In Brief: Forth case of BSE; Tanski sacked; Optimus shares; PKN Orlen

The fourth case of BSE has been recorded, this time in the Eastern Lubelskie Voivodship. According to veterinary Jan Slawomirski, the cow became infected before 1997, when it was fed fishmeal. (Rzeczpospolita, Nov. 2-3, A3) ... Prime Minister Leszek Miller has dismissed the president of the Treasury Agricultural Ownership Agency, Adam Tanski. No reasons for the dismissal were given but according to unofficial sources, Tanski was dismissed as he opposed political pressure and refused to accept several staff changes. (Rzeczpospolita, Nov. 2-3, p. B2) ... BRE Bank, coupled with entrepreneur Zbigniew Jakubas, will purchase over 1.5 million shares in Optimus from ITI Polska. Thanks to the transaction, BRE Bank, which currently holds less that 10% in Optimus, will have 14.85% of the votes at the general shareholders meeting. (Prawo i Gospodarka, p. 1) ... PKN Orlen and Rotch Energy have officially signed an agreement on the creation of a consortium which is to purchase a 75% stake in Gdansk Refinery. The two companies are still awaiting the decision from Nafta Polska. (Puls Biznesu, p. 6) A.Z.