Gazprom head says Russia ready for compromise in Yamal pipeline dispute

In a letter to Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek, Gazprom head Rem Vyachirev declared that his country is prepared to reach a compromise in the ongoing dispute over gas delivery and gas pipeline construction contracts between Poland and the Russian energy behemoth. The letter also signals cooling relations between Gazprom and its main partner in Poland, Aleksander Gudzowaty. According to Vyachirev, no company in Poland has the right to speak for Gazprom, as Gudzowaty has been accused of doing. The letter comes in response to Poland's decision to withdraw its recommendation for Kazimierz Adamczyk as the head of EuRoPol Gaz, owner of the Polish part of the Yamal pipeline linking Russia to Germany, after a highly critical report by a special government commission found that Poland was loosing control over the gas pipeline. The decision will most likely result in Adamczyk's removal from his position by the company's shareholders on Feb. 14. Prior to that, the move must be approved by the Russians. (Rzeczpospolita, p.A1) J.K.