Central bank head criticizes sceptical specialists on gloomy economic forecasts

According to the head of the National Bank of Poland (NBP) Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, analysis of Poland's financial situation conducted by Western specialists suffers from a lack of credibility. Gronkiewicz-Waltz maintains that many conclusions and forecasts are deliberately exaggerated. "Some of these analyses seek to delay Poland's entrance to the European Union(EU)" she said in an interview given to the daily Parkiet yesterday and added, "This is a matter the government should look into." Lately, Western analysts have been warning potential investors about the danger of financial crisis in Poland. NBP strongly opposes this view, saying the situation is under control and could be aggravated only if some pledges of certain Presidential candidates' find their way into Parliament. Gronkiewicz-Waltz has warned the government, however, to tighten its fiscal policy and limit expenditures, since the Monetary Policy Council (RPP) will otherwise be forced to increase interest rates. (Parkiet, page 1) J.K.