The Krakow Post POLAND FEBRUARY 14-FEBRUARY 20

R E G I O N A L N E W S NATO tells Russia to calm rhetoric after remark Poland buys gas from mafia NATO states asked Moscow to “lower the tone of rhetoric” late last week after Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke of a new “arms race” be- tween Russia and the West, a NATO spokesman said. NATO and Russia have “all the avenues and channels to talk in a productive and friendly way and we should take advantage of those and not engage in unnecessarily heated rhetoric,” NATO spokesman James Appathurai said after a meeting of the NATO-Russia council Friday in the Lithu- anian capital Vilnius. Earlier, in a speech setting out the long-term priorities of his hand-picked successor ahead of next month’s presidential polls, Putin heralded a wealthy Russia able to compete in a new “arms race.” Several NATO countries also asked “for pre-warning from the Russian federation when they intend to send military equipment like bombers near the airspace of NATO allies,” Ap- pathurai said. Russia does “have the right to fly in interna- tional airspace, but allies do want a confidence note from the Russian federation before they do that,” the NATO spokesman confirmed. Putin announced the resumption of long-range flights in international air space last summer. Such flights were standard during the Cold War but were abandoned in 1992 amid financial dif- ficulties after the Soviet Union collapsed. Russian Defense Minister Anatoli Serdioukov did not attend the NATO-Russia council meeting Friday, and was replaced by his deputy. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said the Russian had fallen ill. (AFP) Russian schoolchildren hold anti-Estonia protest Russian schoolchildren held a history class about World War II late last week outside the Es- tonian embassy in Moscow in a protest over the removal of a Soviet war monument from central Tallinn. The class, which was given by a Russian war veteran, was held outdoors in a street near the embassy amid near-freezing temperatures. Around 20 children dressed in winter coats and hats at- tended, an AFP photographer saw. The protest was organized by the Mishki (Ted- dy Bears), a children’s group affiliated with the Kremlin-backed youth organization Nashi, which has carried out numerous protests against Estonia. The bitter dispute over the Bronze Soldier war monument last year plunged relations between Es- Michal Wojtas contract to buy gas from the Russian giant that his agency informed President Alek- supplies 2.3 bln cubic meters of Poland’s tonia and Russia to their lowest level since 1991, staff journalist Gazprom for the next three years. sander Kwasniewski about suspicious con- 14.5 bln natural gas imports. when the Baltic country regained independence as According to Superwizjer journalists, nections. But he also points that at the time Mohylevych was arrested on Jan. 24 in the Soviet Union fell apart. Poland has been buying natural gas from then-Prime Minister Leszek Miller, secret PGNiG was under pressure to secure gas Moscow after he had lived without interfer- Estonian authorities moved the monument from the Russian mafia – that’s the conclusion service chief Andrzej Barcikowski and Na- for the country immediately. ence in Russia and other European coun- a square in central Tallinn where it had stood for 60 of last week’s investigative journalism tional Security Bureau chief Marek Siwiec After the TV program was aired, op- tries for several years. He faces charges years to a cemetery, sparking riots in the Estonian program “Superwizjer” aired by TVN. The all knew well who stood behind the gas position Law and Justice Party demanded of tax evasion and is also believed to have capital in which one person died. allegations by reporters against top politi- supplier for Poland and did not react. information on Poland’s energy security taken part in illegal arms trades, drug traf- Russians, including the substantial minority that lives in Estonia, see the statue as a memorial to the cians are now being widely discussed both Both Miller and Siwiec deny the accusa- from Donald Tusk’s government. Zbigniew ficking, money laundering, several murders millions of Soviet soldiers who died in the war. by Poland’s political class and by other tions. Chlebowski, one of the leaders of the rul- and many other crimes. But many Estonians see it as a reminder of five media. The former prime minister said that he ing Civic Platform Party, replied that two He has been on the FBI and Interpol lists decades of Soviet occupation, which began at the In September 2003, the state-owned wasn’t responsible for short-term contracts. years ago Law and Justice while in power of most wanted criminals but managed to end of the war and lasted until 1991. (AFP) gas distributor PGNiG signed a contract Siwiec said that he didn’t know about any signed a new contract with RosUkrEnergo, hide by using several passports and identi- with Eural Trans Gas controlled by Semen links between Eural Trans Gas and the ma- which is also believed to be controlled ties. It is unclear why he was arrested by Polish soldiers charged with Mohylevych. He is known as one of the fia. Miller and the infrastructure minister by Mohylevych. According to informa- Russians now, two months before their murdering Afghans in jail key personalities in the Russian mafia, or in his government, Marek Pol, have an- tion presented by Deputy Prime Minister presidential elections, after he had man- criminal underground. The Hungary-based nounced that they will sue TVN. Waldemar Pawlak during parliamentary aged to operate for years under the Yeltsin Polish military judges decided early this week to extend the pre-trial detentions of seven soldiers company served as an intermediary in the On the other hand, Barcikowski admits debate on energy, RosUkrEnergo annually and Putin administrations. charged in the murders of civilians in Afghanistan during an incident in August. According to the judges’ ruling, the “evidence gathered indicates that it is highly likely that the acts for which they have been charged took place.” Poland won’t send troops to Afghan south Six soldiers, charged in November in connection with shootings in a village in the eastern part of the country, face up to life in prison if found guilty agence france-presse and Warsaw would be able to of the killings of six civilians, including women reach an understanding on the and children. A seventh soldier, charged with the Poland will not send its Poles’ role. lesser offence of opening fire on a civilian target, 1,200 troops in Afghanistan to Canada has deployed 2,500 was also ordered held in custody and faces up to fight Taliban insurgents in the troops in Kandahar province, five years in prison. According to an initial Polish country’s volatile south, De- defence ministry statement, several Afghan civil- and Canadian Prime Minister ians were killed in the village of Nangar Khel in fense Minister Bogdan Klich Stephen Harper has warned eastern Wazi-Khwa region on Aug. 16 when Polish said in an interview published NATO allies that Ottawa could troops returned fire after being ambushed. late last week. withdraw unless more is done But the Polish military prosecutor’s office has Klich told the newspaper to share the burden. said the shootings in fact took place several hours Dziennik that Canada had Elite Polish troops, who are after the ambush. asked the Poles to deploy in Poland has 1,200 troops serving with NATO’s not part of the ISAF contin- 36,000-strong International Security Assistance Kandahar province, a hotbed gent, are deployed in the south Force (ISAF), which is battling a Taliban-led in- of fighting between the NATO- alongside the Canadians, but surgency in Afghanistan. led International Security As- Warsaw does not comment on The shootings in Wazi-Khwa region came two sistance Force (ISAF) and Tal- their operations. days after a Polish soldier had been killed by the iban and Al-Qaeda fighters. In December, Poland Taliban in eastern Afghanistan, in what was the “I didn’t accept the proposal. pledged to raise its ISAF troop first fatality for Poland since it joined the NATO- led force in March 2002. (AFP) This province doesn’t meet our contribution to 1,600 this year. base-line criteria, which hinge Warsaw had already increased Ukrainian woman arrested on reducing the risks to our the size of its contingent early on sex slavery charges contingent,” Klich said. last year from around 200 to The Polish contingent is cur- 1,200. Police in Ukraine have arrested a 26-year-old rently spread across five differ- The UN-mandated ISAF woman at Kyiv airport as she was allegedgly pre- ent regions of eastern Afghani- pared to send three young women to work as pros- forces have grown from 16,000 titutes in Turkey, the Interior Ministry said late last stan, but from the autumn will to 43,000 troops from 40 coun- week. The woman, from the city of Chernihiv in be concentrated in the eastern tries over two years, but com- northern Ukraine, wanted to sell the three young Paktika province, Klich said. manders have been calling for women to pimps in Turkey for “sexual exploita- ISAF commander, U.S. Gen- another 7,500 troops to fight tion,” the ministry said in a statement posted on its eral Dan McNeill, confirmed the resurgent Taliban, which web site. Human trafficking is now punishable by the plan to concentrate the Pol- has used bases in remote tribal up to eight years of prison in Ukraine. Although the country toughened the laws a decade ago, the ish forces in one area. areas of northern Pakistan to problem continues to be widespread. (AFP) He told Dziennik that ISAF regroup. FEBRUARY 14-FEBRUARY 20 POLAND The Krakow Post 5 Germany, Poland open talks on WWII expellees center

L. Wawrynkiewicz L. LOT airlines hit by strikes cc:sa:Foma

From left: Prof. Wladyslaw Bartoszewski, Jan Borkowski and Prof. Witold M. Goralski.

