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Published by: Jargon Media Sp. z o.o. Index Number: 236683 ISSN: 1898-4762 NO. 37 WWW.KRAKOWPOST.COM JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6, 2008 It’s big money: Cash from earnings comes home Tusk to propose new pipeline scheme The controversial Nord Stream natural gas pipeline will most certainly be a major topic when Prime Minister Donald Tusk visits Russia 2 U.S. historian hits nerve with book Gross has sparked a storm of con- troversy in his Polish homeland with a book on anti-Semitism in Poland and the murder of Jews in WWII’s aftermath 3

Radwanska makes mark in Australia In Melbourne, 18-year-old Agnieszka Radwanska took another big step on her road to the top of world tennis 4 Funds granted to martial law victims Ten thousand people connected to the Solidarity movement may receive gov’t compensation 6 According to the Polish Central Bank, GBP 3 bln were sent to Poland in 2007 by Poles throughout Europe, of which an estimated GBP 1.8 bln came from the UK. Denmark backs Adelina Krupski which offers safe transfer and collection of Poles working in the UK and Ireland, for entrance into the EU, left home because she STAFF JOURNALIST money via e-mail, making the process imme- instance, are earning enough to support them- was unemployed. Poland on EU milk diate and inexpensive. selves and their families in Poland. Like many in a similar situation, Iwona be- Poland has Denmark’s backing Polish citizens working abroad are sending According to Ania, who left Poland while While some turn to emigration as the only gan to work illegally in hotels and restaurants. as it pushes for a 5.0-percent their earnings, which total billions of pounds it was under communism and now works in way to get by, even if it means leaving their She progressively learned English and worked every year, back to Poland. According to the London as a member of the managerial team family to live in an overcrowded apartment her way up to a managerial position in a major increase in EU milk production 8 Polish Central Bank, 3 bln pounds were sent to of an international hypermarket chain, these with strangers, others choose the move to gain retail store. While she rarely sends money or Poland in 2007 by Poles throughout Europe, of services were not available a few years ago, additional experience, or assimilate English lan- gifts back to her parents in Poland, Iwona has which an estimated 1.8 bln pounds came from but now they are even accessible at corner guage through cultural immersion, while, in the her daughter living with her and plans to stay Wizzair launches the UK. stores. She also states that she has come across meantime, enhancing their living standards. in England, maintaining contact with her fam- This record-breaking amount not only ex- many Polish students who are living in Lon- Analysts state that the flow of money into ily through frequent visits. ceeds the 2006 figure by 10 percent, but is ex- don, balancing several jobs just to pay off their Poland has caused internal consumption to However, having many Polish friends who new Poznan base pected to grow even further in 2008. education. escalate, especially within residential and au- temporarily work in London and plan to take Moreover, these figures are likely to be Having experienced the many social tomotive markets. their earnings back to Poland, Iwona says Together with the base, the understated, as they only take into account changes resulting from the influx of Poles to One related case involves a man who there are some who, unlike her, are less ambi- company is also opening four money orders and electronic transfers, omit- England, Ania recalls that travel used to be moved to England on impulse to work as a tious. She states that some women join their new routes to Oslo, Malmo, ting those workers, who avoid official meth- expensive, people had to plan ahead of time bus driver for three years while his wife con- working husbands simply to take care of the Doncaster and Glasgow 13 ods by traveling with cash and those who work and apply for a visa, but now they have the op- tinued to pursue her career in Poland and take children and home. illegally. Nonetheless, the phenomenon has portunity to travel freely, without the pressure care of their children. He returned to Warsaw Evidently, every case is different. Official turned money movement into a big business. of having to settle. in December 2007 and, though there was no data states that some 400,000 Poles have emi- Transferring money to Poland is the most As a result, many Poles go abroad on a particular need for extra funds, the money that grated to Great Britain, while unofficial re- popular financial service used by Polish emi- short term basis, rent cheap accommodation, had been saved allowed his family to invest in ports mention even one mln. In addition, sev- grants. Banks such as PKO BP and National and are not choosy about the kind of job they land and purchase two motorcycles. eral hundred thousand Polish citizens plan to Westminster even have special offers dedi- accept. Typically, they work to either send Wishing to remain anonymous, he said his assume jobs there shortly. On the other hand, cated to Poles leaving for Britain, which allow their earnings to family in Poland or to save stay in England provided him with a great deal the Center for International Relations based transfers to be performed without charge. and later invest in property or start their own of experience, and that his standard of life has in Warsaw recently revealed that only 23 per- Other companies providing methods of business. More importantly, having spent improved, though he is very pleased to have cent of Poles in Britain intend to stay, while transmitting money include Western Union, some time away, their attitude towards life and returned to his family and started a new job. 51 percent plan to move back. Trends such as who has recognized the demand and employs work has changed, returning to Poland with a Quite on the opposite end of the scale, the weakening of the pound sterling may cause Polish-speaking staff, and Money Bookers, fresh perspective. Iwona, who moved to London before Poland’s thousands of Poles to return home. 2 The Krakow Post POLAND JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6

