Bribery scandal hits Poland
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Bribery scandal hits Poland
Busy week? Tiring meeting? Do you need a holiday? Hotel Polonia Palace Fitness Center (-1) al. Jerozolimskie 45 Warszawa tel. (22) 31 82 813 www.papillon.waw.pl Take yourself on a pleasurable journey and relax! Massage, spa for the body, spa for the face, relaxation, sauna & gym Polish News and Entertainment Friday 15th April 2011 Issue 15 (116) Bribery scandal hits Poland Medical giant’s DoJ deal implicates doctors NATIONAL © Wojtek Stein/Reporter U S corporate giant Johnson & Johnson allegedly paid Polish doctors to use their products as part of one of the biggest corruption campaigns to hit the country’s health service. According to daily Fakt, the company, which produces some of the world’s best known sanitary and medical products, spent millions of dollars in Poland and involved as many as 172 Poles as part of its international campaign to increase sales that ran from 2000 to 2006. It is also alleged that the payments helped the US company make an estimated USD 4.3 mln in sales in Poland alone. In early April the illicit policy, which also encompassed Greece and Romania, reportedly earned it a USD 21.4 mln fine and its commitment to hand over USD 48.6 mln in illegally gained profits, in a deal brokered with the United States Justice Department and the Security and Exchange Commission. However the size of the fine was reportedly reduced owing to Johnson & Johnson promising to provide information on the transgressions of its competitors. But in Poland the scale of the scandal has shocked investigators working on the case. “Since June 2006 we’ve charged 172 people, including Johnson & Johnson The scale of alleged bribes has shocked Polish prosecutors employees at their Polish office, doctors and hospital staff,” said Malgorzata Chrabaszcz, from the Radom prosecutor’s office, which is leading the investigation. “The case started by accident,” she continued. “We arrested one doctor for taking money from patients, and from his testimony we got evidence of a case, the size of which was unbelievable. The investigation continues and we can see no end to it.” Those caught in the legal dragnet include two of Johnson & Johnson’s Poland directors, seven of the firm’s sales managers and 41 sales representatives. p.5 REGIONAL About 66 doctors have also come under the legal cosh, and so far 37 people in total have been found guilty with one acquittal. Ms Chrabaszcz said that the alleged bribes handed out by the company ranged from a few thousand zloty to pay for an English course to the considerable sums of money to pay for children to see doctors abroad. News of companies reportedly paying doctors could undermine the public’s faith in attempts by the authorities to rid the national health service of wide-spread corruption. p.7 SPORT p.9 Row erupts in Russia Tram trouble National team in tatters An international row has broken out over the new plaque laid by Russia at the site of last year’s Smolensk plane disaster. In a move that cast a shadow over last Sunday’s national mourning, the Russian government caused an uproar by replacing the original plaque set down by Poland and removing all mention of the Katyn massacre that those who died were on their way to commemorate. A major Euro 2012 investment in Poznan has hit trouble, as the offers to extend the city’s Rapid Tramway line are all significantly over-budget. Even the lowest offer from the Torpol company, is way over the city’s projected figure of PLN 102 mln, coming in at a whopping PLN 125 mln. “Either we annul the tender process and start again, or we’ll have to find the missing money.” Franciszek Smuda must be wondering what he’s got himself into, after a week in which six national team representatives have been charged with corruption and his first choice centre back appears to be a hate figure for his prospective team-mates. Smuda now faces severely limited options, as the players charged are likely to be banned for life. 2 EDITORIAL The New Poland Express I Friday 15th April 2011 I www.nwe.pl Contents News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Regional news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 What’s on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Sport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Fromtheeditor Quotesoftheweek Thisweekinhistory “Anyone who manipulatively uses the name, ideas and legacy of Zbigniew Herbert for their own political aims is, in my opinion, committing an abuse, and consequently betraying a lack of respect for my husband and his work.” Zbigniew’s widow Katarzyna on Jaroslaw Kaczynski quoting the late poet’s work in relation to Smolensk. 1947 - Rudolf Hoss is hanged at Auschwitz-Birkenau. A key figure of the SS, when accused of murdering three and a half million people he famously said “No. Only two and a half million - the rest died from disease and starvation”. I have written much over the past year on the Smolensk tragedy. At times this has brought accusations of insensitivity, especially over comments suggesting the whole thing had been hijacked by mentals. And so one year and five days on from the terrible accident which took the lives of so many from across the political spectrum, it is perhaps time to revise those comments. Or perhaps not. For although on paper that sounds a fine thing to do, riding into the equation comes this: this week alone has seen the mentals in question blast Moscow over a tribute plaque because it didn’t mention Katyn; the discussion about whether to erect a monument outside the presidential palace or stick it somewhere else descend into bitter arguments; Jarek Kaczynski pinch a line from the poet Zbigniew Herbert to refer to the crash, causing his widow to go ape; and rightwing station Radio Maria whip up more anger by propagating the idea that Tusk and everyone who doesn’t agree with their conspiracy theories is a traitor to Poland. And so all this leads to the somewhat depressing conclusion that rather than a revision of previous comments, a reaffirmation is needed. When Bronislaw Komorowski said: “A year has passed since the world collapsed for many of us,” he meant it. I, like millions of others, was there to see the outpouring of grief from across the political spectrum. I, like millions of others, was there to see the crowds flocking past the presidential palace to pay their respects. For a while the tragedy did indeed unite the nation. There was a genuine sense of shock, disbelieve and sadness. But the behaviour of PiS and its followers has blown that unity to smithereens. And that is a tragedy. “He was a good president.” Jaroslaw Kaczynski speaks positively on behalf of his brother. “He does not deserve a monument.” Typically Lech Walesa doesn’t mince his words with regards to his views on the late president. Re: Kaczynski attacks German minority Please note that there is a factual error in your last week headline. Kaczynski did not attack the German minority in Poland. The Silesians are the traditional inhabitants of Silesia (now mainly Upper Silesia). Their national identity may be Polish, German, or Silesian. Kaczynski does not accept the Silesian identity and implies that identifying oneself as a Silesian could be a way to camouflage a German identity. But this does not mean that he “attacks German minority”, unless you agree with him. Tomasz Jurewicz – Poland Re: Ape terrorises town I have to admit, to switching to this story, part in expectation, part in hope, that this was yet another Kaczynski story. I have noted the advice to avoid eye contact, should I happen to bump into, Pan Kaczynski. Jurgen Weisse - Rybnik Send comments and letters to [email protected] WIYP Sp. z o.o. • Ul. Paderewskiego 1 • 81-831 Sopot tel. +48 58 555 9818 • tel/fax. +48 58 555 0831 • [email protected] Editor-in-Chief: Ed Wight ([email protected]) Chief Writer: Steve Sibbald Staff Writer: Matt Day 2001 - League of Polish Families (LPR) is founded. Created just before the elections of that year, the LPR is renowned for its extreme right-wing stance. The NPE weekend QUIZ HaveYourSay Publisher: WIYP Sp. z o.o. 1988 - The last execution is carried out in Poland at the Montelupich