agence france-presse further talks on Thursday and Friday, ac- cording to his secretariat. Poland and Germany late last week held Moves in Germany to build a center in unprecedented talks on German plans for Berlin commemorating the expulsion of a center commemorating the expulsion of 12 mln Germans from Central Europe af- millions of Germans from Central Europe ter Nazi Germany’s defeat in WWII have after World War II, a move that has an- burdened Polish-German relations since gered Poles. 2000. Both Poland and the neighboring “Both sides stressed the importance of Czech Republic have been hostile to the open historical dialogue for Polish-Ger- plan, fearing the focus on the victims – man relations and the need to seek forms one mln Germans died during the exodus that will aide historical truth and prevent – could obscure Germany’s responsibility misunderstanding,” Germany’s secretary for the war and its horrors. of state for cultural affairs, Bernd Neu- According to the joint statement, the mann, and Poland’s Wladyslaw Barto- German delegation presented its ideas for szewski said in a joint statement issued the German government’s plans for a per- following talks. manent exhibition addressing the expul- A former Polish foreign affairs minis- sions. It intends to “present the historical ter, Auschwitz survivor and key figure in context and also take into account the de- Polish-German post-war reconciliation, portation of Poles.” Bartoszewski was appointed by Poland’s Poland “does not foresee formal par- new liberal Prime Minister Donald Tusk ticipation in this initiative but does not after taking office in November. exclude the participation of Polish histo- The 85-year-old is tasked with improv- rians.” ing relations with Germany, severely “Both sides agreed on the necessity of strained during more than a year of gov- activating a European network of ‘Re- ernment under the germanophobic con- membrance and Solidarity’ which should servative-nationalist administration of become an important forum for European Jaroslaw Kaczynski. historical dialogue.” The conciliatory tone of Tuesday’s The move involves projects examining joint statement stands in contrast to the 20th-Century history marred by Nazi and openly hostile attitude displayed by the Soviet totalitarianism. The bilateral talks the krakow post but to strike to protest their low Pilots also are demanding defunct Kaczynski government that lost on the sensitive historical issues were ini- wages. Previous negotiations higher salaries. They also want power in a snap October parliamentary tiated in December during an initial meet- The Polish airline LOT is with the company board have longer rest breaks between election. ing in Berlin between German Chancellor threatened by strikes as dif- brought no solutions. work shifts and better insur- Bartoszewski is expected in Berlin for Angela Merkel and Donald Tusk. ferent groups of its employees And ground service is not ance. A strike of pilots is likely demand substantial increases the only group of employ- to take place at the beginning in salaries. ees threatening to strike. On of March. The Warsaw airport Oke- Wednesday, the trade union LOT is the biggest airline in cie was already hit by a strike of flight attendants negotiated Poland, controlling 31 percent of ground service workers last pay with the board. This also of the local market. Last year week. did not lead to any agreement, the company transported 4.2 They stopped work for two and another strike was sched- mln people and earned 161 mln hours between 6 and 8 a.m. on uled for Friday from 10:00 to zloty in revenue. Wednesday, Feb 6. The inter- 00:00. This year much lower rev- ruption in check-in activities Even though the walkout enue is expected because of in- resulted in 10 flights being was cancelled, the flight atten- creases in fuel prices and other AGENCJA NIERUCHOMOSCI cancelled and another 35 de- dant situation is serious. charges. www.property-krakow.com layed. The company says it lost The attendants want 30 per The government is still the 700 thousand zloty as a result cent pay raises, while the board major shareholder of LOT, with of the strike. says it can offer only 6.8 per- 68 percent ownership. The Pol- Ground service employees cent. According to trade union ish Ministry of Treasury plans are demanding pay raises as leaders, the employees haven’t to sell its stake to one of the well as severance pay to those received a raise in five years, world’s major airlines, but a laid off by the company. Lead- while their productivity and buyer has not been identified. ers of the Solidarity trade union the revenue of LOT have risen This autumn, LOT will enter say they have no other choice substantially the Warsaw stock exchange.

NOCLEGI W APARTAMENTACH www.aaakrakow.com

[email protected]

