KW maintains tough line on mine restructuring

Unless the bill on restructuring the mining sector over 2003-2006 comes into force by January 1, 2004, Kompania Węglowa, grouping together 23 mines, will file for bankruptcy. "But there is no such threat and the bill will be accepted quickly. This is the best plan that has been prepared by the government so far. It is also the easiest one, as it will allow the mines to annul their debts without preliminary conditions," said Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) Senator Jerzy Markowski. KW president Maksymilian Klank hopes that zł. 14 billion of his company's debts would be cancelled. The total liabilities of the concern amount to zł. 17.7 billion. The difference is likely to be divided into installments and repaid later. "I am ready to begin negotiations with trade unions, but also determined to carry out the government plan to limit coal production," explained Klank. This has not met with a warm response from miners, several thousand of whom intend to demonstrate in Warsaw today. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 4) M.M.