R E G I O N A L N E W S Russia warns against “surprises” Education if Putin attends NATO summit Russia’s new ambassador to NATO warned the Tusk to propose minister alliance late last week against coming up with un- pleasant “surprises” if President Vladimir Putin ac- cepts an invitation to the alliance’s next summit. wants to Dmitry Rogozin, a hardline nationalist politician, said Moscow was still considering whether to accept the invitation announced to the NATO summit on April 2-4. leave uniform Calling the invitation “interesting,” Rogozin said: new pipeline scheme “It’s extremely important that at the NATO summit in Bucharest we don’t encounter any surprises that decision to could complicate Russia-NATO cooperation even more.” Russia strongly opposes the enlargement of NATO to Eastern European countries that were un- schools der its control in Soviet times. www.premier.gov.pl Earlier this month Russia’s pro-Western neighbor the krakow post Ukraine asked NATO to approve its “membership action plan” at the summit, a step that would mean Minister of Education Katarzyna Hall the country becoming an official candidate for mem- has announced that school uniforms should bership. no longer be compulsory in Polish elemen- But Rogozin said Ukraine or Georgia, another ex- tary and junior high schools. This means Soviet republic pushing for NATO membership, did that the controversial rule introduced by not meet the necessary criteria. He claimed that millions of Ukrainians working Hall’s predecessor in Jaroslaw Kaczynski’s in Russia would suffer directly from Ukraine join- government may last less than a year. ing NATO, as Kyiv would inevitably impose visa But Hall does not want to require all restrictions on Russians. schools to get rid of the uniforms. The pro- This would lead to an “adequate” response by posed solution will leave the decision on Moscow, he said, implying the imposition of corre- whether they should be worn by pupils to sponding visa restrictions on Ukrainians. school councils and their parents. “Let Ukrainian politicians ... explain that as soon “I believe schools should have autonomy as Ukraine joins the alliance or is on the threshold of the alliance it will be obliged to introduce visas for and their councils should decide whether citizens of Russia,” he said. to have uniforms or not. The parliament “I presume that in that case Russia will react ad- should change the law soon,” Hall said in equately. Millions of Ukrainian citizens working on an interview for RMF radio. She said she Russian territory today, on building sites, in compa- has already discussed the issue with MPs. nies, who send home their money earned in Russia Obligatory uniforms were introduced in to support their families – these people will encoun- September 2007 after the parliament adopt- ter catastrophic consequences,” he said. ed a bill proposed by controversial right- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held talks with Ukraine’s President Viktor Yushchenko wing Education Minister Roman Giertych. on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in He argued that uniforms improve security Davos, Switzerland, in an apparent gesture of sup- in schools as well as help fight drug deal- port for Kyiv’s NATO hopes. ers. He said uniforms also prevent children “The secretary reiterated the U.S. view that NATO from displaying the financial status of their should leave the door open to those European demo- parents by wearing expensive clothes. cratic states who meet membership requirements,” Mandatory uniforms were backed by a State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told majority of parents surveyed. According reporters after the meeting. (AFP) to a poll conducted in May 2007 by OBOP Lithuania prosecutors holds PM Donald Tusk against Nord Stream natural gas pipeline. public opinion institute, 70 percent were in favor. However, the children themselves 1991 massacre suspect Michal Wojtas Gazprom and German BASF and E.ON, the pipe to 12 bln euro and, according to initial plans, be did not always welcome the uniforms, even Lithuanian prosecutors said late last week they fi- staff journalist would cross Finnish, Danish and Swedish eco- ready by 2011. The Amber land proposal would be though each school was free to choose its nally had custody of one of the suspects in a 17-year- nomic zones. much cheaper, costing an estimated 3 bln euro. own design. old massacre allegedly committed by Soviet forces The controversial Nord Stream natural gas pipe- The three Scandinavian countries have also Economics may be Tusk’s main argument dur- According to Education Vice Minister trying to stem the country’s independence drive. line may be a major topic when Prime Minister Krystyna Szumilas, a vote to end manda- “Konstantin Nikulin was brought to Vilnius,” the voiced objections to the Nord Stream project and ing talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Baltic state’s chief prosecutor’s office said in a state- Donald Tusk visits Russia. have demanded alternative plans. Sikorski said that as the Kremlin becomes more tory uniforms should take place in parlia- ment. Last week Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski Tusk, as well as Economy Minister Waldemar aware of the high costs of the Baltic pipeline, it ment within two or three months. It is very Nikulin, 40, was arrested in neighboring Latvia met his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Pawlak, has many times pointed out that from War- may be open to proposals from the Polish side. likely that the changes proposed by Hall on Nov. 28 and was extradited to Lithuania to face Moscow to lay the groundwork for Tusk’s sched- saw’s point of view a land pipeline through Latvia, Poland, Latvia and Lithuania already have filed a will be accepted, as the two government accusations of involvement in the bloody assault. uled visit on Feb. 8. Lithuania and Poland would be a much better way funding plan for Amber with the European Com- coalition parties – Civic Platform and Pol- Nikulin was officially informed of the accusations When Sikorski returned to Poland, he suggested to transport gas from Russia to Germany. The land mission. ish People’s Party – will vote in favor. Op- against him, but has not yet been formally charged, in interviews that Tusk will try to persuade the Rus- project is called Amber. Since the new government took over in Poland position Left and Democrats will probably the prosecutor’s office said. sians to change their plans for Nord Stream, which also back it. Seven customs and police officers died and the In December Tusk discussed the issue with Ger- on Nov. 16, relations with Russia have improved. sole survivor was seriously injured when Kalash- would connect Viborg in Russia and Greifswald in man Chancellor Angela Merkel during his visit to Moscow withdrew several limits on the import Uniforms were common in Polish nikov-wielding gunmen attacked the Medininkai Germany via the bottom of the Baltic Sea. Berlin. No clear statements were published, with of food from Poland. It is also expected that ne- schools in the ‘70s and ‘80s but disappeared crossing on Lithuania’s border with Belarus on July Poland strongly opposes the project because it both politicians saying only that further negotia- gotiations between Brussels and the Kremlin on from most of them after communism col- 31, 1991. would mean a loss of influence on the transport of tions between Poland, Russia and Germany were a new cooperation agreement will be restarted. lapsed in 1989. Since then only a minority Lithuanian investigators suspect that the attackers natural gas from Russia to Western Europe. Ac- planned. They have been blocked by Poland for the last two of schools not financed by the state have were from a unit of the Soviet Union’s elite OMON cording to the plans of the consortium of Russian Nord Stream would cost from 8 bln euro up years. decided to require uniforms. force which was stationed in Riga, in neighboring Latvia. Nikulin, a citizen of Latvia, had reportedly been using an alias for years to avoid arrest and ex- tradition to neighboring Lithuania. If he is eventually found guilty, he faces a life prison sentence. But three other suspects, former OMON members Poles in the UK have abortions legally Alexander Ryzhov, Andrei Laktionov and Cheslav Mlynik, have remained out of the reach of Lithu- Joanna Zabierek anian authorities. All three are Russian citizens and are believed to staff journalist be living in Russia. Vilnius prosecutors have repeatedly asked their Recent surveys by the Polish Federation for Women and Family Moscow counterparts for the right to question the Planning might be considered shocking. More than 30,000 Polish cc:2.0:Ceridwen suspects, without success, and have also complained women had an abortion in England last year, 30 percent more than of wider heel-dragging. the previous year. Last year, Lithuanian prosecutors said they had Why do they choose the UK? Because until the 24th week of preg- never encountered “such avoidance and unwilling- nancy, they may undergo an abortion free of charge. ness” to assist an investigation of a fatal crime. The Medininkai shootings took place during a pe- British law states it clearly: A woman may obtain an abortion if riod of tension as the Soviet Union was falling apart. the pregnancy threatens her health or life. She may also abort for non- Lithuania had declared independence in March medical social reasons, for example, if she is still in school or in a 1990, seeking to end almost five decades of Soviet difficult financial situation. occupation, and its still-unrecognised authorities be- BPAS is the British organization that subsidizes almost 50 percent gan setting up the trappings of a free state, such as of all abortions in England. And 80 percent of all foreigners undergo- a border service. ing abortion in the UK are Poles. A survey of three hospitals in Ealing Fourteen civilians had already been killed in Jan- – the Polish district in London – shows that 2,000 pregnancies had uary 1991 when Soviet forces attacked the Vilnius television tower in a crackdown on the Lithuanian been terminated. independence movement. Abortion within the first weeks of pregnancy is done pharmacologi- The Medininkai attack is believed to have been cally. Surgery is required at later stages. part of wider efforts to intimidate supporters of the “I’m not surprised at the numbers,” Marek Balicki, chief of the independence drive. health board in the Polish Parliament, told the newspaper Polska. “I During the abortive Moscow coup by Soviet think there are even more women who have had unreported abortions hardliners in August 1991, Red Army troops took in the UK. Poland is behind the times in contraception matters, and over key sites in Lithuania but returned to their bar- the law regulating the possibilities of having abortion is irrationally racks after the putsch failed. In September 1991, then Russian president Boris rigorous.” Yeltsin signed a document recognising the indepen- Other Polish politicians blame the abortions on ignorance of con- dence of Lithuania, Latvia and their fellow Baltic traceptive methods and insufficient government support of single state Estonia. (AFP) mothers. In the UK, contraceptives as well as abortions are free. The United Kingdom is not the only place Polish women choose for abortion. They also go to the Czech Republic, Germany and The Neth- erlands. But it is not free in those countries. In the Czech Republic one must pay 2,000 zloty. In Germany and The Netherlands, it is much more expensive. To obtain a free abortion in Germany, one must have krakowpost.com an insurance number, which means a legal job in that country. German employers don’t recruit Poles as eagerly as in the UK. Pregnancy test. JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6 POLAND The Krakow Post 3 Czech FM U.S. historian touches nerve with Poland attacks book on Polish anti-Semitism spends more Moscow’s political than 70 game percent of the EU funds for cc:2.5:Pastorius agriculture agence france-presse Well-received in the U.S., the New York all he plays on emotions with a very limited Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg. Times said Gross, a Jew himself, had “intel- range of sources, interpreted in a biased the krakow post A U.S. historian has sparked a storm of ligently and exhaustively” looked not at the fashion.” agence france-presse controversy in his Polish homeland with a “‘why,’ but at the ‘that’: that a civilized na- The new book concedes that thousands of Poland has spent more than 70 per- book on anti-Semitism in Poland and the tion could have descended so low.” Poles risked their lives to save Jewish neigh- cent of the EU money it received for Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwar- murder of Jews in the aftermath of World zenberg criticized Russian opposition to the But in Poland, many see the book as a bors from the Nazis. rural development for the years 2004 planned U.S. missile shield in a television War II. Undaunted, Princeton University blow to the country’s self-image. But Gross ascribes what he calls Poles’ to 2008, the government said. interview late last week, accusing Moscow professor Jan Gross chose the very site of At the crowded Kielce launch, televised rejection of returning Holocaust survivors to Unfortunately, it will be unable to of trying to recoup Soviet-era influence. a post-war massacre of Jewish Holocaust across the nation, Gross was both applauded guilt and selfishness – they wanted to keep spend the entire 31.1 bln zloty allo- Discussing Russia’s opposition to U.S. survivors for the public launch of the Polish and jeered. “You’re not a professor! You’re abandoned Jewish properties but felt bad for cated, the Ministry of Agriculture and plans to extend its anti-missile shield into version of “Fear, Anti-Semitism in Poland a general! A general in the pay of the Ameri- taking advantage of Holocaust victims’s as- Rural Development said, because it Europe, he told Czech public television: “It after Auschwitz.” can Jews!” shouted one elderly man. sets. Some critics accuse Gross of avenging is all part of a political game about influence will be unable to get some projects off “I want this book to become ‘The Gulag A few dozen meters from the hall is Plan- his own past. the ground before the end of the year. in Europe. Archipelago’ of Polish anti-Semitism,” he “Russia is attempting to attain what it ty Street, where on July 4, 1946, a year after Born in Warsaw in 1947, he emigrated The EU requires the return of devel- had under the Soviet Union, having the joint told a packed audience in the southern city Nazi occupation ended, some 40 Holocaust to the U.S. after Poland’s then ruling Com- opment money that has not been spent possibility of deciding the fate of Europe,” of Kielce this week, “so that people realize survivors were massacred by a crowd of munists launched an anti-Semitic campaign in the time specified. he added. the poison anti-Semitism has for the Polish Poles reacting to rumors that Jews had killed in 1968 as part of a power struggle and to Poland has spent 21.8 bln zloty so Moscow has repeatedly refused to accept soul.” a Polish boy. discredit the right-wing opposition, some of far. It needs to spend 9.3 bln before U.S. assurances over a tracking radar station The reference was to Russian ex-dis- In the immediate post-war period, be- whom were blatantly anti-Semitic. Jan. 1 to use up all the money. it wants to site in the Czech Republic and 10 sident Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s landmark tween 600 and 3,000 of the 300,000 Polish Another old theme was resurrected by the interceptor missiles in neighboring Poland. The Warsaw-based daily newspaper expose on Soviet prison camps. Jews who survived the Holocaust – out of a Kielce crowd – that Jews played a dominant Gazeta Prawna estimates that Poland Washington insists it is more worried about Earlier this month, Polish prosecutors countering the threat of “rogue” states such pre-war population of more than three mln role in the Communist regime set up under will have to return about 10 percent of as Iran, and says the plan was not directed opened a criminal probe against Gross af- – were killed in pogroms or murdered indi- Soviet tutelage after the war. the EU money, or about 3 bln zloty. against Russia. ter the first copies appeared in this country, vidually, according to Poland’s Institute for “Why didn’t the Polish Jews who were Minister of Agriculture and Rural Schwarzenberg argued that Japan, a di- once home to Europe’s largest Jewish popu- National Remembrance (IPN) which inves- in power help the others?” read one written Development Elzbieta Bienkowska rect neighbor of Russia, had constructed ex- lation where relations between the Catholic tigates Nazi and Communist-era crimes. question, with a list attached of the names said the newspaper is right that Poland actly the same type of missile defense sys- majority and Jews, as well as the legacy of Another 60,000 survivors emigrated in of Jews in the powerful Communist secret will be unable to spend all the money. tem envisaged for the Czech Republic and war and communism, remain deeply sensi- the wake of the violence, many to the land police stationed in post-war Kielce. Poland without it bothering Moscow. The main reason, she told Radio tive issues. that became Israel. Gross already shook Gross retorted, however, that the “Com- PIN, is that Poland will be unable to Prague would probably not sign a series The Krakow prosecutor’s office said of agreements with the U.S. over hosting the Poland in 2001 with his book “Neighbors,” munist Jew” stereotype has long been ex- complete a project on fisheries devel- radar before NATO’s April summit in Bu- they acted under a clause providing for up which revealed a 1941 incident, during Nazi ploited by Poland’s Catholic Church to opment and fish processing. The pro- charest, he added. “I do not exclude it, but to three years in prison for anyone “publicly occupation, when several hundred Jews boost its own position, though he conceded gram covers both off-shore and inland expect it to be discussed further,” he said. accusing the Polish nation of participating were massacred or burned alive by Polish that “Jews have also done wrong to Poles.” fisheries. The Czech foreign minister said Prague in, organizing or being responsible for Nazi neighbors in the town of Jedwabne. Some in the Kielce audience said a half- The government has spent about could get the best possible deal from the or Communist crimes.” That book led then president Aleksander century on, it was time for the country to 900 mln zloty of the development U.S. before a possible change of adminis- Originally published in English in 2006, Kwasniewski to apologise to Jews world- confront the demons of the past. tration following the presidential election at money each month since the program “Fear” breaks no new historical ground but wide for the crime. But IPN head Janusz “Poles should bow their heads and admit started. It went on a spending binge end of year. The outgoing U.S. administra- takes a markedly different standpoint from tion wanted to get an agreement before it left Kurtyka blasted the U.S. academic. “Gross their wrongdoing,” said 40-year-old Jacek in December of 2007, using up about office, he explained. much previous work about post-war Poland. isn’t a historian,” he railed recently. “Above Pilat. 1.33 bln zloty of the money. Austria investigates camp suspect What’s On? agence france-presse Austrian prosecutors said early this week they are investigating new evidence in the case of an 85-year-old woman accused by Nazi hunters of Check out torturing and killing women and children while a death camp guard during World War II. Prosecutors were looking into new witness statements from Poland which suggested the woman identified as Erna Wallisch may have our weekly committed murder in the Majdanek camp near the Polish city of Lublin, the prosecutors’ spokesman Gerhard Jarosch said. “We’ve received new witness statements from Poland which suggest that the woman murdered an inmate. The question is whether these statements entertainment can clearly identify Wallisch as the perpetrator,” Jarosch told AFP. “Obviously, that can be very difficult given that it was more than six de- cades ago,” he added. listings at: An earlier investigation of Wallisch had been dropped in 1972 due to a lack of evidence linking her directly to Nazi genocide, Jarosch said. But the www.krakowpost.com Simon Wiesenthal Center in Jerusalem insists she was involved in tortur- ing and killing inmates of the Majdanek camp between October 1942 and January 1944. And the center urged the Austrian authorities to expedite the case in view of Wallisch’s advanced age. “We urge Justice Minister Maria Berger to expedite the case of Majdanek guard Erna Wallisch... in order to ensure that she be held accountable for her crimes,” it said in a statement. The center’s chief Nazi-hunter, Efraim Zuroff, “noted the urgency of the situation due to Wallisch’s age.” “People like Erna Wallisch do not deserve any sympathy,” Zuroff said. “The fact that they have not previously been convicted is a travesty of justice which can now be corrected.” Austria had failed in the past to prosecute Nazi war criminals, Zuroff complained. He urged minister Berger to “distinguish yourself from your predecessors by actively expediting the Wallisch case so that she will not be allowed to elude justice.” By prosecuting Wallisch, who turns 86 in February, the authorities could “send a very powerful message that Austria has finally ceased to be a haven for the perpetrators of the Holocaust,” Zuroff said. Prosecutor Jarosch insisted that the authorities would not “drag their feet.” However, Wallisch “also has rights and her rights must be respected as well. We’re aware of the urgency of the situation and will move as fast as

we can,” he said. Little Savage 4 The Krakow Post POLAND JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6

