PKN to participate in UN food-for-oil program in Iraq

Oil concern PKN Orlen said yesterday it would participate in the United Nati ons' food-for-oil program for Iraq, possibly opening the door for it to gain further contracts in the region. Orlen said it had qualified for the UN's $1 billion Iraqi aid program with its role to be decided through a tender proce ss. "Orlen's intention, along with that of the Agriculture Ministry, is to u se Polish food surpluses in exchange for oil from Iraq," PKN said in a state ment. United States-led efforts to rebuild war-torn Iraq are expected to gen erate billions of dollars in contracts for companies worldwide, and gaining a foothold there would help PKN's plans to build a regional fuels group with access to cheap crude. "This shows that Orlen is Poland's best hope for furt her fuel contracts in the region," said a source close to the company. (Reut ers) K.Ż.