Poland won't let Russia build gas pipeline without Ukrainian involvement

Economy Minister Janusz Steinhoff has assured the Ukraine that Poland will not let Russian energy-giant Gazprom build a gas pipeline without it. Russia is to build a pipeline through Belarus, Poland and Slovakia to western Europe, which could allow Poland to earn as much as $900 million a year in transmission fees. However, Steinhoff says Poland's strategic partnership with the Ukraine is too important: "We will not agree to the new pipeline proposed by Gazprom. We do not want any gas to be piped through Poland that would harm Ukrainian interests." This, however, does not mean that Poland is not interested in building the second section of the Yamal pipeline, as set out in an agreement with Russia in 1993. The first section was begun last September, but it is still not agreed which route the second section should take. (Gazeta Wyborcza, July 22-23, page 31) T.J.