CALL IN AND SEE US! ul. Napoleona Cybulskiego 2 6 The Krakow Post POLAND FEBRUARY 14-FEBRUARY 20 R E G I O N A L N E W S Ombudsman wants parents Universities look Monaco’s prince opens ties punished for smacking Obwarzanek to be with Estonia, praises friendly to attract students ties among small nations their children the krakow post Prince Albert II of Monaco late last week Iwona Bojarczuk marked the establishment of diplomatic relations staff journalist protected by the EU The Polish educational market is becoming between his Mediterranean statelet and the ex- more and more aggressive as the number of can- Communist Baltic country of Estonia. didates decreases every year. There are two rea- “It is very important for small countries like Parents that hit or beat their children are sons: a population decline and the emigration of Estonia and Monaco to be very open to the rest breaking the law according to the Polish young people abroad. of the world and to have friendly ties,” the prince constitution which prohibits citizens being In 2005, the number of students decreased said as he opened an honorary Monegasque con- assaulted. cc:2.5:Cancre by 10,000. The Main Statistical Office in War- sulate in the Estonian capital Tallinn. Poland’s Ombudsman for Citizen Rights saw calculated then that in five years time the number of young people aged 19-24 will “Monaco and Estonia have a lot in common,” Janusz Kochanowski has expressed his said honorary consul Juri Tamm, who is Estonian. decrease by 600,000 and in 10 years by 1.1 “Monaco has been a functioning state for 800 concern regarding the laws lack of enforce- mln. In 2016 there will be about 40 per cent years ... showing that an even smaller state than ment on this issue, where he considers even less graduates than now. Universities in fear of Estonia can survive well.” a slight smack to a child a crime. their own futures are competing with offers for Estonia, which broke free from the crumbling In a recent letter to the Minister for Jus- future students. Bielawa, where the Didactic Center of Communist bloc in 1991, has just 1.3 mln people tice Zbigniew Cwiakalski, Kochanowski Wroclaw’s Polytechnic was established, of- – making it a minnow in the EU, which it joined outlined his concern at a legal convention fers students free transport throughout the in 2004. in the Polish justice system that has led to city and also from nearby Dzierzoniow, a free But it dwarfs non-EU member Monaco, which non-prosecution of parents for hitting their swimming pool, fitness center, gym and sauna. has a population of 32,000 and is best known for children “in light of the fact that the child It gives away tickets for cultural events orga- its celebrity residents. nized by the city, such as the Reggae Dub Fes- “There is hardly a rally fan in Estonia who was physically punished only when they tival, and free tickets to the cinema. doesn’t know that the renowned Estonian rally deserved it.” “Future faculties – for example, renewable driver Markko Martin lives in Monaco,” Estonian Kochanowski wants to see every parent energy sources or modern technical support Foreign Minister Urmas Paet quipped after signing who physically punishes his or her child in – are not enough. That is why we will propose the diplomatic accord. (AFP) front of a judge for assault. even more for young people,” said Lukasz Ma- syk of the city council in Bielawa. “We don’t Social conventions towards children Slovakia postpones EU treaty pauperize and many people will be encouraged having individual rights to fair treatment to study.” ratification amid battle and protection from harm only emerged Recently the community offered a course to help graduates pass the exam to attend Polytech- The Slovak parliament late last week indefi- in Western society less than a century ago. This is not the case globally, as children are nic. About 100 people took advantage of the op- nitely postponed a vote on ratifying the EU re- portunity. Among them was Maria Jankowicz. form treaty amid wrangling between government still exploited for their labor and sold into She does not know if she will continue her and opposition lawmakers over a new press law. servitude or slavery in many parts of the studies but if she does, she will choose Bielawa. Opposition lawmakers were not present in the world. And in the case of Western countries “I will not have to pay for riding and I will be chamber at the time of the scheduled vote in pro- such as Poland, where laws against child able to benefit from free entertainment,” she test at a proposed new media law, leaving gov- abuse are in place, enforcement is patchy, Michal Wojtas Obwarzanek is usually covered with salt, said. “The swimming pool is expensive; that is ernment parties short of the majority required to why I cannot swim more than once a week. It is especially concerning physical discipline staff journalist poppy or sesame seed. In Krakow there are approve the treaty. worth studying just for the bonuses.” Prime Minister Robert Fico’s three-party co- in the family. 14 major producers of this regional snack and To encourage students to attend the univer- alition can muster 85 votes in the 150-seat parlia- Ombudsman Kochanowski points out The Ministry of Agriculture recently ap- their production reaches 200 thousand pieces sity, rectors are using more sophisticated adver- ment but needs 90 votes to approve the treaty. that the National Penal Register records plied to the European Commission to add ob- daily in the summer. tising. Educational fairs, information brochures While two out of three center-right opposition only 10 cases sentenced for bodily viola- warzanek, a baked snack similar to pretzels, If the application succeeds, this will be and traditional press advertisements are out of parties back the Lisbon Treaty, they have united to the list of regional products protected by the second Polish regional food product pro- date. tions against children between Sep. 1998 Research conducted among students at one to stall its progress in protest of a new law which and Dec. 2005, while 2,138 people were the EU. tected by the EU. Last June sheep cheese of Wroclaw’s universities showed that over 90 they say represents an attack on the media and sentenced during the same period for vio- If the application is not vetoed by any of called bryndza from the mountain region per cent of them got their information about the puts democracy at risk in the post-Communist the member countries, Krakow bakers will of Podhale was granted protection. Several university from the Internet. country. (AFP) lations against adults. Set against research undertaken by the Ministry of Labor and get a certificate of Protected Geographical other products, including lisiecka sausage That is why in Walbrzych at the Higher Education School of Marketing and Enterprise, French ministry says nation Social Policy in 2007, where 26 percent of Indication. Then only snacks produced in this and another sheep cheese called oscypek, are city will be called obwarzanek. The certifi- waiting for their protection applications to be it is possible to ask questions about enrollment prepared to help Canada parents admitted using physical violence through Internet communicator Gadu-Gadu. towards their son and 18 percent towards cate is likely to be granted in early 2009 as sent to Brussels. “The Internet communicator Gadu-Gadu is fight in restive Afghanistan their daughter, it is evident that social con- EU procedures take a lot of time. A list of traditional Polish food prepared very popular among the young,” says Dominika vention is circumventing lawful adminis- The 40-page application to the EU in- by the Agriculture Ministry contains 369 Twardowska of the Higher Education School French Defense Minister Herve Morin said late of Marketing and Enterprise. Most often, the last week that France was prepared to help Canada tration. Additionally, a study by the Centre cludes descriptions of the shape, color, taste products, 24 of them from Malopolska re- and baking process of traditional obwarzanek gion, of which Krakow is the capital. questions are about payments and documents. in Afghanistan’s restive south, but he stopped short of Social Opinion Research found that 22 Students get the answers immediately. of pledging troops as demanded by Ottawa. percent of parents physically punished their as well as its history. The bakers have to prove Producers of some of the foods will try to Universities also compete for foreign stu- “I told my Canadian partner that we would help children with 63 percent surveyed stating that their product is unique and characteristic repeat the success of regional products like dents. In Great Britain, Holland and Austria, as the Canadians,” said Morin following talks with they were punished by smacks in their for this region. prosciutto di Parma ham or Roquefort cheese. many as 50 per cent of the students are foreign. Canadian counterpart Peter MacKay on the first But in Poland, about 5 percent of the students childhood, of which 38 percent were beaten According to their evidence, the snack was France and Italy are the leaders in the num- day of a meeting of NATO defense ministers in ber of regional foods on the EU list with 160 are foreign. In addition, foreign students also are with a strap or other item. mentioned for the first time in the year 1394 Lithuania’s capital Vilnus. in a summary of Polish royal court, spend- each. sought for short-term courses at Polish language Psychologists promote rewarding over schools and the Socrates-Erasmus program. “But the solution does not depend on only ing together with its Latin name circinellos. Czech Republic leads among the new EU France, and all this must be considered in a global punishment for behavior modification with “Foreigners at university mean more mon- The application also states that obwarzanek members with 10 products already recog- framework,” he added. children, arguing that physical punishment ey and additional prestige,” says Dr. Hannah should be between 12 and 17 centimeters in nized. Of the other Central and Eastern Eu- Mausch, the chairman of University Center of “If I have a message for Canadians, it is to be has negative effects on a child’s develop- patient,” Morin said, explaining that firm decisions diameter, weigh 80 to 120 grams and its color ropean countries, only Poland and Slovenia International Education of Adam Mickiewicz ment. Most Poles surveyed on use of physi- should range from golden to light brown. managed to get one certificate each. University. would be made at the NATO summit on April 2-4 cal punishment for children disagree, with in the Romanian capital Bucharest. Canada’s parliament will vote next month on only 12 percent saying it causes negative extending the presence of its 2,500 troops in Af- outcomes. Kochanowski says the use of ghanistan to February 2009. physical punishment cannot be excused “There is little time between the beginning of by tradition or custom. “Any physical April and the end of March,” Morin said. punishment, even moderate or rational, is Heeding advice from an independent commit- not excusable,” said Kochanowski. In Po- tee, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has land there is a popular belief that physical warned that Canada’s troops would be brought home from Afghanistan unless NATO allies stump punishment is an essential part of bringing up an extra 1,000 troops plus helicopters. up children. Kochanowski argues that us- France has indicated it could beef up its military ing physical punishment violates a child’s presence in Afghanistan, but a firm commitment dignity which is enshrined in the Polish would only be made by President Nicolas Sarkozy Constitution and UN Convention on Rights at the Bucharest summit. “To make solidarity of the Child to which Poland is a signatory. work, we have examined half a dozen hypoth- “Respecting human dignity and its protec- eses,” a French diplomat told AFP on condition of tion is an obligation of the public authori- anonymity. “Sending troops to the south is one of them. The president will decide.” (AFP) ties,” said Kochanowski. FEBRUARY 14-FEBRUARY 20 POLAND The Krakow Post 7 Polish borders to change Striking miners Tusk tells GDFL:1.2-Gerrit return to migrants to work come home, Poland will be second Ireland the krakow post “The terrifying view is that somebody can think about himself, after five years The current wave of Polish migration, of studying, as 5.5 pounds per hour,”said especially to England and Ireland, raises Dr. Joanna Tyrowicz from Warsaw Uni- questions about the consequences of such versity. movement. Janusz Kochanowski, civil rights Is it an efficient cure for domestic un- spokesman in Poland, said the migration employment or a curse for those employers often causes the breakdown of families. In struggling to find good workers? the areas where migration is the most in- Or is it a dilemma for Poland, which tense, for example in the West Pomeranian clearly is losing some its best and brightest district, about 47 marriages out of each 100 young people to other European nations? the krakow post end in divorce. In the Lubuskie region it’s And what is migration’s effect on social about 44 of every 100. The migration also The striking miners from the Bu- life here and in the countries of destination? makes taking care of children or the elderly dryk mine in Jastrzebia-Zdroj, Lower It appears divorce rates are rising in areas from migrant familes difficult. Silesia have finally agreed to go back with large numbers of migrants and that it Often migrants struggle with discrimina- to work after their union representa- is growing more difficult for those who’ve tion, exploitation, deception and sometimes tives came to an agreement with their left families behind to care for children and physical abuse. Although the current xeno- employers. The radio station RMF the elderly. phobic climate in some of the host societies Iwona Bojarczuk Finally the Czechs agreed to give Poland FM has estimated that the 46-day The scale of Polish migration has been is partly responsible for this situation, it is staff journalist back at least some of the land. Poland is strike over pay conditions could cost presented by scientists from Warsaw Uni- also because of the vulnerable position of holding out for all of it, however. the Jastrzebia Mining Company as versity. According to Central Statistical migrants in the labor market and the lack of Poland is going to get back 3.68 square Czech surveyors are taking measure- much as 80 mln zloty. Office (GUS) it is difficult to ascertain the enforcement of labor standards in countries kilometers of its border with the Czech Re- ments of the 85 places where the border will During what turned out to be a par- number of migrants, because of the great of destination. public that it lost in 1958. be changed. The Czech government said the ticularly bitter strike, a group of 30 number of people who work illegally. Most of the territory it will recover in A common practice is for political fig- surveying will be completed by June. hunger strikers barricaded themselves The number of hired workers is between three years is in the Glucholazy area in the ures to use migrants to gain or retain elec- A total of “132 hectares of land can be underground while others occupied half a mln to 2 mln Poles. The largest group, Opolszcyzna region. toral support. Extreme politicization of transferred without any problem” because it the mine buildings above. about 580,000, work in Great Britain. The Czech government has agreed to re- migrants in many countries bears further is clear that originally they were all Polish Under the terms of the deal struck “The wave of migration after Polish turn the territory Poland lost when Soviet testimony to this fact, as does the rise in land, said Peter Kubera, a spokesman for the between the unions and employers, access to the EU is a continuation of the authorities ordered the border straightened violence against migrants. Czech Embassy in Warsaw. the miners will receive a 10 percent previous tradition. It isn’t something re- in June 1958 for security reasons. But there are questions about the owner- Migrants and foreigners have always wage increase and a one-off payment ally new. What we know is that during the The border change ignored the wishes of ship of the rest of the 368 hectares, so Poland been used as scapegoats, being unfairly of 1,500 zloty after tax. In addition, a whole process of transformation almost 1 many villagers who wanted to remain Pol- and Czech experts will have to negotiate the blamed for existing or perceived social and special commission has been appoint- mln Polish have begun working abroad,” ish. economic problems ranging from unem- matter, Kubera said. “It is a very complex ed to look in to leveling out the pay Pawel Szymkowicz, an expert on the Pol- said Dr. Piotr Kaczmarczyk from Warsaw ployment to criminality. task,” he said. structures at the various mines in the ish-Czech border situation, said the change University. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has con- Some Polish officials have interpreted region so that all miners will be com- involved straightening a border that mean- According to GUS, almost half of mi- vinced Poles that Poland can become the Kubera’s statement as a hint that the Czech pensated at the same rate irrespective dered. grants had a job in Poland before leaving. second Ireland. Many migrants believed Republic wants to pay Poland for the re- of where they work. The commission, “Why?” he asked. “The reason was obvi- They decided to work abroad only because those promises and voted for him. How- maining 236 hectares. Poland’s Interior which will contain a union represen- ous: It was easier to guard such a border.” of higher pay. ever, the politicians have short memories, Ministry says it will accept only a return of tative, should be able to ensure that The change involved Poland getting 8.4 Those for whom money is among the especially for promises made during the all the lost territory. the salaries of the Jastrzebia miners mln square meters of Czechoslovakian terri- most important issues usually come from election campaign. “It is not a single area but several small will fall in line with their colleagues tory and Czechoslovakia getting 12.06 mln villages or small towns. pieces of ground owned by the Czech Re- in other mines by 2010. There is no progress on the abolition square meters of Polish territory. There are also well-educated people who public,” said Jacek Sońta, a spokesman for The union representatives were on taxes for migrants and no programs to It shortened the border by 80 kilometers. come from big cities. They quit jobs to gain the head of the Polish border guard. “The anxious to stress that not all their encourage them to return to Poland. As a But “Poland lost 3.68 mln square meters some experience abroad. However, many ground is ours and must come back to Po- demands had been met, but, even so, result, many of the most talented young through that change,” said Jan Bielanski a experts emphasize that often they just end land.” there was a collective sigh of relief people travel abroad to find new and bet- representative of the Czech Ministry of Ag- up as waiters, au pairs or maids. Lothar Wittek of Rudyszwald near Krzy- from both sides in the dispute as the ter lives. riculture. Some highly educated migrants work in zanowice is one Pole who is glad to see the miners went back to work. It took Human migration has taken place at all In 1991, after the break-up of the Soviet stores or in greenhouses. The effect is easy old border being restored. three days before safety procedures times and in the greatest variety of circum- Union, Czechoslovakia signed an interna- to foresee. The more time they spend in His farm was divided 50 years ago in necessary for extraction to resume stances. Today, however, there’s great dis- tional agreement that it would compensate run-of-the-mill jobs, the more their intel- such a way that part ended up in Czecho- had been implemented. agreement over whether this is good or bad Poland for the territory it had lost. slovakia. lectual competences diminish. for Poland. Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Re- The Czechoslovakians did not allow him public and Slovakia in 1993. Until recently to use the land because he was a foreigner, the Czech Republic had insisted on giving and Polish authorities threatened to imprison NEW Poland money for the territory it had lost him when he criticized the border change. EMPLOYMENT rather than returning the land. Poland has “Now I am looking forward to seeing MA in TransAtlantic Relations PORTAL LAUNCHING always insisted that the territory be given guards remove the border posts put in my - For foreigners at Jagiellonian University back. field 50 years ago,” he said. NOVEMBER - Deadline for applications: August 15, 2008 2007 - Visit our web page: www.transatlantic.uj.edu.pl - Or our office: Rynek Glowny 34, 2nd Floor, Room 7A REGISTER FOR FREE TODAY BE FIRST! SEND YOUR CV NOW TransAtlantic Studies Office MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE TO Institute of American Studies EMPLOYERS IN IRELAND, UK and Polish Diaspora AND MIDLAND EUROPE Jagiellonian University REGISTER NOW ON Rynek Glowny 34 www.snazzyjobs.ie 31-010 Krakow e-mail: [email protected] Phone: (48)124296157 Fax: (48)12422 03 64 8 The Krakow Post BUSINESS FEBRUARY 14-FEBRUARY 20