prison. Located in Krakow, the prison was mainly used by the Gestapo to house political prisoners and foreign spies. After WWII, it became a Soviet prison where Polish soldiers were tortured and murdered. Ok guys, this week we’ve got a double invitation for the Wojtek Karolak Band performing in Sopot on April 26. Referring to himself as “an American jazz and rhythm & blues musician born by mistake in Middle Europe”, when it comes to music, Karolak is as legendary as any in his field. A notable Hammond B-3 organ player, he’s also a dab hand at the saxophone and piano and as you can probably guess, his concerts are not to be missed. Just tell us then, in what Polish city was Karolak born? Well done to Hamish Potts for being our winner last week. As always folks, get your answers sent to: editor@ newpolandexpress.pl Nationwide & Sports: Graham Crawford ([email protected]) Events: Klaudia Mampe ([email protected]), Vaughan Elliott, Łukasz Jankowski Graphic Designer: Tomáš Haman ([email protected]) Sales Director: Malgorzata Drzaszcz ([email protected]) 3 NEWS Row erupts in Russia A n international row has broken out over the new plaque laid by Russia at the site of last year’s Smolensk plane disaster. In a move that cast a shadow over last Sunday’s national mourning, the Russian government caused an uproar by replacing the original plaque set down by Poland and removing all mention of the Katyn massacre that those who died were on their way to commemorate. According to reports in the Polish press, the plaque had been removed by authorities who had claimed it was only in Polish and wanted it also inscribed in Russian. But upon its return, the commemorative piece was left with only: “In remembrance of the 96 Poles including Polish President Lech Kaczynski who died on 10 April 2010 in a plane crash near Smolensk”, with the original second part “on the way to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Soviet crime of genocide committed against the Polish POWs and officers of the Polish Army in 1940” having been left off in both languages. According to Andrei Yevseyenko, a spokesman for Smolensk’s governor, it was “not necessary to mention Katyn at the site of the crash”. “I am totally shocked by this. This incident has undermined Russia’s credibility,” said Malgorzata Szmajdzinska, a widow of one of the men killed in the disaster. “I believe it was meant as a blow to our national psyche.” We invite you to the place of your dreams with a magic garden which leaves an unforgettable impression... You will not be disappointed... Warszawa 00-791, ul. Chocimska 7, tel. 22 848 12 25, www.restauracjarozana.com.pl The New Poland Express I Friday 15th April 2011 I www.nwe.pl Smolensk disaster - One year on A Law and Justice MP said he wants to sue the head of Warsaw’s municipal police for libel after it stated that the politician had told his officers to “f**k off” during minor but emotional disturbances at events to commemorate the first anniversary of the Smolensk disaster. The MP is alleged to have told officers to “f**k off” during minor but emotional disturbances Joachim Brudzinski announced his attention to take Zbigniew Leszczynski to court after the policeman accused him of using the insulting words, and at the same time protested his innocence. “I did not have contacts with the police,” said the MP. “It would have been extremely irresponsible of me to attend the first anniversary - a day of strong emotions - with thoughts of using words that are generally considered insulting.” Monika Nizniak, spokeswoman for the municipal police, said her boss “was not afraid of litigation”. The MP is alleged to have made the remark outside the presidential palace just after Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the brother of the late president, had laid a wreath in memory of his twin and the other victims of the Smolensk disaster. Other Law and Justice (PiS) MPs were involved in scuffles with police and officers of the Polish equivalent to the US’s secret service after they vaulted crowd barriers in order, they claimed, to lay flowers just after as Mr Kaczynski and other senior members of Law and Justice had done so. Complaining about the behaviour of the police outside the presidential palace, Adam Rogacki said mourners were being treated like “football supporters”. The MPs also argued that their parliamentary passes should have granted them access to the area cordoned off by the police. In a Law and Justice statement the party “strongly condemned the actions [of the police] which have all the hallmarks of a provocation” and stated that the party’s MPs had the right to lay flowers. But the police said only those who had passes for the cordoned off area had the right to enter, adding that five people who tried to get in, the Law and Justice MPs, were removed to an appropriate area. The justice ministry said that it would analyse the events on Sunday to see if any law had been broken. But Pawel Olszewski, a Civic Platform (PO) MP, dismissed the barrier vaulting as a stunt, calling it “embarrassing”. Send comments and letters to [email protected] 4 NEWS The New Poland Express I Friday 15th April 2011 I www.nwe.pl Hooligan crime Hacked off in Krakow crackdown T A gents from the CBS, Poland’s internal security agency, donned body armour and wielded sub-machine guns in a series of arrests made on football supporters wanted in connection with organised crime. The dramatic swoops involving some 300 CBS agents and police officers arrested 21 men - referred to as “pseudo-supporters”in four provinces as authorities stepped up a campaign to purge the ranks of Polish football supporters of criminals ahead of next year’s European football championship finals. “Officers from the CBS, working in co-operation with the prosecutor’s office of the Warsaw district of Praga, moved against an organised criminal group that had been distributing drugs in several EU countries including Poland,” said Mariusz Sokolowski, chief spokesman for the national police. “Among those detained was 30-yearold Marek H. and 32-year-old Daniel W. the leaders of extreme groups of pseudosupporters in Warsaw and Elblag,” the policeman added. “Usually a gang consists of members of just one football hooligan group but supporters of Legia and Olimpia Elblag, under a secret agreement, have joined forces and instead of fighting against each other they did illegal business together.” Police reported that during the arrests they found drugs, large amounts of money, weapons and ammunition. The latest operation brings the number of arrests to 214 since February as police wage a two-pronged war against criminal elements plaguing Polish football. Police have moved to crush groups of hooligans intent on causing violence at matches, while at the same time fighting a war against criminal gangs entwined with the supporters’ groups. According to police data, gangs from Poznan concentrate on the drugs trade while their counterparts in Lodz, for example, deal in illegal alcohol. Stories of organised crime rings linked to various football clubs have become common since a Krakow fan was stabbed to death in broad daylight earlier this year. At first the attack was thought to be an act of revenge by hooligans but police have now concentrated on the theory that was linked to a war for territory between competing drugs gangs. he last few weeks have seen a vast increase in the number of stag dos beginning to arrive in Krakow after the long winter - and not all locals are happy. While a large number of the historic city’s bars and restaurants rely of the type of trade such parties bring, the usual loutish behaviour that comes with it is often more than many locals can bare. “Over recent weeks we’ve seen a steady increase in the number of British groups arriving here with the aim to party,” Albert Walicki, Director of Krakow’s Chamber of Tourism, tells Gazeta.pl Krakow. “Unfortunately though, many still head here with the idea in their heads that Krakow is a destination full of cheep beer and cheap women. That can, and does, lead to problems.” Katarzyna Aniol, a spokeswoman for Krakow police states that while local authorities are not out to spoil party- goers’ fun, they will not take lightly to any inappropriate behaviour. “We have had reports from local residents and workers of drunken and disorderly acts from Brits and we’ve already made a few arrests.” She continues, “We have learnt from past experience that the best way to deal with this kind of situations is to act swiftly. Of course, we won’t be harassing anyone, but we will not tolerate those who do not respect social norms. Antics such as soliciting passers-by or indecent behaviour will be severely punished.” But not everyone it seems is against the return of one of the city’s major sources of income. “They bring in good money and business,” says Magda Nowacka, a waitress on Krakow’s Old Market Square. “Ok, they can be a little bit wild at times - but most just want a good time and are polite and friendly.” 