Editor's note: Much ado about money
Based on the Polish constitution, this committee was created to solve the mysteries surrounding the biggest oil consortium in Poland-of which Mr. Kulczyk happens to be a shareholder. He is suspected of contacts with a Russian spy and of offering political connections to arrange the sale of the Gdańsk Refinery to the Russians. By not returning to Poland and by not appearing in front of the investigation committee, Kulczyk has shown that his conscience is not clear, and undoubtedly he has something to hide. Moreover, he has shown that he has no respect for Polish law.
Since he left Poland, Kulczyk has displayed no desire to converse with the investigation committee or the Polish press. However, he had no objections to talking to foreign newspapers. In his interview with the Financial Times (Wednesday, Nov. 10) Kulczyk presents himself as a victim harassed by the Polish politicians. He claims that the accusations aimed at him are hurting the entire Polish business community as well as discouraging foreign investors from working in Poland. Kulczyk's arguments are not entirely baseless. Thoughts expressed by some politicians of taking control of Kulczyk's possessions or of extraditing him to Poland are-without charging him with precise crimes-quite unreasonable and provocative.
On a more personal level, seeing one of the most successful Polish businesspeople issue contradictory statements and show visible anxiety during TV interviews illustrates a complete lack of control over the situation. For a man famed for his perfectionism in negotiations, Kulczyk's complete lack of PR skills and the way he has become so confused during a crisis situation are quite remarkable. His holding company operated an 'information block' policy for many years. Kulczyk used to say: "Big amounts of money like calm, huge amounts of money-silence." Now, however, there is much ado around his huge amounts of money, silence must remain wishful thinking.
Eliza Durka
Editor-in-Chief
Since he left Poland, Kulczyk has displayed no desire to converse with the investigation committee or the Polish press. However, he had no objections to talking to foreign newspapers. In his interview with the Financial Times (Wednesday, Nov. 10) Kulczyk presents himself as a victim harassed by the Polish politicians. He claims that the accusations aimed at him are hurting the entire Polish business community as well as discouraging foreign investors from working in Poland. Kulczyk's arguments are not entirely baseless. Thoughts expressed by some politicians of taking control of Kulczyk's possessions or of extraditing him to Poland are-without charging him with precise crimes-quite unreasonable and provocative.
On a more personal level, seeing one of the most successful Polish businesspeople issue contradictory statements and show visible anxiety during TV interviews illustrates a complete lack of control over the situation. For a man famed for his perfectionism in negotiations, Kulczyk's complete lack of PR skills and the way he has become so confused during a crisis situation are quite remarkable. His holding company operated an 'information block' policy for many years. Kulczyk used to say: "Big amounts of money like calm, huge amounts of money-silence." Now, however, there is much ado around his huge amounts of money, silence must remain wishful thinking.
Eliza Durka
Editor-in-Chief
