PZU-Eureko conflict will soon reach its climax

In 2005 the court decided that by refraining from selling a 21% block of PZU's shares, the Polish government breached the agreement about the protection of investments signed both by Poland and the Netherlands. The Treasury accuses Stephen Schwebel, a well-known lawyer and arbiter, of being partial due to his connections with Cargill, an American law firm which is also litigating with Poland. It is a very serious charge concerning Mr Schwebel's authority as a professor at Harvard and Cambridge universities. Yesterday, having heard both sides, a Belgian judge decided that he would communicate the verdict in a written form within the next 30 days. Eureko, sure of winning the case, does not hide its contentment at the turn of events. The Treasury, on the other hand, is refraining from making a comment. If the verdict is negative for the government, the state will have to pay to Eureko zl.1.5 billion in compensation (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 6-7) M.K.