R E G I O N A L B I Z Estonian consumer inflation Lithuania, Poland sign Women want equal jumps in January to 10-year high, reaches 11 percent power deal, spurring Estonian consumer price inflation jumped to a employment opportunities 10-year high in January, reaching 11 percent com- nuclear plan pared with the same month in 2007, the national statistics office said late last week. Compared with December, prices in the Baltic state increased 2.2 percent in January, the office said. Inflation in January was driven primarily by increases in costs of food, housing and vehicle fuel, according to the office’s data. Estonia, which regained its independence from the crumbling Soviet Union in 1991, has enjoyed robust economic growth for a decade, notably since joining the EU in 2004. But inflation has been climbing progressively in recent months, raising jitters about economic overheating. In December, the 12-month inflation rate was 9.6 percent, in November, 9.1 percent and in Oc- tober, 8.5 percent. The latest figure is the highest recorded since April 1998, when 12-month inflation was 12.6 per- cent, Viktoria Trasanov, head of the prices depart- ment at Statistics Estonia told AFP. Curbing inflation is a key plank of EU crite- ria for countries that want to adopt the European single currency. Estonia’s failure to keep below a benchmark set by Brussels scuttled its goal of join- ing the eurozone at the start of 2007. Although no new date has been set for making the switch from the national currency, the kroon, to the euro, Estonian officials have suggested it may President Lech Kaczynksi meets Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus. Kinga Rodkiewicz treatment. Few companies have these ration that they won’t have children be possible by 2011. (AFP) staff journalist arguments on the workers’ com- in the next two years. Such proce- plaints,” said Ewa Lisowska of the dures are illegal but many women, Slovak industrial production agence france-presse Both women and men play im- Warsaw School of Economics. desperate for work, as a ploy to find rises 6.4 percent in December portant roles in productive work She emphasized the fact that only much-needed jobs, forfeit their legal Poland and Lithuania early this week signed a deal throughout the world, providing for 28 percent of companies monitor rights and declare that they won’t Slovak industrial output rose 6.4 percent on a 12-month comparison in December, down from paving the way to hook up their electricity grids, help- themselves and their families. Gone the incomes of their workers. The have children during the specified November’s 13.2 percent, the Slovak Statistics Of- ing offset Russia’s energy clout and clearing a hurdle to are the days when women did all the competition jurors found that there time period. fice announced late last week. related plans to build a new nuclear power plant. domestic chores and men worked are differences between women and However, from among the 100 The highest growth was registered in the elec- In a ceremony with President Lech Kaczynski and outside the home to put food on the men in income. And women rarely private and national companies that trical and optical devices sector with output up his Lithuanian opposite number Valdas Adamkus, the table. work as supervisors. were monitored during the competi- 22.3 percent. The key auto sector – Slovakia is bosses of the two countries’ state-owned electricity grid But this worldwide change isn’t Only in 17 percent of small and tion, analysts found the winners. In home to plants owned by Volkswagen, PSA Peu- firms inked the accord. complete. Even today, women’s roles medium companies and in 31 per- the category of small and medium geot Citroen and South Korea’s Kia Motors – rose often seem invisible, as they tend to cent of big companies were there companies, the best was Skrivanek 17.5 percent. The link is seen as a crucial element in beefing up Industrial output for the whole of 2007 was up regional energy security by plugging Lithuania and its be more informal, such as self-em- organized courses that present tech- Company, a translation agency. Ac- 12.8 percent, driven by a gain of 25.9 percent in Baltic neighbors into the electricity systems of the rest ployment and subsistence produc- niques on how to protect women cording to the jury, the company mining and a 15.3 percent rise in manufacturing, of the EU. tion. And, no doubt, they still do from discrimination and sexual ha- ensures equal access for men and the statistics office said. (AFP) Adamkus called Tuesday’s agreement a “corner most of the historic cooking, clean- rassment. women, co-financed medical service stone” for energy security in the region and a significant ing and taking-care-of-baby tasks. Men hold the majority of power for workers and their families and Czech unemployment rises to development for the entire EU. And even when women and men positions and decision-making in did the same to help children learn 6.1 percent in January Kaczynski said it was crucial for EU members to perform the same tasks for pay, the public sphere, with the result that foreign languages. women are often paid less and re- decisions and policies tend to reflect Among big companies, the win- Czech consumer price inflation spiked sharply “mutually guarantee their energy security.” in January, rising to a near 10-year high of 7.5 per- Lithuania and its fellow Baltic states Estonia and Lat- ceive smaller benefits from their the needs and preferences of men. ner was the Academy of Humani- cent on a 12-month comparison from December’s via were part of the Soviet Union until 1991 and remain work. Discrimination is also seen in ties and Economics in Lodz, which 5.4 percent, the national statistics office reported tied into Russia’s power grid, raising the spectre of Mos- Not many Polish companies have recruiting and hiring. In the help- stands out with good policies in pro- late last week. cow flexing its energy muscle against them. fulfilled the European standards of wanted advertisements employers motions and hiring. The second and “This is the highest annual rise registered since Under the deal, Poland’s PSE, or Polskie Sieci Elek- equal treatment of men and women frequently use “men” instead of neu- third place honorees were Procter& November 1998,” the office added. troenergetyczne, and Lithuania’s Lietuvos Energija have in work. This is the main conclu- tral suffixes. For example, mailmen Gamble and the Specialist Hospi- Most analysts, while braced for a high figure, sion after the second part of the rather than letter carriers or delivery tal in Tarnow. Many experts have had expected January price rises to come in at formed a joint company in which each holds a 50-per- cent stake. competition: the Company of Equal men instead of delivery drivers. emphasized that such competitions around 6.5 percent. Chances. According to the report, in job play a large role in the struggle for Key factors fuelling the rise were higher food, The new company is due to start operations in April, rental, transport and health costs, the statistics of- launching a technical and environmental study for a “The incomes, access to promo- interviews women are often asked equal rights for women on the job. fice said. (AFP) 154-kilometer (95-mile) high-voltage link from Elk in tion, the protection from the mobbing about family plans and having chil- Prestige justifiably follows when or- northeast Poland to Alytus in southern Lithuania. and sexual harassment are the areas dren. Sometimes, the employers ganizations win the modern battle as Polish unemployment rate The power link is expected to be completed by 2012- in which we can observe unequal force young women to sign a decla- a Company of Equal Chances. rises for second month 2015. straight, reaches 11.8 percent It is seen as a crucial way for Lithuania to deal with Native English Teacher Top Management electricity shortfalls that could be caused by the planned Poland’s unemployment rate rose in January closure of its Soviet-era Ignalina nuclear power plant, MINI MINI for the second consecutive month, climbing to which operates Chernobyl-style reactors. 11.8 percent from 11.4 percent in December, ac- Lithuania pledged to close the 1980s facility by 2010 cording to a Labor Ministry estimate released late A school of English in M 31, University degree in last week. The rate of joblessness in Poland, which during its membership talks with the EU, which it joined Krakow is looking for a engineering, 6 years in 2004. native English teacher. of top management was 15.1 percent in January 2007, had been fall- The position is available experience in leading ing month-by-month throughout the year and was Lithuania and its fellow 2004 EU entrants Poland, immediately for a period companies in industrial down to 11.2 percent in November before picking Latvia and Estonia are together planning to build a new of one year. cooling, refrigerating sector. up steam again. The individual should be power plant at the site. Project management. The Labor Ministry said that out of Poland’s Marketing & Sales enthusiastic and creative, The facility is meant to come on stream by 2015, possession of a recognized Negotiations. Prepare population of 38 mln people, 1.81 mln were un- although some experts have suggested that 2017-2020 Enthusiasts!!! technical solutions. Full employed at the end of January, up from 1.75 mln teaching qualification is a more realistic target. In the meantime, Lithuanian (CELTA/TEFL) and some scope of technical a month earlier. support: pre-planning. PC. authorities have been pushing Brussels to allow a tem- You are wanted! relevant previous experi- Poland’s national statistics office is due to pub- ence in work with groups Contact: jerrybarrows@ lish the final unemployment figures for January at porary extension of Ignalina’s lifespan. is required. yahoo.com the end of this month. Negotiations on the nuclear project were hampered If you are interested in Poland, which joined the EU in 2004, has one last year by Poland’s demands for the largest share of the We are currently looking this vacancy or would like further information please of the highest unemployment rates in the 27-na- new facility’s output. for people to join our Place a career resume here! tion bloc. do not hesitate to send [email protected]