5 NEWS The New Poland Express I Friday 15th April 2011 I www.nwe.pl INBRIEF Homophobic song hits headlines A Polish musician has caused an uproar with a song in which he apparently advocates the murdering of homosexuals. In his song ‘Weeds’ (‘Cwasty’), Silesian reggae star Bas Tajpan sings about killing those who are openly gay. The song contains the lyrics: “Among beautiful flowers grow weeds ... Exterminate them, squeeze out the plague / An epidemic on the street, batty men, shoot shoot straight through the heart.” Despite being released years ago, the song has once again pushed its way into the headlines this week. But according to Gazeta Wyborcza, the Polish penal code is not suited to such instances, able only to punish for songs “inciting hatred against nationality, ethnicity, race or religion.” German WWII plaques in Poznan German veterans have stated their wish to see a plaque erected in Poznan’s Citadela Park to commemorate the German soldiers who lost their lives there during WWII. A politically sensitive issue that has divided opinion, some state the dead have a right to be remembered whilst others claim the ground is a sanctuary to those who died defending it. One defender of the citadel, who lost his fingers fighting Germans in the battle, told TOK FM, “They attacked us and ruined the peace that had existed here.” According to Tomasz Stube of the Wielkopolska Office, due to the delicate matter authorities want to ensure they have the exact spot containing the soldiers’ remains before a decision is made. “This has raised emotions, so we are in no rush to act.” Customs bag smuggled fags Customs officials in Budziska stopped a man attempting to smuggle 4,000 cigarettes inside a piano into the country this week. Border guards became suspicious when the 31-year-old Lithuanian told them he was a pianist making his way to Germany for a gig. According to TVN24, the cigarettes were worth a market value of approximately PLN 35,000 and in addition to receiving a fine the man faces losing his vehicle. C M Y CM A right royal cock up F or the last three months Polish furniture maker Dariusz Bergier has been working flat out creating bespoke cabinets and tables for what he believed was the wedding bash of Britain’s Prince Wills and Kate Middleton. The Pole from Lodz said that he and his team had been working non-stop to get the pieces ready for posh furniture makers Fassbinder and English. “We are very excited and honoured to have been asked to make this furniture for the royal wedding,” he told national media in Poland. He added that he had been approached by the furniture company during a trade fair in Birmingham and that the pieces would end up at the posh five star London Stafford hotel in the heart of St. James, a favourite hang out of Wills and Kate. NPE_Belvedere_116.pdf 10:46:13 But Ursula Vonplaten,1 15.4.2011 a spokeswoman for the hotel, today told NPE: “I think this man has got the wrong end of the stick. Yes, we are having renovations done and reopen next week in time for the wedding as we’ll be hosting a party - but that isn’t for any of the royal family or wedding guests.” Fassbinder and English confirmed the mistake. “It’s absolutely not true that this man nor we are making furniture for the royal wedding,” said spokesman Peter Carroll. “We have a few contractors in Poland and Mr Bergier is one of them, but he has completely misunderstood what this is for. We never once told him it was for the Royal wedding. We have tried contacting him after we saw his TV report in Poland, but he isn’t answering his phone. We are very angry with him.” Mr Bergier was unavailable for comment. EASTER AT BELVEDERE On Easter Sunday and Monday we would like to invite you for EASTER BRUNCH with live music and attractions for kids. MY CY Poland a US nuisance It has emerged that Poland considered itself a “nuisance” in Washington as little as two years ago. According to Polskie Radio, whistleblower site ‘Wikileaks’ claims that in 2009 then-US ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe was concerned Poland had become something of a thorn in America’s side. “There is a growing fear among Polish government elites that Poland has become an afterthought, or even a nuisance ... and this is hard to swallow for a country that considers itself a loyal ally and important contributor to US strategic interests in greater Europe and Afghanistan,” claimed Ashe. The piece was written during the early days of President Obama’s administration, during a time PM Donald Tusk was attempting to set up a meeting between the two leaders. CMY K Price: 129 PLN (Children between 6-12 years old – 65 PLN) Price includes Easter delicacy buffet, live cooking station with stuffed piglet and homemade “pyzy” dumplings, wide assortment of sweets and traditional cakes, soft drinks and glass of Chardonnay Frizzante as an aperitif. More at: www.belvedere.com.pl 6 REGIONALNEWS The New Poland Express I Friday 15th April 2011 I www.nwe.pl NationwidewithGrahamCrawford: Bringing you the best from across the regions. If you have any news for Graham, send him an email at [email protected] WITHOuTRHYmEORREGION “ We want the truth!” cried Kaczynski and the hall erupted into a standing ovation. “We want the truth regardless of how painful it is and who it hurts,” he continued, “Because without that truth we are a nation without dignity.” The strangest thing about all this is that the truth has been as plain as the nose on your face since the day of the accident in Smolensk. As previously evidenced with the flight to Geor- gia, President Kaczynski insisted the Tupolev land at Smolensk and he sent his Airforce General Blasik into the cockpit to ensure his order was carried out, because he, Kaczynski, was the head of the armed forces and he could command the pilots to do as he wanted, regardless of common sense or procedure. And then 96 people died. The Kaczynski camp have spent the year since the crash blaming fake fog, evil air traffic controllers, the Polish government for organising the flight, anyone, anything, anywhere, just as long as it’s not them. This is the truth which is too painful for them to accept, despite it being the simplest explanation, the one that matches the facts most closely. Instead they come up with ever crazier theories, shift the blame, deny the facts, make up stories, then demand “the truth”. It’s a demand which is impossible to fulfil, because they’ve already rejected the truth in advance. What they want is reality and the facts to be twisted to suit their political purposes. William Blake described them perfectly thus, “The Man who pretends to be a modest enquirer into the truth of a self evident thing is a Knave.” And they have the gall to talk about dignity. LODzkIE actions had been written about by local newspapers. All four were interrogated in the company of their parents. None of them had previously been noted by police. there were problems with the tender process leading to their purchase, and that the city may have overpaid for the now unwanted hoardings to the tune of PLN 200,000. The fifty proposed new sites for the hoardings are currently being approved by experts from the local roads authority before the citylights finally set off to light the city. Soviet gravestone scandal A group of three young vandals have devastated the war cemetery in Lodz’s Poniatowski Park. Eleven headstones were overturned and although police were alerted immediately by a