UNCLAS WARSAW 000555
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/NCE DKOSTELANCIK AND MSESSUMS
COMMERCE FOR 4232/ITA/MAC/EUR/OECA/MROGERS, JBURGESS,
JKIMBALL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV, ECON, PL, Economy
SUBJECT: POLAND: DCM MEETING IN MINISTRY OF ECONOMY ON AIG
LINCOLN/RASZYN PROJECT
REF: WARSAW 482
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified - not for internet
distribution.
2. (SBU) DCM met with Andrzej Kaczmarek of the Ministry of
Economy March 23 to follow up Embassy's March 14 meeting
(reftel) with Gmina Raszyn Mayor and Vice-Mayor. AIG Lincoln
Residential Director Christopher Sweeney also attended.
Kaczmarek was called away to the Sejm at the last moment, but
was represented in the meeting by Ministry of Economy staff
Cezariusz Kwaterski, Director of the Department for
International Cooperation; Radoslaw Ciechanski, Expert from
the Foreign Investment and Export Promotion Department; and
Zofia Schnitzer, Head Specialist, Department of International
Bilateral Relations. Adam Janczak, Vice-Director of the
Polish Foreign Investment Agency also attended.
2. (SBU) DCM began the meeting by recounting March 14
discussions with Raszyn Mayor and Vice-Mayor, and stating to
Kwaterski that the Embassy was encouraged by the Mayor's
statement that the Gmina is willing work constructively with
AIG Lincoln and does not oppose the project. DCM also
informed Kwaterski that AIG Lincoln sent the letter requested
by Gmina Raszyn Mayor and Vice-Mayor as a precondition to a
meeting. Kwaterski responded that he knew the case well,
partially from discussions in Washington during his recent
trip there with U/S Kaczmarek for the U.S.-Polish
Economic/Commercial Dialogue. Kwaterski also stated that U/S
Kaczmarek would like to be briefed on developments,
indicating that Kaczmarek was prepared to weigh in if
necessary. Kwaterski mentioned that the GOP had reviewed the
case and felt favorably about the project. Sweeney and DCM
promised to keep Kwaterski apprised of any further
developments.
3. (SBU) Comment. The current GOP established new housing
construction as one of its domestic policy goals, and the
sustained inertia of Gmina Raszyn (particularly the Mayor and
Vice-Mayor) on the AIG Lincoln project has apparently caught
the attention of high-ranking PIS members. We were told, for
example, that Prime Minister Marcinkiewicz knows of the case.
Momentum seems to be building within the GOP that could help
move the AIG Lincoln project toward fruition. The next step
is for Gmina Raszyn to respond to AIG Lincoln's letter
requesting a meeting. We will continue to follow
developments and stay involved in the case.
ASHE