Poland’s former conservative-nationalist government your CV. RESUME In the EU as a whole, the unemployment rate Marketing & Sales team. had warned that it could put the power grid project on fell in December, the most recent month for which eng_schoolkrakow@ complete figures are available, to 6.8 percent from the back burner unless it got its required share. yahoo.com Business/Personal Assistant 6.9 in November. The previous government lost office in a snap elec- Successful applicants will: An estimated 16.2 mln people were out of work tion last October. across the EU in December. (AFP) - enjoy the art of selling MINI Place a job offer here! and meeting new people [email protected] Talented, experienced lady

ANNOUNCEMENT VACANCY is looking for a job of - have a minimum of Business/Personal Assistant (full- or part-time) one year of sales experience Helper/Au-Pair Degree in Philology, 10 - be communicative and years experience in Western MINI companies. Very flexible with a We are looking for responsible, goal non-09:00-17:00 mentality a Helper/Au-Pair. excellent organizational and Native English interpersonal skills. speaker preferred. Please contact me at: International Women’s [email protected] If you are interested, aupair152krakow@ Association of Krakow please write to us: yahoo.com

www.iwak.pl [email protected] Place a job offer here! Place a career resume here! [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] VACANCY RESUME FEBRUARY 14-FEBRUARY 20 BUSINESS The Krakow Post 9 Poland simplifies Trade grows working procedures for Ukrainians

the krakow post surance and the special original invitation. Before Poland joined the Schengen zone, in Poland at Workers from Ukraine, Belarus and Russia Ukrainians had obtained documents easily will be allowed to work in Poland – with no and free of charge. special permits.. They can receive two kinds of visas: The government therefore fulfills the em- Schengen’s visa which costs 35 euro and ployers’ requirements to liberalize the policy which allows travel in the whole UE area or a toward Eastern neighbors. According to the national visa that costs 75 euro and which is new regulation they can work in Poland six in force for more than 90 days. However, it months. permits stays only in Poland. “There is no secret that employers in Po- About 700 Ukrainians protested in January land are struggling with insufficient laborers. against the visa procedures. Displaying ban- They have often no chance to find suitable, ners urging “No to a new Berlin wall,” and “It quick rate national workers,” said director Janusz Grzyb is time to respect Ukrainians,” the protesters from the Ministry of Labor. “The extension of erected barbed-wire imitations of the Polish the krakow post said Marcin Szaleniez of the company shopping can reduce the costs by up to the possibility of employees with no permits and Ukrainians borders in front of a Polish PMR. 15 percent. from our neighbors from the eastern border consulate in Lvov. According to daily Gazeta Prawna, The small local shops are facing pur- The situation in Poland isn’t encour- was essential.” Miroslaw Gryta, a consul-director of the Poland can expect to see expansion of chase by big foreign companies or else aging, which is true in many other Eu- Lack of Polish workers – especially in the visa department in Lvov, explained to Gazeta hypermarkets, supermarkets and dis- they likely must declare bankruptcy. The ropean countries. In the Slovak Repub- building industry – is primarily caused by the Prawna that “the consulate is given the visas count stores. other way is to join Polish retail trade lic 69 percent of retail trade belongs to migrations of young, well-educated Polish which are valid to travel in all of Europe. At the same time, the number of gro- organizations. This kind of organization foreign companies, in Czech Republic specialists who prefer to work in well-paid That’s why there are higher requirements.” cers is decreasing rapidly. In 2007 about includes ABC, which links almost 2,500 76 percent and in Germany and France jobs in Ireland, Great Britain or Scandinavia. The government hasn’t excluded the pos- 3,000 grocery stores closed. shops, including Lewiatan and Zabka, almost 90 percent. Although many Ukrainians appreciate this sibility of more liberalization, according to The owners of the small shops, usu- with 2,000 shops. Experts say the Polish trade market is extension, many also say that Polish access to Eastern workers. ally on housing estates, aren’t able to The experts as well as the traders pre- among the most scattered in Europe. the Schengen zone complicated contacts with Labor Minister Jolanta Fedak has empha- compete with the hypermarkets, which dict consolidation of Polish retail trade Few nations have more than 100,000 the employers. sized that before the government decides to always have lower prices and more to as a result. shops. Since Jan. 1 Ukrainians as well as citizens simplify the conditions of employing Eastern sell. According to Gazeta Prawna, lone On the other hand, many Polish peo- of other Eastern neighbors must receive a workers “we should check if unemployed Pol- “The necessity of competition with sellers are doomed to lose against the big ple can’t imagine shopping somewhere special entry visa. ish people can’t fulfill the employers’ needs. the discounts and supermarkets forces corporations, because they aren’t able else than in their own neighborhood To receive it they should have 100 zloty for The reduction of unemployment in Poland is the small shops to cooperate, e.g. to re- to sell at the same low prices as super- because of long and close relationships each day they remain in Poland, medical in- the top priority for us.” duce the costs of logistics and supplies,” markets. It is estimated that wholesale with them. Slovak inflation rises to 3.8 percent

agence france-presse Price rose by 1.3 percent in Exports rose by 9.2 percent on January compared with the previ- a 12-month comparison to 108.2 Slovak inflation edged up to ous month. bln koruna, outpacing a 6.9 per- 3.8 percent in January on an an- In another report the office said cent rise in imports to 117.7 bln nual basis from 3.4 percent in Slovakia’s foreign trade deficit koruna, the office said. In 2007 December 2007, the Slovak Sta- narrowed by 1.5 bln koruna to 9.5 Slovakia’s trade deficit narrowed tistics Office announced early this bln (279 mln euro, $413 mln) in to 19.7 bln koruna from 75.3 bln week. December from November. in 2006. Reach your clients before they set foot in Krakow. The Krakow Post is on board LOT, Brussels and Lufthansa airlines 10 The Krakow Post WARSAW FEBRUARY 14-FEBRUARY 20 Warsaw receives PET scanner Zofia Owczarek The grounds for the examination are always Staff Journalist determined separately by doctors in the in- stitute. For the time being, the patients are Warsaw medical patients will no longer registered two weeks in advance. The to- have to go as far as Bydgoszcz or Gliwice mograph works two days a week, examin- to be examined by one of the newest inven- ing six patients per day. The limited number tions in modern medicine. Warsaw finally of examinations and their detailed planning has a PET scanner. result from the complexity of the procedure PET stands for Positron Emission To- and the use of a special substance delivered mography, a medical imaging technique by plane from Vienna. The chemical is so which produces three-dimensional images unstable that after two hours it loses half of our internal organs. The technique is of its power so that the dose needs to be considered to be the most sensitive and ac- doubled. curate method for early detection of tumors. The PET technique locates early cancer- The new positron tomograph is already in ous changes with extreme precision, down use in the Mazovian PET-CT Center at the to the level of cells. Such outstanding accu- Military Institute of Health Services on racy accounts for the variety of the method’s ul. Szaser in Warsaw. The center was cre- applications. It is mostly used in oncology to ated by Euromedic, a pan-European health detect cancer or its metastases and to moni- company. Although the machine is the tor the effectiveness of the applied therapy. company’s private property, Euromedic has It is also used in diagnosing nervous agreed to hand it over to the institute in 10 and cardiovascular diseases. It can iden- years. tify Alzheimer’s disease more than a year Some of the expensive examinations will before its clinical symptoms appear. The be financed by the National Health Fund. imaging technique is also most helpful in “We have agreed on a 5 mln zloty con- determining medical treatment of the di- tract,” Jerzy Serafin of the Mazovian de- agnosed disease. PET is also an important partment of the health fund told the news- research tool in mapping human brain and paper Zycie Warszawy. This means that by heart functions. the end of the year about 1,100 patients will The Mazovian PET-CT Center is the first be examined for free. Patients can be diag- of its kind in Warsaw and the fourth in Po- nosed privately as well, as long as they can land. The other three operate in Bydgoszcz, afford to pay 4.5 thousand zloty per exami- Wroclaw and Gliwice. nation. However, two other medical institutions “The method is intended for specific in the Polish capital stand a chance of get- groups of patients,” Michal Korczeniewski, ting their own PET scanners. The hospital the marketing director of Euromedic, told on ul. Banacha and Maria Skbodowska In- Zycie Warszawy. Thus the new equipment stitute Oncology Center still await the Na- is to be used mostly for diagnosing bone tional Health Fund’s decision on financing metastases, recurrences of ovary and thy- the equipment. roid cancer, epileptogenic foci, etc. The ex- Examinations by positron tomography amination is available both to patients who are already routine in other countries of the present medical examination referrals from EU. Experts estimate that soon up to a mln specialists (such as oncologists, cardiolo- Europeans will annually benefit from the gists or neurologists) and ones who do not. technique. Short Feature Poznan alternative community prospers Joanna Zabierek described this incident on their web site: and similar events. As individuals and as a ation, for themselves, for propagating in- staff journalist “Around 10:00 the bailiff together with group, people living in Rozbrat are often dependent thought and for building social cops came to Rozbrat squat. The policemen invited to take part in organizing projects. consciousness. Rozbrat is the oldest squat in Poland. It drilled the lock of the gate. The bailiff had They arrange lectures and workshops. As Marek Piekarski of the Rozbrat Col- was “founded” 14 years ago by groups of court permission to come in and estimate In time, concerts were organized at Ro- lective said after the bailiff’s visit last week, the Poznan freedom movement looking for the price of the ground. The middle part of zbrat. nothing that would change their situation has their own place of safety. They found the Rozbrat squat (including both concert halls, For safety reasons, admission was al- happened. They are still under the threat of barracks of a bankrupted warehouse. gallery, bars, library and part of the living lowed only by invitation, but the concerts eviction, but it is hard to say when it could Initially, Rozbrat’s role was as a house area) was indebted for a long time by a were organized more and more frequently, happen. Their legal situation should clarify similar to freedom communes. Now it is company that doesn’t exist anymore. The and their character began to be more open. within two or three weeks. also a center of alternative culture, freedom ground price evaluation today means that This kind of cultural activity dominated In Europe squat evictions often end up and anarchist movements. But soon it may the ground can be auctioned within one or the early years. A bigger room was adapted with struggles or even fights with police and become history, as the bank that bought out two months. That can mean the end of Ro- and sound equipment collected. Slowly, Ro- bodyguards seeking to clean up the area. In- the debts of the former owner of the area, zbrat squat – the longest occupied space in zbrat’s character began to be more cultural. habitants are supported by city inhabitants where Rozbart is situated, wants to get his Poland.” Today, Rozbrat is a unique center of in- and artists and squatters from other cities property back. “We count on you being ready to orga- dependent culture in Poznan and the entire and countries. It is likely that squatters in The founders of Rozbrat are shocked, but nize solidarity actions by you and your Wielkopolska region. The activity there Poznan will receive some help by, for ex- they are not giving up. groups. We’re not gonna give up without a would be difficult to duplicate in the com- ample, squatters from Berlin in return for “I can’t believe it. I’ve lived here for a fight,” they added. mercialized world. last year’s support. while now. It is an uncommon place, and From the beginning, Rozbrat has been People who live there have created an Rozbrat’s founders and inhabitants say (helps) great people,” said Justyna, a sociol- a flat for a group of people. Now there are environment based on independent social they will defend Rozbrat with all legal and ogy student. Last week a bailiff visited Roz- 15 to 20 squatters there. Broad cultural and and cultural activity: without donations, necessary means. brat to estimate its value for further auction. social activity is undertaken at Rozbrat, for subsidies, sponsors, outside of the system, “So far, Rozbrat is still active,” its web Here is how the squatters living in Rozbrat example, concerts, exhibitions, festivals outside of the good or bad economic situ- site reports.