passer-by the young people they approached turned out not to be involved. Undeterred, the officers returned the following day and quickly identified a group of youngsters running wild in the vicinity. The ringleader, a 14-year-old boy, initiated the destruction, knocking the first monument over accidentally while walking his dog. He then introduced his younger colleagues to the game, competing to see who could knock over the largest number. The youths later boasted that their Citylights bright future T he fifty infamous citylight advertising hoardings that have led a troubled life since their arrival in Lodz in 2009 are about to be relocated around the city, bringing to an end two years of shenanigans. The illuminated hoardings will be placed at busy points of the city and hold a map on one side, while local events will be advertised on the other. The hoardings were originally intended to light up ul. Piotrkowska, but after they had been purchased, it turned out they would hinder pedestrians and block the sites of summer beer gardens. Then they were placed in Plac Wolnosci, but without consulting the historic buildings officer, so they had to be moved to a third home along Al. Pilsudskiego. Then it turned out that Terminal terminates here L odz’s new terminal is due to be completed this year, but the authorities are having problems attracting the prestigious national carriers the building was supposed to serve. The modern, four floor terminal, built at a cost of PLN 190 mln, is capable of handling as many as 1,300 passengers per hour. However, the airport currently only serves eight routes and twenty-one flights per week. This means that the entire passenger numbers for the last three months could be dealt with by the new terminal in a mere eighteen hours. "LONGER DAY - LONGER TREATMENT" GET 75-MINUTE CLARINS FACIAL FOR THE PRICE OF 60-MINUTE ONE. More information or treatment reservation please call: 22 851 05 63 OFFER LIMITED AND VALID TILL 30 APRIL 2011. 7 REGIONALNEWS The New Poland Express I Friday 15th April 2011 I www.nwe.pl mAzOWIECkIE WIELkOPOLSkIE Still cross Tram trouble T he self-proclaimed defenders of the cross reappeared on the Krakowskie Przedmiescie this Wednesday and attempted to erect another wooden cross there, outside the presidential palace. In a gathering aimed at paying tribute to Lech Kaczynski’s wife, Maria, by laying tulips outside the palace, the demonstrators brought an improvised wooden cross, similar to the one erected there by scouts shortly after the Smolensk crash. Police tried to move the gathering on, as they were blocking the pavement, and scuffles ensued. The defenders insisted they didn’t need permission for the gathering as there were only thirteen of them, and refused to move on. They tried to fix the cross to barriers, but City Guard intervened. Later in the afternoon the cross was still standing, propped up by the defenders’ bags. Meanwhile City Guard kept a close watch, to ensure they didn’t attempt anything more permanent. Tobruk unearthed in Wawa A German bunker, part of a WWII defensive line in Warsaw called the Tobruk line, has been unearthed during repair work to tramlines along Plac Zbawiciela. The site was visited on Tuesday by an archaeologist and the Polish Army Museum has already expressed an interest in putting the bunker on display at the Warsaw Citadel. Dawid Dziama, the museum’s press officer, told reporters, “We have to work out how much it will cost to move it. We know that removing it from the ground could damage electricity cables.” As part of the German defensive lines round Warsaw, there were about 60 such reinforced concrete bunkers. They were completely buried in the ground with a circular turret on top from which gunners could operate. “Tobruk” type bunkers were usually fitted with machine gun emplacements. On yer bike! W arsaw’s motorcyclists are driving nonriding residents mad with their excesses following the arrival of spring and the new riding season. Smoking tyres, removing exhaust silencers and high-speed wheelies are trying the patience of the capital’s slowerpaced dwellers. “Why do they have to do it in the centre? Why can’t they ride out into the countryside? The whole city centre is one great big racing track for them from April to October,” moaned one resident. A major Euro 2012 investment in Poznan has hit trouble, as the offers to extend the city’s Rapid Tramway line are all significantly over-budget. Even the lowest offer from the Torpol company, is way over the city’s projected figure of PLN 102 mln, coming in at a whopping PLN 125 mln. “There are two ways out of the situation. Either we annul the tender process and start again, or we’ll have to find the missing money. It’s hard to say which option we’ll choose,” Andrzej Nowakowski, Director of Infrastruktura Euro Poznan 2012 told reporters. The extension to the Poznan Rapid Tramway is one of the flagship investments for the football championships. The new line was intended to enable fast travel from the outskirts of the city right to the main station. City authorities are still bullish about completing the work in time, but Nowakowski is less sure. “We were supposed to start building in March, but as things stand, we don’t know what to do. For us it’s a disaster,” lamented Nowakowski. Okraglak ablaze O ne of Poznan’s signature buildings, the renowned Okraglak, was seen with smoke billowing from it this Wednesday afternoon, with as many as five fire tenders struggling to contain the blaze inside. The fire ul. Limanowskiego 15 02-943 Warszawa T:(0048) 22 842 32 81 F:(0048) 22 842 32 65 [email protected] www.thebritishschool.pl • Over 750 students enrolled • Over 50 different nationalities • Superb facilities in the heart of Warsaw • High quality teaching provided by committed qualified British, International and local staff • A complete education from 2.5-18 years • Following the English National Curriculum • Outstanding IB and I/GCSE results • Wide range of extracurricular activities appears to have broken out as a result of construction work currently taking place inside. “My colleagues were cutting something up top using torches. It’s possible something fell into the basement. The smoke was coming up the lift-shaft,” explained one of the workers. Fire officers smashed a window, trying to get into the building, but were beaten back. About forty people were evacuated, mostly construction workers, while fire services tried to bring the blaze under control. 8 REGIONALNEWS The New Poland Express I Friday 15th April 2011 I www.nwe.pl POmORSkIE mALOPOLSkIE Karnowski’s double KO The Lady vanishes! S opot’s much-litigated President Jacek Karnowski won a double victory in the regional and appeal courts this week. The appeal court upheld an earlier verdict in a verbal spat between Karnowski and the equally controversial Law and Justice Euro MP Jacek Kurski. The regional court ruled local businessman Slawomir Julke had to pay Karnowski’s legal costs after Julke withdrew a private suit against the Sopot politician. The row with Kurski began back in 2008. Karnowski was being investigated by the Central Anti-Corruption Office (CBA) when he told reporters, “Instead of investigating Sopot, the CBA should look into Kurski’s forester’s hut.” Kurski allegedly purchased a forester’s hut for PLN 22,000 from the State Forestry, only for the same property to soon after be valued at PLN 300,000. Kurski maintained this was as a result of his investment in the property and so he sued Karnowski. The original court ruled that the comment was within the accepted norms of political debate and free speech, a ruling that was upheld this week. In the Gdansk Regional Court, Slawomir Julke was ordered to pay PLN 4,600 legal costs after he withdrew a private slander suit after Karnowski accused Julke of falsifying evidence against him and of illegal business activities. In 2008 Julke accused Karnowski of corruption and presented incriminating tape recordings to the media. Those accusations are still being investigated by prosecutors. What yachts! A French company operating in Pomorze is conquering the world of luxury yachts. Sunreef yachts, founded in 2000, is enjoying record sales and, in the immediate future, plans to