Arms industry defended by Gov

Trade unions from the arms industry ended their protest against Poland's accession to the European open market for armament purchase. The government promised to protect national companies against the loss of purchase orders. By the end of July entrepreneurs and trade unionists are to sign the timetable for the government's protective operations. Tomasz Wilczak, the deputy minister for economy, said that one of the demands, to develop and present a draft of the holding law to the Sejm, is impossible because it would require changing tens of bills and would take several years. By the end of the year a strategy of industry consolidation will be ready. The schedule also contains a commitment to accepting the rules of funding and maintaining strategic fuels and resources. Entrepreneurs and trade unionists want the government to create a record of military equipment and weapons produced in Poland, which would be excluded from European open auction procedures. The National Defense ministry (MON) wants to allocate zł.11 billion for the purchase of armaments, ammunition, vehicles and repair services until 2010. According to the Minister for Economy, by the end of 2010 revenues of Polish companies exporting armament are to reach zł.14 billion. (Rzeczpospolita p.B1) M.M.