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Our repretoire of Spanish, Advertise in Argentinian and Italian classical music will create the special ambience you need to maximize your guests’ The Krakow Post! fine-dining experience. krakowpost.com Good rates and top quality. Contact: Andrzej Kowalski, Marketing Manager [email protected] krakowpost.com +48 (0) 798-683-160 FEBRUARY 14-FEBRUARY 20 KRAKOW The Krakow Post 11 Discovery focuses on Krakow as capital Grazyna Zawada answers given by Michal Niezabitowski, the di- Staff Journalist rector of Krakow’s Historical Museum. Niezabitowski walks Scott around Krakow and Discovery Historia, the Polish branch of the tells interesting and funny stories about Krakow Discovery History TV channel, and Krakow will and its history. cooperate to organize several artistic events and to The script for the show was written by well- promote the city on TV. known satirists Lukasz Rybarski (the “Pod Wyr- On Thursday, Barbara Bilinska, the director of wigroszem” cabaret) and Tomasz Olbratowski Discovery Historia, and Jacek Majchrowski, the (radio journalist and author of biting and funny mayor, signed a contract for cooperation to pro- features). duce programs on Krakow’s historical attractions. Another Discovery venture is planned for Sept. Bilinska said that Discovery Historia’s motto is 12, the 325th anniversary of the Battle of Vienna. “Be there where history was made” and that Kra- In 1683 the Polish King Jan III Sobieski, com- kow is exactly the kind of place to report from. manding Polish, Austrian and German armies, The cooperation with the TV channel actually defeated a Turkish army that had besieged Vienna, began last November when Discovery Historia thus relieving Western Europe from the threat of and Krakow organized a happening on Market Turkish conquest. Square entitled “Painting Matejko.” Matejko was On Sept, 12, Krakow will present a commemo- a famous 19th-Century Polish painter, and the rative show in the Market Square. The dramatic event was a part of the 750th anniversary of Kra- program will feature King Sobieski presenting kow’s incorporation and city charter. Discovery war trophies from Vienna, his army re-enacting also is broadcasting “Krakow’s Memoir,” show- the battle and many more activities. ing the process of urban changes. And Discovery Discovery channel will televise all of this live, will launch this week a series of programs entitled and in the future more enterprises are planned. It is “What if Krakow was the capital of Poland?” speculated that Discovery will also help celebrate These are light stories presented in the form of the 90th anniversary of Krakow’s liberation after questions asked by journalist Brian Scott, with World War I. Childhood pals exhibit at S-ka Malgorzata Mleczko Karol was into classical music, and used to tions,” says Karol Radiszewski. staff journalist attend the Philharmonic, while Kuba was lis- On display we can see approximately 20 tening to hip-hop. Karol was a square; Kuba pieces documenting the artists’ past. Photographer Kuba Dabrowski graduated was more of a cool kid. There are Kuba Dabrowski’s photos depict- with a degree in sociology from the Jagiello- Kuba and Karol met in high school where ing a school disco, boys with skateboards; gray, nian University, and a degree in photography they both worked for the school newspaper depressing blocks of flats, a fight on a play- from the ITF in Opava (Czech Republic). He Rysa (Scratch). Karol Radziszewski was the ground, and many other pieces. works as a photo-editor and photographer for founder, and Kuba did the photography. Karol presented a series of drawings made in “Przekroj” weekly. His freelance work has The newspaper was about what was happen- an activity book, such as dress designs for Bar- been in “Viva,” “Machina,” “Exklusive” and ing at school, music, culture, and skateboards. It bie rendered in detail (made between the ages “Die Zeit.” was the first time they began working together. of 9 and 11, including evening fashion, daytime His best friend Karol remarks: “He’s sincere, After high school they parted ways. fashions, and piles of paper with drawings of both in his life and in what he does, and on ev- Karol went to Krakow, Kuba to Warsaw. dresses), but also a drawing of a half of a dog ery level. He’s professional, even mega-profes- During this transition, the two kept in contact or a mouse wearing a girl’s outfit. sional, one of the most professional people I with each other. The artists’ pieces seem very personal and know, in the full sense of the word. And I can When Kuba moved to the capital, Karol be- intimate, but on the other hand, they evoke a also say that he’s consistent.That consistency gan doing “DIK Fagazine” – which is when universal story of people born in the 80’s. The always crops up somewhere. He’s a good per- they renewed their collaboration. exhibit helps to recall memories of our own son. Kuba is an optimist, even when things are At this time, Kuba and Karol, while compil- childhood, but it can also be considered as a bad he says ‘don’t worry, everything will be ing work from adolescent times discovered that small documentation of what the late 80’s and ok.’” it foreshadowed things to come, namely what mid 90’s in Poland were like. Karol Radziszewski is a painter, performer they’re doing now as professional artists. “Pals” plays with convention on many lev- and journalist. Some of his noted works in- Karol has photos, drawings and works from els. clude installations, events, photographs and the past that mimics things that existed earlier. The show raises the question of what an ex- video art. And with Kuba, you can see a straight line that hibition is/might be and what the artwork is. Is He graduated from the Painting Department runs through to his present-day photography. it as Kurt Schwitters said, “Whatever the artist of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, and is They made those pieces without the aware- will expectorate is art”? the initiator and co-creator of the Szu Szu Fly- ness they have now. It turned out that what they What status do the pieces on exposition have ing Gallery, and the founder, publisher and edi- are doing now comes from things that they had if they were made by artists, but in childhood? tor-in-chief of “DIK Fagazine” – the first gay been doing, unconsciously, way back then. What is a piece of art? Is it an art exhibit if magazine in Poland. “We don’t want to pretend that we’ve been works are too difficult to define? Kuba described Karol as consistent: “They doing these things for a very long time. We say he isn’t, but he is. He’s coherent in what he want to show that those naive things have a di- Kuba Dabrowski, Karol Radziszewski, Pals does. He’s very intelligent. On the other hand, rect translation into what we’re doing now. And (Feb. 8-March 8) he has big doubts that he sometimes gets hung comparing the two causes them to interplay. up on...” They show how two people with very similar GALERIA ZPAF i S-KA The two are great friends. circumstances can go in slightly different direc- ul. sw. Tomasza 24 Both were born in 1980 and lived in Bialys- tok. Although they both have much in common, they are notably individual and unique. krakowpost.com Karol didn’t play with cars, but he drew many pictures of limousines and Rolls-Royces with princesses emerging from within them. Kuba had cars and toy soldiers – except that they weren’t soldiers, they were always the en- tourage touring with the car.

