Ministry continues to drag its heels over Ruch sale

The quest to privatize Ruch, one of the country's largest press distributors, continues. The Treasury Ministry's issued a press release on 23 June quoting the protocol of a cabinet meeting dated April 27. It says that the Ministry will collect relevant information and documents in order to start negotiating with HDS-Wydawcy Prasy Sp. z o.o. who want to buy Ruch. However, the protocol went on to say that the talks with HDS should start immediately after the government approves of it, which was not mentioned in the press release. Michał Stępniewski, the Treasury Minister's adviser explained that it was not an attempt to hide information, as the release was designed to inform, not to quote the government in full. In December 1996 the Treasury Ministry signed an initial agreement with HDS and accepted an initialed project of a deal to sell Ruch. Later, the tender was canceled, as was the second one. The quarrel between HDS and the Treasury Ministry blocking Ruch's privatization process has been going on for seven years now. (Puls Biznesu, p. 5) D.W.