R E G I O N A L N E W S Prosecutors probe fight Chechen refugees chase French dreams between minister and mayor land. Two days after Poland joined the Schen- Ukrainian prosecutors announced late last gen zone, 48 Chechens were detained aboard week they have opened an investigation into a a train from Warsaw to Vienna. fight between Interior Minister Yury Lutsenko Another 59, including 28 children, were and the mayor of Kyiv. Prosecutors “ordered an caught aboard a train from the Polish capital investigation be opened against Lutsenko” for www.prezydent.pl to Berlin, apparently also bound for France, “intentionally carrying out physical injury” to Mayor Leonid Chernovetsky, spokesperson Yury which refugees believe is more welcoming, as Boychenko told AFP. it is already home to a sizable community of Lutsenko, a partisan of President Viktor Yush- Chechen asylum-seekers. chenko, fought the Kyiv mayor Jan. 18 after a Several days later, 28 other Chechens, in- presidential meeting. cluding 12 children, were also detained during In front of Yushchenko, the two men accused yet another illegal crossing attempt. each other of embezzlement in Kyiv’s real estate Recently, the number of Chechens leav- sector. When the the head of state left, the alterca- ing Poland appears to have somewhat dimin- tion became physical. ished. The mayor indicated he was hit twice by Lut- “They are in touch with those who left and senko – once in the groin and once in the face. However, Lutsenko says he was the first to be failed to reach their destination. Some of them kicked “perfidiously under the table” on his sore ended up in closed deportation centers” in knee. The minister said he responded with a mere Western Europe, Mikolajczyk explains. “slap.” Lutsenko, who said he will not abandon Khamid, also in his forties, says he fled his position, denounced the investigation as ille- Chechnya for “reasons of personal security.” gal and promised to fight it in the courts, accord- Chechnya has been ravaged by two Rus- ing to Russian news agency Interfax. (AFP) sian military campaigns to crush a separatist movement over the last 13 years. Small-scale Ukraine reaches accord to guerrilla attacks against Russian forces and join WTO clashes between among pro- and anti-govern- Ukraine has reached an accession agreement ment Chechen groups remain frequent in the with the World Trade Organization, a WTO province. source said late last week. Having arrived in Poland in September, Ukraine’s candidacy will now be put to the Chechen refugee Kamisa lost her children trying to cross into Poland border last year. Khamid made his way to Austria illegally on WTO’s General Council meeting on February 5, foot and by train. followed by a six-month ratification process, a agence france-presse says. center. Upon arrival he contacted the Austrian po- WTO official told AFP. In Debak, most Chechen refugees share “In September-October, there were about lice and to his dismay was placed in a deten- On joining the world trade body Ukraine will Thousands of Chechen refugees in Poland his dream. Since Poland joined the Schengen a hundred people arriving every day, while in tion center and deported back to Poland. seek a free-trade agreement with the neighboring have just one dream: to reach Western Europe, free-travel zone, they believe it’s easier to the last half of December there were between Since his return he has been living in De- EU, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said particularly France, thanks to the expansion of make it come true. At the stroke of midnight 250 to 300,” he said. The flow has since abat- bak in a small room jammed with three bunk- earlier this month. Ukraine is the biggest country besides Iran the borderless Schengen zone a month ago. on Dec. 21, borders between 15 older Schen- ed somewhat. beds. and Russia outside the 151-member WTO, which “I’d like to go to France. Everyone here gen member-states and nine new mostly ex- The majority of refugees don’t intend to On the wall, a hand-drawn picture of a governs global trade rules. would like to go to France,” says Ruslan, a Communist countries fell away, making pas- stay in Poland, according to Mikolajczyk. mosque and political map of the world, in Ukrainian officials are keen to enter before 40-something Chechen who declined to re- sage to the West appear to be more simple Between Dec. 21 and Jan. 7 around 1,300 which the borders of all European countries Russia, lest tension with Moscow complicate veal his family name. – provided one can enter the zone, because people left Polish refugee centers, he said. are well detailed. Ukrainian accession. If Ukraine does win mem- Ruslan arrived from Grozny, the war-rav- new member states have beefed up their ex- “One day 32 people missed role call in the Chechnya is shown as an integral part of bership before Russia, then Moscow will have to aged capital of the restless Russian republic, a ternal border controls. Debak center.” Russia. seek a bilateral deal with Kyiv in order to pursue month ago. He now wants to leave the Debak “Many people, mostly from the Caucasus Since Jan. 7, another 479 people have dis- Near the window, a folded blanket serves its own accession bid. refugee center, near the Polish capital Warsaw, region, arrived in Poland before Dec. 21, hop- appeared. as a prayer carpet. The EU welcomed the news, which came after to head for France. ing to travel to more affluent Western Euro- Many have been detained en route to West- Today Khamid hopes Poland will grant it struck a deal with Kyiv on export duties last week. “We can’t live here, living conditions are pean countries and out of fear Poland would ern Europe. Under EU legislation, they should him refugee status. “Our teams in Geneva have worked around the poor. I want to leave for France. Nicolas Sar- close its [eastern] border,” explains Waldemar have requested asylum in the first secure “I want to stay in Poland because the people clock to finalize the last technical issues, and we kozy could certainly do something for us,” he Mikolajczyk, deputy director of the Debak country in which they arrive – in this case, Po- here welcome us and understand our situation. are now in a position to have a consensus in the WTO,” the 27-member bloc said in a statement. (AFP) Gazprom strikes new supply deal with Lithuania Radwanska makes mark at Australian Open Lithuania’s national gas distribution company Michal Wojtas 29th to 21st position in the Women’s Lietuvos Dujos has signed a new supply deal with staff journalist Tennis Association rankings and gave Russian giant Gazprom, a company spokeswoman her prize money of 350,000 zloty. said late last week, a move that could hit custom- Agnieszka Radwanska took another She no longer is an unknown teenage Agency LUK ers’ pockets hard. big step on her road to the top of world player, and rivals in this year’s French Lietuvos Dujos’ spokeswoman Sigita Petriko- nyte confirmed that a deal had been inked but re- tennis, this time in Melbourne. The 18- Open at Roland Garros will surely pay fused to give details of the amount and price of the year-old Krakow-based player reached much attention to both her strong and gas, saying the information was confidential. the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, weak points. However, new gas prices announced by Lietu- thus recording the best Grand Slam She was also in the sports headlines vos Dujos showed an average increase of 67 per- performance in her short professional in Poland for a couple of days, which cent to 1,250-1,620 litas (362-469 euro, $531-688) career. should result in further sponsorship per 1,000 cubic meters, depending on the amount She drew media attention in the deals. Tennis in Poland itself also should consumed. fourth round of the tournament with a benefit from Radwanska’s success. It’s The Baltic News Service (BNS) agency, citing unnamed sources familiar with the deal, said that sensational 6-3, 6-4 win over second- not among the nation’s most widely fol- this year Lietuvos Dujos will pay $353 per 1,000 seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova. Then she lowed sports like football, volleyball or cubic meters of gas, compared with last year’s won in three sets against Nadia Petrova basketball. $260. to advance to the quarterfinals. Last week’s tournament was also suc- Gazprom is one of the major shareholders in Both Russians joined a list of famous cessful for another Polish tennis profes- Lietuvos Dujos, holding a 37.1 percent stake. players who have already been defeated sional, 23- year-old Marta Domachows- German E.On Rhurgas International holds 38.9 by Radwanska on various occasions: ka. Although unseeded, she managed to percent and the Lithuanian government 17.7 per- their compatriots Elena Dementieva reach the fourth round, where she was cent. The rest of the company is in the hands of private investors. and Maria Sharapova as well as Swiss beaten 4-6, 4-6 by Venus Williams. Gazprom has a monopoly on the supply of nat- Martina Hingis and American Venus Two 17-year-old Polish players were ural gas to Lithuania, which is still bound into the Williams. relatively successful in their categories. Russian energy system 17 years since the Baltic However, the young Polish player Jerzy Janowicz reached the boys’ semi- country won back its independence from the crum- didn’t make it to the semis in Melbourne. finals, while Katarzyna Piter advanced bling Soviet Union. In the quarterfinal, ninth-seed Slovak to the girls’ quarterfinals. Gazprom also recently struck a deal with Lat- Daniela Hantuchova defeated her easily Agnieszka Radwanska’s younger sis- vijas Gaze, the national distribution company of 6-2, 6-2. Even though Radwanska didn’t ter Urszula, the 2007 Wimbledon junior Lithuania’s northern neighbor Latvia, which was also part of the Soviet bloc until 1991. show her full potential in that match, she champion, took part for the first time in Latvijas Gaze said the contract would run until can be proud of her performance in Aus- a senior Grand Slam tournament. How- the end of 2010. tralian Open 2008. ever, the 17-year-old didn’t make it to “The agreement envisages a rise in purchas- The quarterfinal achievement in the first round at Melbourne, losing in ing prices, which is related to Gazprom’s pricing Melbourne advanced Radwanska from the last round of qualifications. Agnieszka Radwanska. policy, namely harmonizing prices for gas supply to the European market and high prices of heavy fuel in the world market,” Latvijas Gaze said. The company said it was impossible to give an exact figure for looming consumer price rises, saying it would depend on fluctuations in heavy fuel prices. But Latvijas Gazes chief Adrians Davis told BNS that the company aimed to raise gas prices from May 1, and that the increase could be as Groups shortlisted for Slovak tender much as 50 percent. Such tariff hikes would require the green light from Latvia’s Public Utilities Commission. (AFP) agence france-presse (47 miles) of highway which the winners It will compete against French firms tions. Slovakia’s left dominated govern- will then operate for up to 30 years in the Bouygues Travaux Publics and Colas to- ment wants to build a total of 150 kilome- Slovakia early this week shortlisted two country’s first public-private partnership gether with Hungarian company Intertoll- ters of motorways using the public-private multi-national groups to build a stretch of project. The first group comprises Swedish Europe and Portugal’s Mota-Engil, the partnership model. The highway between motorway between the capital Bratislava construction giant Skanska together with Transport Ministry said. Bratislava and Kosice should be ready by krakowpost.com and the country’s second city, Kosice. Vinci Concessions of France and Slovak The ministry eliminated four bidders 2010, according to Prime Minister Robert The contract is for some 75 kilometers companies Doprastav and Vahostav-SK. from the tender for not fulfilling its condi- Fico. JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6 POLAND The Krakow Post 5 Number of local seminarians tumbles Truckers LUK Agency LUK stuck in border jams threaten to