increase employment by up to 20 percent. The company currently employs 450 people, from architects and engineers, to carpenters and electricians. The company will also be moving from the Gdansk Shipyard to a new production hall in the village of Wislinki, just outside the Tri-city. This will enable the firm to expand their production of large catamarans. “We’re at the stage of sorting out the formalities and documentation. We expect the move to take place in 2013,” Ewa Stachurska for Sunreef told reporters. K rakow Young Democrats (the youth wing of the Civic Platform party) are running a campaign to bring the famous Da Vinci painting ‘Lady with an Ermine’ back to its home in the city’s Czartoryski Museum. The Czartoryski Foundation, though, is applying for permission for further foreign tours for the iconic work, arguing that the loans are paying for essential renovations to the museum. A special website set up to promote the cause announces, “We call on all Cracovians, on everyone who cares about the Da Vinci painting: it’s time to put a stop to the Lady’s travels. It’s Krakow’s greatest artistic treasure, a symbol of the city and a magnet for tourists. Sadly, art lovers and thousands of foreign tourists who come here to see the Lady leave disappointed. The Lady isn’t here and nobody knows when, if ever, she will return. For the safety of the painting it would be better if Leonardo’s work never left Poland.” Mateusz Slawinski of the Young Democrats told Gazeta Krakow, “We don’t like what’s being done to this masterpiece. We want as many Cracovians as possible to join our campaign. We hope to provoke the painting’s owner to change their policy towards the Lady.” Next week the Ministry of Culture is to decide whether to allow the painting to go on loan to Berlin and Madrid. The Krakow State Museum is against the loans. Roth off camera A ctor Tim Roth was in Krakow this week as part of the Off Plus Camera festival taking place in the city. The British star, best known for his appearances in the Quentin Tarantino films Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, was here to receive the ‘Against the flow’ Award – a recognition given to artists who, regardless of current trends, follow their own path. 9 BuSINESS The New Poland Express I Friday 15th April 2011 I www.nwe.pl Poland prepares to go nuclear N ew reports by Polski Radio state that this summer will see an international tender awarded to a company which can supply all the technical know-how for Poland’s first nuclear power plant. The reports claim the decision, which is rumoured to be worth somewhere in the region of PLN 40 bln, will be announced by state-owned power company Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) - which the government has handed responsibility to. According to TVN, Westinghouse, GEHitachi and Areva all consider themselves in the running. It is believed that the site will be built in the northern location of Zarnowiec - the site of Poland’s first proposed nuclear plant until construction was halted in 1990 due to a mixture of poor funding and local protests. “On one hand we have to try and combat global warming but on the other hand, a phobia of nuclear power,” says Poland’s Government Commissioner for Nuclear Energy, Hanna Trojanowska. “At the same time, economic competitiveness is one of our priorities. I would like to declare we have not given up on this programme.” Send comments and letters to [email protected] Pekao President Resigns A licja Kornasiewicz, president of Poland’s second-largest lender bank Pekao SA, resigned this week from her post in an unexpected move. The resignation was announced via the bank’s website although no official explanation has yet been given. According to TVN24, in a unanimous decision, the board voted Luigi Lovaglio (current Vice-President) to take over the position as of May 1. It is believed that Ms Kornasiewicz will continue to work for Bank Pekao’s majority shareholder, the Italian UniCredit group, although it is likely she will enter the boards of certain banks in Ukraine and Hungary, also controlled by UniCredit. In addition to this, it has also been suggested that she may run for a position on the Pekao’s supervisory board. Ms Kornasiewicz took over the presidency in January 2010 from Krzysztof Bielecki. Before that, she was CEO of UniCredit CAIB Poland SA and Dept. Treasury Minister under PM Jerzy Buzek. BuSINESSINBRIEF Toys ‘R’ Us to hit PL US megastore ‘Toys ‘R’ Us’ has its sights set on the Polish market. With over 1,550 stores in 35 countries already, the toy giant looks ready to move into Poland for the first time, and, according to Puls Biznesu, its first store could be opened by the end of the year. With an estimated toy market of around PLN 2 bln and a population of over 38 mln, the country would provide a perfect opportunity for expansion after the closure of more than 80 stores in the US five years ago. Details look set to follow over the summer. EU must find alternative funds Janusz Lewandowski, European Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budgets, has spoken about how it is essential for the EU to find new ways to fund expenditure next year in order to prevent countries such as Poland ending up casualties. While the EC wishes to increase spending in areas such as agriculture and rural development (of which Poland is a major benefactor), other EU nations are calling for funding in certain areas to be reduced. “The EU has no choice,” says Mr Lewandowski. “It must find new ways to raise revenue.” NBP OFFICIAL CURRENCY RATES 15/04/2011 INNumBERS Currency Canadian Dollar Czech Koruna Danish Krone Euro Hungarian Forint Japanese Yen Norwegian Krone Pound Sterling Russian Ruble Swedish Krona Swiss Franc US Dollar 4 .3% Symbol 1 CAD 1 CZK 1 DKK 1 EUR 100 HUF 100 JPY 1 NOK 1 GBP 1 RUB 1 SEK 1 CHF 1 USD Mid-rate 2,8321 0,1633 0,5293 3,9479 1,4792 3,2784 0,5048 4,4584 0,0967 0,4400 3,0596 2,7293 Poland’s inflation for March year-on-year according to GUS (Poland’s Main Statistical Office). 86% The number of Poles who own a mobile phone, making it the country’s second most desired commodity. Common Cents with RossNaylor OK, confession time. I am a financial adviser and I hate insurance. However, while I may hate it I recognize that there is often an absolute need for it. Here are some statistics that back that need up: • A working adult is 10 times more likely to be unable to work through ill health than to die before retirement. • One in five people has a chance of being off work due to illness for at least three months. • There is a one in six chance of an adult being incapacitated for longer than six months. When thinking about what could cause you to be unable to work due to ill health, it is not necessary to look for something serious. Think something simple, backache for example. It’s not all doom and gloom. Chances are, your employer will continue to pay you for the first 3-6 months. If a large part of your income comes from bonuses or commission however, you will lose out as this will not be covered. In addition some countries have generous state safety nets. Here in Poland, for example, ZUS takes over once your employer stops and continues to pay until you recover or reach retirement age. Again, this won’t cover bonus or commission income. In addition if you are here on an expatriate contract then it won’t cover the allowance for housing or school fees either. This last point is not terribly relevant anyway, as if you are here as an expatriate and become unable to work due to ill health, chances are you will go back to your home country anyway. The questions therefore, that you need to ask yourself are: 1) What effect would being unable to work due to long term incapacity have on your present finances and your future financial plans? 