Ruppert Companies complains of stalling in purchase of PKS Torun

Ruppert Companies (RC) of the US, which has been trying for two years to purchase PKS Torun, is complaining to the American government about the slowness of Polish authorities. In a letter to US Deputy Undersecretary of State, Elizabeth Jones, RC claims that, "continuous lingering over the privatization makes us wonder whether our further engagement in Poland makes any sense." Two years ago, RC bought DGI Transport which, through its Polish daughter-company Polskie Sieci Autobusowe S.A., invested in a coach company from the Warminsko-Mazurskie voivodship. DGI would also like to invest in other Polish coach companies and has already received permission from the Polish authorities to purchase PKS Torun. However, the transaction is being delayed due to so-called "political maneuvers." "There is no such thing as political maneuvers. We have already prepared a restructuring plan for PKS Torun and I see no reason why the American company should accuse us of stalling the transaction," said Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivod Romuald Kosieniak. However, in July, pressed by trade unionists, he suspended the privatization of the company promising to renegotiate social packages as well as re- examine the credibility of the American investor. Kosieniak said in a letter to RC that the final decision on the purchase would be taken after this year's local elections. (Gazeta Wyborcza, Oct. 12-13; p. 29) A.Z.