agence france-presse from 797 in 2006-07 to 708 in 2007-08. Convents saw a decline from 468 novices Poland’s influential Roman Catholic to 424 over the same time. church saw the number of new candidates The head of the episcopate’s council for the priesthood tumble 24 percent over for vocations, Bishop Wojciech Polak, the last year, the Polish episcopate said cited three factors for the decrease, in- block Warsaw late last week. cluding what he termed “an anti-vocation agence france-presse tinued to grow. and goods is totaly paralysed,” said the Just 786 young men entered seminar- culture,” a demographic decline in young In response, truck drivers blocked Belarusian Foreign Ministry in a state- ies across Poland to train to be priests in bachelors and a steep rise in the num- Polish truckers, fed up with massive access to the Dorohusk border station ment cited by PAP. the 2007-2008 school year, compared to ber of young Poles migrating to work in queues at border crossings due to a pro- along the Ukrainian border – where the Negotiations with border agent unions 1,029 the previous year. The total number Western Europe. test by customs staff, threatened late last line was over 800 trucks long – police started late last week, but were without of seminarians fell by 10 percent over the According to statistics published by week to block Warsaw and other cities in spokesperson Renata Laszczka-Rusek result, according to the agents. last year, totaling 4,257. the episcopate, 36.6 mln Poles out of a the country. told AFP. Some agents even threatened to quit The new figures dented Poland’s long- total population of 38.2 mln are Roman “If the government and the customs The crossing had been closed over- should Poland’s Finance Ministry refuse term boom in priestly vocations sparked Catholics. agents do not quickly agree we are ready night due to a lack of customs agents, to meet their demands. by the 1978 election of Polish-born Pope In perhaps the most devoutly Roman to block Warsaw. Blockades in other cit- but reopened in the morning. However, “Our protest movement continues,” John Paul II, who died in 2005. Catholic country in Europe, the Church ies could follow,” President of the Polish the waiting time to leave Poland via said Iwona Folta, head of the customs Monasteries and convents also saw a has 133 bishops and 22,200 regular Association for Road Transport Employ- this passage was still an estimated 55 officials protest, early on the weekend. significant decline in candidates, with the priests. There are a further 1,500 monks, ers Boleslaw Milewski told AFP. hours. The customs officials’ demands in- number of prospective monks dropping 6,300 monastic priests and 22,000 nuns. A large number of border agents have The truckers also blocked the Kuznica clude a pay rise equivalent to 420 euro been missing from their posts for sev- crossing with Belarus, causing a line of ($618) per month, as well as retirement eral days, taking holiday or sick-leave about 350 vehicles at the border post, the benefits in line with other civil servants in a dispute over pay, and causing major Polish Press Agency (PAP) reported. and stronger legal protection against cor- queues at border crossings. Hundreds of trucks queued at other ruption accusations. So far two drivers have died stuck in major crossings – there was a line of ap- Customs procedures were tightened queues, one of an apparent heart attack proximately 800 trucks in Koroszczyn, on Dec. 21 along Poland’s eastern bor- British campaigners and the other when a fire broke out in on the border with Belarus, and 200 in der with non-EU states Ukraine, Belarus his truck cabin. Queues for heavy trucks Hrebenne on the border with Ukraine, and Russian Kaliningrad after Poland at the borders with Ukraine, Belarus and according to the Polish media. became one of nine countries to join the call for tribute to the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad con- “At the moment, circulation of people Schengen free travel zone.

“soldier bear” www.premier.gov.pl agence france-presse death in 1963. Now a teacher from southern Scotland, Garry Paulin, is writing a book Scottish campaigners are calling for a me- about the bear and a campaign has started morial to a bear which joined Polish troops to have Voytek’s life commemorated by a on the front line during World War II and statue. Campaigner Aileen Orr said she first died in Edinburgh, media reported late last heard about the bear as a child from her week. Voytek, a 113-kilogram, 1.8-meter grandfather, a Scottish soldier. AGENCJA NIERUCHOMOSCI (249-pound, nearly six-foot) brown bear, “The story is totaly amazing and it would www.property-krakow.com was adopted by the Poles after they found be good if we could have some memorial in it in Iran in 1943. They gave the animal Scotland, perhaps at Holyrood (the Scottish beer and cigarettes, trained it to carry mortar Parliament in Edinburgh), to celebrate the shells and even enlisted it as a soldier so that bear’s life,” she told the Scotsman newspa- it could keep traveling with them. per. Polish veteran Augustyn Karolewski, At the end of the war, the troops were bil- who still lives in Scotland, added: “He was leted to southern Scotland and Voytek went like a big dog – no-one was scared of him. along too, before being sent to Edinburgh “He liked a cigarette, he liked a bottle Zoo when they were demobilised. of beer – he drank a bottle of beer like any The animal remained at the zoo until its man.” Get your message across! NOCLEGI W APARTAMENTACH Advertise in www.aaakrakow.com The Krakow Post! [email protected] CALL IN AND SEE US! Contact: Andrzej Kowalski, Marketing Manager ul. Napoleona Cybulskiego 2 +48 (0) 798-683-160 6 The Krakow Post POLAND JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6 R E G I O N A L N E W S Nun cites Russian government expels 19 dead in air crash Funds Latvian diplomat Russia late last week said it had ordered a Lat- divine vian diplomat to leave the country within 48 hours, may be in a tit-for-tat measure following the expulsion of a Russian diplomat from ex-Soviet Latvia. The Latvian diplomat was expelled “for activ- inspiration ity incompatible with the status of a diplomat and causing harm to the Russian Federation’s security granted interests,” a Foreign Ministry statement said, using terminology which in diplomatic language is often for a coded allegation of spying. Latvia’s Foreign Ministry announced its expul- to martial sion of the Russian diplomat, saying he posed a security threat and had 48 hours to leave. cookbooks Latvia’s relations with Russia have been rocky since it broke away from the Soviet Union in 1991, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE angering Moscow by joining the EU and NATO in law 2004 and imposing hurdles to citizenship for Rus- The aroma wafting out of Sister Anastazja’s sian-speakers. kitchen is divine. Ties had improved over the past year, notably With military precision, the matronly Catholic after the two countries finally reached a deal on a nun surveys pantry shelves laden with home-made victims border treaty, which had been blocked for a decade preserves. After selecting her ingredients, she over a territorial dispute. (AFP) whips up a recipe she may well include in her next Michal Wojtas cookbook – following her first four blockbusters. staff journalist Slovak defense minister “Many of my recipes come to me in dreams,” resigns after financial scandal she says, citing “divine inspiration” for her near- On Dec. 13, 1981, Communist au- million copy sales status, an extraordinary success Slovak Defense Minister Frantisek Kasicky late by Polish standards outpaced only by the late Pol- thorities in Poland imposed martial last week announced his resignation following a fi- ish-born pope and “Harry Potter.” law in order to fight the democratic nancial scandal during a joint press conference with “The hard part is remembering to write down opposition. Until July 22 1983, con- Prime Minister Robert Fico. the recipe when I wake up – before I forget!” stitutional civic liberties in the coun- The scandal, which erupted last week, involved With a total 559 recipes, Sister Anastazja’s try were restricted. Ten thousand massive increases in the sums offered for tenders to cookbooks include saucy little numbers like “The people connected to the Solidarity clean ministry property and barracks and clearing Drunk,” “The Coquette” and the “Mother-in- away snow. trade union movement were interned Law’s Breast,” reflecting the wry sense of humour in 49 camps, some of them forced to “I don’t feel personal responsibility for the activ- she shares with her Jesuit publishers. ity of the officials who acted against the regulations “One lady wrote me with a complaint that I’d leave Poland. ... on the other hand, I cannot avoid my objective been disrespectful to a certain part of the female Many of those people received responsibility for the Defense Ministry,” the minis- anatomy,” she chuckles. “She must have been a compensation from the government ter, a member of Fico’s leftwing Smer party, said. mother-in-law.” after the end of the Communist era in Kasicky earlier this week dismissed the head of With her porcelain complexion from decades 1989. But this applied only to those the ministry’s property division, whom he blamed spent over steaming pots, 58-year-old Sister who were sent to prison by the courts. for the scandal, but this did not stop the media at- Anastazja went a step further last month, becom- tacks calling for his own resignation. A special bill which was enacted in ing the first nun in Poland to release a DVD. November last year gave a chance Fico said Kasicky decided to step down after Her 51-minute “Perfect Cakes” gives easy-to- they talked over the situation in the morning. “I follow tips on baking tarts she insists will turn out for compensation to those interned feel sorry for this, but there is no place for pity in right every time, like her trademark “Nun’s Secret” by the decisions of regional police politics,” Fico said. The latest crisis centers on pro- she says was revealed in a dream or the “Happy chiefs. posed tenders totaling almost one bln koruna (30 Highlander,” drenched in spirits. Last week in Wroclaw, the first mln euro, $44 mln) a year which were announced Printing presses whir madly just down the hall five people from this category who but not allocated. For one contract, for clearing from her ground-floor kitchen, where mouth-wa- were detained during the martial law snow, the winner would have been paid 500 mln tering aromas clash oddly with the pungent smell koruna a year compared with only 30 mln koruna period received compensation, but it of ink. Upstairs her tomes are among thousands of was much lower than they demand- a year paid in 2007. Kasicky is the second minister others sold in the airy bookshop of the Jesuit Fa- to leave the three-way coalition which took power thers’ WAM publishing house. ed. Antoni Lenkiewicz, who spent in mid-2006 after Fico’s party won elections. The “Sister Anastazja has been cooking for us for one year and 10 days in internment president dismissed Agriculture Minister Miro- years,” says Father Henryk Pietras, director of the camps, was given 23,500 zloty (6,528 slav Jurena, a member of the junior coalition party 136-year-old publishers. “We came to the conclu- euro). He had asked for twice that LS-HZDS in November last year after a financial sion her food is so delicious we should share this amount, even though the bill estab- scandal at the Slovak land fund in which lucrative treasure.” lishes 25,000 zloty as the compensa- plots were sold below price. The dismissal resulted Her first tome, “103 Cakes of Sister Anastazja,” in a coalition crisis which threatened to topple the tion limit. was published in 2001 and the most recent hit the Four people imprisoned for much government. (AFP) shops last year. The glossy, hard-covered books have become popular wedding gifts, as well as shorter periods received smaller com- Billionaire to acquire a hit with time-strapped women who say Sister pensations, with an average of 1,500 Kremikovtzi steelmaker Anastazja’s instructions make recipes easy. cc:sa:Przemyslaw Blueshade Idzkiewicz zloty for each month of internment. “All told, about a million copies have sold,” After the jury announced its ver- India’s Global Steel Holdings is close to selling says Pietras proudly. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE west, and Powidz in the north, said military dicts, the victims of the martial law Bulgarian steelmaker Kremikovtzi to Ukrainian bil- Only books by the late Polish-born Pope John sources. period expressed disappointment. lionaire Konstantin Jevago, Kremikovtzi’s chief ex- Paul II, the memoirs of his right-hand man Polish They had filed for much higher com- ecutive director Alexander Tomov said late last week. All 19 people on board a Polish EADS Grzegorzewski did not rule out the pos- Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz and J.K. Rowling’s pensation. They also said that they “Talks continue and the deal is 90-percent final- blockbuster “Harry Potter” series have sold more Casa military transport aircraft died when it sibility that some high-ranking airforce of- ized. It is possible that we close it today or tomor- in Poland, according to publishers web sites. crashed as it was coming in to land at Miro- ficers had been among those killed. had to endure humiliating procedures row,” Tomov told state BNT television. “She creates a lot of recipes and she’s extremely slawiec airport in northwest Poland, the Pol- Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defense to prove their detentions during the Kremikovtzi is the largest steelmaker in the picky about the ones she’ll publish. She checks ish airforce said late last week. Minister Bogdan Klich both announced they struggle for democracy. Balkans with an annual production capacity of each one about 15 times and we have to test it – to Airport spokesman Bogdan Ziolowski would be visiting the crash site during the Courts in other Polish cities have 1.4 mln tons of steel. Built during communism eat it all!” says Pietras, who cites cheesecake as his told reporters: “Nobody survived the acci- night. The fire service said that the EADS received additional compensation on the outskirts of Sofia, it furnishes 10 percent personal favorite. dent,” which happened late last week. Casa C-295M came down just short of the requests from people interned in the of Bulgaria’s exports. But the fuming factory also In heavily Catholic Poland, Sister Anastazja’s early ‘80s. According to the Institute needs huge investment to meet EU environmen- Airforce spokesman Colonel Wieslaw runway into wooded land and burst into success has sparked a wave of copycat publica- of National Remembrance (IPN), tal requirements. India’s Global Steel Holdings, tions by nuns cooking for other orders of Polish Grzegorzewski told AFP that 19 military flames. whose chairman Pramod Mittal is the brother of priests. personnel were on board the plane, includ- Poland has acquired 10 new Casas made several thousand people have until steel giant Arcelor’s Lakshmi Mittal, acquired 71 Most notably, Krakow’s Salvatorian Fathers, ing 15 passengers and four crew. by the European Aeronautic Defense and Nov. 18, the deadline set by the bill, percent in Kremikovtzi in 2005 from the Bulgarian who run a rival publishing house established in The Spanish-built Casa transporter was Space Co. (EADS). The plane is a military to file for compensation. Finmetals Group. Finmetals had privatized the fac- 1998, have launched a series of cookbooks by their approaching the West Pomeranian town of transport craft capable of carrying up to 71 During the martial law period, tory in 1999 for a token price of $1, while pledging very own Sister Aniela. Miroslawiec – site of a Polish air force base soldiers or loads of up to 9,250 kilos (20,350 army personnel carriers and soldiers to pay its debts of some $400 mln. The Bulgar- “So far, Sister Aniela is the only nun in Poland – when it went down in woods close to the pounds). The twin-engine aircraft has a patrolled the streets of Polish cities. ian state still controls 25 percent of Kremikovtzi, who has her own (culinary) TV program,” reads Strikes by workers in factories and while the remaining 4 percent is owned by indi- runway, igniting a fire. cruising speed of 450 kilometers an hour a line highlighted in red on the Salvatorian’s web mines were broken up by armed spe- vidual investors. (AFP) site. By a cruel irony, the plane had been re- (280 miles an hour) with a range of 2,200 turning from Warsaw with officers on board kilometers carrying 6,000 kilos. cial forces, leaving many dead. who had been taking part in an annual con- According to the EADS web site, the The exact number of direct casual- ference on air security organized by the Pol- company has sold 50 of the aircraft to six ties of the police, army and secret ser- ish airforce. countries: Algeria, Brazil, Jordan, Poland, vice between 1981 and 1983 remains Several passengers had already left the Portugal, and Spain. To date 25 of the planes unknown, but it is estimated by dif- plane at earlier stops at Krzesiny in the have been delivered. ferent organizations at 80 to 120.