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ul. Miodowa 7 Kazimierz District, Krakow Tel.: (0) 12 292-0088 www.accommodation.krakow.pl 12 The Krakow Post KRAKOW FEBRUARY 14-FEBRUARY 20 Film-goers buy tickets for Berlinale 2008 Martyna Olszowska Berlinale in 2006. Earlier this week, he linale were surprised by the popularity Staff Journalist met with young filmmakers participat- of the screening of the film, “Om Shantı ing in the Talent Campus, a series of film Om” by Farah Khan and the meeting with The 58th International Film Festival workshops held at the festival. the main star of that movie – Shah Rukh in Berlin, one of the most important film While speaking with German film crit- Khan. For the first time in the history of events in Europe, will run from Feb. 6- ics Ulrich Gregor and Mark LeFanu, Waj- the festival, “the black market” officially 17. da expounded on the art of giving period began when all tickets for the Bollywood Over 20 films are competing for the pieces the right mood. screenings sold out in a matter of minutes. Golden Bear. The winner will be an- For the first time ever, a documentary Most of the fans were waiting from early nounced this Saturday. will open the festival. “Shine a Light” by morning to meet with the actors, and what Berlinale, in contrast to film festivals Martin Scorsese was screened on the very happened near the Berlinale Palast could in Cannes or Venice, is the most acces- first evening. His latest film is the record- be described in one word – hysterical. sible to filmgoers: one can buy tickets for ing of the Rolling Stones’ concert, which But they were not the only celebrities nearly all screenings. took place in New York in 2006. that came to Berlin. The heart of the festival is located in Scorsese came to Berlin with Mick During the first week of the festival, the Potsdamer Platz, and in fact, it is hard Jagger and Keith Richards. He said in Daniel Day-Lewis and director Paul to imagine this event in any other Berlin an interview for one of the Berlin daily Thomas Anderson turned up on the red district. newspapers that he felt it could be the carpet in front of the Berlinale Palast. Polish films will also be shown at the very last opportunity for recording a Roll- They were promoting “There Will Be festival. The international premiere of An- ing Stones concert. Having taken into ac- Blood,” which is in the main competition drzej Wajda’s Oscar-nominated “Katyn” count the energy of the “Grandfathers of section. Actresses such as Diane Kruger is scheduled for Feb. 15. Wajda is attend- Rock” in the film, it is difficult to believe (member of the international jury), Tilda ing the Berlin festival together with actors Scorcese’s words. Swinton, Goldie Hawn and Penelope from his film. But the phenomenon of this years’ Cruz dominated opening night. Wajda received the Honorary Golden festival in Berlin is, for certain, the Bol- Until Feb. 17, the Platz will be shining Bear Lifetime Achievement Award at lywood cinema. Organizers of the Ber- bright with celebrities. Live upscale Award-winning Penderecki in Krakow! record simply compelling

Soren A. Gauger to fit it into any musical context such passion. premiere. The work was commis- Staff Journalist whatsoever. Particularly in this first piece, sioned before the attack in New But in the year 2008 the greatest there is an imperative quality to ev- York; Penderecki changed the light- Back in 1969, when Penderecki surprise in listening to the Midem- ery phrase. The liner notes speak of hearted Capriccio he was prepar- was still in his “avant-garde phase,” award winning edition of Capriccio the solo part as a “mockery of the ing into something more serious in he had this to say: “The general (1967), De Natura Sonoris II (1971) classical cadenza,” however, and nature. principle at the root of a work’s mu- and the “Resurrection” Piano Con- here I cannot agree; even in his I have not been troubled by his sical style, the logic and economy certo (2001/2002) is how much of avant-garde phase, as the quote at “tributes” in the past, but here it of development, and the integrity this music the top of the seems he stumbles at times in trying of a musical experience embodied one recog- The idea of good music page would to express the gravity of his mate- in the notes the composer is setting nizes, and seem to sug- rial. Near the end things become down on paper, never changes. has to some means today exactly what gest, Penderecki positively anthemic, church bells The idea of good music means extent been it meant always. Music seldom strikes start ringing, and the phoenix comes today exactly what it meant always. assimilated should speak for itself, going my ear as being flying up out of the ashes, as it were. Music should speak for itself, going into the straight to the heart... ironic vis à vis All this has a certain logic, given straight to the heart and mind of the musical vo- tradition. that it was written for the birthplace listener.” cabulary a The “caden- of the “happy ending.” But there is Coming from a composer who listener brings to a record. za” in question resonates emotion- a tone of falsity – or at least a forced had virtually abandoned conven- The most impressive piece here ally in a way that goes far beyond quality – that is seldom found in tional musical notation, preferring is undoubtedly the opening Capric- mockery, though it does carry the Penderecki’s work. at times (e.g. 1961’s Threnody for cio with stunning violin work by weight of historical trauma. De- Having said the above, the or- the Victims of Hiroshima) black Patrycja Piekutowska (her work in tractors have sometimes accused chestra and soloist (Beata Bilinska bands of “clusters” or wavy lines, the collection of Penderecki’s vio- Penderecki of calling added atten- is on piano) are again top-notch, who seemed driven to stretch the lin/piano chamber music, also put tion to his music through the use and the opening of the piece has instruments until they more resem- out by DUX, is another highlight of dramatic titles, linking his works some wonderful – and surprisingly bled plummeting airplanes than in- of the current “special edition” of to major historical tragedies (Aus- melodic – passages. struments of any sort, this statement Penderecki’s work). chwitz, Hiroshima). The piano concerto is a difficult might seem a bit peculiar. This is clearly a case of an award The “Resurrection” Piano Con- genre, which the best of compos- When I heard Penderecki’s well chosen – I cannot recall anoth- certo’s title was given in tribute ers have struggled against and lost. Violin Concerto for the first time er DUX release in which both the to the events of Sept. 11, 2001 in All things considered, the work is a twelve years ago, I recall struggling soloist and the orchestra play with America, where it was to have its qualified success.

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So, relax and imagine… owner has arranged for a modern, private tion for a separate essay in some architec- part of the apartment, inviting all to spend the great number of historic landmarks, it Imagine a sprawling interior, custom de- elevator. tural magazine. as much time there as possible… would take just a short walk through the signed to suit your needs as a comfortable The entire interior has been custom de- All the finishes used in the apartment There is much more we could say, but narrow streets of the Old Town, to posi- escape, yet carefully harmonized with the signed by an architect and interior decora- are of the highest world quality: starting nothing would give you a better picture tively verify this claim. But how about the outside world according to the ancient art tor, with the main idea of leaving the most from the exotic, Brazilian hardwood floor- than seeing this exceptional residence for inside spaces, where one would live? How of Feng Shui. of the space open. Therefore, besides a clear ing, to imported stone and terracotta. From yourself. And the time could not be better, about the apartments that are the souls Imagine a space infused with light, en- division of day and night zones, a number custom thermopane windows, to high end for the property is currently listed on mar- of these beautiful townhouses you see all tering from the four ends of the world and of spaces interact with each other in a har- stainless steel kitchen appliances. Intri- ket for sale. around? Would they comfort your imagi- creating a unique atmosphere – day or monized, functional way: a sprawling liv- cate custom cabinetry, custom bathrooms, Also, no later but this Friday, Feb. 15, nation as the surroundings do, or perhaps night. ing room is connected with an impressive, heated ceramic floors, 240 and 110 Volt from 14:00 to 17:00, there will be the very leave with some dissonance? Think of the architecture with vision; open dining space, leading further to an electrical systems, designated HVAC, se- first public Open House hosted there! Your Well, the answers to these questions may brave yet functional, beautifully merging open kitchen which is nicely hidden behind curity and audio-video systems grace this kind RSVP is welcome, and the registration vary, but what we have found is that those traditional with modern, experiencing the the counter; a dining space that naturally opulent space. form plus some more information can be exceptions, while they do exist, are just a whole picture through the nature of the flows into the sitting area, connected with In addition to the above, one should note found on the following web site: few. The other problem is that they are very details. a home office space and the rest of the day that the western wall of the apartment is al- http://boguslawskiego7.abartestate.com rarely introduced to the market, and since Feel connected with your surroundings. zone area. most entirely made of an impressive floor- the market for such is pretty narrow (they Enjoy this brief moment spent in your Then, custom designed sliding doors to-ceiling window, opening beautifully to So register today and stop by on Friday, are priced for what they are) – even fewer Home. Welcome to Boguslawskiego 7! made of exotic wood and frosted glass, the 30 square meter terrace, from which to verify if we were right! get to know them. The apartment is located on the top, opens into the night zone area, that includes one can observe a lovely panorama of the More info in English at: 1-212-699-0947; Therefore, it is with a great pleasure to third floor of the gut renovated, landmark two generous sized bedrooms, a separate old Krakow where several majestic towers in Polish: 012-426-1495 present to you this special property, being townhouse from the end of 19th Century. wardrobe, and an impressive master bath- and landmark churches; including the Ma- introduced to the market for the very first Situated on a beautiful street just off of the room, also nicely divided by independent riacki Church and the Saint Peter and Paul By: Agnieszka & Blazej Cichy, © 2008, time, and representing without a doubt the outer rim of the Planty Park, it represents and functional zones. In the main entrance Church, grace the lovely terrain. ABART ESTATE, LLC FEBRUARY 14-FEBRUARY 20 KRAKOW The Krakow Post 13 Art exhibit in launches in apartment block

Iwona Bojarczuk artists are going to be invited to take painting entitled “Penetracje” (the origi- Staff Journalist part in the paintings, but we still do not nal is exhibited at the National Museum). know which individuals exactly. The goal Residents of the block of flats will be Krakow’s blocks of flats may startle is to make the blocks of flats more hu- given brochures containing a biography passer-bys when they become artistic man-friendly by painting them in warm Jarema, reproductions of the artist and backdrops. Project “Huge slab – Great colors. tickets for the exhibition of Jarema works art” is a new idea which city authorities The Krakow National Museum has in the Gallery of Polish Art of the 20th have developed to promote Krakow. It joined the public art movement by cre- Century. will be a gigantic gallery of modern art for ating a project called “Through streets to “Through streets to art” will cover the which the exterior walls of the apartments art.” The museum will remind citizens of entire city and cost up to 30,000 zloty. All will be exhibition space. the artists whose names have been given of the streets named for artists will have “This project will create probably the to streets. paintings. biggest-in-the-world gallery of modern To start the museum project, one of the The idea of using building walls for art,” said Mateusz Zmyslony, chairman biggest districts of flats – Azory – was paintings is not new in Krakow. One of the advertising agency Eskadra Market chosen. project involved a building on Mazow- Place. “It will be the biggest because it is The block of apartments is on ul. Maria iecka Street built in 1959. The wall was measured by the square meters of surface Jarema. Jarema was one of the greatest divided into frames painted pastel colors. of gigantic buildings. We are going to Polish avant-garde artists. November will The building’s art resembles the works of change city tissue where it is the ugliest.” mark the 100th anniversary of her birth famous Dutch painter Piet Mondrian, and Eskadra Market Place is the originator and the 50th of her death. when looking at it, we may think that the of the project and prepared a new strat- Few residents on Jarema Street know building is smiling at us. egy of Krakow promotion for 2008-2012. who she was, says Agata Malodobry of Thanks to such actions, blocks of flats Zmyslony adds that the art display idea the National Museum. That is why Mal- can become icons of modern art. And the has been accepted by the mayor of Kra- odobry started the art project. The big- apartment art can enable block dwellers to kow. Action on the art project probably gest and gloomiest wall on the block will get rid of the soulless mask of the Com- will begin this year. Several well-known display a reproduction of Jarema’s 1956 munist period and gain the attention of cc:sa:Frozenfish Int’l Ferret Exhibit 2008 to open in Krakow