2) Are you prepared to take that risk? (Or as Clint Eastwood would say - do you feel lucky?) Ross Naylor is a financial planner with AES International, an independent financial advisory group. www.aesinternational.com/ rossnaylor 10 ENTERTAINmENT The New Poland Express I Friday 15th April 2011 I www.nwe.pl SOmETHINGFORTHEWEEkENDfromInYourPocket P olish beer. There’s a topic that occupies a fair chunk of our lives what with all the bar and club reviews we’re obliged to do in updating the guides. And it’s a topic that has caused tutting and headshaking more often than not as well as attracting some fairly forthright criticism of our view that Polish beer just wasn’t very good. As those familiar with the country over the last decade will be aware, while the choice in virtually every other product increased, your choices in beer seemed to decline. We lost some of our favourites like Hevelius as breweries were bought out by major international companies who then streamlined operations and closed unprofitable breweries and brands. As these multinationals then fought for market share the consumer was left with pretty much a choice between Zywiec/Heineken or Tyskie/Lech in most bars around the country. Now while we’ve yet to turn our noses up at a pint of any of these, you could hardly claim (as one apocalyptic reader tried to) that Polish beer compared well with those of its traditional beer oasis neighbours of Germany and Czech Republic. The beer was neither as good in our opinion or came with the same background of tradition in beer-making. While we don’t doubt that the Tyskie brewery at Tychy was brewing beer in 1629 (the date on labels and caps of Tyskie Gronie), we remember coming to Poland in the 1980s and never being offered (or seeing) a local beer. Vodka was the drink then, more often than not produced in basement distilleries by family members and neighbours. We do remember being able to buy Stella Export in the Pewex and the stares we and the beer received as we returned to the family Maluch with 24 cans of the stuff. Communism was responsible for many things in Poland and in our opinion the death of the beer industry seemed to be one of them. But as last weekend’s crawl of the hostelries of Gdansk demonstrated this is something which has at last been reversed. In every single one of the bars we visited, and by the end of the night it had moved into double figures, we found that the recent trend of making the beers of Polish micro-breweries available to the masses was gaining ground. In not one bar were we obliged to choose one of the major brands and instead we worked our way through a wonderful selection of bottled Polish beers. Perla, Ciechan (wyborne, miodowe), Lomza, Noteckie all received the thumbs up as did the in-house brews of Brovarnia on the quayside, a restaurant and microbrewery set in a renovated granary building. But we’re a big believer of ‘when in Rome’ and for that reason our award for the night went to Zywe, an unpasteurised beer produced just outside of Gdansk on what was once a communist-era PGE collective farm by the Amber Brewery. These chaps might have less than 20 years of beer-making tradition, but they’re making a bloody good go of it. We ought also to tip our hats at their Zloty Lwy and Kozlak beers. We are well aware that many of the visitors to Polish cities for whom we write would like recommendations on locally produced foods and drinks and for many years found it sad to impart that despite its German connections, Gdansk was a bit of a wasteland for locally brewed beer. Thankfully that is no longer the case. Find Amber beers in Cafe Faktotum, Red Light and Flisak 76 among many other old town bars the next time you visit. Send comments and letters to [email protected] Gdynia 17 .04 Sunday - L.U.C. Ucho, ul. Św. Piotra 2, tel. (+48) 58 343 14 05, www.ucho.com.plQConcert starts at 19:00. Ticket prices were undecided at the moment. Please check our website for updates. Available in Ucho box office (Open only during concerts). Lodz 18 .04 Monday - 19 .04 Tuesday Roger Waters - The Wall Hala Arena, ul. Bandurskiego 7 (Łódź Kaliska), tel. (+48) 12 421 89 63QConcert starts at 18:00. Tickets 220-699zł. Available at Cultural Information Centre, ul. Piotrkowska 102A (Open 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun). Poznan 15 .04 Friday - Made In Chicago David Boykin Trio Scena Na Piętrze, ul. Masztalarska 8, tel. (+48) 12 421 89 63, www.madeinchicago.plQConcert starts at 20:00. Tickets 35zł. Availbale before the concert. Sopot 17 .04 Sunday - Glen Matlock (The Sex Pistols) & The Philistines SFINKS 700, ul. Mamuszki 1, tel. (+48) 501 85 61 53, www.sfinksclub.comQConcert starts at 19:00. Ticket 50/60zł. Reservations at sfinks700@gmail. com. Wroclaw 18 .04 Monday - Pendragon Firlej, ul. Grabiszyńska 56, tel. (+48) 22 450 67 10 QConcert starts at 20:00. Tickets 80zł. Available at Empik, Rynek 50 (Open 09:00 - 21:00, Sun 11:00 21:00). Warsaw 16 .04 Saturday - I AM X Stodoła, ul. Batorego 10, tel. (+48) 22 843 14 41 QConcert starts at 20:00. Tickets 79/99zł. Available at the Stodoła box office (Open 09:00 - 21:00, Sat 09:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun, Mon). 19 .04 Tuesday - Belle & Sebastian Stodoła, ul. Batorego 10, tel. (+48) 501 85 61 53 QConcert starts at 20:00. Tickets 125/110zł. Available at www.eventim.pl and Empik, ul. Złota 59 (Open 10:00 - 22:00, Sun 10:00 - 20:00). In cooperation with In Your Pocket city guides 11 ENTERTAINmENT The New Poland Express I Friday 15th April 2011 I www.nwe.pl Gdansk Warsaw Krakow 16 .04 Saturday Sea Battle - Wisłoujście Fortress Siege ul. Starowiślna, tel. (+48) 58 343 14 05 This historical reconstruction should be best viewed from ul. Starowiślna or from the Nowy Port shore. The plan of action goes as follows: a privateer sailing ship is trying to get into Gdańsk Port. First it has to negotiate with customs to pay duty and so on. Something goes wrong and ship’s crew opens fire on the fortress. The brave soldiers of Gdansk will prevent the ship from entering. Starting at 11:00 and lasting till 16:00 it features the galleon ‘The Black Pearl’, 40 cannons and 100 troops (foot soldiers and cavalry) as well as side events like an archery tournament, jousting and a ballista shooting presentation. Sounds like a noisy fun day out for all.QEvent starts at 11:00. Admission free. 17 .04 Sunday - Horseracing Season Opening Służewiec Horse Race Track, ul. Puławska 266, tel. (+48) 22 843 14 41, www.torsluzewiec.pl Race meetings are relatively rare in Poland, so it’s always good to check one out when there’s a chance. Sunday’s card includes 8 races and, to raise interest, is for free. Later on admission will be 5-25 zł depending on which part of the ground you want to sit in. Besides the races there are other events like historic wardrobe shows by ladies from the Bluszcz group, a riding equipment fair and Easter decorations. The food runs from sushi to grilled sausages, so you won’t get hungry. The 2011 season lasts 62 days with 510 races. Tally ho!QEvent starts at 13:45. Admission free 15 .04 Friday - 25 .04 Monday - Easter Fair Rynek Główny, tel. (+48) 32 271 88 31 Come along and get a taste of Easter at the fair. There will be Palm Sunday parades, the Poles like their palms big and decorative, worth seeing just for that I’d say. Besides that listen to Easter song contests with a wide variety of performers as well as try some Easter cakes and treats. Over the first three days the Easter Małopolska Festival of Taste will run and we have the chance to savour and take home some special dishes and produce associated with this festive time. On Sunday 17th, from 11:00 to 16:00 there’s also the Easter Traditions and Customs Festival. Come and see lots more folklore goings on - dancing, music and eggpainting are all on the programme. On 23rd there’s a display of Easter tables. See how it’s done in Poland from 10:00 and at 12:00 the priest will consecrate the faithful’s Easter baskets with lots of water flying about. Good clean fun.QAdmission free. 16 .04 Saturday - 17 .04 Sunday Taste Gdansk - Half-price Weekend Restaurants in Gdańsk For the third time Gdańsk restaurants will drop their prices half on selected meals and dishes. It’s not only about food, besides restaurants, cafes and clubs, the event has been joined by the Central Maritime Museum, the History of Gdansk Museum, Archaeological Museum, Free City of Danzig Museum and the Roads to Freedom exhibition at ul. Wały Piastowskie 24. Gdańsk ZKM is offering rides on classic Konstal N trams from 1952 from Zaspa to the city centre - ticket 2zł. The two previous editions were very popular and the queues in front of restaurants were endless. This is the reason for one of the rule changes: not all meals in restaurants are half price and there is no pre-booking. Look for posters of Neptun splitting a 5zł coin in half to recognise a participating venue. Katowice © www.msorchestra.eu 17 .04 Sunday Michael Jackson Symphonically Katowice Cultural Centre, Pl. Sejmu Śląskiego 2, tel. (+48) 32 271 88 31 This will be the first show of this type in Poland. It features the biggest hits of pop legend Michael Jackson performed by a symphony orchestra with extra special singing arrangements and multimedia visualisations in the background. Come along and hear Thriller, Beat it, Billy Jean, Dirty Diana, Smooth Criminal, Black or White in what is described as an ‘energetic symphony performance’. Performed by the Modern Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mikołaj Blajda, they are a group of very talented artists new to the Polish music scene.QEvent starts at 18:00. Tickets 80-120zł. Available at Empik, ul. Piotra Skargi 6 (Open 08:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 16:00). 