Get your message across! Advertise in The Krakow Post! Contact: Andrzej Kowalski, Marketing Manager +48 (0) 798-683-160 JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6 POLAND The Krakow Post 7 Poland wants own NASA Czech Poland sees 6.6 percent confirms GDP growth in 2007 negative treatment toward Poles

agence france-presSe

Poles recruited to work for Central Europe’s biggest car producer, Skoda Auto, on a temporary basis were treated worse than their predomi- nantly fulltime Czech colleagues, the Czech ombudsman has found. Checks at jobs agency Zetka Auto, which recruited the Poles, uncov- ered “extensive shortcomings by the agency based on the failure to respect the obligation to ensure that work and wage conditions for temporary re- cruited workers were not worse than those conditions for permanent work- ers,” the watchdog said in an end of year report to lawmakers. The Polish daily Gazeta Wybor- cza raised the alarm in October 2006 when it reported that Polish workers at Skoda Auto’s main central Czech plant at Mlada Boleslav were treated “like slaves,” which was denied at the time. Zetka Auto admitted at the time that it paid workers a gross monthly wage of some 10,617 koruna (409 euro, $606), around half the normal salary in the sector, but said workers were lodged in the best local centers. But Gazeta Wyborcza charged that the some 900 Polish workers were sometimes forced to work 16 hours without a break, wages were often paid late and were a fraction of what they were promised, and they were lodged in a dilapidated former Com- munist farm. National Bank of Poland in Krakow. Joanna Zabierek eign satellite, and we pay really big money Legal proceedings have been staff journalist for it. Our space investments would pay us launched against Zetka following the agence france-presSe back very quickly.” probe by the Czech labor office, ac- A Polish rocket in space? A group of Pol- Launching Poland’s National Space cording to the report by the ombuds- Poland’s economy grew 6.6 percent in 2007, ish deputies wants to create a National Space Agency might bring the country closer to the according to preliminary data announced early this man. Agency that would build a rocket and the European Space Agency, enabling Poland week. A decision about further steps Reach your first Polish satellite. to get grants for the development of space “We estimate growth (in 2007) stood at 6.6 per- against the company is expected The Ministry of Economy has already technology. Professor Piotr Wolanski, chief cent, a little better than the 6.5 percent forecast in within the next weeks, spokeswoman begun to prepare a space policy, and the of the Board of Space and Satellite Research the budget,” Deputy Finance Minister Katarzyna Iva Hrazdilkova told AFP. Ministry of Science and Higher Education at the Polish Science Academy, says Poland Zajdel-Kurowska told Poland’s commercial RMF Skoda Auto, part of the Volkswa- FM radio station. clients before is working with experts in this field. A group is prepared to develop the technology. gen Group, is the Czech Republic’s of experts in parliament is preparing space “Polish scientists have constructed 60 de- Poland’s central statistics office is soon due to biggest exporter and Central Europe’s program legislation. This Polish interest is vices which are used in international space publish preliminary annual and fourth-quarter gross biggest car company. It said that it domestic product (GDP) figures for last year. Po- part of a worldwide trend of space conquest. missions. It is time we get finally some prof- had shaken up its procedures for se- land’s GDP grew 6.4 percent in the second and third they set foot Recently British billionaire Sir Richard Bran- its from our work,” Wolanski told Metro. lecting agencies to recruit workers quarters of 2007 compared to the same period for son, who hailed 2008 the “Year of the Space- Another scientist, Zbigniew Klos, who is following the scandal. 2006, according to official statistics. First quarter ship,” unveiled designs for two craft which a member of the European Space Commis- Around 25,000 Poles work in the year-on-year growth in 2007 shot up to 7.2 percent. could take tourists into space. Branson be- sion, is of the same opinion. He is convinced Czech Republic, mostly in the auto In 2006, the economy grew 5.8 percent. Finance lieves private space travel could help answer that a Polish space program could bring in Krakow. and chemical sectors, according to Ministry officials estimate that GDP growth in 2008 key questions about the Earth’s climate and significant profits to the country. The space Czech government figures. will slow to 5.0 or 5.5 percent in Poland, an EU the mysteries of the universe. technologies could lead to modern fabrics member since 2004. How would Polish politicians conquer and production plants. And they would bring space? new workplaces. The Krakow Post “We need our own satellite for naviga- When could a program show results? We NEW tion and communication reasons,” Boguslaw don’t know yet. All that is known for certain krakow EMPLOYMENT Wontor of the LiD (Left and Democrats) is that the program would require a lot of time PORTAL party, the chief of the space group, told the and money. Even an initial Polish budget LAUNCHING is on board Metro daily newspaper. “Now we use a for- should have at least several million euro. post.com NOVEMBER 2007

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R E G I O N A L B I Z Lithuanian economy grew 8.7 Denmark backs Poland percent in 2007 World Bank The Lithuanian economy grew by 8.7 percent in 2007, preliminary data from the national statis- tics office showed early this week. The figures were below an estimate earlier this on EU milk quota hike month by the Economy Ministry putting growth proposes last year at 10 percent. The statistics office also said that gross domes- tic product per person in the Baltic country of 3.4 mln people increased last year by 9.3 percent com- pared to 2006, reaching 8,292 euro ($12,189). online taxes The value of the country’s output totaled 96.676 bln litas (30 bln euro, $41 bln), the office said. In the fourth quarter, GDP increased by 7.9 per- cent on a 12-month comparison. The statistics office is due to release finalized