Magdalena Lyko mation about the animals. Staff Journalist Those who brought ferrets to the exhibition were from all over Poland Those who know little about fer- and from such other countries as rets got a treat – and an education Hungary and the Czech Republic. – in Krakow last week. In addition to the ferret athletic The Second International Ferret events, there was an interesting pho- Exhibition included ferret beauty to contest. Photos of ferrets could contests. It also included tests of ath- be entered in one of two formats leticism and agility, such as eating – prints or on slides that could be eggs, drinking milk, holding a kiss shown on a screen. the longest, standing on two feet the But the main attraction was the longest, racing other ferrets through ferret beauty contests. The catego- a tunnel and conquering barriers in a ries included juniors, adults, neu- steeplechase-type race. tered and senior. The exhibition, organized by the The jurors for the beauty contests Krakow-based Association of Pol- included Professor Anna Szeleszc- ish Ferret Breeders, was at the PTS zuk of Poland, Dr Piotr Borsuk of Soko Hall at ul. Pisudskiego 27 on Poland, Beverly Redden of England, Feb. 9. Keith David Redden of England and Although ferrets are becom- Przemyslaw Baran of Poland. ing more popular in Poland, many The jurors examined each ferret Poles know little about them. Some very thoroughly, as jurors in pure- are startled when they see an owner breed dog shows do. In situations walking with an animal on a leash where two ferrets both had outstand- in park. Ferrets are cute, so some ing qualities, the jurors looked at people want to buy one for their each twice. children, as they would a rabbit or Dr. Piotr Borsuk of the Associa- hamster. But ferrets are meat-eating tion of Polish Ferret Breeders gave a predators so making a pet out of one lecture during the exhibition on how requires some special knowledge to breed ferrets. and understanding. Those attending the exhibition They also have a musky smell could buy food, treats and acces- that some people can’t stand. sories for their ferrets. Three of For all these reasons ferret breed- the companies selling the products ers are trying to educate people about – Ferplast, Bosch and Bungo, the what nice pets the animals can be, owner of the web site www.fretki. but also the challenges they pose. com – sponsored the awards that Ferret owners also want to meet owners got for the various contests. to talk with each other. Organizing All ferrets that won a contest got a ferret exhibition is a way both to a certificate and something good to educate non-ferret owners and to eat. Beauty contest winners also got give owners a chance to trade infor- medals.

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John Marshall ible speakers to buy Ryanair we give to the rest of the world become quote a country afraid Staff Journalist scratchcards and to choose is immigrant. Is it because to know itself unquote. I am from the exclusive range of many of us “expats” consider happy to be back in Poland. Beneath a full, crisp, Pol- in-flight purchases. Now, as the ourselves only temporary Kra- Sure, Krakow’s not all Rynek ish moon, I stepped onto the familiar houses and blocks slip kowians, ready to skip off to the Glowny and beautiful Planty: airport tarmac, glad to be back past in the night, I relax, safe next country in a year or two or outside the old city dogshit, home, in Krakow. A moment in the knowledge that whatever is it that the word ‘immigrant’ graffiti and alcoholics assault later, the shuttle bus was whisk- inanities and profanities are be- suggests a search for money and the eye at every turn while the ing me efficiently the thirty or ing muttered, most of them will material gain while we are, in city and its people struggle so meters from the aircraft to slip harmlessly by. contrast, so wonderful, talented to find a sense of self and of Customs. Although welcome, I close my flat door behind and comparatively affluent that pride after generations, if not I always think this 15-second me, disconnect myself from my ‘expat’ is so much more ap- centuries, of humiliation and hop quite unnecessary. Is it a rucksack (na koncu!) and, as propriate: empowered, assured, subjugation to foreign powers. piece of classic British health & my granny advises, try to ‘feel cosmopolitan, safe? But at least Poland is moving, safety stowed away to Poland how I feel’. It, in fact, feels If the truth be told, I am slowly and painfully, in the via an Extraordinary Rendition good to be back in Krakow. three things in one: expat, right direction, not squander- flight, a nod to a full-employ- And I like my flat. A little cold immigrant and asylum-seeker. ing its inheritance, afraid of its ment Communist past or, and now, but a small adjustment Firstly, I am an expat, by which own shadow like England. I this I suspect, a simple act of to the brown ceramic sentinel I mean that I am an educated am here seeking asylum, not kindness to us, the weary trav- standing guard in the corner Westerner who is blessed with from oppression or tyranny, but elers? Either way, it is infinitely will soon sort that. I switch on opportunity and choice. Imag- from cultural ignorance, mental preferable to the 15-minute slog the kettle and fire up some BBC ine, as a native English-speaker slavery and moral and political through the Essex country- radio comedy on the laptop. and teacher with money in my cowardice. side when arriving at London Windows XP appears rudely pocket, I can actually choose Now of course Eastern Stansted. disturbed by my presence. It just about any country in the Europe (like much of the world) Owing to my somewhat yawns, rubs the sleep out of its world to live in! Like most is seeking to emulate the west old-fashioned and probably eyes and staggers slowly out of expats, I am fairly affluent by in so many ways: its embrace reactionary English attitude to hibernation. Polish standards. Also, I am of free-market economics and standards of public behaviour, Under the streetlight outside, able to skim along the surface the attendant fracturing of I have, for as long as I can an alcoholic shakily proffers his of everyday Polish life with- once-supportive communities, remember, always adopted a mate a cigarette and receives, in out getting bogged down in for example. Poland is not a sedate, almost langorous, pace exchange, a swig of something details. It’s easy to be invisible paradise and I am very glad I when joining a queue, consider- nameless and purple from a in Poland. It’s easy not to pay don’t understand the moronic ing any unseemly jostling or clear glass bottle. I wonder, taxes (or so I hear). It’s easy television news or the foul- scrambling for position to be once again, just how many not to understand the language mouthed teenager standing next rather barbaric, certainly not broken, middle-aged alcoholic and remain aloof from day-to- to me on the tram. But I am ‘British’. However, I’ve been men there are in Krakow. Tens day life. There is, to use Milan lucky: in England, it would be an expat for over two years of thousands? Maybe. For Kundera’s phrase, a ‘lightness nigh-impossible to escape such now and, hopping quickly first every one on the street, you can of being’ in being an expat. things. Here, I am an expat, an off the bus, I found myself the bet there are another ten creep- But if immigration is about immigrant and an asylum-seek- first to stand before the guard ing about in dosshouses and seeking a better standard of er, and am thus largely able to at passport control, looking soon-to-be redeveloped attics living, then I am also an im- cherry-pick from Krakow and just over his shoulder with a and basements. Where do these migrant as well as an expat. Poland only those experiences carefully-constructed mix of poor souls go when they get Currently, I am in the process and realities I wish to. innocence (me, a terrorist?) and their marching orders? Where of buying a flat in Krakow and One thing that definitely is affected boredom in an effort now, for example, are all those have also begun working for a “expat” and not ‘immigrant’ or to convince him I feel just the dangerous individuals who, company that never, never pays “asylum-seeker” is that sense same as he does and the sooner we hear, made it impossible to cash. of difference, the feeling of he lets me back onto Polish soil, walk safely through Kazimierz After two years, I have this otherness that we all enjoy so the sooner both he and I can before the fall of Communism week officially become a resi- much. I suspect that, for many go home. He appears not to began to reunite kamienicas dent, I have a tax number and I of us, besides the wanderlust notice my subliminal attempt with long-forgotten landlords? shortly intend to start my own and sense of cultural inquiry at camaraderie and merely Because of the passage business. Why this sudden loss that first sent us from our slides my passport back to me, of time, and the passing of of social invisibility? Money. I shores, there is also a desire to his gaze already transferred to both generations and title want more of it and I want it be a little out of focus, just a the babcia behind me, who is deeds, some of these nouveau here, in Poland, where I don’t bit off the radar in a way that already digging her passport landlords, of course, have little have to work as hard as I would we could never be back home. into my back, in mute defiance connection to the city and have in England, just like any other We enjoy being the foreigner, of both regulations and what probably never even set foot immigrant. the one looking in instead of was once-upon-a-time known as here. Strangers from afar Oh, yes, I said I was an asy- out. As we wonder, marvel, ‘personal space’. remoulding the country and its lum-seeker, too. OK, maybe not gripe and groan about our new On the bus, I’m immersed, economy. I’m an immigrant in the real sense of the term but, surroundings, we sometimes cocoon-like, into blissful igno- myself, of course. Sounds come on, have you seen your also stop and learn things about rance as the still largely-unfa- strange, doesn’t it? Me, an country lately? Americans love ourselves and those around us: miliar Polish language begins to Englishman, an immigrant. America and I sure love Eng- things we’d never notice in our bubble all around me. I’m tired ‘Funny how we all prefer the land, but, to misquote Shake- own cultures. And that’s worth John Marshall of being shouted at from invis- term ‘expat’, when the name speare, I fear that England has a hell of a lot of dogshit! FEBRUARY 14-FEBRUARY 20 CLASSIFIEDS The Krakow Post

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