19 .04 Tuesday - 25 .04 Monday Misteria Paschalia tel. (+48) 12 421 89 63, www.misteriapaschalia.com This is a festival of Early music which has taken place every Easter since 2004. It takes Holy Week as its theme and is a rare chance to listen to the best performers of Early music in Europe. This year the festival will be extended and separated into two parts. To the mainstream, two other subsections have been added: Debut and Trance. The third section, Trance, is something that should make the festival more accessible to those who aren’t so familiar with early music. It will be the space where popular music will meet classical instruments, passion related subjects and traditional forms. It will be inaugurated on Holy Saturday, when Adrian Utley from Portishead and Will Gregory from Goldfrapp, Capella Cracoviensis and Octava Ensemble will perform music to the classic silent movie Joan of Arc (1928) - all directed by Charles Hazlewood.QTickets 60-200zł. Pass 900zł. Available at City Information Point, ul. Św. Jana 2 (Open 10:00 - 18:00). Full schedule available at www.misteriapaschalia.com. In cooperation with In Your Pocket city guides 12 SPORT The New Poland Express I Friday 15th April 2011 I www.nwe.pl National team in tatters F ranciszek Smuda must be wondering what he’s got himself into, after a week in which six national team representatives have been charged with corruption and his first choice centre back appears to be a hate figure for his prospective team-mates. Smuda now faces severely limited options, as the players charged are likely to be banned for life and over Emanuel Arboleda he has to either give in to player power or risk a full-scale mutiny. The corruption charges concern a match between Cracovia and Zaglebie Lubin in the 2005-6 season – when Smuda himself was in charge of one of the teams involved. A scoreless draw guaranteed Lubin a place in European competition and put Cracovia at no risk, so a group of Zaglebie players came up with the idea of arranging the result. Using a Krakow dentist as a go-between as much as PLN 100,000 was exchanged in return for the required result. As many as thirteen players on both teams were involved, though others openly refused involvement and some of those involved later returned their share of the money. Wojciech Petkowicz, the Polish FA’s (PZPN) prosecutor was talking tough, commenting in Przeglad Sportowy, “I’ve been given the green light by the PZPN. I’m to put everything else aside to look into the business of punishments for those involved.” Later in the interview, though, it emerged that neither club will face any sanction for the incident and there is also a real issue as to how to punish Lukasz P., one of the internationals involved, seeing as he plays in Germany for Borussia Dortmund. Meanwhile, Lech Poznan’s centre back, Manuel Arboleda, who is due to become a naturalised Polish citizen in the immediate future, was at the centre of scuffles and a red card incident at the Polish Cup match with Polonia this week. Afterwards three regulars for the Polish team, Smolarek, Mierzejewski and Jodlowiec openly declared they don’t want Arboleda in the team – leaving Smuda with a headache. Ebi Smolarek was sent off for punching Arboleda after a series of tussles, then later got involved with the Colombianborn player in the tunnel. “He provoked me, that’s why he was yellow-carded too. Any player would have done the same, if somebody tried to stick their finger up…”, commented an unrepentant Smolarek after the match. Then two of Smolarek’s team-mates lined up to support him. “It’s time to say it out loud. None of the Polish players likes him,” Adrian Mierzejewski told reporters. Tomasz Jodlowiec was even more forthright, “I wanted to do the same as Ebi did, but I restrained myself.” Volley of abuse T omasz Zadroga, managing director of the state-owned PGE energy giant threatened a boycott by Atom Trefl Sopot, which PGE sponsors, following a perceived criticism by a TV pundit on Polsat. Following Sopot’s defeat in the Polish Cup, pundit Wojciech Drzyzga commented, “This is an artificial, rapidly put together group composed of people that don’t know each other very well.” On hearing that, Zadroga stormed, “If that man is to commentate on my team’s matches, they won’t go out on court.” Atom Trefl Sopot was created only this season by PGE, who bought the license belonging to PTPS Pila, filling the team with international volleyball stars. Consequently, they face enormous pressure to win. “It’s outrageous. I don’t even know how to respond. I was defending his team, not attacking them,” replied Drzyzga, adding, “Anyway, the most important thing is that my commentary is completely independent. I won’t be gagged.” The place to spend the weekend Saturday 16.04.2011 Man City V Man Utd KO 18:15 Sunday 17.04.2011 Aberdeen V Celtic KO 13:45 Arsenal V Liverpool KO 17:00 Bolton V Stoke KO 17:00 Warsaw Tortilla Factory ul. Wilcza 46 tel. 022 621-8622 www.warsawtortillafactory.pl [email protected] SPORTBRIEFS Kubica’s speedy return F1 fans will be pleased to hear that Robert Kubica is making rapid progress in his recovery from the dreadful crash suffered in Italy recently. The Polish racing star is already reported to be slowly standing and putting weight on his operated leg. Meanwhile, Nick Heidfeld, who placed third in the Malaysian GP last weekend, despite having had a previously strained relationship with the Pole when they were team-mates, has been doing everything to encourage his colleague’s return. Driving in a helmet bearing the Polish flag, Heidfeld wrote an open letter to Kubica, printed in Bild, “I thought about you a lot during the race. When I crossed the line I was full of positive thoughts. Lotus has a really fast car this year. Come back as soon as possible and drive it. I hope your recovery is going well. Get well soon!” No away fans at Lech Poznan’s troubled stadium faces further problems with a possible ban on visiting fans being considered due to safety concerns. “The roadworks on ul. Bulgarska restrict access to the stadium. At the same time construction of the walkway into the stadium for visiting fans is under construction. All this means the police have difficulties escorting away fans into the ground,” explained Maciej Mielecki of Poznan’s Sports and Recreation Department. As a result police have suggested that matches take place without the participation of visiting fans. However, this would need to be approved by the Polish FA. The next two home fixtures, Lech v Legia Warszawa and second division Warta v Pogonia Szczecin will definitely go ahead with fans from both teams. 