GDP data for 2007 at the end of February. cc:2.5:Marcin-m38 Like neighboring Latvia and Estonia, Lithu- ania has one of the fastest-growing economies in the EU, which all three Baltic countries joined in 2004, 13 years after winning back their indepen- dence from the crumbling Soviet Union. Lithuanian GDP grew by 7.5 percent in 2006 compared to 2005. This year, it is set to surge by 8.1 percent, out- stripping a previous forecast of 7.4 percent, the country’s central bank said last week. In 2009, however, growth is set to slow to 5.7 percent, the bank said. (AFP) Ukraine PM readies for energy tussle with Russia Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko wants to change Ukraine’s energy relations with its giant neighbor Russia and also plans to re-examine gas transit prices and remove “corrupt interme- diaries.” Three weeks ahead of an official trip to Rus- sia, the Orange Revolution leader is preparing for tough talks on energy, given her country’s Poland does, and wants the EU to know it. natural gas price disputes with the giant monop- oly Gazprom, which started in 2006. Kinga Rodkiewicz agence france-presse The quotas are the legacy of a here to stay. But two weeks ago, Po- “Since 2006, Russia has been raising the price staff journalist by-gone era when Europe’s dairies land’s national farmers’ association of gas” to Ukraine, with prices now standing Poland has the backing of Denmark produced more milk than Europe expressed concerns that Brussels was more than three times higher, she told AFP in an The World Bank has offered a committee of the Pol- as it pushes for a 5.0-percent increase could consume or export, leading to being less ambitious than it should. interview during a two-day trip to Brussels. ish parliament ideas on streamlining the documentation in EU milk production quotas, rather infamous lakes of milk bought up Between 2003 and 2007, Pol- “On the other hand, the cost of the transit process for construction and for registering new com- than the 2.0 percent proposed by by the EU to help keep prices from ish milk exports almost tripled, and of Russian gas through Ukrainian territory has panies. Brussels, Agriculture Minister Marek collapsing. If EU member states and reached a total value of 1.12 bln euro remained almost unchanged. I oppose double Sawicki said early this week. standards both in politics and the economy. If The bank, a component of the World Bank, has also the European Parliament back the ($1.64 bln) last year. market prices apply, then they must apply to all offered suggestions on letting companies pay taxes on- “I’m happy that we have Den- Commission’s plans, the 2.0-percent The idea of easing the quotas has services.” line mark’s support for the 5.0-percent increase would bring an extra 2.84 raised jitters in some EU member Ukraine currently charges Russia $1.70 per The documentation process for building a house in rate,” Sawicki told reporters after mln tons of milk onto the market after states which fear they could be hit by 1,000 cubic meters per 100 kilometers of transit, Poland lasts about 308 days and requires completing 30 a meeting with his visiting Danish it takes effect on April 1 . competition from Poland. compared to $1.60 last year. procedures at a number of offices, the WB says. counterpart Eva Kjer Hansen. The EU milk quota system is due France, for example, does not cur- Ukrainian media have reported that the gov- In Organization for Economic Cooperation and De- Hansen confirmed that Denmark to expire in 2015, and there is little rently use up its quota. ernment was considering raising the price to velopment countries, it averages 153 days and requires was in favor of Poland’s position sign that pro-quota countries will be Luc Guyau, the head of France’s $9.32 (6.39 euro) and Russia has already threat- only 14 procedures. that the EU milk market should be able to win an extension. farmers’ association, signalled his ened to take action. The OESC brings together the governments of opened up more rapidly than planned The prospect of a freer reign has disquiet when he visited Poland ear- Tymoshenko and Ukrainian President Viktor countries committed to democracy and the market in an existing draft proposal by the whetted the appetite of Polish pro- lier this month. Yushchenko, both pro-Western leaders, are ex- the 27-nation bloc’s executive body, ducers, whose role on the European He said French producers could pected to visit Moscow in February, the premier economy from around the world to support sustainable economic growth, boost employment, and raise living the European Commission. “What is market has been growing since Po- accept an increased quota provided on Feb. 21. important for us is that we open up as land joined the EU in 2004 and who that the aim was simply to meet high Yushchenko has ruled out increasing transit standards. There are 30 member countries in this orga- fast as possible,” she said. tariffs for Russia. nization. regularly use up their quotas. demand for milk. The new premier said the change will involve The WB says the most efficient approach to issuing “Denmark is aiming for a market- The Commission meanwhile wants “But if the aim is to destroy the breaking with the practices of the past, which construction permits is to have one office where all the orientated agricultural policy,” she to begin phasing out the quotas early milk quota system, we say no,” he almost always tended to favor Russia. paperwork can be taken. added. due to signs that booming demand is said. “In the past, Ukrainian officials built their Poland’s corporate-registration process is also too relations with Russia based solely on Russian cumbersome, the WB says. It takes about 31 days for Native English Teacher Top Management national interests. I would like these relations someone wanting to open a business to complete the to change in their concept, only that will help documentation process. us,” she said. MINI MINI “There has always been a political compo- To simplify the process the WB proposes that Poland link statistics about the companies’ registration with tax nent in this. Every leader in Russia will find A school of English in statistics. M 31, University degree in it very difficult to avoid” the temptation to use Krakow is looking for a engineering, 6 years energy resources as a means of applying pres- The WB also said Polish companies should be able to native English teacher. of top management The position is available sure, she said. make tax and social security payments by Internet. experience in leading immediately for a period companies in industrial Another key issue is the role of RosUkrEn- “The vast majority of these proposed reforms have of one year. cooling, refrigerating sector. ergo, the only supplier of gas to Kyiv and which the acceptance of the committee, and we will follow the The individual should be Project management. is half owned by Gazprom, with two Ukrainian recommendations,” said committee chairman Janusz Marketing & Sales enthusiastic and creative, businessmen holding the other 50 percent. possession of a recognized Negotiations. Prepare Palikot. Enthusiasts!!! teaching qualification technical solutions. Full Local media have raised concerns about its He said the committee plans to work on corporation scope of technical lack of transparency. (CELTA/TEFL) and some registration reform first. You are wanted! relevant previous experi- support: pre-planning. PC. “Starting from 2004, trade relations between Contact: jerrybarrows@ The WB’s “Doing Business 2008” report, issued in ence in work with groups Ukraine and Russia on natural gas were affected is required. yahoo.com by corrupt intermediaries,” Tymoshenko said. 2007, listed Poland as the least business-friendly coun- If you are interested in “I can tell you that Ukraine and Russia need try in Europe. Poland ranked 74th in the world in terms We are currently looking this vacancy or would like no intermediary in the supply of gas, including of business-friendliness, it said. further information please Place a career resume here! for people to join our do not hesitate to send [email protected] RosUkrEnergo.” The WB has been a vital source of financial and tech-

your CV. RESUME She said she expected “huge resistance” to nical assistance to developing countries since its found- Marketing & Sales team. her plans and maintained that she lost her job as ing in 1944. It is made up of two unique development in- eng_schoolkrakow@ yahoo.com Business/Personal Assistant prime minister the first time around in 2005 “to stitutions owned by 185 member countries and the WB Successful applicants will: a large extent because I started to fight against and the International Development Association. this shadow business.” (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 JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6 BUSINESS The Krakow Post 9 EC rejects Poland’s OTTO delay as fodder

Kinga Rodkiewicz sels a plan for changing its law as soon can slap sanctions on countries which staff journalist as possible. Polish leaders are likely to fail to comply, including EU members. Work Force continue dragging their feet, though. The EU prohibited genetically altered The European Commission has re- “I’m against genetically modified products until the U.S. and Canada filed jected a Polish request for more time to seeds and fodder,” said Minister of En- a formal complaint about the matter revise a law prohibiting two genetically vironment Maciej Nowicki. That’s the with the WTO. The EU lost that case modified food categories. same stand that the former minister, Jan and began accepting genetically modi- The problem is that the law clashes Szyszko, had taken. fied products. with EU law allowing the modifica- The EU passed a law in 2001 allow- Genetic modification is one of the tions. Poland passed a law in 2006 pro- ing genetically modified products. It most important technological changes hibiting genetically modified seed and prohibits a member country from for- of the last several decades. Whether ge- now in genetically modified animal food. The bidding, limiting or making it difficult netically modified food is safe is a ques- European Commission began pressing to import or sell a genetically modified tion that has been controversial. Poland to change its law the same year. product. Sixty percent of Poles oppose geneti- It gave it a deadline of Christmas 2007. A country can obtain a waiver to the cally modified products, according to The new Tusk government failed to law only when it can prove that a prod- the Warsaw-based newspaper Gazeta meet the deadline, and asked for a new uct poses a risk to human health or the Prawna. one. The European Commission refused environment – and even in that case the They worry about the long-term to give it one, said a spokeswoman for waiver will be temporary. health effects of consuming such foods. Krakow! EU Health Commissioner Nina Papadu- The World Trade Organization pro- They also worry about the effect that laki. The commission’s tough response hibits member countries from outlaw- genetically modified organisms will the krakow post largest media event in The Netherlands. means it expects Poland to send Brus- ing genetically modified products. It have on bio-diversity. Hundreds of youths arrange domino pieces OTTO Work Force, a company leading in over a period of two months, during which the international market of the employment time they have fun integrating and more industry, plans to open consecutive offices importantly earning money. Young domino in January 2008 in Poznan, Gdynia, War- amateurs from different parts of Eastern Eu- saw and Krakow. The Krakow office began rope later take part in an all-day show, trans- operating on Jan. 21 with three employees: mitted through a number of European and Barbara Jablonka as head clerk, Anna Ty- Polish television networks. cholis as recruitment specialist, and Jagoda OTTO, however, involves more than just Pietrzyk as recruitment consultant. work in The Netherlands - anyone repre- OTTO launched its operation in 2000, sented through our offices can find perma- at first securing work in The Netherlands nent or temporary work within the country. for those possessing dual citizenship from In Poland today, close to 500 temporary the Silesia region. The opening of the labor employees work for OTTO daily, a figure market in The Netherlands on May 1, 2007 that continues to increase month by month. was a big event for all those who were will- Employees recruited by us work as: special- ing to take on employment there - from that ists in customer service, as trade representa- instant, all citizens of countries that joined tives, engineers, executives, sales assistants, the EU three years earlier could avoid all ob- cashiers, forklift operators, sorters, produc- stacles and start working in the land of the tion workers, cleaners, kitchen hands, cooks, tulips. The figure representing the number of confectioners, office helpers, dispatchers, people taking on work in The Netherlands and consultants. reaches around 10,000 annually. They have Over seven years, OTTO has evolved the opportunity to work in one of 150 client from a regional company to a statewide companies, located throughout the country, agency, with offices in Opole, Wroclaw, in manufacturing, production, electronics, Gliwice, Kedzierzynie-Kozlu, Kielce, Bi- logistics, and agriculture. The company alystok, Poznan, Gdansk, Warsaw and provides its employees with travel to The Krakow. All offices operate under the same Netherlands, accommodation, daily trans- procedures and are handled centrally, in ac- port to and from work, and care for Polish cordance with an in-house computer system personnel. serving OTTO employees and clients. We OTTO also engages in Domino Day - the are at your disposal every day OTTO figures:

25,000 recruits in Poland 5,000 people working daily in The Netherlands, England, Czech Republic, and Poland 10,000 people working annually in The Netherlands 75 mln Euro annual returns 10 regional offices throughout Poland 200 OTTO recruiters throughout Europe

Get your message across! Advertise in The Krakow Post! Contact: Andrzej Kowalski, Marketing Manager +48 (0) 798-683-160 10 The Krakow Post WARSAW JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6 More and more parents are separating

