Can Jukos avoid the temptation of Polish refineries?

Parkiet has learned that Russian oil concern Jukos, the world leader in oil extraction, is currently not intending to invest in Polish refineries. The c oncern denied rumors that it was the hidden investor behind British Rotch En ergy, which together with PKN Orlen is bidding to buy Gdansk Refinery. "Ther e are many refineries in Europe which have excessive production capacity and can be bought for a fair price," said Jukos spokesman Arturas Jonkus. Howeve r, the company can always later change its mind. He stressed that his compan y was neither invited to take part in the privatization of RG, nor is buying small stakes in PKN from the Warsaw bourse. However the, "Russians will ente r the Polish market as it would mean entering the EU for them," said Michal Szymanski from ING BSK. (Parkiet, p. 4) M.M.