13 CLASSIFIEDS The New Poland Express I Friday 15th April 2011 I www.nwe.pl Classifieds:Placeyourfreeadsandcommunity newshere.Email [email protected] APARTMENT FOR LEASE FOR SALE Polish speaking foreigners wanted New (11 years old) apartment, 126 sq. metres, Mokotów district. Fully furnished to luxury standards. Located in 24-hour manned security complex. Two bedrooms (master bedroom with en-suite bathroom). Fully equipped kitchen. Guest bathroom. Spacious terrace + bedroom balcony. Fitness centre, including gymnasium, swimming pool and sauna. Underground garage space and secure storage cellar. TPSA telephone line. Cable TV, satellite dish + sat. TV. Hi-speed permanent Internet access. Conveniently located for airport, metro (Wilanowska station) and other public transport. Stunning views (9th floor) over city and one of the most beautiful parks in the neighbourhood. - Weber Genesis Silver C gas grill, with many accessories, including all weather cover - Weber Chill. Mobile fridge for use indoors and out. - Teak garden table, 8 chairs, cushions and blankets (All high quality) I’m looking for foreigners speaking Polish to complete a short interesting questionnaire about expressing emotions in Polish language. Please email me: [email protected] If you are interested please either call (601-366855) or mail on [email protected] Apartment to rent Apartment for rent Warsaw Beautiful 2 room furnished apartment, 47 sq m, Konopczynskiego (2 minutes to Nowy Swiat). Marble floor & bath, 1st upper floor. 1.800,- per month [email protected] Fully furnished apartment for rent located at Wiejska 20. 60 sq. m, 3 rooms: 2 bedrooms and a living room. It has large balcony/loggia, attached kitchen. Bathroom and WC are separate. It is on the second floor with an elevator. Award wining building with beautiful inside yard. Rent: 2500 pln / month Contact: [email protected] or [email protected] Polish lessons in return for French Native English speaker needed Mercedes for sale Professional Polish teacher will teach you Polish in exchange of French lessons. I am looking for English Native Speaker. My English is ok ;) but I need to improve my Business English. I can teach you Polish. Mercedes 280CDI 2006 4matic for sale in Warsaw 119,000km ELEGANCE version, extras: GPS, Xenon, Bluetooth, 5 CD, DVD player, 76,000pln Contact: Tony, 604 555 855 Entry available early April 2011 For further information, please contact: Donald Blair: [email protected] +44 7930 164 013 Please email me: [email protected] Please email me: [email protected] Stunning apartment in heart of Old Town Apartment to let Downtown Warsaw Pictures and webpage in return 100m + floorspace located on three floors next to Cathedral with views over convent. Refurbished to a very high standard with new kitchen and bathrooms, 2/3 bedrooms, wifi; home cinema etc.. Can be let unfurnished or furnished with high quality furniture and art. Euro 1800 per month. Contact: [email protected] +48 609 100 257 200 metre’s to the Zlote Tarasy shopping mall opposite the Holiday Inn Hotel. Located at 54 Sienna street. 95 square metre’s. English owner. 2500 Pln per month. Photo’s on request. Contact: [email protected] As a webmaster of a Dutch forum about Poland and an information portal I’m looking for good pictures of Poland. In return I’ll offer you a page on www.bigos.nl where you can promote your business for free Contact: [email protected] / www.bigos.nl / www.polen-forum.nl / www.lviv.nl Amateur Theatre in English Editor for Academic Papers Classical choir for amateurs New Warsaw amateur theatre group forming. Actors, producers, directors and others wanted. No experience needed. For more details Contact: Michael at [email protected] Native English speaker, with an M.A. in English and ABD in Polish, offers his assistance in editing papers for grammar and style. Between 7PLN and 10PLN per page – prices negotiated before work commences. Contact: [email protected] Doubtful you are good enough? Give it a try! Rehearsals in English every Tuesday at 6.30 in Nowy Swiat. 2 Contact Richard Berkeley at [email protected] 14 COmmuNITYNEWS The New Poland Express I Friday 15th April 2011 I www.nwe.pl CommunityGroups:Placefreelistingsfor yourcommunitygroupshere.Email [email protected] The Sikh Community Role Playing Game in Warsaw Poland Tartan Army The Sikh Community of Warsaw meets each Sunday at the Sikh Gurudwara in Rashyn, Ul Na Skraju 56. All are welcome. Kirtan starts at midday and langar is served after the Bhog at about 1400. For more information contact 22 868 4541. The Sikh faith is about equality, honesty and standing up to oppression. Anyone visiting the Guru’s house is welcome, in return for due respect and consideration of the Sikh faith. International English-speaking group in Warsaw, mostly foreign professionals, play tabletop Dungeons & Dragons fortnightly. No experience necessary but fluent English proficiency is required. Have a good time. Play some games. Meet new friends. Open your imagination. More info: Facebook group: http://tiny.cc/zaffa or CreativeCowboy[at]yahoo[dot]com A new Poland Tartan Army Facebook group has been created. If you are a fan of Scottish football and our national team please join the group by visiting Facebook and conducting a search for Poland Tartan Army. If anyone, who is not a part of Facebook, is interested in this idea then please email [email protected] to register your interest. HASH HOUSE HARRIERS International Women’s Group International Rotary Club We are a Polish and Expat social group who organise a walk/run in a forest, park or around the city, followed by a few beers (or whatever takes your fancy!). We meet at the Marriott hotel on alternate Saturdays at 2pm. “Hash House Harriers” is an international group, which was originally established in Malaysia 70 years ago. All are welcome. For details, call Martin at 502-052-958. Email [email protected] or www.warsawhash.pl Meetings are held twice a month on the SECOND Monday at 10.30 (for location see our newsletter or website) and on the FOURTH Monday of the month at Restauracja Tapa y Toro located in the Zlote Tarasy Shopping Mall (ul. Zlota 59) from 10:00 - 11:00. For more information see www.iwgwarsaw.eu or contact us at [email protected] International Rotary Club - Warszawa Wilanow is the only English speaking Rotary Club in Warsaw. Visiting Rotarians are warmly welcomed to join the weekly meetings held at the Polonia Palace Hotel, Al. Jerozolimskie 45. Tuesday’s at 12:00, except the last Tuesday of each month when the meeting is at 19:00. For more information: +48 601 897 731 Gospel Baptist Church GAA in Warsaw Expat meetings Services are held in Polish and English languages: Sun. 11:00, Thurs. 19:00. For more information contact: Pastor Paul Sock, mob. 0500-270-990, e-mail: [email protected] www.gbc-ekb.com. Cumann Warszawa.Poland’s first and only GAA club is up and running and is looking for players of all levels, all nationalities and both sexes. We offer weekly training, competitive games and regular social events as well as fresh oranges at half time. Contact Eoin at 0518-425-587 or [email protected] Meeting English speakers in Warsaw just got a whole load easier. We don’t teach you Salsa, we make you pay for your own drinks, but we do promise to give you the premier multicultural event of the week at Warsaw’s very own Professional Wednesday Meetup. Toastmasters club Poznan International Church CFM (Christian Fellowship Ministries) Toastmasters club (Polska) invites all to its weekly meetings. Toastmasters is the international organization for learning the art of public speaking and enhancing leadership skills. Meetings every Wednesday at 19.00 at the Palace of Culture 12th floor (premises of Collegium Civitas) - entrance from ul. Marszałkowska side. For more details visit www.toastmasters.org.pl or call Etan at 696-292-451 Every Sunday at 10:00 Contact details: www.international.pl. It’s simple at P.I.C.. Come and experience God through current music and relevant teaching. Grow in your relationship with God and others by making friends and joining a small group. Serve God and people by being generous with the gifts God has given you. Go and make a difference in the world by sharing the love of Christ. Kościół Chrześcijański (evangelical/Pentecostal) Location: Ul. Mała 15a (Praga Pólnoc, Warszawa) Services in Polish and English: Wednesday 19.30 hrs and Sunday 11.00 & 18.30 hrs Regularly on Saturday evening: Film, Concert & Drama Website: www.thedoor.pl Phone: 784 653 666 (Pastor Jan-Willem van Dam) Email: [email protected] To advertise your business 100zł per week Send us 360 characters (including spaces) with a heading of no more than 30 characters Contact - [email protected] or 691535566 Place your classified ad here