Iwona Bojarczuk pher, forecasts pessimistically that one out 12 years with two children. “My husband says that “emigration is just a false mir- staff journalist of three will break apart. is in Poland. I am here … At the beginning ror or a detector of the truth of ourselves. Barbara Chrostek, a District Court judge there was just a job and sometimes meet- The darkest parts of our character appear, Although there are not as many divorc- in Lodz, says the emigration of a spouse to ings with friends on the weekends. In the demons which are not seen when we are at es in Poland as in Sweden, where the 70 England or Ireland is one of two main rea- end I could not stand the loneliness. Peter home in Poland.” percent divorce rate is the highest in the sons for divorce. (Adultery is the other.) appeared at the right moment. He became Separation also deepens family crises. world, Poland has its own unenviable re- The typical scenario is almost always the not just my lover but my true friend.” The parent still at home assumes a heavier cord. There have never been so many mari- same: One of the spouses goes abroad to Most of those going through divorce are burden for the children. And children more tal separations in the history of Poland, and earn a living for both of them. The separa- about age 30. They want to separate fast, and more often are cared for by babysitters experts predict the number will increase. tion, loneliness and moments of miscon- painlessly and begin a new life. or other care givers. The next symptom In 2003, 49,000 divorces were recorded duct connected with alcohol destroy the “Some of them come to the court with of family separation is that people cannot in Poland. In 2006, the number increased to relationship. prepared papers for sharing the property talk to each other and spend free time to- 73,000, and in 2007, it probably exceeded The most common reason of divorce is and the children. All that’s lacking is a gether. Children do not talk to both parents. 80,000. adultery. Usually it takes place in the first court decision,” said Waldemar Zurek, a Spouses have time for only rare encounters What is the reason for the avalanche of few weeks after the spouse goes abroad. district court judge in Krakow. at home. There is no time for family meals divorces? The answer: economic emigra- The feeling of total anonymity abroad People who go abroad in search of a bet- and discussion of what happened during tion. Two million Poles live abroad. Three- – and as a consequence impunity – are the ter life are not only crossing national bor- the day. fourths of them departed after Poland first step toward doing things that we would ders but moral ones as well. Adultery and Is there any solution? We can say prosai- joined the EU in 2004. never do in Poland under the careful watch divorce cannot be seen as a natural conse- cally: love. It is estimated that 600 thousand to 700 of family, friends and … a spouse. After a quence of separation. Everything depends However we must remember that love is thousand Polish couples will soon be living few months of separation, all that remains on the individual. However, loneliness and like a flower. When not cared for, it with- apart. How many of the marriages will not is to seek a divorce. difficult working conditions can produce a ers. It needs everyday attention and care, stand the test of time and distance? Krysty- “Of course I did not plan it. It just turned desire for a sympathetic person to talk to. everyday conversation and concern for na Slany, Jagiellonian University demogra- out to be this way,” said Alicja, married for Elzbieta, an emigrant for several years, each other. Reach your clients before they set foot in Krakow. The Krakow Post is on board weekly flights of Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines. ANNOUNCEMENT CLASSICAL GUITAR MUSIC FOR TOP RESTAURANTS Get your message across! Advertise in

Our repretoire of Spanish, Argentinian and Italian classical music will create the special ambience you need The Krakow Post! to maximize your guests’ fine-dining experience. Contact: Andrzej Kowalski, Marketing Manager Good rates and top quality. [email protected] +48 (0) 798-683-160 JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6 KRAKOW The Krakow Post 11 City wants SMS traffic jam updates Iwona Bojarczuk mation from road camera sys- “I will certainly use it,” said Staff Journalist tems which are owned by Road Andrzej Bobusia. He explained and Transport Management. that drivers get the information The City Council, which has They will be the source of infor- about the jams from local CB long battled the problem, be- mation,” Malcharek said. radios that are connected to taxi lieves communication through What is the opinion of driv- centers. SMS about traffic jams and ers about this idea? Michal Kaj- How do taxi drivers know street repairs will help drivers toch, political science student at about traffic jams? avoid problems. Jagiellonian University, is skep- “By practice,” he said, laugh- The system is expected to be tical about the idea. ing. simple. “I drive the same roads every The City Council computer Just one SMS will be enough day and I know which places are science department assigned to obtain information about jammed,” he said. He added that 300,000 zloty for this project whichever district a driver is in- such a system could be useful in in the new budget. The rest of terested in (first to 18th). Typing the event of car accidents. the cost is to be provided by cell “0” will permit a driver to obtain “On the other hand it is bet- phone users and operators. The a return message in minutes. ter then a GPS which costs from bidding is to be announced in The computer system for im- 800 to 3000 zloty and does not March. proving car traffic was invented inform about jammed streets,” If everything goes according by a 25-year-old student of he added. to plan, information about traf- computer science. GPS systems do not have any fic jams should be available as “One can use a cell phone information about current road early as July. and get information about the construction such as the new Once the system is up and traffic situation in the city,” said Mogilskie roundabout. running, drivers should not send system originator Michal Mar- The chairman of Radio Taxi SMSs because that would be kiewicz. Barbakan is excited about the more dangerous than even the “We get this and other infor- idea. largest traffic jam. Krakow’s City Council wants traffic forecasts via SMS. Malopolska swamped by domestic and international tourists alike

the krakow post tourists in Krakow and the Malopolska region were the 14.4 percent from Great Britain, the The number of tourists coming to Krakow 10.9 percent from Germany, the 8.9 percent

cc:sa: bflickr and the Malopolska region jumped a whop- from Italy and the 6.8 percent from the United ping 41 percent in 2007, according to IPSOS States. Poland, a company located in Warsaw that spe- The highest percentages of Polish visitors cializes in marketing and advertising research, were the 20.3 percent from Mazowsze, the 18.7 consumer loyalty and satisfaction studies, and percent from Silesia and the 10.4 percent from opinion polls. Podkarpacie in southeastern Poland. About 14.5 mln visitors came in 2007, ver- About 30 percent of tourists took rooms sus 10.3 mln visitors in 2006. Four of five visi- when visiting the region rather than hotels, tors were Poles and one was a foreigner. according to questionnaires that visitors filled The region’s biggest draw was Krakow, out. A lot more Poles than foreigners opted for which accounted for 8 mln of the 14.5 mln rooms, the results showed. visitors. Seventy percent of international tourists said “The regional government is going to try to they came to the region to do sight-seeing, 61 get tourists to see other places and attractions in percent to relax and 34 percent for its entertain- our region” besides Krakow, said Leszek Zeg- ment. Those filling out the questionnaire could zda, the deputy head of Malopolska Province. list more than one reason for coming. Major tourist draws besides the attractions International visitors learned about the in Krakow last year included the Tatra Moun- region primarily from the Internet and guide- tains, the Wieliczka Salt Mine and Wadowice, books and in fewer cases from family and the city where the late Pope John Paul II grew friends. up. “It is very important information that so Visitors spent about 9.8 bln zloty in the re- many people use the Internet as a source of gion in 2007, IPSOS said. International tourists tourist information,” said Grzegorz Sygnowski spent about 1,903 zloty a day, four times more of IPSOS Poland. “It means that it is worth in- than the average Polish visitor. vesting in the Internet, which tourists use much The highest percentages of international more than guidebooks.” krakowpost.com

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ul. Miodowa 7 Kazimierz District, Krakow Tel.: (0) 12 292-0088 www.accommodation.krakow.pl 12 The Krakow Post KRAKOW JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6 Tischner European University educates masses

Mada Matyjaszek man Catholic Church and the Solidarity” its students a good chance of landing they wanted to foster in students “his gram include some Americans. Staff Journalist movement. internships and jobs with Western Euro- spirit of determination and strong will The International Relations Depart- It continued its tradition of using the pean companies and institutions. for a fair and impartial quest for truth.” ment would like to attract more Western In the decades after it was founded in works it published to foster a more open The university is named after the dis- One of the university’s aims is to European and Asian students. 1959, Znak Publishers became a center society after the fall of communism. One tinguished philosopher, professor and produce graduates who can succeed in It hopes in coming years to gain the of independent thought that attracted of its authors was Tadeusz Mazowiecki, priest Jozef Tischner, who died in 2000. the EU market that Poland has become reputation of a multicultural university. intellectuals from Poland and interna- Poland’s first non-Communist prime Born in Stary Sacz, in the Malopolska part of. Norbert Czarnecki, a first-year stu- tionally. Now one of the executives who minister. region, he became the first chaplain of Another is to encourage graduates to dent of international relations from Aus- helped nurture the company’s intellec- When it became clear after commu- the Solidarity movement. get involved in civic affairs. tin, Texas, said he likes the fact that “all tual climate has turned from publishing nism ended that Poland’s educational Because he grew up in the Podhale Like many Western universities, the seminar groups are small and, when to another intellectual arena. system needed reform, Znak decided to region, in Jopuszna, much of Father Tischner tries to develop critical think- it comes to lecturers, they always try to Jaroslaw Gowin is president of the found Tischner European University in Tischner’s academic work dealt with the ing skills in its students. Its professors keep in touch with you.” new Tischner European University in 2003. Many renowned Polish profes- highland Goral dialect. have specialties ranging from languages Norbert suggests that the biggest ad- Krakow. The university is part of the sors, intellectuals, lawyers, philosophers His most famous work, “A Goral His- to entrepreneurship to diplomacy. vantage of this degree is that it is “one of Znak empire. and politicians decided to add their cred- tory of Philosophy,” is written entirely The university hopes its English-lan- the few programs like this in Poland.” Znak has printed the works of such ibility to the university, joining its board in the dialect. He produced an audio ver- guage international relations program Marcelina Gielata, an international authors as Joseph Ratzinger, Czeslaw of patrons. The university offered ma- sion of the work that he narrated him- will attract students at a time when Po- relations student from Nowy Targ, said Milosz, Father Jozef Tischner, Pope jors in linguistics and international rela- self. Gowin noted that Tischner “played land’s institutions of higher learning are she thinks a degree from Tischner will John Paul II, Thomas Merton, William tions to start with. a special role in reconciling the Catholic competing for a declining student base. give her good job prospects. Shakespeare and others. In 2006, it added a languages major Church with modernity” after the fall of At present, Poles make up the highest She said the university often orga- It was a staunch opponent of the and, in 2007, an international relations communism. proportion of students studying interna- nizes conferences on topics such as how Communist regime, maintaining close program in English. The founders of the university chose tional relations in English. to be a successful manager that “help us ties to Jagiellonian University, the Ro- Its emphasis on other languages gives Father Tischner as its namesake because The international students in the pro- find our way.” Wawel Royal Castle presents exciting plans for 2008-2009

Adelina Krupski tion projects, and traditional events. Dur- ral oddities and others - it was only much tion process. In September and November, supervision of articles in the storehouse. Staff Journalist ing a meeting held on Jan. 24, the Council later, during the 18th and 19th centuries objects will be exhibited in the memory of Personnel in the educational sector, reviewed activities at the Royal Castle in that they became separated into categories. the victory in Vienna, as a tribute to the similarly to previous years, plan to orga- After its many achievements last year, 2007 and its planned actions for the new The display is characterised by the flex- victorious battle of King Jan III Sobieski. nize a number of attractive workshops for the Museum Council of the Wawel Royal year, accepting all reports and plans pre- ible way objects can be added, exchanged, Lastly, treasures of the Cathedral in Vilnius kids, young adults, students, teachers and Castle intends to continue its success in sented by the Management. and reconfigured. Similarly to other cham- are to be shown in Poland for the first time museum buffs. 2008 with further exhibitions, conserva- One of the most remarkable and current bers, the “Gabinet sztuki” will be acces- during the final months of 2008. As a result of their popularity, educa- expositions is the “Gabinet sztuki,” or “art sible only to small groups of specialists In addition to collecting and protect- tional meetings will continue to be held chamber,” an intimate, specially arranged during a previously arranged time. ing works of art and historical artifacts, for families with children within the cycle room where kings once developed their ar- However, due to school holidays, the the Wawel Castle leads a large number of “Wawel encounters with history and art,” tistic and intellectual interests. new chamber will be open for public visits restorative operations, as well as holding which aims to familiarize participants with Located on the second floor of the state from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1 and again from Feb. educational and cultural events. Wawel history and monuments. These rooms, the chamber has the vibe of west- 5 to 8. This year should mark the completion of meetings will begin to take place in Feb- ern European interiors in kunstkammer Later months will present more unique conservation work commenced in 1995, the ruary. In addition, the Wawel Royal Castle style, noticeable in its free composition. objects and exhibits to be viewed. In March only conservation project in Poland of this will hold a range of competitions in art, This magnificent space contains paintings, the public will have the opportunity to see scale in early Italian painting, where works photography, and art-history knowledge sculptures, furniture, metalwork, and other a collection of 45 precious objects obtained were subject of physiochemical examina- for all age groups. crafts from various countries and time peri- by the Wawel Museum in 2007, including tion. During this time, certain elements of It also plans to take part in Children’s ods, as well as natural curiosities. four pieces of Meissen porcelain, the first the collection under conservation were suc- Day and special forms of visitation for krakowpost.com According to Dr. Jan K. Ostrowski, di- true porcelain made in Europe, making up cessfully exhibited. occasions such as museum open days and rector of the Wawel Royal Castle, the in- the Swan Service ordered by Count Brühl. Wawel conservation labs will continue night or garden festivities. Other cultural terior suggests the beginnings in the devel- After close to two years of restoration, performing systematic reviews of exhibi- events taking place in the Wawel include opment of European museums in the 16th Jan Matejko’s “The Prussian Homage” and tions in the Royal Castle and in the Pies- concerts by the National Symphony Or- Century, when collectors gathered a wide its gigantic frame will be exhibited in May, kowej Skale Castle, small restoration and chestra and the Krakow Opera, as well as range of paraphernalia and there was no along with a multimedia presentation and maintenance works, as well as conserva- dances for the Traditional Court Dance distinguishing between works of art, natu- catalog to show the stages of the conserva- tion of objects for lending and permanent Festival. JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6 KRAKOW The Krakow Post 13 Wizzair launches new Poznan base Joanna Zabierek ted three of its six new Airbus A320s to Kato- Staff Journalist wice, Gdansk and Poznan. For now, one A320 is committed to Poznan, Together with the new base the company with another plane scheduled to be sent there also is opening four new routes from Poznan later this year. In 2008, Wizzair will have 12 – to Oslo, Norway; Malmo, Sweden; Doncaster, aircraft in Poland. As far as international devel- England, and Glasgow, Scotland. Until today opment is concerned, Wizzair has already an- (Jan. 31) one could fly from Poznan with Wiz- nounced 14 new routes to be started in the first zair only to Dortmund, Germany, and to Lon- half of 2008. don. The competition is not sleeping. Centralwings By opening a base in Poznan, Wizzair contin- has also announced new routes. One will link ues to strengthen its industry leadership in Po- Poznan and Amsterdam in March. Passengers land. Since it entered the Polish market in 2004, should be happy, because competition often Wizzair has been the largest low-cost airline in means lower prices. Poland. Wizzair plans to carry about 4 mln passengers In 2007 the airline carried 2.8 mln passen- to and from Poland this year. Wizzair specialists gers on its Polish routes, 33 percent more than forecast a 40 percent increase over 2007 pas- in 2006. The company currently holds 35 per- senger numbers this year as a result of capacity cent of the Polish low-cost carrier market and growth. its leadership will be further strengthened this The staff for the first Airbus A320 in Poznan summer. has already been hired. At a press conference in Poznan, Wizzair said This week the company has started the re- it was committed to further growth in Poland, cruitment for the next aircraft. The new Wizzair with new routes and bases, more flights on exist- base in Poznan has created hundreds of jobs ing routes and more aircraft at its Polish bases. in the area. And the new flights will encourage As a matter of fact, Wizzair already has commit- more tourists to come to this region. Scotia Gilroy on open mic for musicians at Cafe Szafe It always felt strange to mix the two. So there. Massolit was a really nice place to I took over the music open mic and made play, but it had also started to feel a bit too Q: Who usually comes to the open mic? it every first Sunday of the month, while small as more and more people were show- A: The whole point of the open mic is

Anna Szwaja someone else, a poet named Roy Maltby ing up each month. Cafe Szafe has a large that it’s completely open to everybody. (also Canadian, by coincidence) started up room for us to use - and with an actual stage! The people who show up range from self- his own edition of a poetry-only open mic, They also have a full PA system with a mix- taught, amateur musicians who want to try which is still taking place at Massolit every er and speakers, which is great for singers playing for people for the very first time, third Sunday of the month. - I always set the microphones up for them to advanced, professional musicians who to use if they want to. The PA system also are well accustomed to performing but who Q: You say that the open mic first started means that electric instruments are welcome enjoy coming to the open mic for the musi- at Massolit. But now it takes place at Cafe - electric guitars, bass, keyboards. Even cal atmosphere and to meet other musicians. Szafe. Why the change? electronic instruments, like sequencers. I’ve What’s great about it is that the audience is A: Massolit was a great place for it, be- had all kinds of instruments show up - even always attentive, respectful and encouraging cause of the beautiful and cozy atmosphere people with laptops! to everyone, no matter what their level is. there, but it had a few disadvantages for an So far the open mic has been quite dominat- open mic, the first being that it closes at Q: Could you describe the kinds of music ed by foreigners. I’m always trying to get eight p.m. The open mic always began at that you can hear at the open mic, and what the word out to Polish musicians in Krakow seven p.m., which meant that there was only kinds of instruments people usually play? about it, to try to have more of a Polish/ex- an hour for it. Usually when people show up A: Everything under the sun! The main pat balance. But I think an “open mic” is a to an open mic wanting to perform, they’re a thing I love about hosting the open mic is concept that Polish people aren’t as familiar with as North Americans and English peo- the krakow post David left Krakow in the summer of 2006 bit nervous, and nobody ever wants to start that I never know what to expect! It’s al- and announced that he would no longer be playing first. It takes a while for people to ways a surprise. ple. Open mics are extremely common in The Krakow Post: How long has the here to keep the open mic going, I decided warm up enough to actually get up and play The most common performers, like at English-speaking countries - every city has open mic existed? to step forward as the next host, to keep the in front of everyone - usually the whole first most open mics, are singers with guitars. many of them at bars and cafes, and there Scotia Gilroy: The open mic has actu- event alive. I had been a frequent participant hour! So at Massolit, just when things had But there are tons of other types of per- are always student-oriented ones at universi- ally been happening non-stop, every single and spectator at the open mic since the be- gotten going, we had to leave because they formers that show up, with a whole array ties. When I mention “open mic” to foreign- month, for about four years. I’ve only been ginning, and enjoyed it so much that I hated were closing. If a lot of people had shown of instruments, everything from mandolins, ers they immediately know what I’m talking hosting it for a year and a half. Before that it to think it would have to end. The thought up to play we sometimes walked down the harmonicas, melodicas, saxophones, electric about, whereas when I tell Polish people was run by the guy who started it, an Ameri- of making it my own event was really excit- street together after Massolit had closed guitars, xylophones...... There are often in- about it I usually have to explain what it is. can named David Thornbrugh. He was a ing for me because there were a number of to Cafe Szafe, which is also on Felicjanek teresting pairs and groups that show up, peo- Lately, though, I’ve been happy to see more poet who enjoyed reading his own writing ways in which I felt it could be improved. Street, just one block away from Massolit. ple who have been playing music together Polish people turning up. I think it’s a result and hearing others read, and decided to start The first change I made was a drastic one - I There we could play until ten p.m. We and come to the open mic to perform what of the Polish-language advertising I’ve been up an open mic at Massolit Books on Fe- divided it into two separate events, one for would ask the bartender to turn the stereo they’ve been working on. doing for it, as well as word of mouth. licjanek Street as a kind of forum for writ- music and a separate one for poetry. This off, and we could play all we wanted. There Recently there has been a young electric ers to meet each other and hear each other’s seemed really important to me because at was beer there, too, which helped people bass and bongo drum duo, a cellist with ef- The open mic takes place every first work. It was something he had been used to the ones I had attended it never really felt loosen up! After this happened a fair num- fects pedals, and a guitarist accompanied by Sunday of the month, from 19:00 to 22:00 back home in the U.S., where open mics are comfortable mixing poetry and music. The ber of times, someone finally suggested to a guy who used a chair as a percussion instru- at Cafe Szafe, ul. Felicjanek 10, Krakow. quite popular. When he first started it, music musicians seemed to need a kind of wilder, me that we change the venue officially to ment! The best of all, though, in my opin- The next open mic is on Sunday, February was kind of an afterthought. Musicians were more free environment where they could Cafe Szafe. I talked to the owners of Szafe ion, was a duo from England that showed up 3, 2008 welcome to come and play there, but it re- really let loose, whereas poetry readings re- about it, and they really liked the idea. So, at the last one, on Jan. 6- who played ukulele For more information about the music ally was a poetry-dominated event. When quired an extremely calm, quiet atmosphere. since the Spring of 2007 it’s been happening and musical saw! It was amazing. open mic contact: [email protected]

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Mateusz Zuravik The Canadian Leonard Cohen it’s easy to name smokers who be- *Dominik Nawrockie Staff Journalist has written all his books, poems came famous authors and painters. and songs while smoking. If we are to remain the cultural This anti-smoking thing has be- Because of the recent smok- capital, then logic would dictate come too much – it’s even threat- ing ban, we may have to abandon we allow artists to smoke. ening Krakow’s cultural viability. hope that we will produce a Leon- Opponents of smoking in public You can no longer smoke at bus ard Cohen in Krakow. No city res- point out that passive breathing of and tram stops, even though you ident will be able to come up with cigarette smoke is more dangerous can still find ashtrays there. the idea for a great piece of art at a than smoking itself. If that’s so, Sixty-nine Krakow bars and “no smoking” bus stop. then maybe the local authorities pubs have banned smoking. Britain’s great Oscar Wilde, should begin promoting smoking Some, mainly rightwing, politi- who wrote the masterpiece “The so that everyones smokes active- cians even want to ban smoking in Picture of Dorian Gray,” smoked ly. privately owned cars. – and was proud of it. He wrote Just think: If everybody were a I often hear that Krakow is los- that “a cigarette is a perfect type smoker, there would be no “pas- ing its identity as a city of artists of a perfect pleasure. It is exquisite sive smokers.” That should greatly and poets. And, you know, it just and it leaves one satisfied.” improve people’s health. may be linked to the anti-smoking Maybe artists should be allowed It is sad to see that Krakow is be- campaign. to smoke anyplace they want in coming an oppressive city where You see, a cigarette is a valu- Krakow so the city doesn’t lose its basic freedoms are being lost. able artist’s accessory. It is widely creative types. I dread to think about what believed to relieve stress and let Our city is often described as would happen to me if I ever you concentrate on creating. the cultural capital of Poland. And smoked at a bus stop. I would be so jittery about the thought of a police patrol or squad car descend- ing upon me that my blood pres- Any thoughts? sure would go up. The stress I would experience would be much more dangerous to Write: my health than any cigarette. I hope members of the local editor@ government put that thought in their pipe and smoke it. krakowpost.com krakowpost.com